Trader Joe's is my go-to place to buy olive oil and some affordable seasonal veggies.
I try to keep my kitchen stocked with Mediterranean classics like beans and fresh tomatoes.
Each time I travel to the Mediterranean, I find myself falling in love with the food over and over again at every meal.
Many of the dishes are wildly fresh, and the Mediterranean diet emphasizes foods like fresh produce, whole grains, olive oil, fish, legumes, and eggs.
When I return to the US after a trip, I combat post-travel blues by enjoying many of the same foods at home. Fortunately, I've found that I can get many Mediterranean-inspired staples at Trader Joe's at a reasonable price.
Here are some of my favorite buys.
Olive oil is a staple in Mediterranean cooking for a good reason — it's simple and delicious.
My favorite Trader Joe's olive oil comes in a 16.9-fluid-ounce bottle.
Alison Van Glad
I pick up Italian extra-virgin olive oil at Trader Joe's.
The best quality olive oil is extra virgin, meaning the oil is extracted the first time the olives are pressed for their liquid.
My favorite part about olive oil is its versatility. I use it as a nonstick agent on my pans, a base for sautéeing veggies, and a topper for added garnish and flavor.
Trader Joe's often has a large variety of fresh herbs.
I usually pay just under $2 for an ounce of herbs at Trader Joe's.
Alison Van Glad
When creating my shopping list, I prioritize what I can purchase fresh — especially when it comes to herbs.
After all, any dish can be elevated with fresh herbs.
If I know I need to use my herbs over an extended period, I put them in a resealable bag with a damp paper towel in the fridge to help extend their freshness.
A freshly sliced tomato adds the perfect crunch to a sandwich.
The cost varies, but I usually buy my favorite tomatoes on the vine for $2.50.
Alison Van Glad
Trader Joe's has several tomato varieties, from cherry tomatoes for easy snacking to Roma tomatoes for making sauces.
I prefer to purchase tomatoes on the vine because I find they have a longer shelf life. Longevity is a priority because I'm only meal-prepping for one.
I know I can find fresh, in-season produce at my local Trader Joe's.
So, I stock up on seasonal vegetables at Trader Joe's, where I find produce in season is often centerstage and reasonably priced.
I also like to check Trader Joe's website for recipe inspiration for my seasonal veggies.
Most of my dishes use onions and garlic.
I try to buy heads of garlic and shallots at Trader Joe's when they're under $1.
Alison Van Glad
There's a reason garlic and onion are classics in Mediterranean cooking: Both are delicious and high in natural antioxidants.
My Trader Joe's carries a wide selection of onions, so I always know it will almost always have the variety I want. However, I also love swapping basic white onions for the more delicately flavored shallot.
I like to dice onion and garlic, sauté them in olive oil, and store them in an airtight container in my fridge to use throughout the week for omelets, veggies, and pasta.
I make sure I'm always stocked up on canned beans.
I use canned beans to whip up quick dips and salads that pair perfectly with fresh sliced bread. Sometimes, I blend them with fresh herbs, pasta water, and lemon juice to make a creamy protein-packed sauce.
Pasta is my favorite comfort food, and Trader Joe's has plenty of varieties of it.
Trader Joe's has a ton of different pasta shapes.
Alison Van Glad
Although not necessarily a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet, pasta is a great base if you want to consume more legumes and veggies. Sometimes, I also top my pasta with a white-bean sauce to create a high-protein dish.
I like to stock up on several different pasta shapes so I never get bored mixing and matching them with new sauces.
