These 5 Trader Joe's Summer Favorites Are Finally Back

There’s nothing I enjoy more than learning about a new grocery item that I have yet to try. To me, finding a new product is just as exciting as finding a wad of cash on the ground; only in this scenario, I get to eat what I find. And in terms of unique options that get me excited to cook, Trader Joe’s confidently rests at the top of my list of favorite grocery stores to scour for fan-favorite items. 

On the latest episode of Trader Joe’s podcast, Inside Trader Joe’s, crew members spilled the beans on some of the incredible return summer products that I think deserve a little extra attention.

Get your notepads ready for the five returning TJ’s products you will not want to miss out on this summer:

1. Chopped Salad Kits ($3.69)

A huge fan-favorite found in the refrigerated produce section of the store, chopped salad kits are a popular selection year-round for loyal TJ’s customers. “We’ve decided to do this thing where we have a chopped salad kit for a few months, and then we rotate it out and rotate in another chopped salad kit,” crew member Tara explains. 

Right now, the salad kit in rotation is a tasty-sounding Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad. However, customers can expect to see Sweet Chili Mango Chopped Salad Kits pop up by the end of July or early August, followed by Miso Crunch in November. “We want to introduce people to as many flavors and possibilities as we can,” crew member Tara says. 

2. Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Thigh Skewers ($6.99)

Not only are these delicious chicken skewers pre-seasoned and skewered for your convenience, they’re also pre-cooked and ready to rock. “We introduced these last year for summer,” Tara explains, “all you have to do is heat them.” 

According to Tara, customers “went really crazy” last year over the release of the new chimichurri chicken skewers, which replaced an older version that TJ’s had available a number of years ago. They sold out fast last summer, and will likely sell out just as quickly this summer, so keep your eyes peeled upon your next visit. And as an added bonus, getting your hands on some of TJ’s own Chimichurri Sauce is a great way to elevate these already popular chicken skewers.

3. Hatch Green Chili Unexpected Cheddar Spread ($4.99)

Introduced late-summer last year, TJ’s Green Chili Unexpected Cheddar Spread was an instant hit that boasted “wonderful flavors” that are “not over the top spicy” and more of a “green chili flavor,” according to crew member Matt.

It was created after being inspired by TJ’s original Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, this time adding diced New Mexican Hatch chiles, bell peppers, and cayenne pepper. 

The spices pair perfectly with the Unexpected Cheddar base—a spreadable concoction of salted butter, cream, and whey. This spread is great as a dip, perfect on sandwiches and wraps, or eaten by the spoonful. 

4. Vidalia Onions ($2.99 for 2 pounds)

Loved by many due to their sweetness, Vidalia onions are a grocery staple that TJ’s offers in a convenient, two-pound bag during the spring and summer months. Crew member Matt describes these onions as having a reputation as the “sweetest onions in the world” that are actually “fantastic to eat raw.”

Only 20 counties in the state of Georgia are legally allowed to grow, harvest, and call this particular variant Vidalia, which packs an amazing flavor that is just perfect when paired on top of a burger. “Yeah, you can cook them,” crew member Tara explains, “but they are the best onion, in my opinion, to go on a burger.” Crew member Matt quickly jumps in to add that the “crunch, the texture, the flavor” is “perfect, even the size and shape.”

5. Raspberry Croissant Carré ($5.99)

Lastly, for the sweet lovers out there, TJ’s Raspberry Croissant Carré is described by crew member Matt as “one gigantic, beautifully large raspberry croissant.” This ready-to-go treat can either be heated up or eaten at room temperature for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s easy to slice and makes the perfect treat for any summertime gathering. 

The croissant is made with laminated dough that has been repeatedly folded with layers of butter to mimic the familiar classic croissant experience. The dough is then paired with a tart raspberry filling that is sweetened with sugar and complemented with a bit of lemon juice for some extra zest. Rather than being rolled into the traditional croissant, these suckers are shaped by sandwiching layers of dough around the jammy filling, similar to that of a coffee cake. It is then sprinkled with coarse sugar and baked to perfection.