Take a trip to the Baton Rouge Trader Joe’s on Perkins Road at any time and you’re sure to see plenty of people pushing carts or carrying baskets filled to the brim throughout the store. Crowded aisles prove that our city surely loves the California-based grocery chain, and the staff here at 225 is no different.
Each of us have our own list of Trader Joe’s must haves, and it grows when new and seasonal items hit the shelves. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite items that have recently made their debut, just returned for summer or have cemented themselves as our Trader Joe’s faves.
Check out our carefully curated list of items we can’t get enough of before your next TJ’s run. And, let us know what things you’re loving from the store by emailing [email protected].
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Rainier cherries
“Full disclosure, the real reason I stop into Trader Joe’s is for cheese and sweets. Give me Manchego for a cheeseboard, all manner of frozen desserts for my freezer. But this time of year, I toss in healthy Rainier cherries, too. The super sweet flavor and crisp yellow flesh is so good for summer snacking, and if I’m feeling really ambitious, I’ll pit some and toss them into smoothies, muffins or even a fancy clafoutis for dessert. July 11 just happens to be National Rainier Cherry Day.”
—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 features writer
S’mores Ice Cream
“I try to always hit the frozen aisle last on every Trader Joe’s trip to keep my items from melting and because there’s so much stuff to see. I always recommend going to scoop up your necessities first before heading through the chilly aisle. One too many times I’ve gone too early and ended up with a frosty basket of items I didn’t truly need but always enjoyed.
For me, a sweet treat is always necessary on any grocery trip, and TJ’s has a plethora of sugary items to choose from. Since the summer days are getting hot, I’ve been opting for the brand’s ice cream pints for a cool dessert, and the new s’mores flavor may be my favorite flavor yet. It’s an ideal combo of chocolate and graham cracker-flavored ice cream with marshmallow fluff swirls and decadent chocolate nuggets. Somehow, Trader Joe’s has nailed the flavor of a toasty s’more in this frozen treat. But, I’m not surprised because I think TJ’s rarely misses.”
—Olivia Deffes, 225 digital staff writer
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French Onion Focaccia Bread
“I absolutely love a good focaccia, but I’m not much of a baker. If you’re anything like me, you should give Trader Joe’s French Onion Focaccia Bread a try. It’s made with caramelized onions and a cheese blend, and it’s easy to divide into four snackable pieces. Plus, it only takes about 10 minutes in the oven. What’s not to love?”
—Dillon Lowe, 225 digital content editor
Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken
“I’m a Trader Joe’s enthusiast with a long list of favorites, but this summer, my pick has been Trader Joe’s Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken. It’s bright, flavorful and all of the hard work is already done. A spatchcocked chicken is butterflied with the backbone removed, meaning this chicken cooks more evenly and faster than a normal roast chicken. Throw it in the oven, and you’ll have an impressive and delicious summer dinner!”
—Jillian Elliott, 225 contributing writer
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Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Swirl Gelato
“It’s maybe a tad bit embarrassing how many accounts about Trader Joe’s I follow on Instagram. But Natasha Fischer of @traderjoeslist, who highlights new items sold in local stores, has turned me onto a number of great finds that I probably would have blown past in the jam-packed Perkins Road location if I hadn’t seen her post. I owe her a personal thank you for introducing me to my favorite work-from-home lunch earlier this year.
Last week I came across Fischer’s review of the new Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Swirl Gelato sold in Trader Joe’s stores, and, to my pleasant surprise, the BR TJs was dishing out samples of that very gelato this past Sunday. While Fischer wasn’t the hugest fan, I found it quite tasty. The frothy, rich treat had a surprisingly authentic gelato texture for something you can pick up from the grocery store for $5.49. And I found the vanilla bean to be a great subtle flavor. The chunks of crispy chocolate flakes were also a nice, unexpected treat. I have to admit, my 3-year-old shopping companion (who typically doesn’t care for chocolate) was also not a big fan of the gelato sample. But that’s fine: More for me!”
—Laura Mericas, 225 managing editor
Plain Pizza Dough
“Trader Joe’s pizza dough has become our weekly secret weapon for cheap, fun meals at home. It is a blank canvas to play with whatever’s in season—or in your fridge. We’ve made everything from elote pizzas to ricotta pies. Lately I’m really into putting nectarines or peaches on pizza, loosely inspired by this Rocca dessert pie from a couple years ago that I’ve never stopped thinking about. Ours is more of a savory take—try it with fresh herbs and burrata or these new mozzarella pearls. While you wait for the pizzas to bake, snack on the Olive Fougasse bread—another new Trader Joe’s favorite.”
—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor
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Salted Caramel + Pistachio Scented Candle
“Do not sleep on the Trader Joe’s candles. These waxy, soy candles may be small, but I think they last pretty long for their size. And, they give off a lovely, but not overpowering, scent. Another perk is that these mini candles only cost $3.99.
Fall and winter usually have the best scents in my opinion, but the new summer candle might be my new favorite. This summer, Trader Joe’s came out with an expanded collection of its Brazil Nut scent (a spot on dupe for the viral Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream scent at a fraction of the cost) which included items like body butter, body wash and a candle. The candle is packaged in a bright pink tin and gives off notes of salted caramel and pistachio for a delightfully sweet smell that’s perfect for summer. I usually keep this one in my bathroom because the packaging is so cute, but I also light it in different rooms in my apartment to give a salty, yet sugary smell that is reminiscent of sandy beach days.”
—Olivia Deffes, 225 digital staff writer