A Taste of Israel, Straight from Trader Joe’s

April 1, 2026 | Israel & Global, Tips and Resources

By Jacob Wolf, Parent Connector

Bringing the vibrant flavors of Israeli cuisine into your kitchen doesn’t have to mean tracking down specialty ingredients or spending hours cooking. With a little creativity and a quick trip to Trader Joe’s, you can put together a delicious, colorful Israeli-inspired meal that feels both authentic and approachable. Whether you’re planning a themed dinner night or just want to shake up your weekly menu, these easy hacks and recipes will help you create a feast full of bold spices, fresh ingredients, and comforting dishes.

Join me to create an Israeli meal using Trader Joe’s finds!

• Some Trader Joe’s items are great right out of the package for your Israeli night— check out TJ’s hummus, labneh, frozen falafel, zhoug, pitas and tahini!
• TJ’s Israeli Salad hack: If you are short on time, grab a container of Trader Joe’s fresh pico de gallo salsa (refrigerated section) — it’s already got tomatoes, onion, lemon juice and herbs. Add some diced cucumber and a glug of olive oil, and voila, a very passable Israeli salad!
• Israeli Seasoning Hack: Many middle eastern dishes include spices like cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic, za’atar (an herb related to oregano), etc. Trader Joe’s taco seasoning includes all of the above, plus brown sugar. It includes cayenne too and is a bit spicy! Use the Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning plus a pinch of turmeric, and maybe a dash of cinnamon, and you’ll hit a perfect middle eastern spice blend!

Using the seasoning:

• Chicken Shawarma: Marinate chicken pieces with lemon juice and oil, ½ packet seasoning plus ½ tsp turmeric. Grill the chicken and slice into small strips for wraps or serve in larger pieces over rice.
• Kebabs: Add seasoning to ground beef or lamb along with mint, parsley and finely chopped onion. Shape into kebabs, grill or broil with some tomatoes.
• Chickpea salad: Toss seasoning together with canned chickpeas, chopped herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice. Try with Israeli salad too!

Finally, two impressive and easy Israeli-style recipes I love making from Trader Joe’s ingredients:

Shakshuka

An Israeli classic! Perfect for a hearty breakfast or quick dinner. I love the subtle smokiness of Trader Joe’s fire roasted tomatoes. The absolute star of this dish is the Israeli feta on top. Serve with some warm pita, yum!

1. Saute 1 onion and 1 pepper, sliced into very thin strips, in a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high until soft and the onions get some color.
2. Add one-half to one packet of TJs taco seasoning (depending on your spice tolerance).
3. Add a large can of Trader Joe’s fire-roasted tomatoes, plus about one-third of the can of water. Simmer on medium for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally as it thickens.
4. Make 6 shallow wells with a spoon on top of the thick sauce and crack an egg into each well. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the eggs are cooked.
5. Crumble a large piece of Trader Joe’s Israeli feta over the top and cover, letting the residual heat warm the feta. Garnish with a healthy sprinkle of parsley and serve!

Jeweled Rice

Jeweled rice gets its name from the pops of nuts, dried fruit, and pomegranate seeds mixed into this aromatic rice dish. It comes from Persian cuisine and is absolutely delicious!

Trader Joe’s Trek Mix is perfect for this—made up of simply almonds, cashews, and cranberries. Just toss in a handful! And top it with Trader Joe’s pomegranate seeds.

1. Saute 1 onion in a large pan with plenty of olive oil.
2. Add salt and aromatic seasonings you probably have already like cumin, garlic, pepper, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon.
3. Toss in a handful of Trek Mix (almonds, cashews, cranberries) and continue sautéing.
4. Add in well-rinsed basmati or long grain rice, and enough water to cover everything by about one-half inch (too much liquid will make the rice soggy!). Put on a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes. A little crust might form on the bottom—perfect!
5. Top with a handful of pomegranate seeds and serve!

With just a handful of clever shortcuts and pantry staples, you can recreate the rich, comforting flavors of an Israeli meal without the stress. Trader Joe’s makes it easy to experiment, mix, and match, so don’t be afraid to customize these ideas to your taste. Whether you’re sharing this spread with friends or enjoying a cozy night in, these dishes bring a little warmth, color, and global flavor right to your table.