Every week brings the same joy: wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. The store’s shelves feel like an endless trove of culinary curiosities, offering new discoveries to savor and tuck away for later.
And, since Trader Joe’s is always changing up what they have in stores, there’s always something new for us to taste test as well. So, each week we make an effort to get five products that we’ve never seen before, regardless of whether or not there a new addition to Trader Joe’s product catalog in order to let you all know whether or not they’re worth trying it out yourselves. These are the five things we couldn’t leave the store without this week.
Synergy Kombucha: Gratitude Edition with Collina Strada
As someone one who really likes kombucha in its own right, this is very nice tasting. That said, you will not enjoy the drink if you don’t already really like kombucha and the flavor of turmeric. Luckily for me, I really like both of those things, but the drink isn’t very sweet, and it has that same acidic, tangy, fermented flavor that kombucha is known for. All of that in mind, you could also taste the subtle nuances of the root vegetables and seasonal warming spices in a way that was delightful and created a nice contrast from the typical fruity of flavors that we see in kombucha.
Neufchatel Cheese
From what we can tell this isn’t a brand-new item for Trader Joe’s, but it hadn’t shown up at our location until now. It’s intriguing because we weren’t sure what to expect and how closely it would resemble cream cheese. The box positions itself as cream cheese-adjacent, though you never quite know how accurate those claims are. In the end, it’s quite similar, perhaps a touch less tangy, but still rich, cheesy, and spreadable. The texture leans a bit grittier than standard cream cheese, likely due to its lower fat content.
Shawarma Chicken Thighs
We enjoy testing the marinated meats from the protein section for you all, since choosing pre-marinated options is one of the bigger gambles in grocery shopping. Not only is the price often a bit higher, but you don’t know if the marinade will be any good, and if it falls flat there’s little chance of recovery. Fortunately, these Shawarma Chicken Thighs are genuinely excellent. They carry complex, warming spices that penetrate the meat evenly. The cinnamon presence adds depth, making them one of the few marinated offerings at Trader Joe’s that don’t require any extra seasoning.
Pumpkin Ginger Hold The Cone
The Hold The Cone ice cream lineup at Trader Joe’s is iconic and beloved for good reason. Each flavor we try seems to surpass the last, and this entry is no exception. A notable highlight is the decision to amplify ginger, making it a more prominent flavor. And since it isn’t dipped in the usual dark chocolate, the ice cream itself truly takes center stage.
Organic Mediterranean-Style Salad Kit
Trader Joe’s salad kits can be a mixed bag for us. They rarely disappoint, but sometimes they’re so underwhelming that it isn’t worth grabbing a second time. Not this one, though. If you’re into Greek salads but dread the prep work, this makes a solid option. I’d add a few cucumber rounds, tomatoes, and olives, but as is it was satisfying. One tip: after mixing everything, let it rest for about 10 minutes to give the sun-dried tomatoes and greens a chance to soften.
