What’s New and Good at Trader Joe’s ~ honest feedback on the latest and greatest products from everybody’s favorite grocery store!
Trader Joe’s s is such a fun place to shop because they’re always innovating, and you never know what you’re going to run into on any given shopping trip. That thrill of the hunt unites foodies across America who count on TJs to liven up their weekly menus. I’ve chosen a few of my favorite new products to chat about today. A lot of their current newbies seem to be on the sweet side, don’t know what’s up with that. Maybe they go in cycles, but I can’t complain, the taste testing was fun 🙂
Oat & Greek Yogurt Sandwich Cookies
I rarely buy cookies unless I need them to make a crumb crust, or I’m desperate for a last minute dessert for company. I usually prefer to make homemade, but oh man are these good. The cookies have a unique soft/crisp/crumbly/melt-in-your-mouth texture, with a sweet oaty coconut flavor. And the filling has a pleasing tang that makes them unlike anything I’ve had before. I’m going to experiment with the idea for a recipe of my own, starting with a great oatmeal cookie.
The verdict: if you’re in the market for cookies, these are a must buy. They were so good I had to stash them at the back of the freezer in hopes I’d forget about them 🙂
Jalapeño Sauce
I was excited to see this sauce because I adore jalapeños, and I’ve never seen a sauce like this. It’s what I appreciate about TJs, they come up with unique products you can’t find anywhere else. This is something I might have posted on my blog, if I’d thought of it 😉
The verdict: yum! It’s delicious, fairly spicy, and perfect as a dip for veggies, fries, baked zucchini sticks, etc. I think you could use it in salad dressings for green salads but also in potato, egg, and pasta salads. The flavor is fresh and pleasing, I’m a fan.
Cedarwood and Sage Multi-Purpose Cleaner
If you do as much cleaning in the kitchen as I do you’ll appreciate why I’m sharing this…I love to find biodegradable cleaners that don’t cost an arm and a leg and actually smell good.
The verdict: this one is a great substitute for a Windex type cleaner for kitchen surfaces, stainless steel, and glass. I was especially impressed that it leaves NO streaks, a pet peeve of mine with other natural type cleaners. It’s not for heavy duty grease.
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
It’s a no brainer when it comes to reviewing these, TJs dark chocolate peanut butter cups are possibly the best thing they’ve ever made, and I included them in my 12 Things I Never Leave Trader Joe’s Without post. I would say the almond butter cups are even better. If you have good willpower and can stop at one or two, these make the ultimate healthy-ish treat.
The verdict: I can’t recommend that you go out and buy candy, I wouldn’t feel right about that, but if you’re going to buy candy anyway, buy these!!!
Ghost Pepper Chile BBQ Sauce
One of the things I appreciate about Trader Joe’s is that they offer outlier products, products that they know won’t appeal to everyone, like this ghost pepper sauce. I bet most Americans don’t even know what a ghost pepper* is, but for those who do, this is an exciting sauce they won’t find in their regular grocery store.
*The ghost pepper from India is the 7th hottest pepper in the world.
The verdict: of course this is ghost pepper for dummies, but that’s how we want it! It’s got the sweet molasses flavor of your favorite grilling sauce, with a lingering burn on par with Tabasco or Sriracha. Nice for the daredevils at your next backyard bbq.
Dehydrated Beets and Broccoli Florets
These may not be technically new, I’m not sure when they debuted, but they’re new to me. I have to say I bought them on a whim, not expecting to like them, but I do! A lot. They satisfy my late afternoon urge for crunch and they have the most amazing true veggie flavor.
The Verdict: they have a definite astronaut food vibe, but I like them!
Organic Dark Chocolate PB &J Minis
This is another one I wasn’t sure about, but ended up loving. I’m a dark chocolate girl all the way, so I loved biting through that thick, glossy coating of pure organic chocolate. After a chew or two, I had a legit flashback to eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a kid. These are clever, well made with good ingredients, and would be a fun surprise in a lunchbox, or scattered on the table with after dinner coffee.
The Verdict: these are quality chocolates, and unexpectedly delicious.
Banana Date Nut Bread Crisps
One of the things Trader Joe’s is good at is coming up with foods that you’re not quite sure how to classify. These look like those Rainforest Crisps everybody loves to add to cheese boards, but they’re sweeter, and definitely reminiscent of banana bread.
The Verdict: pretty perfect with cream cheese as a snack but not so sure how they’d work as part of a cheese plate.
Spicy Avocado Hummus
The latest member of the growing TJs line of dips, guacs, and hummuses (hummi?) It’s been panned in a few reviews, so I had low expectations, but it delivered what it promises: an avocado infused hummus with a kick.
The Verdict: I’d call it more of a hummus dip than a classic hummus, the texture is definitely looser, but the flavor is there.
Milk (or Dark) Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
I know what you’re thinking ~ “these aren’t new, I’ve been loving them for years!” ~ but they are new, in a way. They’ve been rehabbed, and improved. What blows me away is that the first ingredient listed on my bag is milk chocolate. The second (and last) is mini pretzels. Love that.
The Verdict: yep, they’re the same chocolate coated mini pretzels you know and love, they just went to Vegas and got a little nip and tuck.
Thanks for pinning!
We don’t have a TJ’s near us but when we travel to south Florida we always take a cooler. When we head home, we make two stops…TJ’s and Costco. I’ll be on the lookout for the jalapeño sauce…sounds terrific.
Don’t forget the cookies 😉
That Jalapeno sauce is awesome! Hopefully it’s not just a seasonal product.
Me too!
Just love TJ’s ! Was introduced to them almost 3 yrs. ago, and when I get to Winston-Salem, NC, I look forward to going in there to stock up in our favorites. Some faves include their Mandarin Chicken (frozen), their yogurt drinks, and a new frozen vegie combo: green beans, peas,broccoli. Love trying all their new products. Love TJ’s !
Hello, I Was Wondering When The Fireworks Spicy Dark Chocolate Bar Would Make A Come Back. That Has Been The Best Chocolate Bar I Have Ever Had. Pop Rocks and Spicy Chocolate Are The Perfect Combination For A Mexican Like Me.
I don’t know, but it sounds pretty amazing. It’s possible it won’t come back, as they change their inventory pretty often.
I love Trader Joe’s and Aldi so I enjoy reading about their new items. Thank you.
Other blogger(s) put the retail pricing of the items they review which I find very helpful. Even if prices may fluctuate based on location it gives one a ballpark.
Thanks Susan I may do that in my next ‘installment’ 🙂
Thanks for a fun post. I shop at TJ’s (15 minutes away here in Co. Springs–but no wine at ours) regularly and while I have a small set list of things I buy there — fresh peas, haricots verts, fresh Kosher turkey breast on the bone, cheese — I love seeing what others are looking at so I can look around and see the stock with new eyes. I, too, am impressed with their personal care products. Adore the $5.99 Ultra-Moisturizing hand cream; I keep it in several places around the house (and in the car) and give it for gifts! Would love to include this link on my blog (FOODIE READING section) if you’d agree?
The requests are growing louder for a look at the personal care stuff, so that will happen soon. And yes, thanks for the share!
I used to love Trader Joes but now skeptical of going back, every time we fall in love with a product of theirs they discontinue it!! Last week i found out they discontinued their quinoa bread and i think that may have been the last straw. We shall see.
I think because they’re small they need to discontinue things to add new products to their inventory, at least that’s my guess.
They change products often to keep the cost low. If vendors raise rates or only offer a limited buy at a low price. This is the reason for product turn over. Trader Joe’s is amazing at continuing to bring great products, service at a low price point! We love Trader Joe’s!
Trader Joe’s is a healthy store for non-GMO products and no high fructose corn syrup and we love the taste testing and thanks for posting the new products I will be at Trader Joe’s next week so everybody have fun shopping thank you have a blessed day
Thanks. What is %of the dark chocolate?Wish you had the back package of the beets & cauliflower so we can see nutritional value. Thanks anyway.
The beets are 140 calories for the whole bag, .5 g fat, 0% cholesterol, 120g sodium, 29g total carbs, sugars 17g, protein 4g
The broccoli is: 220 calories for the whole bag, 15g fat, 0% cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 14g total carbs, sugars 3g, protein 7g
Not sure which chocolate you’re talking about?
How can I order something online from Trader Joe’s. Just moved from CA and am trying to order a specific wine. I live about 75 miles from the closest one.
I don’t think they do online ordering Debra, although that seems like something they should offer. They do sell some of their stuff on Amazon, but not the alcohol.
Ki
Sue, you do lovely presentations for us. I am thankful that I don’t live anywhere near a Trader Joe’s because I wouldn’t be able to resist all that lovely stuff. My shopping places stock the same stuff in either smaller or larger sizes with prices to match.
On visiting your country there is nothing I like more than to find Cooking utensils shops and your wonderful Supermarkets. The joy of finding a longed for utensil or cooking ingredient that I have seen advertised. Always need a spare suitcase!!
Thankyou, from the other side of the world, for your efforts and your lovely recipes.
Thanks for that nice comment Mary 🙂 America’s reputation in the world isn’t so good these days :/ so it’s nice that you think so fondly of our supermarkets!
I know one has to be aware and read the labels but it’s nice to actually be able to easily source some items that will never be on our supermarket shelves. Your cookware stores have got to be the best. One can purchase such fun pieces to cook in. At least you can buy a bundt tin that you haven’t got to mortgage the house for!! 🙂