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

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. 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.

2. 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. 

3. Crunchy Chili Onion Toscano

If you love the spicy, garlicky flavor of chili onion crunch, you’ll be ecstatic about the most recent addition to Trader Joe’s cheese lineup: Crunchy Chili Onion Toscano. Infused with garlic, onion, and chili flakes, 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Tarongino Wine

This unique Spanish wine is made with juice from Valencia oranges, which give it a bright, citrusy flavor and a gorgeous orange color. It’s best served chilled while sitting outside on a patio with the sun on your face.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen

The worst thing about applying sunscreen is the greasy white residue that takes forever to soak in, but with this new 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.

10. Sparkling Tea & Lemonade

Iced tea and lemonade is a classic flavor combo that tastes extra refreshing in warm weather. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

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13. 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.

14. Organic Jalapeño Limeade

Homemade spicy margs, anyone? This jalapeno-infused limeade has appeared amid 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Scented Candle Trio

Trader Joe’s seasonal candles never miss—I swear I’ve never smelled one I didn’t like. Plus, the price point is absolutely unbeatable. This set of candles, for example, features three different summery scents for just $9.99. That’s less than what you’d pay for one pretty much anywhere else.

19. Strawberry Overnight Oats

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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Peaches & Cream Cheese Spread

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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Strawberries & Crème Pancake & Waffle Mix

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.

29. 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 fool-proof way to brew up the most deliciously smooth and subtle cup of coffee.

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. 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.

32. 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.