What's New at Trader Joe's This July? Kimchi Potstickers, Pistachio Gelato & More

As if the Trader Joe's freezer aisle wasn’t stacked enough, the brand is now adding Korean-inspired kimchi potstickers to the prepared-food mix. These pillowy pockets, stuffed with a spicy blend of kimchi and glass noodles, heat up in minutes—I suggest pan-frying them in sesame oil to really crisp up the edges. And if you haven’t tried the viral TikTok dumpling bake, I have a hunch these would make an excellent vegetarian substitution (just remember to swap out the fish sauce for rice vinegar).

Psst: In case you haven’t heard, Trader Joe is a purveyor of sweets, and every time I think he's perfected gummy candy, he unveils a new riff that's even better than the last. (The Scandinavian Swimmers are on heavy rotation in my house.) New to the crew are these Sour Confetti Chews, crafted by a confectioner in Germany. Texturally a cross between taffy and a gummy, this candy uses plant-derived colors from turmeric and spirulina, along with fruit and vegetable juices, to give it its party-ready pastel hue. If your mouth is already puckering, run and pick some up now.  

One hill I’ll die on, no matter the meal? The sides will always outshine the main. Case in point, this budget-friendly potato kit that’s begging to be microwaved, roasted or air-fried on any given weekday. Each kit contains four servings of pre-washed, ready-to-cook gold potatoes, along with a seasoning packet filled with aromatics like garlic and onion as well as parsley and sea salt. It’s a simple-as-can-be side dish the whole family will enjoy. And if you're curious what to serve it with, you can’t go wrong with a classic meat and potatoes pairing: lamb chops, ribeye or, if you're tight on time, store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Petition to make peach tea the unofficial drink of the summer. It’s got everything we love about a warm-weather drink: real cane sugar sweetness with a tart and peachy punch, all balanced with the bold tannins found in black tea (the caffeine kick doesn’t hurt either). As a limited-edition item, this concentrate is only available now through August—so stock up while you can.

If pistachio is your gelato flavor of choice, you are going to love TJ’s take on the classic Italian dessert. Nutty, creamy and delightfully sweet, enjoy a scoop or two affogato-style with a shot of espresso, sprinkled with cacao nibs and broken biscotti bits or sandwiched between two Belgian waffles (but if that’s too much effort, straight from the carton will do). La dolce vita indeed!

I was today years old when I realized Trader Joe’s didn’t have a salt and vinegar potato chip offering. But after seeing the internet’s rising demand for this classically flavored chip, I too have just one question: What took them so long?! According to the brand, the delay was in part due to their pursuit of perfection, but after finding the right manufacturer, they were full steam ahead.

What sets these crisps apart from every other salt and vinegar variety on the market? Each potato thin is kettle cooked in small batches using avocado oil to produce that satisfying crunch that can hold up to the briny, tangy flavoring duo. Layer them on a sandwich, dunk them in onion dip or serve with beer-battered fish.

Another win for the chip aisle, these tempeh-based crisps come to us all the way from Indonesia, and feature a delightfully surprising mix of chili powder, sugar and garlic (the swicy trend lives on!). Tempeh is typically made from fermented soybeans, but this chip utilizes black-eyed peas for a starchier texture that was made for the deep fryer. Potato, who?

Over the years, I've been not-so-subtly begging Trader Joe’s to launch a classic Buffalo sauce (mind you, I have an entire hot sauce drawer in my home). So, you can imagine my delight when I saw this product hit shelves. It’s got all the ingredients you’d expect but with one heart-healthy update. Instead of butter, which usually gives this condiment its creamy, wing-clinging texture, TJ’s decided to go dairy-free and swap in avocado oil. If you’re a spice lover like me, the food pairing possibilities are endless.

I have some bad news for you: If you’re grocery shopping with kids, you won’t be able to leave without one of these tubs mysteriously jumping into your cart. Luckily, this is one carnival treat you, as a parent, can feel good about. Free of artificial dyes and flavors, this cotton candy uses a combination of vegetable juice, turmeric and annatto to impart its eye-catching color, while sugar, citric acid and natural flavors are combined to create the sour cherry taste. Nostalgia is all the rage this summer, so add this low-cost treat to liven up your weeknights.

Step aside, guacamole, there’s a new dip in town—and it’s got a kick. Queso lovers are going to clamor for this spicy cheddar rendition featuring chunks of jalapeño as well as chipotle pepper puree and a handful of heat-inducing spices (think red chili, smoked paprika, cayenne, the like). Dip it, dunk it, devour it with a spoon.

I’ll admit, I was thrown off by this new item at first, but as a fruit and chocolate lover, I quickly came around. Reminiscent of everyone’s favorite peanut butter cup, these quarter-sized sweet treats feature a thin layer of mango and passion fruit creme: think tropical tang meets the classic candy bar. It’s only around for a limited time, so grab a bag and let me know what you think in the comments.