Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTrader Joe’s latest Customer Choice Awards name Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings the company’s overall customer-voted favorite for 2026. The awards also recognize winners by category, so the best pick depends on whether you’re shopping for a meal, snack, drink, produce or something for home and body.
Trader Joe’s overall customer favorite for 2026
Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings took the top spot in Trader Joe’s 17th Annual Customer Choice Awards, published January 26, 2026. The dumplings moved up from second place the previous year. Trader Joe’s described the results this way: “Our customers have spoken! You voted, we tallied, and now it’s time for the Customer Choice Awards Winners to be revealed.” (Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards)
The other overall finalists, in order, were Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings, Sourdough Bread and Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice. Trader Joe’s marks Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese as seasonal, so its place among the finalists does not mean it is available year-round.
2026 winners by shopping category
Category results help match a pick to what you need. A category win is not a second overall ranking: these items won in different parts of the store.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
| Shopping category | 2026 winner |
|---|---|
| New product | Protein Pancakes |
| Beverage | Spiced Cider (seasonal) |
| Cheese | Goat Cheese |
| Produce | Teeny Tiny Avocados |
| Appetizer | Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip |
| Breakfast and brunch | Hashbrowns |
| Lunch and dinner | Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice |
| Bath, body and home | Brazil Nut Body Butter (seasonal) |
| Snack | Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips |
Trader Joe’s lists additional award categories, including sweet treats. See the official winners page for the full category results and rankings.
Notable category finalists
New products
Protein Pancakes won the new-product category. Other finalists included Sour Strawberry Candy Belts, Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips, Hot Honey Popcorn and Ketchup Flavored Lattice Potato Chips. Trader Joe’s says the pancakes contain 20 grams of protein per four-pack and take 15 seconds to heat in a microwave; that is the company’s product description, not an independent nutrition or cooking test. (Trader Joe’s Protein Pancakes)
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
What the awards tell you—and what they don’t
The results show which products Trader Joe’s says customers voted for in its awards. They don’t establish why shoppers chose an item or how representative the vote was: the official material provides no vote totals, respondent count or detailed survey methodology. Treat the winners as a useful shortlist, not a guarantee that an item will suit your taste or needs.
Availability is another practical consideration. Trader Joe’s identifies some winners as seasonal and says they should return later in the year, but a return is not a guarantee that a specific store has an item in stock. The awards page does not provide live local inventory or current prices; check with your store before making a trip.
Why some past favorites leave the awards
Trader Joe’s Product Hall of Fame, introduced in 2023, recognizes products that have won their category at least five times. Inducted items are removed from future contention so other products can be recognized. As a result, a product absent from the current category list may have been honored in earlier years rather than losing popularity. (Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
