What's New at Trader Joe's This May? Parmesan Tapenade, Detroit-Style Pizza & More

Skip the omakase and head over to Trader Joe’s for this classic maki-style sushi featuring raw Atlantic salmon, fresh slices of cucumber and sweetened, vinegared rice. Perfect to serve any day of the week for lunch or dinner (or both), each roll is dusted with a Japanese togarashi-inspired seasoning blend that delivers the heat of a spicy mayo without the mess. Car snackers, this one’s for you.

Psst: In case you haven’t heard, Trader Joe is a purveyor of sweets, and he’s perfected the gummy candy more times than I can count. (The Scandinavian Swimmers are on heavy rotation in my house.) New to the crew are these Sweet & Sour Gummy Worms, but unlike other confectionery bugs you might find at the grocery store, this version contains zero grams of sugar (yup, zero). To satisfy the discerning sweet tooth, this candy relies on allulose, erythritol and monk fruit extract for sweetness, while citric acid imparts that mouth-puckering sour zing. And like many TJ’s offerings, this candy gets its coloring and fruity flavor from a natural blend of strawberry and veggie juice concentrate.

If there’s one thing Trader Joe’s knows how to do well, it’s cheese. So much so that it has a Spotlight Cheese program that features a new artisanal offering each month for a limited time. May’s main character is this smoked cheddar speckled with paprika made in none other than Wisconsin—the cheese capital of the world. Sharp, bright and sinfully smoky, this cheddar will not let you down. Stack it on top of some Pita Bite Crackers, melt it over a juicy grilled burger or grate it into an open-faced grilled cheese.

The food developers over at TJ’s love to mash delicious things together and call it a cluster—case in point, S’mores Clusters, Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters and, of course, the fan-favorite Snacky Clusters. Now up to bat is this tangy raspberry yogurt ball studded with pieces of vanilla crème sandwich cookie, pretzels and crispy rice. But don’t dawdle; this one is only available for a limited time through the end of May.  

Hold onto that takeout cash and instead surprise the family with a Detroit-style pizza you can easily make at home. This frozen meal features everything you love about pizza: a bright, garlicky tomato sauce, hunks of uncured pepperoni and a generous blend of Parmesan, mozzarella and Romano. But to get that signature crispy-edged crust, the bottom of the dough is sprinkled with even more cheese, and a rectangular oven-ready pan is included in each box (no dishes!). Serve it tavern style alongside a classic chopped salad for the full Midwest effect.

Just me, or does it feel like every trendy restaurant has a whipped ricotta appetizer on the menu these days? Not complaining (I love me a whipped ricotta and hot honey dip), but with kids at home and date nights on the decline, I can’t always make it out for that coveted 8 p.m. reservation—nor do I feel like breaking out the stand mixer to attempt to make it on my own. Enter Trader Joe’s Whipped Ricotta Cheese, the busy mom’s secret to delicious hors d’oeuvres that look way more impressive than they are. On its own, this ricotta is pretty simple, so I suggest doctoring it up with some olive oil, fresh herbs and lemon zest.

When they first launched back in 2024, customers clamored for the TJ’s Brioche Style Liège Waffles. Now, these Belgian beauties are getting a springtime upgrade thanks to an infusion of strawberry flavor and a hint of pearl sugar studded throughout the buttery base. Individually wrapped and the ideal snacking size, I love that each package costs just $5 and includes six crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside waffles. Enjoy at breakfast or dessert, but only for a limited time this month.

Box blend or scratch made? No one will be able to tell the difference once they bite into these gooey, brown sugar-based cookies featuring white chocolate sandwich creme cookie pieces and white chocolate chips. Simply whip together butter and an egg before folding in the prepackaged mix. Serve at birthdays, picnics, barbecues and more for a kid-friendly treat (that adults will love, too).

Cinco de Mayo might be over, but in my house, taco Tuesdays (and enchilada Fridays) run deep. When shopping for the week, you could default to a standard Mexican cheese blend—cheddar, Monterey jack and asadero—but why not reach for something a little more inspired? Queso fresco is mild enough for the whole family to enjoy, with a soft, crumbly texture that holds up to even the spiciest of salsas.

I’m not big on anchovies, so a traditional French tapenade isn’t usually on my grocery list. Of course, the TJ’s version is way more palate-friendly (and budget-conscious), featuring Parmesan cheese combined with Manzanilla olives, garlic and—the real kicker—jalapeños. Seasoned with cilantro, oregano and thyme and marinated in a blend of olive oil, sunflower oil and red wine vinegar, this catch-all condiment is packed with classic Mediterranean flavors. Slather it on top of an Italian hoagie or use it as a marinade for a grilled artichoke and endive salad.

Inspired by the Korean street food scene, these potato cheese sticks are a funky, frankfurter-free take on the corn dog classic. Ooey, gooey cheese is at the heart of this savory treat (replacing the usual beef hot dog), but the real magic lies in the lightly sweetened batter that’s mixed with a generous amount of potato cubes, giving it that signature Korean corn dog crunch—no deep fryer required. Don’t hesitate to pick these up, especially since they’re only around for a limited time.