Trader Joe’s is always rotating in seasonal snacks and new product launches, but not everything deserves a spot in your cart. Some items are game-changers, while others might just take up fridge space.
We’ve taste-tested and reviewed some of Trader Joe’s latest spring 2025 arrivals—here’s what to buy and what to skip.
Buy: Black Garlic Cream Cheese Spread $2.79/8 Oz
This savory spread is rich with the umami punch of black garlic, blended into silky smooth cream cheese. Perfect on bagels, crackers, or even as a base for savory dips.
Nutritional Facts (per 2 tbsp):
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (30g)
- Calories: 100
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 2g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Includes 0g Added Sugars
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin D: 0.2mcg
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 0.1mg
- Potassium: 40mg
Ingredients
Pasteurized Milk and Cream, Black Garlic, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Stabilizers (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan), Enzymes.
Preparation Instructions
Spread chilled or softened. Great on warm toast, sandwiches, or paired with veggies as a dip.
Avoid: Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes $4.99/7.05 Oz
These mini tarts look adorable, but the overly sweet meringue overwhelms the tangy passion fruit base, making it more sugar bomb than balanced bite.
Nutritional Facts (per 1 tartelette):
- Serving Size: 1 tartelette (100g)
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 70mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 44g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 31g
- Includes 29g Added Sugars
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin D: 0.2mcg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 0.2mg
- Potassium: 90mg
Ingredients
Wheat Flour, Passion Fruit Puree, Sugar, Egg White, Palm Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Flavor, Salt.
Preparation Instructions
Serve chilled; no baking required. But honestly, you won’t miss them if you skip.
Buy: Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs $7.99/20.4 Oz
Made with premium Angus beef, these meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and seasoned just right. They’re ideal for quick dinners or hearty subs.
Nutritional Facts (per 3 meatballs):
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (96g)
- Calories: 280
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 340mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 5g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Includes 0g Added Sugars
- Protein: 17g
- Vitamin D: 0.1mcg
- Calcium: 90mg
- Iron: 1.4mg
- Potassium: 270mg
Ingredients
Angus Beef, Water, Breadcrumbs (Wheat Flour, Yeast), Eggs, Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic.
Preparation Instructions
Oven bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes or heat on stovetop in sauce until warm.
Avoid: Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs $4.29/12 Oz
These sounded promising but fell flat—overly sweet with a mushy texture and artificial pineapple aftertaste.
Nutritional Facts (per 3 meatballs):
- Serving Size: 6 meatballs (85g)
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 440mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Includes 4g Added Sugars
- Protein: 13g
- Vitamin D: 0.1mcg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 1.0mg
- Potassium: 370mg
Ingredients
Chicken, Pineapple Juice, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Breadcrumbs, Ginger, Garlic, Natural Flavors.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave or bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes. Better yet, don’t bother.
Buy: Elevated Mixed Nuts $5.99/9 Oz
A luxurious blend of pecans, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts with just the right amount of salt—perfect for healthy snacking.
Nutritional Facts (per ¼ cup):
- Calories per Serving: 180
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 10g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Includes 0g Added Sugars
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin D: 0.0mcg
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 1.2mg
- Potassium: 170mg
Ingredients
Roasted Pecans, Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Sea Salt, Canola Oil.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat straight from the bag. Great for charcuterie boards or meal-prep snacks.
Avoid: Garlic Gondolas $3.99/8.8 Oz
These garlic-shaped bread snacks are dense, dry, and oddly bitter. Skip and grab the ciabatta rolls instead.
Nutritional Facts (per 2 pieces):
- Serving Size: 1 piece (125g)
- Calories per Serving: 340
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3.0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 710mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 57g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Includes: Less than 1g Added Sugars
- Protein: 9g
- Vitamin D: 0.0mcg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Iron: 1.0mg
- Potassium: 150mg
Ingredients
Wheat Flour, Garlic Powder, Olive Oil, Yeast, Salt, Sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Best warmed in the oven—but still underwhelming either way.
Buy: Sweet Ripe Plantains $2.49/16 Oz
Naturally sweet and caramelized when pan-fried, these frozen plantains are a tropical side dish you’ll want on repeat.
Nutritional Facts (per 4 pieces):
- Serving Size: 3 pieces (78g)
- Calories per Serving: 130
- Total Fat: 2.0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 28g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 18g
- Includes 0g Added Sugars
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin D: 0.0mcg
- Calcium: 0mg
- Iron: 0.0mg
- Potassium: 370mg
Ingredients
Plantains, Sunflower Oil.
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry in oil for 3–5 minutes on each side or bake at 400°F until golden brown.
Avoid: Calamansi & Mango Sorbet $3.79/1 Pint
While the idea is refreshing, the tart calamansi overpowers the mango, creating a sour and sharp aftertaste that doesn’t satisfy like other TJ’s frozen treats.
Nutritional Facts (per ⅔ cup):
- Serving Size: 2/3 cup (140g)
- Calories per Serving: 160
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: Less than 1g
- Total Sugars: 35g
- Includes 32g Added Sugars
- Protein: 0g
- Vitamin D: 0.1mcg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 0.1mg
- Potassium: 50mg
Ingredients
Water, Cane Sugar, Mango Puree, Calamansi Juice, Natural Flavors, Stabilizers.
Preparation Instructions
Serve frozen straight from the tub. But you might want to grab the Lemon Bars instead.
Buy: Sandwich Rolls $3.49/12 Oz
These soft, slightly chewy sandwich rolls hold up well to all fillings—from deli meats to burgers—and toast beautifully.
Nutritional Facts (per roll):
- Serving Size: 1 roll (85g)
- Calories per Serving: 200
- Total Fat: 2.0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 38g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: Less than 1g
- Includes: Less than 1g Added Sugars
- Protein: 8g
- Vitamin D: 0.0mcg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Iron: 2.9mg
- Potassium: 70mg
Ingredients
Wheat Flour, Water, Yeast, Sugar, Salt, Canola Oil.
Preparation Instructions
Slice and toast, grill, or bake. Great for subs, sliders, or breakfast sandwiches.
Avoid: Honey Roasted Macadamia Nuts & Roasted & Salted Cashews $4.99/8 Oz
These overly sweet and slightly greasy nuts lack the crunch and flavor depth of other options. The Elevated Mixed Nuts are a much better buy.
Nutritional Facts (per ¼ cup):
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (30g)
- Calories per Serving: 180
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2.0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 11g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Includes: 2g Added Sugars
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin D: 0.0mcg
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1.3mg
- Potassium: 150mg
Ingredients
Macadamia Nuts, Cashews, Sugar, Honey, Sea Salt, Canola Oil.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat, but not the snacking win you’d hope for.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s spring lineup has some absolute gems—but not everything earns a spot in your reusable tote. From umami-rich spreads to upgraded meatballs, these are the finds worth grabbing. And as for the skips? Save that cash (and fridge space) for the next wave of TJ’s new arrivals.
