4 Not-to-Be-Missed Trader Joe’s Groceries That Just Hit Stores, According to a Former Employee

This week I found myself walking into my Trader Joe’s just like that one Leonardo Di Caprio strutting meme — raring to go and ready to load up my cart. I could just sense something in the air that said I’d be filling my kitchen with some truly new and noteworthy finds. And maybe even some treats that prove spring is on the horizon. Trader Joe’s seasonal items are essentially a fully functional calendar, after all.

Side note: Is it just me or do you also have a Pavlovian response to hearing Fleetwood Mac play in a store and then find yourself needing to buy cheese puffs? Such is the TJ’s effect. Because, let’s be clear, my reusable bags did runneth over this week (and then some). So what did I pick up this week? Let’s find out.

This new ice cream is why I’m so glad Trader Joe’s often puts serving sizes as “one container.” Because it was truly hard to stop sampling this one as soon as I took it home this week. If you’re not familiar with yuzu, this frozen treat is a great introduction to the tart, citrus-y Japanese fruit. 

With a creamy, lightly coconutty base, this ice cream delivers two punches of bright yuzu in both the ice cream and the ripple. One bite of this treat will make you feel like you’ve eaten pure sunshine and I’m a little too excited to sandwich it between some Triple Ginger Snaps, or even use it for a fun spin on a Sgroppino (an Italian cocktail typically made with sorbet and Prosecco and vodka).

Anything being maple-flavored is an automatic buy for me, and these maple puffs truly bring the experience of a stack of pancakes to bite-sized form. They’re not too sweet, and come with a bit of saltiness that definitely pays homage to that magic moment when melted butter hits maple syrup. (Think: If Corn Pops cereal had a baby with the puffy crunch of Pirates Booty). My next bag is bound to be crumbled onto ice cream, used for crumb-coating a cake, and steeped in milk to make some cereal-milk-esque creations.

Is it just me or do you also eat certain foods as a vehicle for condiments? I know it’s not just me — especially now that Trader Joe’s has created ketchup sprinkles, of all things. Bright, salty, vinegary, and with just the right amount of sweet tomato, these ketchup sprinkles are about to add some pop to your scrambled eggs, mayo for a fry dip, and even salad dressings. 

I tried the sprinkles out on a batch of air-fryer fries in lieu of salt and my taste buds almost couldn’t ketchup — er, catch up. I mean, think about it: Can you imagine this mixed into meatloaf or sprinkled on a grilled cheese? My heart. I’ll take two more jars, please.

Trader Joe’s has a special knack for combining so many of my favorite words in one product, and these snackable, pickle-y corndogs are no exception. The Perfectly Pickled Pups are a mouthful in more ways than one, and have pickle seasoning in the cornbread batter that is subtle enough to not scare away even the very pickle-averse. 

I, however, could have taken a bit more pickle pungency, but that also makes these perfect for dipping into Trader Joe’s Dill Pickle Mustard, naturally. Definitely keep a box of these hidden away for after your Super Bowl snacking next week; you’ll be happy to have these on any odd weeknight with your favorite crisp lager.

What new finds are you snagging at Trader Joe’s this week? Tell us in the comments below!