I'm a professional chef who's often too tired to cook for myself. I swear by these 6 Trader Joe's items.

Trader Joe's is my go-to store for affordable, easy-to-make food.

Laura Keys I'm a chef at a meal-prep company, and by the time I get home, I'm often too tired to cook more.

I've been leaning on Trader Joe's for budget-friendly, easy-to-cook meals .

Some of my favorite products include vegetable fried rice and the store's fresh pasta.

I work as a chef for a meal-prep company, often spending almost 10 hours a day on my feet in the kitchen.

By the time I get home, I'm usually exhausted, and I don't want to spend a second longer making dinner than I have to.

Sometimes I can bring leftovers home from work, but most nights I have to cook dinner — especially since my husband also works long hours and usually comes home after me.

Although I'm tired, I don't want to rely on expensive take-out.

I still want to eat tasty, healthy, affordable meals — I just don't want to spend ages making them.

These are my favorite Trader Joe's products that make weeknights so much easier.

I always stock up on Dorot Gardens crushed ginger and garlic. capitontkkttk Laura Keys The last thing that I want to do after a long day in the kitchen is peel more garlic or ginger.

Instead, I use these frozen, pre-portioned, crushed ginger and garlic cubes.

They're so easy to throw into a curry, stir-fry, or pasta sauce — I always keep these in my freezer.

Super-firm tofu is one of my favorite sources of protein. captiontktk Laura Keys I also usually keep a packet of super-firm tofu, which doesn't need any pressing, in my fridge.