Isabella Miller I have a complicated relationship with Trader Joe’s in the summer. I learned the hard way that hesitating on a seasonal item means missing out for the whole season. Last June, I waited two weeks for a frozen treat that everyone was raving about online. By the time I went back, the freezer case was completely empty. So this year, I scoped out the restock list early and made my plan. Here are six summer items flying off the shelves right now, plus what real shoppers online are saying about them.
Sweet Corn, Burrata, and Basil Ravioli
I saw this called the best ravioli the store has ever made in a Reddit thread, so I had to test it for myself. Several Google Maps reviews of nearby TJ’s locations also mention shoppers asking employees when this is back in stock. It feels like a restaurant meal, but you barely touched a pan.
Sparkling Lychee Juice Beverage
This drink is a first-of-its-kind and it is a drink that people are losing. The taste is light and tropical with an oddly addictive first sip. On my last trip I got 4 canes and I have already run out of them. It has been picked up by a few Reddit threads as a mocktail mixer with lime and mint.
Lemon Tiramisu
I’m thrilled to try this cheat dessert this summer for $5.99 for two, my new favorite! It features a fragrant lemon syrup and invigorating curd filling instead of a traditional espresso topping. Thawed from frozen, it is ideal for a summer dinner party at the last minute. I used it last weekend for grilled salmon and three friends asked where I had purchased it.
Spicy Mango Lemonade (Reddit Calls It Their Best Drink Ever)
I was skeptical at first, until I saw the chatter on r/traderjoes about this one. One fan there called it the best thing the store has ever sold, full stop. The kick comes from puréed jalapeño and cayenne pepper blended into ripe mango. It is sweet, then suddenly hot, and somehow it works on a hundred degree afternoon.
Mango Cream Bars
These come back every summer and they disappear almost as fast as the store can restock them. Reddit threads light up when shoppers admit to stashing extra boxes of vanilla ice cream wrapped in mango sorbet for winter. It’s a simple, perfect combination. I bought two boxes and regretted not getting three.
Strawberry Brioche Style Liège Waffles
These are individually wrapped, which makes them dangerous for me on a busy weekday morning. The strawberry version is brand new for this summer and only in the bakery section temporarily. I grabbed two boxes my first time and have zero regrets about that decision. Pop one in the toaster, add a little whipped cream, and breakfast is basically dessert.
