20 New and Returning Summer Items to Buy at Trader Joe's That Employees Love (2024)

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

As avid Trader Joe’s shoppers may know, the chain has carried its Roasted Red Pepper Hummus for years. However, amid declining sales, the TJ’s team knew it was time for a revamp. In other words, this latest version of the hummus is different from iterations that have been available in years past. “It is topped with a roasted red pepper relish of sorts on the top, [and] it smells so good,” Miller declares. “It is absolutely delicious.”

Tangerine Cream Bars

Frozen dessert fans will be relieved to know that these luscious, zingy Tangerine Cream Bars are back for another summer season. With a tangerine sorbet exterior that’s just tart enough, and a sweet, creamy interior, there’s nothing not to love. As Miller put it, “it's kind of like a classic summer dessert.”

Ube Mochi

TJ’s is no stranger to ube, and summer means the Ube Mochi is back. This treat, which is ube ice cream wrapped in a sweet glutinous rice, is not one to skip. “The ube flavor in this mochi is sweet. It's a subtle flavor,” said Sloan, who noted that there is a “captivating” quality to this dessert. “It's not like chocolate, it's not like vanilla. It's this really interesting thing unto itself, ube,” he added. Expect to see this treat in the freezer section at the end of June.

S'mores Ice Cream

Finally, a newbie! This new item is aptly named, because it consists of graham cracker-flavored ice cream with marshmallow and chocolate-y swirls. Noting that this ice cream took plenty of trial and error to create, Sloan explained: “It's not so much a deconstructed s'more as it is a mixed up ice cream that is absolutely s'more-like in its flavors.”

Organic Sugar Cones

Speaking of ice cream, Miller and Sloan confirmed that TJ’s Organic Sugar Cones have been back in stock since May. Made with a collection of organic ingredients including wheat flour, dark brown sugar, and coconut oil, these classic cones are the perfect ice cream accompaniment.

Strawberry Lemonade Ice Bars

While this may sound like an all-American dessert, TJ’s new Strawberry Lemonade Ice Bars come to the grocery chain all the way from Italy. “This came about because we found a fantastic frozen novelty manufacturer in Italy, and we were trying different flavors, trying to come up with things for summer. This just seemed like a natural [fit].” Calling the flavors “so good,” Miller said she has plans to remove this bar from its stick, blend it up, and add some tequila to the mix for a DIY strawberry lemonade margarita. Expect to see these bars in stores by the end of June.

Strawberry Lemonade Joe-Joe's

Another win for the strawberry lemonade fans, these cookies (new in 2022) are back for the second summer in a row. Strawberry Lemonade Joe-Joe's feature a pair of golden, lemon-flavored wafer cookies encasing a smooth crème filling bursting with bright strawberry notes and actual bits of dried strawberry.

Strawberry and Jalapeño Crisps Crackers

Since summer is the season for fresh strawberries, we’re not surprised to see yet another strawberry-focused item on this list. The returning Strawberry and Jalapeño Crisps Crackers, which Miller describes as “relatives of the Fig and Olive Crisps, and the Raisin and Rosemary Crisps” boast a strong strawberry and jalapeño flavor that “really works.” Top ‘em with some sliced cheese and enjoy.

Crab Paws

As you may have guessed from the name, this next item is for the pets in your life. According to Miller, these dog treats are made with real crab, and are basically “a crab cake for dogs.” Fido will thank you if you bring these home, just note that they’ll only be around for a limited time. In other words, if your doggo likes these treats, stock up while you still can!

Organic Pasta Quintet

According to another employee named Alex, who is a Product Developer at Trader Joe’s, this pantry staple is a combination of five very interesting and fun pasta shapes, including shells, mini fusilli, and macaroni. While a pasta made up of varying shapes can be complicated, Sloan assures listeners that each piece of pasta cooks in the same amount of time, and can hold sauce very well. You can find this pasta medley in stores on or before June 30.

Lemon Pesto Sauce

Per Alex, this “awesome,” Italian-produced sauce is “made with tons of lemon, lemon rind, and almonds instead of pine nuts.” Those ingredients give the thick sauce a “slightly sweet, bitter, kind of nutty taste,” that makes it the ideal topper for a summertime pasta dish. If you want to stock up on this pesto, expect it to hit shelves sometime before the end of June

Mozzarella Pearls

Lauded by Alex as “the most perfect shape,” these mozz morsels are small but delicious, and should be available in stores now. As Sloan points out, 11 pearls make up a 1-ounce cheese serving, which means the size of each ball is akin to an actual pearl. Add these mild cheesy bits to pasta salad, green salads, and more.

Organic Midnight Moo Chocolate Syrup

This returning item is back after an “unstable” supply situation. The “iconic” chocolate syrup, which is expected back in stores around the end of June, is ideal for making chocolate milk, topping sundaes, and more. “It's just a great thing to have back, and I think it's gonna find lots of customers happy,” Sloan shared.

Guava Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

This hydrating beauty product is a new iteration of a hand cream that TJ’s has carried in the past, but with different scents. Inspired by pink guava, this version is “fresh and fruity,” according to Miller, but won’t overwhelm you or leave your hands greasy. Expect to see this item in stores in early July.

Mango Tangerine Candle

This returning candle is a “perennial favorite,” according to Miller, and should already be available in stores. If you like this candle, stock up on it while you can, because it’s only expected to be in stores for a limited time. “That way we can cycle in a bunch of different scents because we don't have room to sell 10 candles at a time. We just don't have space,” Miller explained.

Eucalyptus Candle

This summer’s new candle is the result of a contest held earlier this year, in which Trader Joe’s asked shoppers to name the next scent they wanted to see. Given a choice of five scents, customers overwhelmingly voted for eucalyptus. “It should arrive in stores sometime in July,” Miller noted.

Crunchy Jalapeño Lime & Onion

One of Trader Joe’s most beloved products is the Crunchy Chili Onion spread. This version, which was new last year, is back for the second summer in a row. As its name suggests, the Crunchy Jalapeño Lime & Onion really delivers on those titular flavors. “If you're familiar with the Crunchy Chili Onion, it really is a jalapeño lime focused take on that,” Miller shared, noting that she puts it on scrambled eggs, rice, and cauliflower rice. Sloan, on the other hand, prefers to use it on tacos and fruit, such as ripe melon.

Sri Lankan Organic Mango Chutney

“There's a lot going on here. It is really mango-forward,” Miller said of this new condiment. While some mango chutneys have ginger in them, this one doesn’t. Instead, it focuses mainly on the mango with a little heat courtesy of some spices and seasonings. Calling this condiment a “sleeper,” Sloan advises shoppers to “put it on everything.” Expect to see this in stores now.

Organic Mafalda Corta Pasta

More pasta! This organic newbie comes from Italy, and boasts a shape that looks like “miniature lasagna noodles” with ruffles on the edges. Short and not very wide, Miller adds that this Organic Mafalda Corta Pasta will “look good in a baked dish and pasta salad.” If you walk into a Trader Joe’s today, you should see this product on the shelves.

Dark Chocolate Pineapple Sticks

Last but not least, don’t forget to take a stroll down the candy aisle and check out this newbie, which will be launching in stores for a limited time at the beginning of July. “You’ve got all kinds of textural contrasts here—the slight snap of that chocolate coating, and the really interestingly squishy and fun fruit jelly-like pineapple center,” Sloan shares. “The pineapple flavor on this thing is unbelievable. This is a really fun candy.”