"Girl dinner is appealing on so many different levels. There’s no cooking involved, it’s relaxed and stress-free, it doesn’t take long to prepare, and it’s an excuse to indulge in foods that bring you joy. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl in the kitchen, I am the queen of throwing meals together without actually cooking. AKA I’ve been eating girl dinner for years. Having food readily available that doesn’t take too long to prepare is super important, so stocking up on groceries that are easy to grab and throw together is key. And where else is a girl to go for easy, fun food finds? Trader Joe’s is the obvious choice.
Since girl dinner is all about grabbing whatever is in your fridge and making a meal out of it, these Trader Joe’s finds are all about simplicity. The goal is essentially a glorified snack plate—perfect for late-night study sessions, dining solo after a stressful day, or chill Saturdays spent on the couch. The key is to put whatever you’re in the mood for on a plate and deem it a meal. Girl dinner should feel easy and joyful—nourishing yourself with minimal effort.
Without further ado, here are some of my go-to Trader Joe’s items that are perfect for your next girl dinner.
1. Mediterranean Style Hummus
Hummus and veggies is a classic zero-effort girl dinner. Grab all the leftover veggies in the fridge, scoop up some hummus, then add your favorite chip or cracker for added crunch. Trader Joe’s has a lot of hummus options to choose from, but the Mediterranean style is my favorite. It has an extra layer of oil on top, which makes the hummus super creamy once you stir it in. If you have tortillas lying around, slap some hummus on one and roll your veggies into a wrap. You could also make a lettuce wrap if tortillas aren’t your style! To make it extra filling, eat it alongside a handful of nuts or some sliced cheese, or grab whatever protein you have left over in the fridge.
2. Dill-icious Smoked Salmon
The love affair I have with this salmon is next to none, and you bet I add at least one of these to my cart every time I go to Trader Joe’s. If you’re a fan of pickles, you know that Trader Joe’s loves to add its dill pickle seasoning to everything from potato chips to hummus. This smoked salmon is covered with dill, which gives it a delightful tang similar to pickles. It makes a perfect girl dinner when paired with an assortment of snacks, but my personal favorite way to eat it is with cream cheese and Norwegian crispbread. For this riff on bagel and lox, smear a piece of crispbread with cream cheese and top it with salmon. This girl dinner feels slightly elevated to me, and it’s also great for breakfast or even a snack. Eating it in your comfiest robe is highly recommended.
3. Cheese Party Tray
Cheese and crackers is an obvious girl dinner choice and with good reason. It’s delicious and easy! I personally love an assortment of cheeses, so this party tray of pre-sliced cheese is perfect. And who says this cheese tray can’t be for a party of one? Pour yourself a glass of wine, spread out a few cheese slices and crackers on a plate, add some fruit like grapes or strawberries, and you have a quintessential girl dinner. You can always store any leftover cheese in the fridge for later.
4. Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip
The fun of making a personal charcuterie board is that you don’t have to just stick with meats and cheeses. A dip is perfect for girl dinner, and this spinach and kale dip made from Greek yogurt is my favorite. It’s delicious with just about anything and can easily provide the centerpiece of your plate, surrounded by other snacks and veggies. One of my favorite combos is spinach dip with plantain chips, Persian cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and some deli turkey for added protein. If plantain chips aren’t your vibe, tortilla chips or crackers are other great options.
5. Cinnamon Raisin Bread
The sweet simplicity of buttered toast should not go unrecognized. And if girl dinner is all about indulging in food that you enjoy, this cinnamon raisin bread is definitely up there for me. I was inspired to pick up a loaf when I decided to re-create Starbucks’ egg and cheddar protein box and I’m so glad I did. The ingredients couldn’t be simpler, and throwing together a DIY version of this not only saves money, but it’s also easy and delicious.
The Starbucks protein plate consists of two hard-boiled eggs, sliced apples, grapes, white cheddar cheese, peanut butter, and a piece of muesli bread with raisins. To make it extra easy on yourself, grab some of Trader Joe’s prepared hard-boiled eggs, a block of Unexpected Cheddar, and of course, some cinnamon raisin bread. Topping the bread with peanut butter is *chef’s kiss*—just be sure to save some for your apple slices, too. Plus, toasting the cinnamon raisin bread makes your kitchen smell incredible.
6. Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings
Girl dinner should be easy to throw together, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be a plate full of snacks. Trader Joe’s soup dumplings are the ultimate comfort food, and you can heat them up in the microwave in just a few minutes. Although they’re delicious as is, you could also zhuzh them up in a bowl with broth, green onions, soy sauce, and crunchy chili oil. The chicken version of these dumplings is the most popular, but with that said, they’re usually out of stock at my store. The pork and ginger variety is also delicious, and Trader Joe’s recently launched a vegan vegetable dumpling. You truly can’t go wrong with any option!
7. Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
The nostalgia of boxed mac and cheese is second to none. While this girl dinner does require a bit of prep, it is incredibly easy and doesn’t take long at all. Trader Joe’s recently rolled out their version of boxed mac and cheese, and it’s a great girl dinner option if you’re looking to indulge in a childhood classic. Mix in some chicken or veggies and a dash of hot sauce for a more elevated take, or just stick to the instructions on the box and enjoy some boxed mac and cheese in all its glory.
8. Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad Kit
Some may argue that a salad doesn’t count as girl dinner. However, the ease that comes with a Trader Joe’s salad kit means it absolutely deserves a nod. If you’ve never scoured the prepared salad section of Trader Joe’s, check it out the next time you’re there. I’ve never tried one I didn’t like, and they have everything from a simple Caesar salad to a Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad (my personal favorite). It comes with greens, toppings, and a dressing that all go together seamlessly on their own, or you can add a protein to amp it up. If I’m leaning into comfort foods, I’ll throw some chicken nuggets in the air fryer, cut them into small pieces, and toss them in. Or grab some of Trader Joe’s pre-cooked chicken breasts for an easy addition that requires no prep.
9. Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
What’s girl dinner without a little treat at the end? I always like some sort of dessert after dinner, and a handful of these mini peanut butter cups is the sweet treat I always crave. Girl dinner should have an air of playfulness, so if having a little bowl of these as part of your meal sparks joy—have at it! Another idea? Make yourself a bowl of popcorn and sprinkle in a handful of these PB cups. It’s giving movie theater vibes at home, and just the idea of that makes me smile.
10. Mini Hold the Cone! Ice Cream Cones
The Hold the Cone! mini ice cream cones are another Trader Joe’s dessert I love for a quick treat. These adorable mini treats come in a variety of flavors that are all delicious. I love how small they are and how easy they are to eat—it’s definitely a grab-and-go dessert that is incredibly satisfying. Their current seasonal flavor is coffee, which I highly recommend.
