I used to work at Trader Joe's. Here are the 10 best things I bought there this year.

Nothing beats the ease and execution of one of my favorite products: Trader Joe's vegan Caesar dressing.

In fact, I don't think it's distinguishable from a traditional Caesar dressing.

The saltiness and acidity that usually come from anchovies are thoughtfully substituted with white miso, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and capers.

I use it to dress up a quick, healthy salad with kale, rosemary croutons, avocado, roasted garbanzo beans, and red onion.

It can be a struggle to find vegan cheese that melts well, but Trader Joe's dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds perfectly mimic cheese made with dairy products.

I use it to add an ooze of cheesy goodness to everything, including grilled cheese, quesadillas, and eggs.

Though Trader Joe's organic jumbo cinnamon rolls aren't labeled as vegan, the ingredient list doesn't feature any animal products.

As they bake, the vegan vanilla frosting melts into the warm cinnamon pastry.

These cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to satisfy my sweet tooth any time of day.

Trader Joe's non-dairy brown-sugar oat creamer is my favorite coffee sweetener.

I love how the brown sugar balances black coffee, as its subtle sweetness enhances the beverage's rich flavor.

My only complaint about the oat creamer is that I wish it came in a larger carton. Currently, my local Trader Joe's only has a small 16-ounce carton.

Boursin cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, and I think the vegan version is just as good.

The deliciously herby, savory spread pairs perfectly with tons of snacks and party appetizers.

Serve it with almost any cracker, and it's bound to delight.

I might also try the recent TikTok trend of mashing potatoes with the rich, seasoned Boursin cheese.

Gochujang, known for its complex spicy and earthy flavors, is always in my cart.

My partner uses it to transform cauliflower from a bland blob to vegan Korean BBQ wings.

It's also the perfect base for a spicy ramen — just add miso, vegetable broth, and oat milk.

I top it with shiitake mushrooms, roasted corn, and an outrageous amount of green onions, and enjoy as the heat of the gochujang broth clears my sinuses.

The Sweet Rose coconut whipped topping is the perfect addition to holiday pie or hot chocolate.

I think its texture is identical to traditional whipped cream.

I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but I actually love this topping's mild flavor and am constantly surprised by how well it pairs with ice cream, desserts, and drinks.

I love mushrooms, especially paired with carrots and kale, so I was excited when I came across the organic creamy mushroom soup.

I find the broth perfectly lush and savory for a microwavable soup.

It's an easy, quick meal that can be reheated via microwave or stovetop, making it the hearty, warm relief you need after a long, cold day.

The vegetable pad Thai was a frequent lunch and dinner option when I worked at Trader Joe's.

I didn't even realize it was vegan at the time — I just added it to my cart because it tasted so good.

The flavors of the bean sprouts, shallots, and tofu are subtle yet satisfying.

It can be exhausting to even think about cooking after a long day, and this frozen dish comes together with just a few minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Before going vegan, Trader Joe's caramelized-onion dip was one of my favorite items, so I was excited but skeptical to try the vegan version.

Luckily, it still has that deliciously tangy, sweet flavor of the caramelized onions.

Pair with pretzel chips or Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel crackers for the perfect party appetizer or late-night snack.

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