The 10 Best Trader Joe's Products to Add to Your Cart This Summer

For a certain set of people (and if you’re reading this, I’m betting you’re one of the crew), the Trader Joe’s seasonal product releases are a highlight of each season, and the launch of their annual pumpkin products haul is *basically* a national holiday. If you’re a TJ’s superfan like me, you probably structure your shopping trips around the basics, while leaving plenty of time to explore their new items and seasonal products. 

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Although I live a 90-minute round trip away from the nearest Trader Joe’s, I can’t really dive into grilling-and-ice-cream season without their summer products.These are the top 10 must-have TJ’s items that are in my cart all summer long.  

1. Blueberry Lavender Flavored Almond Beverage

This isn’t a new item, but it’s the first one I toss in my cart every summer. It’s an absolute must for dairy-free almond milk lattes (iced or hot) that taste like they came from a coffee shop. The “just sweet enough” flavor is the perfect complement to the mashup of blueberry and lavender. This drink is giving coastal grandma, Maine meets Provence, France café vibes, and I am here for it.

2. Everything But the Elote Seasoning

I keep this seasoning blend from Trader Joe’s on heavy rotation all summer long. It’s a blend of spices traditionally used for Elote (Mexican Street Corn), including chipotle, cumin, and chili. Yes, it tastes amazing sprinkled on grilled, cotija cheese-smothered corn on the cob. But it’s also my favorite seasoning blend for fish and barbecued chicken. I have also stirred some into a mix of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for a homemade chip dip, and I would absolutely do it again.

3. Halloumi

Halloumi is a firm, squeaky-adjacent sheep’s cheese originally from Cyprus that’s ah-mazing grilled. (You can also pan-fry it, but in the dog days of summer, I’m all about that grill). I wouldn’t recommend crumbling this over a salad straight out of the package—it’s a little rubbery—but once it’s heated with a little oil, salt, and pepper, it’s the ideal accompaniment to grilled veggies or good, crusty bread. Trader Joe’s version is flavored with real mint, and now I can’t imagine eating halloumi any other way.

4. Honey Mangoes

Okay, I know that TJ’s chili-spiced dried mangoes are it  (you know that too, right?). But in summer, nothing hits quite like fresh mangoes. $5.99 is an absurdly good price for four big mangoes. Cut them up for a snack, put them in a smoothie, or add them to a fresh salsa.

5. Fresh Squeezed Limeade

Forget the lemonade stand: Trader Joe’s super tart, actually-fresh limeade is all I want in the summer. You may think the 32-ounce jar is more limeade than you could possibly want, but trust me: after adding it to frozen margs and freezing it with puréed mango (see above) for popsicles, or freezing it into a granita, you’re going to wish you picked up more.

6. Peri Peri Sauce

This fiery, thick sauce has origins in Portugal and Southern Africa. It’s made with bird’s eye chilis and has a vibrant orangey-red color. Although there are about as many versions of Peri Peri as there are cooks who love it, I appreciate the simplicity of Trader Joe’s version. With it, it means a  perfectly seasoned grilled dinner is just a bottle away. My usual application is to spoon a big dollop on a serving platter, and pile grilled summer squash on top. Though it also pairs great with grilled shrimp or chicken.

7. Genova Pesto and Vegan Pesto

Summer is pesto’s time to shine, and I find it impossible to choose a favorite among Trader Joe’s offerings. You can certainly make your own pesto, and you can also make a pesto out of anything, but I have never wished I spent more time cleaning my food processor during a balmy summer evening. So, TJ’s prepared pesto it is! I think that basil is best (it’s so sweet and summery!). Try it spooned over fresh summer tomatoes with some burrata for an easy summer salad.  These pre-made pestos are some of the best store-bought sauces I’ve had in a long time.

8. Shishito Peppers

At-home happy hour app idea: buy a package of these moderately spicy shishito peppers. Toss in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Crank the grill to high and toss the peppers in a grill basket. Cook until they’re blistered and charred in places. Serve with an herby, cooling dip. Repeat every evening  until the first snow.

9. Yuzu Ripple Non-Dairy Ice Cream

This is one of my favorite desserts of all time, and I usually avoid non-dairy ice creams like the plague. I am betting the secret to the impossibly creamy texture is the coconut base, but the real star here is the citrusy-bright ribbons of sweetened yuzu purée. It’s good enough to eat straight out of the pint, but add a sprinkle of toasted coconut and it’s downright perfect.

10. Ube Mochi

The first time I bought these, I grabbed one box. I haven't made that mistake again—these are a "stock up while you can" item! (Especially because there's only 6 per box). They're some of the chewiest mochi I've had, and the ube flavor really comes through. They're an ideal midafternoon summer treat when it's too hot to think about preparing a snack.