My husband works at Trader Joe's, and we both swear by these 12 purchases

These fluffy griddle cakes are the secret to our homemade version of popular fast-food breakfast sandwiches.

Add an egg and some Trader Joe's chicken breakfast sausage, and you've got a protein-packed breakfast in minutes. The cakes are also good on their own and easy to heat up in a toaster or microwave.

Forget the boxed stuff you have to cook on the stove — Joe's Diner frozen mac and cheese is creamy, rich, and indulgent.

It heats up in minutes, making it a perfect lunch for busy days or side dish with dinner. This is one of my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's.

The centerpiece of most meals my husband cooks is some sort of meat, so we buy it regularly. Fortunately, Trader Joe's offers an impressive selection of it at competitive prices.

I've been impressed by the quality of the meat we've gotten at the chain, so we grab beef, poultry, or pork on each shopping trip.

Trader Joe's plantain chips deliver when the craving hits for something salty, sweet, and crunchy.

Made with just three ingredients — plantains, sunflower oil, and salt— these chips are my guilt-free, go-to snack.

We always keep a few bags on hand for road trips, late-night cravings, and afternoon desk snacks. If you prefer a little kick, try Trader Joe's jerk-style plantain chips.

We always have ice cream in our freezer, and Trader Joe's ice-cream sandwiches are some of our favorite buys.

They're the perfect portion-controlled treat for when we're watching TV after dinner.

Some of our top picks are the Mini Mint Mouthfuls, brownie-coffee crisp ice-cream sandwiches, and classic Sublime cookie ice-cream sandwiches.

We've been so impressed by Trader Joe's frozen foods inspired by other countries that we rarely order takeout these days.

Trader Joe's soup dumplings and fried rice are some of our favorite buys. Both dishes deliver on flavor and cost far less than if we'd ordered them from a restaurant.

For us, these heat-and-eat options are a game changer for busy nights when cooking from scratch isn't an option.

Eating clean is important to us, so fresh produce is always in our kitchen.

We regularly stock up on bananas, berries, and mini carrots for easy snacking for us and our dogs. Plus, the chain's seasonal fruits and vegetables can be great for trying new recipes.

My husband also swears by Trader Joe's salad kits for quick, no-fuss lunches.

Open our fridge, and you'll always find a half-gallon of Trader Joe's chocolate milk. It's so creamy and delicious.

We like to drink it as a coffee alternative, after-dinner sweet treat, or post-workout pick-me-up.

Trader Joe's Goddess dressing is a staple for us. It's fantastic on salads or as a veggie dip. We also like using it to upgrade pasta or tuna salad.

It's one of the most versatile condiments we own and a great value, as a little goes a long way in terms of flavor.

Trader Joe's breaded chicken tenderloins are a lifesaver when I'm trying to make a quick, stress-free meal.

I like pairing them with Trader Joe's mac and cheese and some veggies for a dinner that's ready in minutes. The tenders are also great for adding protein to salads.

Infused with eucalyptus and other botanicals, Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle products leave our hair feeling soft and clean. I like how they make our hair smell, too.

A little bit of these goes a long way, which makes them a great value for us.

I think Trader Joe's wine selection is unbeatable in terms of value and quality.

Whether we need a bottle for a special occasion, a hostess gift, or something to pair with dinner, there's always an affordable option that tastes like it cost way more than it actually did.

There are a lot of bottles available for under $20, and many cost less than $10.