My latest Trader Joe's haul: the hits & misses
Honest product reviews from my latest Trader Joe's shopping trip
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About once every six months, I embark on what I can only describe as a wild, impulse-fueled shopping spree at my local Trader Joe’s. (For those unfamiliar, Trader Joe’s is a beloved grocery chain known for its unique, high-quality, and affordable foods, with an ever-changing assortment that keeps things exciting.)
Armed with a list of the latest and greatest items creating buzz online and among my friends, I step into the store like an adventurer on a quest. Normally, I’m swift, efficient, and focused in grocery stores. But somehow, at Trader Joe’s, I morph into an aimless wanderer, circling the aisles with little idea where to find anything (and oddly, I’m okay with that!).
And even though I walk into the store with a detailed shopping list, I always leave with at least a dozen items I didn’t plan on buying. Trader Joe’s merchandising seems to have some kind of mystical power over me. I might only need a jar of almond butter and some Unexpected Cheddar, but somehow I end up with a basket full of cauliflower gnocchi, everything-bagel-seasoned hummus, lemon curd, and a bottle of Midnight Moo chocolate sauce that I’m “definitely” going to use someday. At least I’m spending a lot less money here than I would at Wegman’s, right? That’s the story I tell myself to sleep easier at night. But I digress!
My latest semi-annual Trader Joe’s pilgrimage took place a couple of weeks ago, and I'm pleased to report that I uncovered some new and noteworthy gems (along with the usual suspects I can never resist)! There were also a few items that didn’t quite live up to expectations. After sampling almost everything I bought, I’m sharing the highs and lows of my haul—all for your ultimate benefit. Just a heads-up: when I say something is too sweet for my liking, that doesn’t mean it won’t be perfect for you. I enlisted my kids as taste testers for this very reason—to see if I was actually onto something, or if I’d completely lost my mind!
Anyway, ready to dish!
Highs and lows from my Trader Joes’s haul
Here’s every product worth noting that made it into my basket. To keep things organized, I’ve grouped the items by their locations/aisle placements in the store. And anything marked “New” or “Seasonal” is something that wasn’t in store during my previous Trader Joe’s shopping trip in summer 2024. Hope you enjoy!
PRODUCE
I don’t typically buy my produce from Trader Joe’s. While their prices are great, the variety is more limited. However, I’m a fan of their pre-packaged salad kits and specialty items like Sumo oranges, which are often pricier elsewhere.
Pizza Ranch Salad Kit (New!). This new salad kit features a veggie blend with pizza-seasoned four-cheese crumbles, herb flatbread strips, Parmesan, and pizza-ranch dressing. While I couldn’t pinpoint every ingredient, it definitely delivered on the pizza-inspired flavor and was a unanimous hit at dinner. Add some protein, and it would make for an equally satisfying lunch. Rating: 8.5/10
Sesame Crunch Chopped Salad Kit. For an easy and effortless lunch, I add shredded rotisserie chicken to this Asian-inspired salad kit (a mix of savoy and red cabbages, bok choy, carrots, cashews, seaweed flakes, sesame sticks with a ginger-sesame dressing). Rating: 8/10
MEATS, CHEESE, & DAIRY
Unexpected Cheddar. A “surprise” blend of Parmesan and Cheddar, this cheese is a household favorite. It works perfectly in a challah grilled cheese sandwich or, more simply, melted over a dill pickle slice atop a Ritz cracker (thanks
!). Rating: 9/10Whipped Feta Dip (New!). Whipped cheese dips seem to be all the rage lately, and this one, made with feta, is perfect served with baby carrots or celery sticks. I imagine it would also work wonderfully slathered on a lamb burger—something I plan to try soon! Rating: 8/10
Buffalo Chicken Dip. I love the bold heat and rich flavor of this buffalo chicken dip, with shredded chicken adding great texture. It’s best served with crisp baby carrots or sturdy tortilla chips that can hold up to its hearty consistency. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your next party! Rating: 8/10
Sweet Cannoli Dip (Seasonal). This seasonal dip, made with cream cheese and ricotta and billed as 'the delectable filling of a cannoli,' has a pleasantly light, whipped texture, though I found it a bit too sweet for my taste. My kids, however, happily mixed it with mini chocolate chips and ate it with sugar cone pieces and strawberries. Rating: 6.5/10
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not yet tried: Chicken Meatballs; Bool Gogi (Korean-inspired sesame marinated boneless beef short ribs)
CONDIMENTS & SPICES
Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. I replenish this versatile and popular seasoning blend on every Trader Joe’s shopping trip and use it on everything from celery sticks with cream cheese to roasted salmon to scrambled eggs (back when eggs were much less expensive!). Rating: 9/10
Ranch Seasoning Blend. This seasoning blend perfectly captures the classic flavor of Ranch dressing. I tried it on roasted potatoes, and it was delicious. It would also make a fantastic seasoning for popcorn, as suggested on the jar. Rating: 8/10
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not yet tried: Magnifisauce
SWEET TREATS
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Lover’s Nut Mix (New!). This snack mix was a little disappointing, especially given its bold proclamation as a “chocolate and peanut butter lover's” treat. I expected both the chocolate and peanut butter flavors to equally take center stage, but the peanut butter was minimally represented through mini peanut butter cups. On the plus side, it strikes a nice balance between sweet and savory (and the tiny chocolate chip cookies are fun). Rating: 6.5/10
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. These peanut butter cups are one of the main reasons I keep returning to Trader Joe’s every six months to stock up. The bittersweet contrast of dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter is unmatched. Fellow Reese’s fans, take note! Rating: 10/10
Cookies & Crème Pretzel Slims (New!). These pretzel thins, covered in chocolate cookie bits and topped with a dark chocolate drizzle, were a bit too sweet for my taste, but my kids gave this chocolatey, crunchy treat two thumbs up. If this sounds like your jam, be sure to grab them soon, as they’re a limited edition item. Rating: 7/10
Pink Lady Apple Chips with Cinnamon Sugar (New!). These thinly sliced, crispy-baked apple chips, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, are a total wow. My only complaint? There just aren’t enough in the bag! Rating: 9/10
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not yet tried: Teensy Candy Bars
CHIPS, CRACKERS, & SNACKS
Mini Mochi Rice Nuggets (New!). These little rice snacks taste unlike anything I’ve had before and have a nice, pleasant mochi-like chew. We’ve been snacking on them straight from the bag, but if there were any left (we quickly devoured this small bag!), I’d use them as a fun, crispy addition to soups or salads. Rating: 7.5/10
Pizza Party Potato Chips (New!). These potato chips, seasoned with a blend of cheese, garlic, pizza sauce, and pepperoni, are meant to capture the essence of a pizza party in every bite. Did they succeed? Not entirely. The pepperoni flavor was a bit too dominant, overshadowing the other elements, and after a few chips, they started to taste a bit one-note. Rating: 6/10
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not yet tried: Fancy Cheese Crunchies, Cheese & Truffle Flavored Corn Snacks
FROZEN FOODS
The frozen foods aisle is where I spend the majority of my time at Trader Joe’s. Luckily, my freezer has space constraints, which serves as a helpful limiter, but their creative frozen prepared food options are a major reason I keep coming back.
Tandoori Naan. Another Trader Joe’s staple I’ve been buying for years, this is perfect for soaking up sauces (think butter chicken, curries, tikka masalas) or paired with soup or stew. Not much to nitpick here—it's pretty much perfect. Rating: 9.5/10
Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings. These steamed dumplings, filled with tender chicken and a rich, flavorful broth, could easily pass for something straight off a dim sum cart. The fact that there are only six in a pack is borderline criminal—I could easily polish off twelve in one sitting (and my kids, probably more). Don’t sleep on these; they’re delicious! Rating: 10/10
Kanom Krok Thai Coconut Pancakes (Seasonal). Inspired by traditional Thai street food, these pancakes feature a crispy exterior and a creamy, coconut custard-like center with a delightful sweetness. For the crispiest texture, I recommend making them in an air fryer if you have one. Rating: 8/10 (as rated by a big coconut fan)
Sweet Ripe Plantains (New!). I adore sweet fried plantains (which are similar to a starchier banana) and always order them when I see them on a menu. This new Trader Joe’s version is more than satisfying, and I’ll definitely be stocking up on them during my next trip. Rating: 9/10
Cauliflower Gnocchi. I really enjoy the taste of these healthy-ish gnocchi, with their simple, minimal ingredients. My only gripe (and why I didn’t rate them higher) is how they always seem to stick stubbornly to the bottom of my non-stick pans, no matter what I do. Next time, I’m thinking of oven roasting them with some veggies instead (a popular cooking method for gnocchi these days). Rating: 8/10
Spanikopita. I had heard great things about these Spanakopita bites, which have been around for a while, and was eager to try them. While they were decent and my kids liked them as a pre-dinner snack, I found them a bit underseasoned. Rating: 6.5/10
Mandarin Orange Chicken. This product lives up to the hype. It’s incredibly tasty and a solid replica of the orange chicken you'd find at your favorite Chinese restaurant. It’s my kids go-to meal when they're on their own—quick, easy, and always satisfying. Rating: 9.5/10
Instant Boba Kit: Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearl Drink Mix. We enjoyed the flavor of this boba drink (which was brown sugar-forward), but compared to others we've had, the boba itself lacked that signature pop, which slightly impacted our overall enjoyment and rating. Rating: 6.5/10
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not tried yet: Chocolate Lava Cake; Chicken Tikka Masala; Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos
DRIED FRUITS & NUTS
I love stocking up on dried fruits and nuts in bulk at Trader Joe's—especially the macadamia nuts and freeze-dried strawberries—because the prices are unbeatable.
Chile-Spiced Mango Slices. These sweet dried mango slices, coated with chili powder and spices, pack quite a punch. I enjoyed their sweet spiciness, but my mouth puckered a little bit while eating them—not for the faint of heart! Rating: 7.5/10
BAKERY
Hand-Twisted Cinnamon Sugar Bread. My kids, who are practically food snobs (guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!), both declared this bread a new TJ favorite—despite it being around since 2020 (how did I miss this?!). It’s best served toasted with butter, though I’m sure it would make a mean French toast as well. Rating: 8.5/10
Soft Pretzel Twists w/ salt packet(New!). The employees at Trader Joe’s were hyping these soft pretzels, so my expectations were high. They were good—warm, soft, and salty—but having grown up with NYC pretzels, which are on a whole different level, it's hard not to compare. Rating: 7.5/10
Artisan Cheese Pull-Apart Rolls (New!). I really wanted to love these cheesy pull-apart rolls. While they were fine, I was hoping for more cheese, and the rolls weren’t as soft as I’d expected—even after warming them in the oven. Rating: 6/10
Blarney Scone Irish Soda Bread (Seasonal). This Irish soda bread in scone form makes its annual appearance around St. Patrick’s Day. It's studded with raisins and caraway seeds, slightly sweet, and pleasantly dense—perfect with butter and jam. Rating: 8/10
MISC. PANTRY ITEMS
Cornbread Mix. I prefer my cornbread moist with a touch of sweetness, and this one hits the mark perfectly. Whenever I serve chili or a chili-inspired soup, this is my go-to cornbread. Rating: 8.5/10
Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles with Soy and Sesame Sauce. These packaged noodles are similar to the Momofuku Soy & Scallion Noodles, which my kids love to snack on regularly, but are half the price. I was hopeful they'd enjoy the Trader Joe’s version, and I could save a bit of money. While they thought the TJ noodles were good, they preferred the texture (less chewy) and the longer length (more fun to eat) of the Momofuku noodles. Oh well, it was worth a try! Rating: 7/10 (to compare, Momofuku is a 9)
Other noteworthy items I bought, but have not yet tried: Mochi Cake Mix
So that’s my winter 2025 Trader Joe’s haul—stay tuned for Summer 2025 edition! What are some of your favorite items that I should try next? Disagree with any of my ratings? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Have a delicious week!
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I wish I were more of a fan....I always feel like I'm paying for packaging
The chili lime seasoning is a powerhouse!