6 Grab-and-Go Trader Joe’s Snack Combos That Are a Hit at Every Party

published Jul 4, 2023
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Trader Joe's fully stocked Covid - June 14, 2020 - San Francisco, CA, USA
Credit: Larry Zhou/Shutterstock

Summer is now in full swing, and for many that means invites to BBQs, picnics, and informal parties. While I love enjoying summer leisure time with friends, one thing that isn’t so relaxing is having to come up with something to bring to each and every gathering.

I have lots of memories of my mom bringing the oldie-but-goodie staple of chips and dip to parties. And now that I’m an adult, I have come to appreciate how simple it is to take these grab-and-go offerings to casual social events. So, whenever I’m short on time, uninspired, or just don’t feel like making something more elaborate, I head over to Trader Joe’s for a crowd-pleasing chip-and-dip combo — they save the time and stress of making something homemade and they never disappoint.

These are some of my favorite Trader Joe’s snack combos that I have come to rely on time and time again so I can relax and enjoy my time with friends and family.

Credit: Photo: Lucy Schaeffer; Prop Styling; Tom Hoerup

Caramelized Onion Dip & Ridge Cut Potato Chips

If you don’t want to stray too much from the classic French onion dip served with potato chips, Trader Joe’s takes onion dip to a new level by using onions caramelized with balsamic vinegar and creamy roasted garlic. There’s also a vegan version of this dip that uses a plant-based, dairy-free cream cheese. While perfectly satisfying to serve with simple sea salt-flavored Ridge Cut Potato Chips, it’s extra fun to try this dip with Patio Potato Chips. There are four different flavors of ridge cut potato chips in one bag of Patio Potato Chips­: Sea Salt & Vinegar, Delicious Dill, Homestyle Ketchup, and Smokin’ Sweet BBQ. This snack combo is gastronomic party entertainment in itself, as guests decide which chip flavor goes best with the elevated onion dip.

Three Layer Hummus & Pita Chips

It’s hard to choose just one flavor of hummus, so Trader Joe’s Three Layer Hummus with its trio of flavors is always a crowd-pleaser. It has three colorful layers — Zesty Cilantro, Purely Traditional, and Roasted Red Pepper — that not only present beautifully for a party, but also taste so good together. Serve it with a more traditional toasted pita bread cut into wedges, or for less work and added crunch and texture, you can use Trader Joe’s Pita Chips, which are baked and sprinkled with sea salt.

Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers & Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole

Another great pairing is the Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers and Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole. I’ve only had authentic elote once, while touring around Mexico City, but it was the stuff of taste-bud dreams. For those unfamiliar, it is essentially roasted corn on the cob that’s served on a stick; coated with butter, mayonnaise, and crema; and sprinkled with salt, chili powder, and crumbled cotija cheese. A final squeeze of lime adds the perfect amount of acidity to this Mexican street food flavor bomb. The Trader Joe’s elote corn chip dippers use many of the same seasonings, and it’s surprising how much you can taste the sweet, smoky flavor of roasted corn in these chips. My favorite accompaniment is the Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole, which offers a creamy contrast that tames the spiciness of the corn chips.

Credit: Mackenzie Filson

Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip & Quinoa and Black Bean Infused Tortilla Chips

While it seems almost natural to pair Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip with Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers, our family prefers eating this dip with the Quinoa and Black Bean Infused Tortilla Chips so there isn’t a redundancy of flavors. These lightly salted tortilla chips really allow the flavor of the elote yogurt dip to shine. The quinoa also adds an intriguing nuttiness to each bite, and the sturdiness of the chips makes them perfect to bring to a party (no one likes broken chips left behind in the communal dip).  

Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread & Organic Naan Crackers

The cheese-lovers in my home love Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, so it’s no surprise that one of our favorite products is their Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread. Unlike the block cheese with its crumbly, slightly crystalline texture, this spread is unexpectedly smooth and creamy, yet with all the same tangy aged-cheddar flavor. This luscious cheese spread tastes heavenly on lightly toasted French bread, but Trader Joe’s mild and buttery Naan Crackers also complement the spread and are much easier to pack and bring to parties and picnics.

Credit: Sarah Crowley

Buffalo Chicken Dip & Celery Sticks

Packed with all the same flavors of restaurant Buffalo wings, this spicy chicken dip with hints of vinegar and garlic has a base of cream cheese and Monterey Jack cheese that, when warmed up, ties these scrumptious flavors together. Slicing Trader Joe’s Celery Hearts into sticks takes minimal effort and is a fresh complement to this rich and delectable dip.

These are just a few of my family’s favorite snack combos, and there will always be many more to discover. But thanks to Trader Joe’s, any of these combos make summer party-going a breeze!