While some might say that everyone’s favorite grocery chain hits its peak in the fall or around the holiday season, I would argue that Trader Joe’s products don’t miss year-round. It might even be safe to say that many of us frequent TJ’s even more often during the summer. We’re busier, engaging in more food-centric events, and overall, just craving more of those fun little treats that Trader Joe’s does so well. Oh, and our finances tend to take a bit of a hit as well (thanks to happy hours, too many new swimsuits, and all those summer weddings!). Thankfully, Trader Joe’s always comes through with a full cart of groceries on a budget we can actually stomach.
Wondering what to grab on your next TJ’s run? You’ve come to the right place. These are all the new and returning Trader Joe’s summer products worth adding to your cart this season.
1. Sparkling Lychee Juice Beverage
If you’ve never tried lychee before, do yourself a favor and grab a pack of this sparkling bev. Although it’s hard to put my finger on exactly what lychee tastes like, the flavor is kind of like a cross between strawberry, pear, citrus, and rosewater. One of Trader Joe’s newest summer items, this sparkling canned beverage is the perfect thing to sip on by the pool, on the beach, or at your desk when you need a little pick-me-up. Or serve it up over ice with a splash of your favorite alcoholic spirit for an easy at-home happy hour moment.
2. Creamy Dreamy Hummus To Go
Whether you’re heading out for a picnic, a day at the beach, or a summer road trip, these single-serving portions of hummus are the perfect base for a snacky lunch. Toss one in a cooler along with your favorite crunchy veggies or a box of crackers for an easy meal on the go.
3. Crispy Rice Bars
Summer brings out the kid in all of us, and nothing can bring me back to childhood quicker than a classic Rice Krispies treat. Made with crispy toasted rice cereal and gooey, chewy marshmallows, these bars taste like pure nostalgia. And since they’re pre-cut and individually wrapped, they’re great for tossing in a bag and snacking on whenever you need a sweet (but not too indulgent) treat.
4. Whipped Strawberry Flavored Cream Cheese Spread
It’s officially strawberry season, and Trader Joe’s is celebrating with all sorts of strawberry-flavored goodies, including this new whipped cream cheese. Make your morning bagel a little bit sweeter with this classic summer flavor.
5. Detroit Style Uncured Pepperoni Pizza
Need a quick and easy dinner after a long day at the beach or pool? A frozen pizza is the ultimate go-to. But don’t worry—this new addition to Trader Joe’s frozen pizza offerings is not the sad, cardboard-crust pizza you might be picturing. True to Detroit style, it features a deep rectangular crust, loads of pepperoni, and cheese spread all the way to the edges to achieve that extra crispy bite.
6. Lemon Flavored Tiramisu
Summer is the season of hosting, and if you’re looking for an easy-but-fancy-tasting dessert to serve your guests, this lemon tiramisu is it. You can skip all the hassle of assembling this notoriously complicated dessert yourself and just enjoy a delicious, refreshingly tart summer treat. All you have to do is remember to pull these out of the freezer and let them thaw in your refrigerator for about eight hours before serving!
7. Strawberry Fields Gummy Candies
Trader Joe’s gummy candies basically have a cult following at this point. They’re always coming out with new flavors and shapes for the changing seasons, and this latest addition sounds so perfect for summer. The bag includes three different types of strawberry-flavored gummies that span both sweet and sour flavors. If you’re a gummy aficionado, these should definitely be on your list to try next.
8. Spicy Cheese Crunchies
If you love the spicy flavors, you’ll be ecstatic about the most recent addition to the Trader Joe’s snack lineup: Spicy Cheese Crunchies. They’re essentially the TJ’s version of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos—minus all that red food dye. They pack the same spicy, cheesy, garlicky punch but get their red-hot color from a blend of paprika, vegetable juice, and turmeric.
9. Strawberry Brioche Style Liège Waffles
With a chewy texture, golden caramelized exterior, and coarse pearl sugar dotted throughout, Liège-style waffles are absolutely the superior type of waffle. These ones are also infused with bits of strawberry for even more deliciousness in every bite. Warm one up in the microwave or toaster oven and top with a drizzle of syrup for the ideal lazy summer breakfast.
10. Lemon Flavored Wafer Cookies
These new Lemon Wafer Cookies have all the makings of a dangerously good Trader Joe’s snack—the kind that magically disappears in one sitting. They’re adorably bite-sized, delightfully crunchy, and sandwiched with tart, lemony crème.
11. Elote Chopped Salad Kit
If you love Trader Joe’s Everything and the Elote dip, do yourself a favor and pick up this salad kit the next time you hit the store. Made with cornbread croutons, cotija cheese, and an elote-style dressing, it wraps all the bold, creamy, and smoky flavors of the dip into a delicious salad.
12. Sparkling Guava Juice Beverage
I love a sparkling beverage any day of the year, but in the summer, it’s especially fun to sip something fresh and fruity—either on its own or in a cocktail. Guava is one of those flavors that really only feels appropriate during the summer or when you’re on a beach, so I’m taking this opportunity to scoop up a pack of these tropical sparkling juices. And if you’re not a fan of guava, don’t worry—watermelon and strawberry are available, too.
13. Lemon Pesto Sauce
This lemon pesto sauce is the perfect way to dress up pasta dishes with a fresh, summery twist. Inspired by spaghetti al pesto di limone (a traditional dish served on the Amalfi Coast), it’s made with whole crushed lemons and packs a bright, zesty punch. I’m planning on tossing this with some of TJ’s cauliflower gnocchi and topping it with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for an easy summer dinner idea.
14. Watermelon Lip Mask
Trader Joe’s beauty section is criminally underrated, IMO. It is chock-full of affordable, high-quality products and dupes for more expensive brands, and this overnight lip mask is the perfect example. While Laneige’s overnight lip mask will cost you $24 a pop, this watermelon-flavored TJ’s version is just under $6 for the same size.
15. Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn
Popcorn is my go-to snack when I’m craving something crunchy and salty, and this seasoned popcorn from Trader Joe’s is unlike anything else I’ve tasted. It’s flavored with a mix of seasonings that deliver a tangy, smoky, spicy, and sweet taste, all at once. If you want a snack that’s a little more out of the box than your typical microwave popcorn, this deserves a spot in your cart.
16. Strawberry Mini Sheet Cake
Trader Joe’s mini sheet cakes come in a variety of flavors that rotate throughout the year, and this strawberry version is the most recent one to hit shelves. It’s moist, creamy, and all too easy to demolish in just one sitting. Since they’re priced at just $6 apiece, you may want to get two just in case.
17. Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen
The worst thing about applying sunscreen is the greasy white residue that takes forever to soak in, but with this body sunscreen from Trader Joe’s, that’s a thing of the past. The gel formula is specially designed to absorb fast and leave a smooth, weightless feeling behind. Plus, it’s resistant to sweat and water for up to 40 minutes.
18. Organic Freezer Pops
These Trader Joe’s freezer pops are just like the ones you may remember from childhood, except these are made with 100% real fruit juice and no artificial dyes. All the same refreshing deliciousness but without the colorfully stained teeth.
19. Pretzel Buns
A sad, soggy bun can completely ruin an otherwise delicious, fresh-off-the-grill burger, and this summer, I’m not taking any chances. With a chewier texture that holds up way better to toppings and condiments, these pretzel buns from Trader Joe’s are a huge step up from basic grocery-store buns.
20. Raspberry, Vanilla & Blueberry Macarons
If you need an easy dessert to bring to a Fourth of July gathering, look no further. These red, white, and blue macarons would look so pretty stacked up on a platter, and they’ll taste even better than they look. Grab a box from the freezer aisle and consider your contribution handled.
21. Organic Jalapeño Limeade
Homemade spicy margs, anyone? This jalapeno-infused limeade has appeared among Trader Joe’s summer products for a few years now, and I’m so glad to see it back in action this season. Add a splash of tequila or rum for an easy summer cocktail, or drink it straight with a garnish of fresh basil or mint for the perfect complement to taco night.
22. Organic Margarita Mix
If a classic, non-spicy margarita is more your speed, Trader Joe’s has got you covered there, too. Pour this into a glass with your favorite tequila (TJ’s suggests a 2:1 ratio) for the perfect margarita with almost zero effort.
23. Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a summer staple, and this premade lemon basil option is perfect for the season. The addition of lemon adds a refreshing twist, making this the ideal side to bring to a backyard barbecue.
24. Passion Fruit Sorbet
For those sweltering days where even ice cream sounds too dense, opt for this passionfruit sorbet instead. It’s the perfect way to cool down and appease your sweet tooth.
25. Daily Facial Sunscreen
Sun protection for your face is always important, but even more so during the summer. This $8.99 Trader Joe’s option is said to rival the Supergoop Unscreen Sunscreen, which costs a whopping $30 more. Add it to your cart this summer to protect your skin and your wallet.
26. Passionfruit Granola
This passionfruit granola can add a fun tropical-flavored crunch to yogurt, ice cream, smoothie bowls—you name it. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll grab a few handfuls straight from the bag whenever you need a quick snack.
27. Key Lime Tea Cookies
If your fave dessert is key lime pie, you have to try these key lime tea cookies. All of the zesty lime flavor you love is packed in a crumbly, bite-sized cookie.
28. Organic Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry lemonade is a quintessential summer drink. Grab a bottle of this Trader Joe’s version to serve at a summertime cookout or to mix with your favorite spirit for a refreshing cocktail.
29. Aperito Spritz
It’s finally Aperol spritz season! These bottled options from Trader Joe’s taste just like the real thing, and they’re super convenient for summer activities. Whether you’re heading to the beach, out on a boat, or to a picnic, grab a pack of these and you’ll have drinks covered.
30. S’mores Clusters
S’mores are THE treat of the summer, and I’d argue that the complicated prep process and sticky remnants are part of the charm. But sometimes you just want that s’mores flavor without all the hassle. Made of graham cracker pieces and mini marshmallows covered in milk chocolate, these s’mores clusters are Trader Joe’s answer to your prayers. You may have just met your new favorite afternoon snack—thankfully, with no campfire required.
31. Cold Brew Coffee Bags
Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Coffee Bags are only available in the summer, so you better believe I’m making a beeline for the nearest store as soon as these are released. Like tea bags but for coffee, these cold brew bags are a foolproof way to brew up a deliciously smooth and subtle cup of iced coffee.
32. Strawberry & Jalapeno Crisps
These sweet and spicy crackers are to die for with a creamy dip or sharp cheese. First, you taste the dried strawberries and sunflower seeds, and then the spice of the dried jalapeno lingers to build a little heat just like a spicy marg does. These crackers are a crowd favorite on a charcuterie board—be prepared for them to go fast.
33. Organic Beef Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a summer staple, but your basic package of franks can be chock-full of preservatives and who knows what else. I love that these are made of organic, grass-fed beef with no fillers. Plus, they taste amazing on the grill, in a bun, and with a little mustard.
34. Chips in a Pickle Potato Chips
Pickle lovers, rise. Summer is officially your time to shine, and these chips were tailor-made for anyone who can’t get enough of that tangy, zesty flavor. Although Trader Joe’s Chips in a Pickle are now available year-round, their salty, vinegary crunch is particularly satisfying during the summer.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
