Trader Joe’s Summer Shopping List—With 15 Items to Buy

Summer doesn’t technically begin until June 20, but if you stroll over to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s you might be fooled into thinking that the season has already started. The chain has been releasing seasonal summer finds for weeks now, and just profiled 15 new and returning items on the latest episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast with co-hosts Matt Sloan, customer relations communications director, and Tara Miller, vice president of marketing at the grocery store chain.

The foods discussed include everything from dog biscuits to a Sweet Chili Mango Salad Kit—an ideal summer side—and you can also find BBQ must-haves such as the new Caramelized Onion & Bell Pepper Turkey Patties and the returning Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Thigh Skewers. As far as sweet treats are concerned, expect to spot new Bacon & Eggs Shaped Sweet Gummy Candies and Organic Freezer Pops. Keep reading for your complete Trader Joe’s summer shopping list!

Surf’s Pup Dog Treats

It’s summer for everyone, including Fido. These brand new Surf’s Pup Dog Treats look like cookies, and are shaped like a Hawaiian shirt, a flip flop, a hibiscus blossom, and a shortboard. Available now for a limited time, these treats are made with savory pork, nutty sweet potato, and tropical coconut.

Vidalia Onions

Vidalia onions are now in stock just in time for grilling season. Grown in a certain set of counties in Georgia, Vidalias are known for their sweetness and can be enjoyed cooked or raw. They’re also a good source of vitamin C. The Vidalia onions you’ll find at TJ’s are sold in two-pound bags, and cost just $2.99. Generally speaking, Vidalias are particularly great for roasting, caramelizing, and quick-pickling—all of which will accentuate their natural sweetness. They’re also the ideal (raw) hamburger topping, which is perfect for a summer cookout.

Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad Kit

As any Trader Joe’s shopper will tell you, the chain frequently releases new salad kits, and does so on a rotational basis. This latest iteration, which shoppers can expect to see in stores around the end of July, is called the Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad Kit. Inside you’ll find a hearty base of fresh romaine lettuce, cabbage, shredded carrots and celery, and chopped green onion and cilantro. Also included are a package of crispy rice vermicelli noodles and chopped peanuts, as well as a Thai-inspired zesty peanut and lime dressing. “It’s a great dressing. It’s got that real richness that you expect from a peanut dressing, and the lime just makes it vibrant,” Miller declared. “It has a really bright flavor. This is a favorite of mine.”

Sweet Chili Mango Salad Kit

Speaking of salad kits, you can expect to find this mango-packed version on store shelves in August—right as the Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad Kit is rotated out. This one, which works great as a summer side, features a bevy of healthy ingredients. “It has broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. And they’re all chopped very small so they’re super easy to put on a fork,” shared Miller. “It also has sunflower kernels and toasted quinoa, Brussels sprouts, and a little radicchio, and then it has dried mango.” As for the spicy dressing, that’s “reminiscent of a Thai sweet chili sauce,” according to Miller.

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Thigh Skewers

For an easy grilled dish that doesn’t require any, well, grilling, give these returning Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Thigh Skewers a whirl. They debuted last summer and were so popular that they’re already back in stock. They’re skewed, seasoned, and fully cooked, which means all you need to do is reheat them on the grill or in an oven. “The bright vinegar-based sauce [has] lots of fresh, chopped herbs, like parsley, cilantro, and garlic,” Sloan explained. “These chicken thighs are delicious.”

CBP Ground Beef Patties

What’s summer without a cookout or two? Already in stores, these ground beef patties are a cut above the rest. Each patty is a third of a pound, and is made up of three different whole muscle cuts of meat—chuck, brisket, and picanha. While these patties are a bit fattier than others, this just means that they’re juicer and more flavorful than your standard burger. They’re sold four to a pack for less than $10, which is great for a backyard barbecue. 

Caramelized Onion & Bell Pepper Turkey Patties

Turkey burgers aren’t known for being the most flavorful grilling option, but we can assure you that the Caramelized Onion & Bell Pepper Turkey Patties from Trader Joe’s don’t disappoint. This new summer item features turkey thigh meat that’s been blended with bell peppers and caramelized onions. Each patty is juicy, slightly sweet, and begging to be topped with your typical burger fixings. Drooling yet? You can currently find these turkey patties in stores.

Potato Buns

Since burgers aren’t the same without a bun, TJ’s shoppers will be happy to know that Potato Buns are expected to make their debut this summer. While we don’t know much about this item just yet, potato buns are typically a tad sweeter and softer than regular hamburger buns.

Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile

Let’s be honest, this Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread With Hatch Chile can go on pretty much anything you would typically put cheese on, but it really shines when slathered on the inside of a fluffy hamburger bun. “We introduced this last year. It was a hit,” shared Sloan. “[It has] wonderful flavors, not over the top spicy—more green chili flavor. [It’s] great as a dip, great on sandwiches, and great in a wrap. This is gonna be amazing on a burger.”

Sliced Basil & Garlic Monterey Jack Cheese

If you’d rather top your burger with a classic slice, opt for the Sliced Basil & Garlic Monterey Jack Cheese. This packaged cheese has a pesto-like flavor with notes of basil and garlic. “This will make a burger go from basic to interesting,” noted Sloan. “[The cheese has] a little bit of an Italian angle flavor-wise. [It’s] delicious.”

Bacon & Eggs Shaped Sweet Gummy Candies

Luckily, these “so cute” candies don’t taste anything like bacon and eggs. In stores now for a limited time, these gummies are gelatin-free, and each shape has a different flavor profile. The “bacon” pieces are cherry-flavored, and the “eggs” taste a bit like mango. Unlike an actual bacon and egg breakfast, there’s no pork involved.

Organic Freezer Pops

Believe it or not, this grocery store mainstay is new to Trader Joe’s. Each package comes with 10 pops in three flavors—orange, berry, and cherry limeade. Additionally, TJ’s Freezer Pops are certified organic and contain 100 percent juice. As Miller points out, these pops make for a great sweet treat on a hot summer day. For the above 21 crowd, you can also use them to make a margarita or another frozen cocktail. Just be sure you give these pops a quick shake before freezing—since they’re made with real fruit juice concentrates, this will help reduce any natural separation that may occur as the juices inside each pop settle.

Coffee Mochi

Mochi fans rejoice! The latest variety to hit store shelves is coffee, which is simple yet satisfying. Sold in the frozen aisle, the new Coffee Mochi comes six to a pack and has a delightfully chewy texture with a bold coffee flavor. This limited-edition item also happens to be gluten-free.

Raspberry Croissant Carré

While not brand new, these rectangular croissants are stuffed with a tart raspberry filling that’s been sweetened with a bit of sugar and complemented with a touch of lemon juice to further amplify the fruit. You can, of course, eat these rich croissants as is, but they’re especially tasty when you heat ‘em up. Enjoy these treats for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or really any time you’re craving something buttery and sweet. “One of the things I like about this is the crunchy sugar on the top,” Miller noted. It just adds a nice little textural element.”

Tropical Green Tea Instant Boba Kit

This new TJ’s product (directly from Taiwan) requires a bit of work, but it’s worth it! Around for a limited time, this Tropical Green Tea Instant Boba Kit is a seasonal variation of the Instant Boba Kit. Each kit contains four pouches of vegan, gluten-free, tapioca pearls in a sweet, passion fruit and mango-flavored green tea syrup, plus four wide-gauge paper straws to help you capture some of said pearls in every sip. To make this tea, microwave the boba package and add it to a glass with your favorite beverage. It works well with milk, green tea, a coconut drink, or even just cold water. The choice is yours!