With summer grilling season in full swing, these products are gaining traction for their convenience, flavor, and grill-ready appeal.
Drawing from employee recommendations, viral reviews, and fan raves, I’ve curated a list of eight standout items.
Each includes a short description, current approximate price (note: prices can vary by location), a taste test summary based on aggregated reviews, and a short quote capturing what fans are saying.
Fire up the grill—these are perfect for quick, delicious outdoor meals!
1. Seasoned Corn Ribs
Description: Frozen corn on the cob quartered into “rib” shapes, lightly seasoned with salt for easy grilling or air frying as a fun, veggie side.
Price: $3.99 for 15 oz.
Taste Test: These deliver sweet, juicy corn flavor with a slight char when grilled, but they’re mild—many reviewers amp them up with butter, chili, or lime for extra kick. Texture is tender inside with a crisp exterior, making them a crowd-pleasing alternative to traditional corn on the cob.
Fan Quote: “They were good! They just tasted like regular corn lol. It would probably be cheaper to blanch your own corn and smear it with a spread before freezing it.”
2. Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs
Description: Fully cooked, juicy Angus beef meatballs infused with garlic, onion, and homestyle seasonings—ideal for skewering and grilling with sauce.
Price: $8.99 for 20.4 oz.
Taste Test: Savory and hearty with a soft, bready texture that’s not overly dense; they hold up well on the grill, absorbing smoky flavors while staying moist. Reviewers praise their homemade vibe, though some add extra spices for boldness.
Fan Quote: “They’ve got a nice texture that’s meaty and bready, soft and juicy. Garlic and onion purees give the product a uniformly savory flavor in every bite.”
3. Seasoned Lamb Shoulder Rack
Description: Hearty Australian lamb rack pre-seasoned with sesame seeds, rosemary, and garlic, perfect for direct grilling to medium-rare.
Price: $11.99 per lb.
Taste Test: Rich, gamey lamb flavor enhanced by the herbal seasoning; it grills to a tender, juicy finish with a crispy exterior, but portions are small, so plan accordingly. Fans note it’s refined yet easy for beginners.
Fan Quote: “It was pretty tasty. Kinda small for the price—I found it to be only 1.5 servings.”
4. Korean Style Beef Short Ribs
Description: Frozen, thinly sliced beef short ribs marinated in a sweet-savory Korean-inspired sauce with garlic and soy—great for quick grilling like galbi.
Price: $14.99 for 20 oz.
Taste Test: Bold umami with a balance of sweetness and char from the grill; the meat is fatty and flavorful, though it can be chewy if overcooked—aim for medium to keep it tender. A standout for Asian-fusion BBQs.
Fan Quote: “The short ribs are definitely one of the pricier items at Trader Joe’s… but they’re worth it for how they capture the perfect amount of fattiness.”
5. Grilled Jerk Chicken Thigh Skewers
Description: Pre-grilled chicken thigh pieces on skewers with jerk spices and a side of mango chutney, ready to reheat or finish on the grill.
Price: $6.99 for the package (about 6 skewers).
Taste Test: Juicy dark meat with a mild spice kick and subtle sweetness from the chutney; grilling adds smokiness, making them tender and flavorful without being overwhelmingly hot. Ideal for easy tropical vibes.
Fan Quote: “It’s far juicier than it looks… rich in flavor, and it has some jerk seasoning and smokiness.”
6. Turkey Burgers
Description: Frozen ground turkey patties, simple and lean, perfect for grilling with your favorite toppings like cheese or avocado.
Price: $3.79 for 16 oz. (4 patties).
Taste Test: Clean turkey taste that’s lighter than beef, with a firm texture that holds up on the grill; some find them bland alone but excellent when seasoned or sauced—juicy if not overcooked. A healthy grilling staple.
Fan Quote: “Our turkey burgers were yummy with toasted buns, lettuce and tomato and we quite enjoyed them and kind of could not tell they were turkey burger.”
7. Truffle Flavored BBQ Sauce
Description: Limited-edition barbecue sauce blending sweet-smoky notes with earthy black truffle flavor, excellent for brushing on grilled meats or veggies.
Price: $3.49 for 10.93 oz.
Taste Test: Starts sweet like classic BBQ but finishes with a luxurious truffle depth; it’s not overpowering, making it versatile for ribs, chicken, or even burgers—fans love the gourmet twist on a staple.
Fan Quote: “The truffles do add a nice little touch to the flavor, and it works together well, but some of the sweetness seems to cover up the truffles.”
8. Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Description: Mustard-based sauce with a golden hue, featuring sweet, smoky, and tangy notes from molasses—ideal for glazing grilled chicken or pork.
Price: $2.99 for 18 oz.
Taste Test: Sharp mustard tang upfront, mellowing into sweetness with a hint of smoke; it caramelizes beautifully on the grill, adding bold flavor without overpowering the meat. A Southern-inspired hit.
Fan Quote: “Nothing better than Trader Joe’s Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce on grilled chicken thighs. The tangy mustard flavor along with the juicy chicken thigh morsels.”
9. Leaves of Little Gem Lettuce
Description: Bagged sturdy little gem lettuce heads, perfect for halving, brushing with neutral oil, seasoning (like ranch), and grilling to add char as a fresh side or salad base.
Price: $2.99 for 6 oz.
Taste Test: The hearty leaves hold up to heat, developing a smoky char that enhances their natural sweetness and crispness; it’s a surprising veggie option that elevates simple grills, with fans noting it’s durable and flavorful when grilled.
Fan Quote: “I didn’t know I needed grilled lettuce in my life.”
