Trader Joe’s Reveals the 9 New Products That Are Hitting Stores This Summer

In the summer, there are certain foods that I always look forward to—the soft-serve from my favorite ice cream shop, the grilled peach and goat cheese salads that pop up on restaurant menus, or my uncle’s homemade guacamole for snacking on the beach. 

This past week, Trader Joe’s announced a line-up of new summer products on their latest podcast episode of Inside Trader Joe’s. Though many won’t be on store shelves until the beginning of July and will be available only during the summer, as a TJ’s super fan, I already anticipate they will become seasonal favorites. Here are the nine new TJ’s products I’m looking forward to enjoying this summer:

1. Strawberry Lemonade Ice Bars

If you are a frequenter of the frozen desserts aisle like me, then you have surely tried the Raspberry, Lemon & Strawberry Fruit Frenzy Bars. I’m obsessed! Which means I’m running to get my hands on any new TJ’s popsicles. I'm lacing up now because Trader Joe’s is releasing a new flavor, Strawberry Lemonade, combining two beloved summer pastimes: eating peak-season strawberries and sipping lemonade on a hot day.

This treat is made in Italy by a frozen novelty maker, and they are set to hit stores by the end of June. Get ready to yell “Molto bene!” after your first bite!

2. S'mores Ice Cream

Other than popsicles, summer brings to mind ice cream and s'mores. There’s nothing like a trip to my local parlor for a soft serve or huddling around a fire pit to roast marshmallows with friends and family. Instead of making these separate occasions, Trader Joe’s has created my most-desired frozen dessert: S’mores Ice Cream. 

The podcast revealed that through trial and error, TJ’s test kitchen created a delicious graham cracker-flavored base with marshmallows and chocolate swirls. This sounds perfect for when you can’t decide between ice cream or s’mores.

3. Sri Lankan Organic Mango Chutney

This versatile condiment is a spiced, mango preserve. According to the podcast, this product follows an old Sri Lankan recipe that trades in the typical ginger flavor for mango. 

Enjoy it on cheese, crackers, glazed over meats, or mixed into yogurt and soy sauce to make thicker, more flavorful dips, salad dressings, and marinades. 

4. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Hummus is essential for when I need to feed a crowd—add a bowl of crackers, sliced radishes, and other raw veggies for the easiest appetizer. Trader Joe’s announced that they upgraded their Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. It’s the same smooth, chickpea base with a chunkier roasted red pepper relish on top. As someone who has tasted almost every TJ’s hummus, I can’t wait to try this one! 

5. Dark Chocolate Pineapple Sticks

My favorite TJ’s snacks are dried fruits and fruit-flavored treats, especially when they’re covered in dark chocolate—the Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries are my go-to’s, and the Dark Chocolate Orange Sticks and Dark Chocolate Watermelon Sticks are fan-favorites. 

The new Dark Chocolate Pineapple Sticks, which will hit stores in early July, have the same fruity, jelly-like consistency that makes these types of treats irresistible. I’ll probably finish a bag in one sitting, so I plan to stock up before they sell out!

6. Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Pearls

My family constantly craves antipasti, so I am always looking for high-quality, fresh mozzarella. Thanks to Trader Joe’s, I can look no further! TJ's new pearled mozzarella is the perfect size to mix into pasta, and I plan to eat them with a spread of bread, olive oil, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil—a staple in my household. I’ll also be fixing up mini-caprese sandwiches, using the pearls instead of sliced mozzarella.

7. Lemon Pesto Sauce

Pasta salad always makes an appearance at my family barbecues. My favorite? Pesto pasta salad made with TJ’s refrigerated pesto. In contrast to the heat from the grill and the blistering sunshine, there’s nothing better than a scoop of chilled pesto pasta to please my palate. 

This summer, Trader Joe’s will release a new Lemon Pesto Sauce made with almonds, lemon, and lemon rind. What a delicious and zingy upgrade to traditional pesto! The podcast describes it as having, “a great balanced, slightly sweet, bitter, kind of nutty taste." Sourced from Italy, this product is set to hit stores by the end of June—and I can’t wait to give it a toss!

8. Organic Pasta Quintet

Shed what you know about sauces being paired with a specific type of pasta because Trader Joe’s is breaking all of the rules. Their new Organic Pasta Quintet mixes five different pasta shapes into one bag—don’t worry, they all cook at the same rate! 

The podcast mentions mini fusilli, Vesuvio, radiatori, and two other kinds that weren’t revealed, and I look forward to finding out. What a way to make dinner more exciting and unexpected! 

9. Organic Mafalda Corta Pasta 

Mamma mia! There seems to be a theme—pasta!—which is exciting for the Italian in me. The Organic Mafalda Corta Pasta is sourced from Italy. They are small, ruffled, rectangular-shaped noodles made specifically to help the sauce stick to them. If you have a spectacular sauce you have been waiting to try, grab a bag or three!

Thanks to Trader Joe’s, it looks like I’m having an Italian-inspired summer!