Trader Joe's

32 Trader Joe’s Summer Essentials to Grab on Your Next Grocery Run

written by THE EVERYGIRL EDITORS
trader joe's summer items"
trader joe's summer items
Source: Garri Chaverst
Source: Garri Chaverst

While some might say that everyone’s favorite grocery chain hits its peak in the fall or around the holiday season, we 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 fresh flavors 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.

Trader Joe’s Summer Items for 2024

Wondering what to grab on your next TJ’s run? You’ve come to the right place. These are all the Trader Joe’s summer products we rely on year after year, plus some new items we can’t wait to try.

1. Everything but the Bagel Cheddar Cheese

trader joe's summer products

If you love TJ’s Everything but the Bagel line, you will be ecstatic about its most recent development, Everything But the Bagel Cheddar Cheese. Infused with the iconic seasoning, this cheese is the perfect way to spice up a charcuterie board, take your grilled cheese to the next level, or simply elevate a basic cheese and crackers snack.

2. Strawberry Overnight Oats

trader joe's summer products

If you’re tired of making breakfast in the morning, Trader Joe’s overnight oats are the time-saving morning hack you need in your life. This new strawberry flavor is the ideal summer brekkie, especially on busy mornings.

3. Guacasalsa

trader joe's summer products

Gone are the days of choosing between guac and salsa (or having to buy both when hosting). This salsa and guac combo is the best of both worlds. Made with creamy avocado and spicy tomatillos, it’s an absolute treat for your tastebuds.

trader joe's summer products

Cookie dough is one of our all-time favorite ice cream flavors, and this Trader Joe’s version somehow makes it even better. In addition to the classic cookie dough pieces, the vanilla ice cream base also features a sea salt fudgy swirl and even more chocolate chips.

5. Daily Facial Sunscreen

trader joe's summer products

Sun protection 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 $30 more. Add it to your cart this summer to protect your skin and your wallet.

6. Passionfruit Granola

trader joe's summer products

This passionfruit granola can add a fun tropical-flavored crunch to yogurt, ice cream, smoothie bowls—you name it. Or, if you’re like us, you’ll devour the whole bag on its own before you even have a chance to use it as a topping.

7. Lemon Herb Macaroni Salad

trader joe's summer products

Pasta salad is a summer staple, and this lemon herb macaroni salad is perfect for the season. The addition of lemon adds a refreshing twist, making this the ideal side to bring to a backyard barbecue.

8. Peaches & Cream Cream Cheese Spread

trader joe's summer products

It’s officially peach season, and Trader Joe’s is celebrating with a new peaches and cream-flavored cream cheese. Make your morning bagel a little bit sweeter with this classic summer flavor.

9. Lemon Ginger Cheesecake

trader joe's summer products

We personally believe lemon is the ultimate summer flavor, and it truly shines in dessert form. This lemon ginger cheesecake only reinforces that belief. It’s an easy dessert option that tastes good enough to be homemade, which makes it the perfect summer treat to grab on your way to a cookout or before hosting a party.

10. Organic Corn Chip Dippers

trader joe's summer products

Whoever came up with the idea of making chips in the shape of a spoon is an absolute genius. These corn dippers allow you to get a full scoop of dip without constantly dropping your toppings. Plus, they’re the perfect sidekick to the aforementioned Guacasalsa.

11. Super Strawberry Sorbet

trader joe's summer products

For those sweltering days where even ice cream sounds too dense, opt for this strawberry sorbet instead. It’s the perfect way to cool down and appease your sweet tooth.

12. Key Lime Tea Cookies

trader joe's summer products

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.

13. Tangerine Probiotic Sparkling Beverage

trader joe's summer products

This beverage not only tastes great but is also good for your gut. Each fizzy sip contains active, probiotic cultures, which help promote a healthy gut while you enjoy a fruity, summery drink.

trader joe's summer products

You might be familiar with the Meyer Lemon and Triple Ginger Cookie Thins from Trader Joe’s, and this new addition to the lineup is just as tasty as its predecessors. Pro-tip: Eat a couple of these alongside your morning cup of coffee or tea for an unmatched breakfast treat.

15. Organic Strawberry Lemonade

trader joe's summer products

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.

16. Magnifisauce

trader joe's summer products

Secret sauces are arguably the best part of a fast-food burger, and Trader Joe’s Magnifisauce allows you to re-create the magic at home. It’s an absolute must-have condiment for grilling this summer.

17. Strawberries & Crème Pancake & Waffle Mix

trader joe's summer products

This pancake mix is packed with dried strawberry pieces and white chocolate chips, creating the perfect balance between sweet and tart. It’s the ideal breakfast to make on a lazy summer Sunday morning.

18. Aperito Spritz

trader joe's summer products

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.

19. Organic Jalapeño Limeade

Homemade spicy margs, anyone? This has appeared amid Trader Joe’s summer products for a few years now, and we’re 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.

20. Brazil Nut Body Scrub

Trader Joe’s Brazil Nut Body Butter instantly became a favorite when it hit shelves a couple of summers ago, and now, TJ’s is back with a few new products in the Brazil Nut lineup. This body scrub features all the same ingredients you love about the body butter (coconut oil, guarana extract, and Brazil nut seed oil, of course) but with the addition of coarse sugar crystals and coconut shell powder for all that exfoliating goodness. Don’t miss the new Brazil Nut Body Wash either, which comes in a convenient pump bottle.

21. Salted Caramel & Pistachio Scented Candle

And if you love the smell of Trader Joe’s Brazil nut products, you’re going to want to pick up one of these candles, too. It perfectly captures that signature caramelly, pistachio scent and comes in a hot-pink lidded tin that matches the rest of the lineup. Time to Brazil nut-ify your entire self-care routine.

22. 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.

23. S’mores Clusters

S’mores are THE treat of the summer, and we’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. We may have just met our new favorite afternoon snack—thankfully, with no campfire required.

24. Cold Brew Coffee Bags

Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Coffee Bags are only available in the summer, so you better believe we’re 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 fool-proof way to brew up the most deliciously smooth and subtle cup of coffee.

25. Golden Berries

What are golden berries, you ask? Although they look kind of like orange cherry tomatoes, they’re actually a fruit with a tangy, tropical taste that’s unlike any berry you’ve tried. It’s almost like eating a pineapple but in berry form. Hard to explain, but so so good.

26. Organic Beef Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are a summer staple, but your basic package of franks can be chock-full of who-knows-what. We 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.

27. Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip

Elote dip is no longer something you can only get in your favorite Mexican restaurant. Trader Joe’s changed the game with the debut of this dip a couple of years ago, and it’s truly a must-buy for any summer gathering you’re headed to this season. It’s bold, creamy, and smoky, and just like many of our favorite TJ’s dips, we appreciate that this one is made with Greek yogurt.

28. Sparkling Pineapple Juice Beverage

We enjoy 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. Pineapple is one of those flavors that really only feels appropriate during the summer or when you’re on a beach, so we’re taking this opportunity to scoop up a pack of these tropical sparkling juices. And if you’re not a fan of pineapple, don’t worry—watermelon and strawberry are available, too. 

29. Pineapple Salsa

We don’t make the rules: Fruit salsas are superior in the summer. This pineapple salsa from Trader Joe’s is fresh, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy. Eat it with a perfectly salted tortilla chip, and thank us later.

30. 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.

31. Shrimp Seafood Burgers

These shrimp burgers are reminiscent of something you’d order for lunch on a beach vacation, which makes them the perfect staple to keep in your freezer for the summer months. The shrimp flavor isn’t too seafood-y, and the texture isn’t too chunky. The result is the perfect smooth and flavorful burger that doesn’t need too many toppings to dress it up.

32. Truffle Flavored BBQ Sauce

If you are a fan of truffle fries (who isn’t?), you better run to get this BBQ sauce ASAP. The rich, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor is everything you could want in a BBQ sauce and more. Try it with grilled chicken, pulled pork, grilled pizza, or on top of your favorite burger. It is *chef’s kiss* all around.