I tried 24 of Trader Joe's seasonal summer products, and there are only 4 I wouldn't buy again

• I reviewed 24 seasonal summer products from Trader Joe's as part of an ongoing taste-test series.
• Foods like the key-lime tea cookies and Bloody Mary salsa will become summertime staples of mine.

From versatile crispy jalapeño pieces to luscious Southern-style peach ice cream, Trader Joe's has plenty of seasonal items for the summer.

As part of an ongoing series in which I review Trader Joe's seasonal products, I gave the chain's summer offerings a try. Products vary each year from summer to summer, but many return.

Keep reading to find out which products I'll keep coming back for, and which ones I'll pass on next time.

The chocolate chips majorly upgraded Trader Joe's Hold the Cone treats

Just when I thought Hold the Cone couldn't get any better, Trader Joe's released these.

The chocolate chips were a welcome addition, providing texture and subtle notes of cocoa that didn't overwhelm the creamy vanilla interior.

As with the other flavors of this iconic treat, the ultra-smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate coating inside the cone was still one of the best parts. It reminded me of the jars of Magic Shell I used to beg my mom to buy when I was a kid.

Trader Joe's could have left it at that and I would've been more than happy, but the chain knocked this upgrade out of the park by making the cones chocolate as well.

One might think that'd be overly chocolaty, but the chips inside the vanilla ice cream complemented the richer, darker cocoa notes in the cone and shell to create a harmoniously delicious treat.

VERDICT: As a Hold the Cone enthusiast, I highly encourage you to add this product to your summer ice-cream rotation.

These cones the perfect size for a light after-dinner treat, and this flavor will satisfy people who hate chocolate ice cream but happily cover their vanilla sundae with chocolaty sauce.

The lemony arugula salad made for a light and refreshing lunch

I know that arugula gets a bad rep because of its strong, slightly bitter flavor, but give this salad a chance.

This salad's astringent of greens packed every bite with a bold, peppery flavor that played well with the delicious melange of nutty roasted almonds, sweet carrot ribbons, and salty Parmesan flakes.

There wasn't a ton of each topping, but enough for me to notice the textural contributions.

All of this was tied together with a lemon-basil vinaigrette that tasted more like a mustard dressing than any of the two named ingredients, yet somehow still worked perfectly with everything else.

That said, the salad certainly could have used more dressing. So this is me, once again, asking Trader Joe's to please give us two packets of vinaigrette with every bagged salad.

Nevertheless, this salad tasted like something I'd pay $14 for at a swanky brunch restaurant. Plus it comes as an all-in-one meal kit, with no additional shopping, chopping, or slicing required.

Goodbye, boring mixed-green salads — I've met my match.

VERDICT: If I had a cooler, this is exactly the kind of salad I'd throw in it and take to an outdoor lunch.

Given how much it would cost to buy this salad's individual ingredients — like the almonds alone — it's well worth the $5 I paid.

The combination of powdered sugar, shortbread, and citrus in these key-lime tea cookies was absolutely divine

Upon opening the box, I was met with the fresh, invigorating scent of key limes — a nice preview for the bright, aromatic, and all-around delightful snacking experience to come.

The cookies themselves were roughly the size of a silver dollar and just a bit thicker than a standard wafer treat, lending them a delicate quality that would make them perfect for an outdoor picnic or afternoon tea, as the name aptly suggests.

Trader Joe's absolutely nailed the shortbread texture.

Key-lime pie is often paired with a honeyed graham-cracker crust, but the simple, buttery shortbread made the citrus flavor pop and lent the cookies a soft, yet crumbly mouthfeel.

Every bite was bursting with refreshing key-lime flavor that tasted exactly like the center of the famous pie, and the dusting of powdered sugar enhanced the citrus' subtle sweetness.

VERDICT: These key-lime tea cookies were such a nice change of pace from the usual chocolate or strawberry-themed sweets I enjoy during the summer.

Between their delicate texture and yummy key-lime flavor, these cookies will be a staple of mine for years to come — no tea party necessary.

This dill-pickle mustard would upgrade nearly any summer sandwich

This dill pickle mustard packed quite a punch. The herbaceous dill was in full effect, almost to an unrelenting degree, and dominated every corner of my nose and taste buds, with a kick of tangy vinegar in tow.

Although dill was the dominant flavor, it didn't completely bury the sharp, savory mustard that was the perfect pairing for this herb and made the whole mix even spicier.

This mustard is flavored with dill weed and contains chunks of pickle. I liked the added texture.

It tasted great on my barbecue sandwich, and I can totally see it elevating any hotdog or hamburger, especially if you're a pickle fan.

By itself, it's a bit too sharp and strong, but then again, most people aren't just eating mustard by the spoonful.

VERDICT: This mustard was pretty good, but I can't see myself buying it more than once every year or two.

Still, the fun combination of vinegary pickles with aromatic dill and sharp mustard makes this a great condiment to have at any summer barbecue.

Trader Joe's pulled chicken in hickory-smoke-flavored sauce may have been the best instant barbecue I've ever had

I'm not sure it gets any better than tender chicken doused in a slightly smoky, yet sweet sauce.

Each package of this item comes with a pound of ready-to-eat chicken in chunks that are just the right size to add to any dish, which I appreciated as a working single person who doesn't always have time to meal prep.

Everything comes precooked, but you can microwave the meat for two minutes if you prefer it warm.

The tender and flavorful results made this option that much better than Trader Joe's year-round offerings, so much so that I don't even know why I'm bothering to cook this summer.

Even better, there was ample sauce to go around, and this stuff tasted like liquid gold and clung nicely to each chunk of meat. It wasn't too sweet and boasted a refined woody, peppery profile with subtle notes of molasses.

This product is the absolutely perfect execution of a convenient meal. Bravo, Trader Joe's.

VERDICT: As someone who loves barbecue but doesn't own a grill or smoker, I'm certain this pulled chicken is going to be a staple in my house.

It's easy to throw together and also super versatile — the tender chunks of meat would make the perfect addition to sandwiches, pizzas, and salads.

The tangy and garlicky dill-pickle hummus would be a superb summertime snack

Amazingly, this dip had the same creamy texture as the chain's other hummus options, so you'd never guess there's real pickle and might even mistake the green bits of dill for other herbs like basil.

That said, you can absolutely taste it, but the vinegary tang was light enough to be enjoyable.

The tahini, chickpea, and garlic flavors paired well with the dill, which makes sense since the herb is a common ingredient in tzatziki, which is usually eaten alongside hummus.

This dip also managed to avoid being overly salty. It also paired almost too well with savory chips.

At the same time, the brine-y pickle flavor lent the dip a slightly sour overtone, which I surprisingly enjoyed.

I'm salivating just thinking about how this spread would taste smeared on the inside of a turkey sandwich.

VERDICT: This dill-pickle hummus has convinced me to embrace the mantra "don't knock it 'til you try it," and the snack section of my fridge will be eternally grateful.

The Bloody Mary salsa was packed with tomatoes, spice, and everything nice

I know there's no vodka in this Bloody Mary salsa, but this tasty, peppery dip transported me to a boozy brunch.

Spice-forward, tangy, and bursting with the sharp bite of horseradish, black pepper, and bitter celery salt, this product encompasses all of the flavors of its namesake cocktail.

Really, the only thing that separated this from actual Bloody Mary mix was the texture, but this was so good, I probably could blend it to drink on its own.

It was undoubtedly a chunky salsa, with tomato bits of varying sizes swimming in a sea of peppers and flavorful juices.

It tasted so much more complex than many of the chain's other jarred salsas, and I'm actually shocked that most restaurants aren't already serving a version of this on their menu. I genuinely wouldn't change a thing about it.

VERDICT: I've recently learned this isn't a 2021 seasonal offering, but rather, a comeback from 2019. This time I hope it's here to stay and returns again.

The gluten-free cauliflower crisps are an essential summer snack

I don't have gluten sensitivities, but I appreciate that Trader Joe's makes snacks that myself and my gluten-free friends can enjoy.

These crisps looked pretty underwhelming. With a slightly murky tan hue and the thickness of a wafer, they seemed like flat cookies — make sure to clearly mark these when you put them out unless you want some confused party guests.

Biting into these cauliflower crisps turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Like most gluten-free products, they were thicker than the standard chip due to the base of brown rice and cauliflower, but their texture was both crunchy and scrumptious.

They were sturdy enough to hold up to hummus and the Bloody Mary salsa without breaking or disintegrating, which is better than some of the regular chips I buy.

They also sported a neutral onion-garlic seasoning that would make them palatable with a bunch of different dips, yet tasty enough to eat on their own.

I definitely picked up on a cauliflower aftertaste, but it was so light that I grew accustomed to it after the second bite. Plus the crisps were so well-salted that I didn't mind.

VERDICT: Even though I wish these came in a slightly bigger bag, I still think $3 is a solid deal for tasty, gluten-free chips just about everyone can enjoy.

If you dislike coconut milk, don't be put off by the label that lists it as a key ingredient — I couldn't detect the slightest hint of it.

The dark-chocolate watermelon sticks are a unique summertime snack

I anticipated these sticks were going to taste like a Jolly Rancher, but Trader Joe's instead opted for a jelly filling.

When I first sampled these, I audibly uttered, "Oh, that's different!"

As I ate more, I grew accustomed to the sensation of biting into the chocolate and tasting that sweet, fruity center.

The filling didn't taste like fresh watermelon, but I've come to learn this type of flavoring rarely does. In this case, it was more like a cross between whatever goes in the chain's chocolate-covered Powerberries and toaster pastries, with added watermelon juice.

When paired with the dark-chocolate exterior, these flavors made for an OK combination, but I think it would've been more satisfying with citrus or sweetly tart fruits, like oranges and strawberries.

The sticks are cute, but they're not as striking as they'd be if Trader Joe's made them half-moon-shaped mini watermelons.

I also find that salty or spicy flavors pair better with the sunny sweetness of melons.

VERDICT: I didn't love these chocolaty watermelon pieces enough to buy them again, but they'd make a great addition to a snack table.

The pineapple barbecue sauce was delectably sweet and spicy


As long as I live, I will loudly proclaim and defend my love for all things pineapple, and I'll continue by raving about how great this barbecue sauce is.

Tomato, molasses, pineapple, and other notable flavors come together to form a sauce that's equal parts tangy, peppery, and sweet.

I'd actually call it restaurant quality. It tasted quite similar to Trader Joe's standard barbecue sauce with a sweet touch from the pineapple. The main difference is the texture since there were some bits of crushed fruit in the jar.

But this sauce was such a standout because it absorbed all of the natural-sugar flavors and the subtle kick of citrus without tasting fruity. It's the kind of addition that would make grilled dishes come alive.

If I owned a grill, I'd cover everything with it, but for now, my frozen fries and nuggets will have to suffice.

VERDICT: This item is absolutely worth buying for the summer. Even though I can't see myself wanting to use it all of the time, it's a fresh take on standard barbecue sauce.

These crispy jalapeño pieces would elevate just about any summer meal

After finally getting my hands on a can of these crispy jalapeños, I can totally see them becoming a contender for the chain's next Customer Choice Awards.

Falling somewhere between a ridged potato chip and nacho topping with a scent that's nearly identical to jalapeño-cheese bagels, these crispy bits have the "it" factor that would make them both the perfect snack and sandwich addition.

They're crunchy, salty, savory, and spicy, but not in an overwhelming way. I'd been eating them by the handful and found the burn pleasantly crept onto the roof of my mouth but quickly dissipated.

They reminded me of a cooler version of the onion strings you'd put on green-bean casserole with an added kick, so I'm hoping this product becomes a year-round staple.

Best of all, these pieces seemed to go with everything. I sprinkled a few on top of a barbecue-chicken sandwich and was blown away by how well they enhanced the savory flavors.

They'd likely taste great crumbled on tacos, nachos, or inside of a burger, but they're also just as yummy straight out of the can.

VERDICT: If you're a fan of crispy onion strings and aren't afraid of a little heat, you'll love these crispy jalapeño pieces.

Between their crispy potato-chip texture and a piquant jalapeño flavor, these will make an appearance in many of my meals and snack bowls this summer.

The Southern peach-crisp ice cream was simply irresistible

I don't write expletives in my reviews, but I'll admit that I uttered one — in the best way possible — when I first sampled this peach-crisp ice cream.

It was one of the best store-bought ice creams I've ever tried.

Every bite was full of decadent and milky sweet-cream flavor. The peach presence was subtle enough that it was like receiving a pleasant surprise on top of the dessert I was already enjoying.

The same goes for the oat chunks — I definitely had to hunt for them, but when I did find them, it was like hitting the lottery since they tasted like mini, soft-baked oatmeal cookies with cinnamon and brown-sugar undertones.

Plus this ice cream was so smooth that it tasted as if an individual person churned it themselves.

If you told me I could only eat one ice cream for the rest of the year and gave me this option, I'd be peachy keen.

VERDICT: I've enjoyed a lot of good sweets in my day, but I don't remember the last time my taste buds were this happy.

No frozen treat is complete without one of Trader Joe's organic sugar cones

When I was a kid, I always asked for ice cream in a cup for more bang for my buck and less mess, but the older I get, the more I appreciate what the right cone can bring to the table.

This sugar cone was the perfect vehicle for enjoying my Trader Joe's ice cream. It was sturdy enough to keep everything intact without losing its crunch and was a lightly sweet complement to the frozen treat.

It was also just the right size — I comfortably fit a decent scoop onto the cone without any ice cream spilling out of the sides.

VERDICT: If you're going to Trader Joe's to buy ice cream, you might as well pick up some cones. I'd keep these on hand to enjoy with cool treats and avoid sticky dishes all summer long.

These dill-pickle-flavored chips seemed unnecessary

As the "pickle friend" in my group, even I'll admit that sometimes we need to just let pickles be pickles. Every food under the sun doesn't need to be infused with dill, and these chips are proof of that.

Even though they had all of the right elements — the perfect crunch, plenty of seasoning, and ample salt — something about eating them felt wrong.

They tasted exactly like a dill pickle but also left a lingering aftertaste in my mouth that I wasn't particularly thrilled about.

This isn't as noticeable when I eat regular pickles since they're usually dredged in a liquid brine, but coming from a dry potato chip made it an unpleasant experience.

I don't understand why these were made — if I wanted a crunchy snack that tasted like a pickle, I'd just eat one. And if I wanted a bite-sized variety, I could easily get those too.

You could argue that chips are more suitable for dipping, but the dill flavor was so strong that the only thing I'd pair these with is the pickle hummus — which admittedly did make both components taste really good.

That said, I'm certainly not going to sink these into my caramelized-onion dip anytime soon.

VERDICT: Sorry to my fellow pickle fans, but these chips were a disappointment.

Trader Joe's ravioli deliciously blended sweet corn and creamy burrata

With the flavors of fresh corn and lightly sweet burrata all wrapped up in pillowy pockets, this ravioli captures the essence of the perfect summer pasta.

The corn added a pleasant pop of fresh flavor while the burrata boasted a creamy, mildly buttery taste. This was the most visibly plump Trader Joe's ravioli I've ever sampled, which is probably due to each pasta's pocket-like shape. Plus every piece held up through the cooking process.

I couldn't really taste the basil that was advertised on the bag, but I was willing to overlook that since the ravioli was fine without it and I topped my dish with fresh pieces of the herb anyway.

VERDICT: Thanks to the irresistibly tasty burrata and sweet-corn filling, this option might just dethrone Trader Joe's lemon variety as my favorite ravioli.

It's perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something filling, yet light. It will forever receive recognition as a summer staple in my home.

Trader Joe's old-fashioned potato salad is one of the best store-bought potato salads I've tried

I normally loathe store-bought potato salad, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

The potato pieces were cooked just right and held up well under the dressing. It had a bit of a drier mouthfeel (which is sort of expected for something sitting on the shelf), but for the most part, I'd describe the overall texture of this stuff as quite creamy, but not at all mushy.

The big sell for me was that it wasn't overly mayonnaisey, a common pitfall of most store-bought potato salads. Instead, Trader Joe's did a nice job salting this just enough to be enticing. The addition of green scallions and finely chopped hard-boiled eggs also offered more flavor beyond just salt.

The salad had a slight vinegar taste, and this salad would've been near-perfect for me had it included actual bits of pickle or relish. Even without it, this potato salad still made for an adequate starchy side dish.

VERDICT: No matter what, homemade will always be the best when it comes to potato salad. Still, I really enjoyed this and will definitely be buying it again next time I'm in the mood for barbecue.

Kids are likely to love Enchanted Jangle, but it was way too sugary for me

Like the other Jangles from Trader Joe's, this bag features a hodgepodge of various crunchy and chewy textured mini treats.

Unlike the other Jangles, however, this one seemed like it was engineered by a child who was given free rein to throw whatever goodies they like into a massive jar and call it a day. To be fair, that's my bad for not taking the cue from the unicorn on the bag.

It contains strawberry-flavored mini marshmallows, pink confection chips, chocolate-covered pretzel nuggets, and — interestingly — lemon-yogurt-dipped animal cookies. It is as ridiculously sweet as you can imagine, but if you know what you're getting into, it shouldn't be shocking.

There are also regular pretzel lattices in the mix, which seem like some last attempt to add some salt (maybe an adult stepped into the room during the creation process) but the mix is still too sweet for me. In this case, the pretzels are kind of like the people who showed up late to the party without the invite.

VERDICT: Although I don't see myself buying this Jangle again, I can see it being a hit for kids. I'd also recommend this anyone with a serious sweet tooth looking for something colorful and fun to put on display.

Trader Joe's strawberry-and-vanilla yogurt pretzels are another worthy sweet-and-salty combo to add to your snack rotation

Each pretzel is covered on all sides in a pretty pink-and-white yogurt coating that tasted like it had real strawberry infused into it. It was delicately sweet with a twinge of fruitiness that was well balanced by the salt of the pretzel.

This treat reminded me of dipping french fries into a strawberry milkshake.

I was an especially big fan of the fact that they were miniature. It added to the cuteness factor and made it so I could enjoy a few of them at a time and there's still plenty in the bag to go around for days.

VERDICT: In my opinion, these are a welcome addition to the lineup of seasonal dipped pretzels but they're not as tasty as the ginger ones Trader Joe's has had in the spring.

These s'mores clusters are good enough to make me not want to buy regular candy bars

These lumpy mounds attempt to harness the totality of the camping snack into bite-sized candy-bar form, without the mess.

A bag contains around 12 silver-dollar-sized pieces, each consisting of a layer of graham cracker topped with a mini marshmallow, enrobed in deliciously smooth milk chocolate.

The milk-chocolate layer was thick, smooth, and sweet. In my humble opinion, the chocolate seemed better quality than typical candy bars and more like what you might find at a theme-park candy shop. The graham cracker was just the right thickness to make its appearance known with a slight crunch and tasty honey flavor.

One note for the dessert purists — because the marshmallows are small, they get buried a bit, so if you're looking for a true s'more flavor experience, this isn't quite that.

VERDICT: Treats like these are the reason I'm a Trader Joe's loyalist for life. I'll be mourning when they disappear come fall. I'd also love to see a dark-chocolate version someday.

The chain's tres-leches earned high marks for its convenience but the frosting left something to be desired

Picture vanilla pudding in cake form, and you have Trader Joe's take on tres leches.

Like most versions of this dessert, the texture was so spongy and so soft under the milks that it pretty much dissolved immediately when it touched my tongue.

Each bite brought an omnipresent vanilla sweetness that I couldn't help but keep going back to, even though it tasted a bit artificial. It sort of felt like eating vanilla custard with cake pieces in it.

Overall, for a frozen cake, it's really quite yummy. The convenience really won me over. I love baking tres leches but it can be a lot of work. With this, I simply let this thaw in my fridge for several hours and it was ready to eat.

The frosting, however, was a letdown. It tasted like an unsweetened, whipped buttercream without any flavoring, in my opinion. Thankfully, it's nothing a bit of fruit cannot improve. I didn't have any fruit on hand when I tried this, but if I did, this would have been a home run.

VERDICT: As someone who enjoys baking tres leches but doesn't always want to go to the trouble of making an entire cake (let alone buying three milks), I really appreciate this cake.

For all its flaws, it really is quite superb for a frozen cake. I'll definitely be picking up one more box for the summer.

Trader Joe's scrumptious cheddar-jalapeño pull-apart bread is a standout in the bakery section

I was so excited to try this that I actually skipped reading the instructions that state to warm it in the oven before taking a bite. It was still tasty.

Once fully heated, this bread reminded me of a better version of the cheesy bread I add to every pizza-delivery order. It was super soft with a slightly doughy almost bagel-like chew without being too dense. It tasted plenty cheesy and mildly spicy thanks to the jalapeño rings baked directly into it.

Basically, this bread is the stuff of dreams. I dipped it into cream cheese to balance out the heat but I'd serve it with something like the chain's elote dip if I wanted to kick up the heat.

Really, my only complaint is that the package isn't resealable.

VERDICT: Absolutely would buy this again. I hope this becomes a year-round offering.

Trader Joe's frozen corn ribs bring a tasty vegan barbecue main without having to bust out the grill

Trader Joe's corn ribs are like regular corn on the cob that's been cut into smaller sections for easier eating, so, there is still a cob in the center.

These curved corn sticks created a pool of what seemed to be vegan butter on my baking sheet by the time they finished heating in the oven. Still, this didn't translate to a greasy taste. In fact, these were actually quite tasty.

The reddish-brown seasoning offered a salty with a very faint hint of cumin-like flavor, but overall, it wasn't very strong. I ended up squeezing some lime over my corn ribs to brighten things up a bit. These would also benefit significantly from being slathered in another sauce, like elote dip.

The slightly curved shape and fact that the kernels sit on a "bone" really did make each bite of this feel like I was eating the vegetarian version of a rib, which was pretty neat. I wish these existed years ago when I was still not eating meat.

In all, this is a satisfying vegan barbecue food, but I'm not sure if it's for me. I say this as someone with the privilege of living in an apartment complex with a communal grill space. For someone living somewhere where this kind of food isn't accessible, I can see these being a game changer.

VERDICT: I don't think I'd buy these again for myself — I prefer regular corn on the cob and the portion size in the bag seemed a bit small — but I still think these ribs are neat to try.

If you want a chewy, fruity snack, look no further than these Beach Day! gummy candies

Despite the gummy name, these weren't like bendable gelatinous worms or bears in the movie concession's stand. I think they're more like actual fruit snacks, pleasantly chewy and easy to bite into.

Each morsel had a fruit-juice-style sweetness that was slightly tart on the finish. To me, the prevailing flavor was peach, with a few gummies offering a vague lime flavor. Either way, they're quite yummy, and the shapes are absolutely adorable.

VERDICT: These are a new essential for road trips.

This Mediterranean-style salad kit could work as a side, but there's nothing really special about it

I expected this salad to resemble more of a classic Greek salad but it felt more like a fancy slaw.

In place of typical leafy greens were sturdy leaves of finely chopped romaine and raddichio. The salad also contains shredded broccoli and toasted flatbread sticks, which made it a win for crunch factor, and a tasty classic red-wine vinaigrette that's neither too tangy nor sweet.

For the most part, I thought this was fine, but nothing to write home about. Some of the dried tomato bits were too dry, in my opinion, resulting in some awkwardly brittle pieces. The feta crumbles practically vanished once everything was tossed together, and there were so few chickpeas they almost seem like they weren't supposed to be there.

As is my experience is with most Trader Joe's salad kits, I think it also could've used a lot more dressing. Like, at least two packets.

On the plus side, this held up well for hours and didn't get soggy — probably because there was so little dressing. Overall, It's not bad if you're looking for something green to sneak as a side into your weeknight meals.

VERDICT: I probably won't go out of my way to get this for lunch, but I might pick it up if I needed a last-minute side for pasta.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.