Trader Joe’s customer awards spotlight products crews hear about most

The products that won Trader Joe’s 17th Annual Customer Choice Awards are the ones most likely to drive store-floor questions, repeat requests and empty shelf spots. When a shopper walks in asking for the item that just took No. 1, crews are not dealing with a casual preference. They are dealing with brand loyalty, and this year’s results make clear which products sit closest to that loyalty.

Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings took the overall top spot in the awards published Jan. 26, 2026, moving up from No. 2 the year before. That kind of climb matters in a chain built on word-of-mouth and in-store discovery, because it signals a product that shoppers already knew, already wanted and were ready to elevate. Trader Joe’s also said seasonal winners may return later in the year, which gives crews a useful answer when the dumpling questions start coming before the next shipment lands.

Protein Pancakes won best new item, and the details explain why customers latched on fast: 20 grams of protein per four-pack and a 15-second microwave prep. That is the sort of item that turns into a steady front-of-store conversation, especially for shoppers looking for something quick that still feels aligned with the chain’s value pitch. Spiced Cider won the beverage category and, Trader Joe’s said, had won the category five-plus times, enough to place it in Hall of Fame status. Teeny Tiny Avocados again took the top produce spot, and Trader Joe’s said the item has done that more than five times. Goat Cheese led the cheese category.

The pattern is broader than a few fan favorites. Progressive Grocer reported that frozen foods again scored top honors, underscoring how much Trader Joe’s customers reward convenience from the freezer aisle. The awards were revealed on the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast by co-hosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan, and Trader Joe’s said some categories are write-in based, which helps explain how multiple cider styles can fold into one beverage result.

For stores, the bigger lesson is that the awards match the company’s own operating model. Trader Joe’s says it has been transforming grocery shopping into a welcoming journey full of discovery and fun since 1967, but it does that without sales, coupons, loyalty programs, online delivery or curbside pickup. Instead, it leans on brick-and-mortar traffic, direct feedback and products that earn their shelf space. If an item is not earning that spot, Trader Joe’s says it gets discontinued to make room for something new, and customer requests are part of how old favorites get revisited. That is why a customer-choice ranking is more than a trophy case. It is a forecast for what crews will keep hearing about next.