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Summer is made for snacking. Soon it will be too hot to turn on the oven—if it isn’t already scorching and humid where you live—so finding refreshing faves to either cool down or not overheat further is essential. Trader Joe’s is here to save us all with a myriad of new, summer-ready products, all under $5!
So pop some fluffy shrimp bao in the microwave, dip some rye chips into a cooling spinach artichoke dip, spice up your summer grilling with Japanese citrus and chili paste, and get ready to dive head-first into summer.
Lemon Herb Macaroni Salad, $3.99
Trader Joe’s/Allrecipes
Last-minute BBQ or picnic invite with no time to make something from scratch? Trader Joe’s new summer salad is a light and refreshing take on classic macaroni salad, using bright and zesty lemon and lots of herbs in a creamy-but-not-too-heavy buttermilk dressing. Crunch factor is added with cucumber, celery, and a vinegary caper relish.
Mini Shrimp Bao, $4.99
Trader Joe’s/Allrecipes
A bao is a perfect handheld lunch. Microwave or steam ‘em on the stovetop, and you’ll have a flavor-packed bite in minutes. These buns have a Vietnamese flavor profile in both the tender shrimp patty and sticky-sweet lemongrass, lime, and chili dipping sauce, which can be amplified by adding some shredded carrots, cucumber, daikon radish, and cilantro. Bonus points if you have something pickled on hand to top the buns.
Strawberries & Crème Pancake & Waffle Mix, $3.99
Trader Joe’s/Allrecipes
The Strawberries & Crème Pancake & Waffle Mix is already our new brunch staple for the summer. It’s the berry best way to celebrate the bountiful sweet fruit, whether you make this mix into pancakes or waffles topped with fresh strawberries, mix some extra berries inside, or turn the whole thing into a shortcake-inspired dessert-y brunch with whipped cream and strawberries on top.
Oven Dried Red & Yellow Bell Pepper Crisps, $1.99
Trader Joe’s/Allrecipes
This is going to be your dipper of the summer. These oven-dried bell peppers only have two ingredients: salt and bell peppers, which are dried slowly until they’re crisp with concentrated pepper flavor. Crumble them up as a garnish on a dip or extra texture in a summer salad!
Norwegian Sourdough Rye Chips, $3.29
Trader Joe’s/Allrecipes
When I first saw these rye chips, they reminded me of the ones in the Gardetto’s snack mix, which are delightfully salty and intensely seasoned. This Norwegian version from Trader Joe’s is so different but similarly satisfying, with a big-time crunch factor but more airiness in the chip itself. There are a lot of little holes in the chip (so sorry to anyone with trypophobia!) that can catch anything you’re dipping, dolloping, or spreading onto them.
They are excellent with a green goddess dressing and crudités, or used as croutons on a salad, for scooping up tuna salad, or topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
Yuzu Kosho (Japanese Citrus Chili Pepper Paste), $3.99
There are so many good finds this month, we couldn’t stop at five! To punch up your grilling marinades, dressings, salads, and sandwiches, add some yuzu kosho! A little of this Japanese citrus (yuzu) and chili pepper paste goes a long way, with a bright spice that doesn’t punch you in the face, but does linger. It’s excellent with fish, chicken, veggies, and much more, so experiment all summer long.