Thanksgiving is often associated with gratitude… and a short break before finals, if you’re a busy college student. Many students will take advantage of the five-day break (or even a 10-day break, depending on your school) by traveling home and celebrating with their loved ones. But others may live thousands of miles away from home or simply may not want to worry about traveling for such a short break, especially since Christmas will be right around the corner. If this sounds like you, you can still host an epic Thanksgiving celebration in the comfort of your dorm room — with a little help from a good friend to many college students, good old Trader Joe.
It might feel intimidating to please your guests with food cooked straight from your dorm room kitchen, but with the help of some trendy and convenient Trader Joe’s products, you’ll be able to replicate your favorite childhood dishes as closely as you can in a cramped space.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of some of the best Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving items you can grab in order to host your very own dorm room Thanksgiving feast!
Turkey and Stuffing En Croute
As long as you have access to an oven, your main entree has never been easier thanks to this Turkey and Stuffing En Croute. (FYI, “en croute” means “in a crust”). This product contains a boneless turkey breast and cornbread stuffing that’s wrapped in a puff pastry. It may sound fancy, but all you have to do is thaw the dish in the fridge at least one day in advance before cooking it in the oven for one hour — and you don’t need to do any preparation beforehand!
Cornbread Stuffing
Combine your love of cornbread and stuffing with the seasonal Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing. This delicious side dish is made of cornbread croutons that also contain dried cranberries and a parsley and sage seasoning.
Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix
This stuffing mix might be gluten-free, but its croutons, poultry spices, and vast array of seasonings prove that taste doesn’t have to be compromised for those with gluten allergies or other food sensitivities. You don’t even need an oven to make this delicious stuffing mix — simply add some water or butter to a stovetop and enjoy!
Pumpkin Gnocchi
Pumpkins are practically synonymous with fall, so why not enjoy a pumpkin-flavored gnocchi dish this Thanksgiving? Made from just four ingredients — potatoes, wheat flour, cornstarch, and pumpkin puree — the Pumpkin Gnocchi only takes two minutes to boil and can be dressed up with any seasoning you want.
Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs
Trader Joe’s is always experimenting with unconventional yet tasty flavor combinations, and the Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs are no exception. This can be prepared in the oven or microwave, so if you don’t want to fight for space in your building’s communal kitchen, you can make these without even leaving your room!
Organic Biscuits
Made with organic wheat flour, organic cane sugar, and organic sunflower oil, these Organic Biscuits are incredibly versatile and can simply be baked in the oven. For only $4.49 per package, make sure to stock up on these biscuits to keep all your guests happy.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips
If you’re feeling hungry before your feast starts, these Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips will have your back. These chips go beyond your typical potato chip by adding a seasoning made of salt, celery, sage, and thyme. Pour them into a bowl for everyone to enjoy while watching football or simply catching up on life.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn
Just like the Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips, this popcorn snack gets a festive makeover with celery seed, thyme, black pepper, and sage. You can also make a holiday-themed trail mix for your guests by adding pecans and dried cranberries to the popcorn.
Roasted Green Vegetables
These roasted green vegetables are perfect for a healthy side dish. This mix contains broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and pre-shelled edamame that can be prepared in an oven or microwave. Now that you have your vegetables figured out, you can take more time to focus on your main dishes that will wow anybody who enters your dorm.
Pumpkin Pie
For a delicious dessert that doesn’t require any preparation, don’t miss out on the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie. It contains a crimped crust and custard filling that’s dressed up with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. If your guests are too full to eat dessert, let everyone take a slice home!
Apple Crumble Pie
While pumpkin-flavored desserts and dishes may be popular during Thanksgiving, you and your guests may prefer apple pie. In that case, Trader Joe’s Apple Crumble Pie does not disappoint. This pie is made of a buttery pastry crust shell, which is filled with Northern Spy apples and an oat crumble on top. Even if you don’t have an oven, the Apple Crumble Pie can still be enjoyed at room temperature with all of your other dishes!
Apple Crisp Milk Chocolate Caramels
Made in Ireland, this product takes milk chocolate to a whole new level by incorporating apple cinnamon caramel into these bite-sized treats. These treats can be a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving celebration, regardless of where you’re hosting or who you’re celebrating with.If you love chocolate and experimenting with unique flavors, these caramels may become a favorite among your guests.