How To Use Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough [Tips + Recipes)

Learn How to use Trader Joe’s pizza dough featuring. Get frozen dough tricks and recipes with the original, garlic herb pizza dough from Trader Joe’s. Once you learn the best way to use it, there’s plenty of delicious pizza recipes to try. 

In this post, you’ll learn about

• Where to find Trader Joes Pizza Dough
• The best recipes for Trader Joe’s pizza dough
• The best recipes for TJ’s herb dough
• What happened to Trader Joe’s wheat dough
• Tips if you want to freeze Trader Joe’s pizza dough
• Recipes using Trader Joe’s pizza dough

Where to find Trader Joe’s pizza dough

The private label brand is only sold at Trader Joe’s. It’s under the Italian name “Trader Giotto’s”. 

Fresh dough is found in the refrigerated section. Though, sometimes it’s still thawing which is good to know if you’re going to be using it the same day.

In my local Oregon store, the refrigerated pizza dough is near the refrigerated pasta and hummus. It’s always at the bottom of the case, not stacked in the shelves. 

Frozen TJ’s pizza dough is sold in the freezer section, obviously. Near the Italian food. 

Trader Joe’s pizza crusts – that is, pre-made dough that you top and bake that has a shelf life like bread – is found in the bread section. They have a really cool looking rectangular pizza crust that’s great for making flatbreads. I use it for entertaining a lot.

Different types of pizza dough at Trader Joe’s

Fresh whole wheat pizza dough

As of 2019, Trader Joe’s whole wheat pizza dough has been discontinued. Personally, I found it a little tough to work with. It broke apart and wasn’t very forgiving when the dough was stretched. They haven’t replaced this whole wheat flour pizza dough yet.

Trader Joe’s regular pizza dough

The plain dough is made with enriched flour. I find it bakes to a chewy crust that puffs up nicely in the oven and for grilled pizza. I also use it to make ham and cheese calzones quite often. 

Trader Joe’s garlic and herb dough

If you have seen it, but haven’t tried it, you’re probably wondering what the green pizza dough at Trader Joe’s is like. It has garlic, basil, and oregano in the dough. It’s great for making breadsticks or “white pizza” with either olive oil or an Alfredo sauce. 

The flavor is quite bold for this particular dough, so you’ll want to have a good recipe to work with the flavors. I wouldn’t make a taco pizza on a very Italian seasoned pizza dough, for instance. 

The best recipes for Trader Joe’s pizza dough

Making pizza? Don’t miss these tips on how to make pizza with store bought dough. 

TJ’s regular pizza dough

• Pesto pizza. A light spread of pesto, topped with grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, and sliced Roma tomatoes.
• Super Italian. Red pizza sauce with a few slices from of fresh mozzarella, and basil, finished with balsamic drizzle.
• Gourmet feast pizza. Sun-dried tomatoes. marinated artichoke hearts, prosciutto and gouda.
• Pear and Goat Cheese Pizza

TJ’s garlic herb pizza dough

• Go Greek pizza. With spinach, olives, and feta.
• Greens and parmesan flatbread. Drizzle with olive oil, add top with red wine caramelized onions, sprinkle parmesan, and top with fresh arugula and balsamic dressing.
• Italiano pizza. Made simple with pre-made Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella.
• Asparagus pizza with pesto
• Breakfast pizza with eggs

Chicken is a great protein to add to pizza. See this demo on cooking chicken breast fast in under 20 minutes.

Frozen pizza dough at Trader Joe’s

When I’m heading into the dinner hours with no plans, it’s a relief to have TJ’s par-baked, frozen dough in the freezer. In my local store, they sell two pizza doughs for about $4 in the frozen section. They are ready to top and bake. One of my go-to pizzas for this dough is BBQ chicken. It’s thick and can hold heavy toppings.

See this tasty pizza with frozen premade pizza crust.

Sourdough pizza by Trader Joe’s

My friend in Rhode Island loves the Trader Joe’s sour dough, but I haven’t seen them in Oregon. 

Use naan as pizza dough

This is a great trick.

Use Trader Joe’s frozen naan or fresh naan as pizza dough. This is really easy to make in a toaster oven. Let it thaw if frozen, then top the naan like regular pizza and cook it for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.

Can you freeze Trader Joe’s pizza dough?

Yes, this is a great idea. Buy and freeze Trader Joe’s dough in bulk so you have it on hand for pizza nights. Store Trader Joe’s pizza dough in the freezer until the night before you’re going to use it. Thaw frozen Trader Joe’s dough balls in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning (or a couple mornings later) place the dough on the counter. The dough will rise beautifully by dinner time.

Learn more about the best store bought pizza crust

Tips for baking TJ’s Pizza dough

• Use a very hot oven in the 450 to 500 degree range
• Use a pizza stone if you like really crispy pizza (add it while the oven is heating)
• Cooking for kids or a crowd? Have everyone top their own mini pizza
• Learn how to make an easy red tomato sauce for the pizza
• This dough seasoning is the secret to real Italian-tasting homemade pizza dough.
• Add pizza seasoning to store bought pizza sauce. This makes the pizza taste really fresh!
• Add any fresh herbs, like basil, after the pizza is done baking (so the herbs don’t wilt)Pizza professionals cut their pizza with just a few swipes, using big ol’ pizza cutters.
• Bake pizza on a rimmed baking sheet so the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. This baking pan set will enable you to make multiple pizzas at once.
• Meal prep pizza night. You can freeze Trader Joe’s fresh pizza dough and then move it to the fridge the night before cooking it. Morning of the meal, move it to the counter to rise.

Well, there you have it, years and years of experience and opinions on Trader Joe’s dough.

Since I’m the queen of homemade pizza, I can’t even count the number or times – or years – that I’ve baked Trader Joe’s pizza at home. 

Check out my other guides on other grocery store pizza dough like this one for BBQ chicken pizza with Whole Foods dough. It’s so good! I make mine with homemade tomato sauce.

Other things I love to do with doughs and breads include making chorizo sausage stuffing (delicious idea for the holidays), whipping up some of these gourmet grilled cheese ideas. Lately, Chef Hubs and I are really into this focaccia recipe for beginners guide.

Are you a foodie, too?

Years ago, it was just a dream to eat good restaurant style food at home. Now I have been mastering all my favorite cafe, steak house, pizza parlor, and grocery store food items at home. If you love eating good food at home, and are a fan of Trader Joe’s, see this focaccia recipe using Everything Bagel Seasoning from TJ’s. Anyone can bake delicious bread at home with these tips!

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Get inspired with my new book: The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook. 

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