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Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu Review: Tira-Miss-U

Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu is one of those products where I completely understand the idea.

Take tiramisu, trade the coffee and cocoa for bright lemon flavors, and turn a rich Italian dessert into something lighter and sunnier.

I'm listening.

Unfortunately, somewhere between the idea and the freezer aisle, things went sideways.

Because after trying Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu, I have two questions.

First, where's the tiramisu?

And second, why is my cake swimming? Tiramisu is a moist cake because of the dipped ladyfinger cookies, but this was soaked.

Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu on a pink surface.

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Review

Let's start with the name because calling this Lemon Tiramisu sets up some expectations.

I'm not saying a lemon tiramisu needs coffee or cocoa. Obviously, those flavors wouldn't necessarily make sense here. I'm perfectly happy to let Trader Joe's take some creative liberties.

But tiramisu traditionally gets much of its structure from ladyfingers layered with mascarpone. Trader Joe's skips the ladyfingers entirely and uses a very light sponge cake instead.

And that changes the dessert considerably.

What you end up with feels less like a variation on tiramisu and more like a very wet lemon cake topped with sweetened mascarpone.

Honestly, if Trader Joe's had called this some sort of lemon soaked cake, I probably would have approached it differently.

Instead, I went looking for tiramisu and found something much closer to a dairy-light lemon tres leches cake.

Let's talk about the cake: the sponge cake itself is incredibly light.

Or at least I think it is.

It's difficult to appreciate the actual texture because the cake is absolutely saturated with sweet lemon syrup.

And I mean saturated.

This isn't a pleasantly moist cake. This is the kind of wet where you're wondering whether somebody misunderstood the assignment and thought the cake needed to be hydrated.

The comparison that kept coming to mind was tres leches. Except instead of being soaked with a rich mixture of milks, this is drenched in a sugary lemon liquid.

That means you get sweetness on top of sweetness without the richness that normally balances a soaked cake.

The lemon flavor is certainly there, but rather than tasting bright and refreshing, it gets buried underneath all that sugar.

Where's the Lemon Curd?

This might be the most frustrating part.

Trader Joe's already sells a really delicious Lemon Curd.

Why not use it?

A layer or swirl of tart lemon curd could have given this dessert exactly what it needed. You'd get stronger lemon flavor, some acidity to cut through the sweetness, and another texture between the cake and mascarpone.

Or go in another direction and add some limoncello.

Trader Joe's has sold boozy desserts before. A little limoncello could have added some complexity and made the whole thing feel more intentional.

Instead, we get sweet lemon syrup.

Lots and lots of sweet lemon syrup.

It feels like a missed opportunity because the bones of a really interesting dessert are here. It just needed something to balance all that sugar.

The mascarpone topping is probably the element that connects this most clearly to tiramisu.

It's creamy, sweet, and provides some richness against the lemon soaked sponge cake.

But again, it's sweet.

When you've already got cake drenched in sugary lemon syrup underneath, I wanted the mascarpone layer to pull things back rather than add another level of sweetness.

This dessert desperately needed contrast.

Tart against sweet. Creamy against cakey. Rich against acidic.

Instead, everything seems to be heading in the same direction.

Sweet.

Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu defrosting directions.

Is This Actually Tiramisu?

I'm going to say barely.

I'm completely fine with Trader Joe's playing fast and loose with traditional desserts. Some of their most interesting products come from doing exactly that.

But you have to leave enough of the original behind for the name to make sense.

No coffee? Fine. It's lemon tiramisu.

No cocoa? Also fine. Again, lemon.

But no ladyfingers either? Mine seemed like one.

Layers? Just one.

Now we've removed several of the defining elements and replaced the ladyfingers with what tasted like a sponge cake.

At some point, we've stopped making a variation on tiramisu and started making another dessert entirely.

And that's what this tastes like to me.

This isn't bad because it isn't traditional tiramisu. It's disappointing because calling it tiramisu doesn't accurately prepare you for what you're about to eat.

What Does Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu Taste Like?

Imagine an extremely light sponge cake soaked almost completely through with sweet lemon syrup and topped with sweetened mascarpone.

That's essentially what you're getting.

The lemon flavor is present, but I wouldn't describe it as particularly tart. The sweetness dominates.

Texture was actually the bigger problem for me.

There's moist cake.

There's soaked cake.

And then there's wet cake.

This crossed that line.

Instead of the syrup enhancing the sponge, there was so much liquid that the texture became distracting. And despite the packaging saying its layers of mascarpone and ladyfinger biscuits, let's call it what it is: a single layer.

An opened Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu next to the original package.

How I Would Have Made This Better

I don't usually redesign Trader Joe's products from my kitchen table, but this one practically begs for it.

Use ladyfingers. Give me at least one structural connection to actual tiramisu.

Add lemon curd. Trader Joe's already has a good one. Use that tartness to balance the mascarpone.

Dial back the syrup. Moist is good. Soggy isn't.

Add limoncello. Not necessary, but it could add another layer of lemon flavor and make this feel like a more grown-up dessert.

Reduce the overall sweetness. Let lemon's natural acidity do some of the work.

Any combination of those changes could have made this much more interesting.

Nutritional facts, calories, and ingredients in Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu

The following are some commonly asked questions about this product:

Does Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu taste like traditional tiramisu?

Not really. While it includes mascarpone, the coffee, cocoa, and ladyfingers you'd normally associate with tiramisu aren't here. This is much closer to a lemon soaked sponge cake.

Is Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu very sweet?

Yes. This was one of my biggest issues with it. The cake is soaked in a sweet lemon syrup and topped with sweetened mascarpone, and I didn't find enough acidity to balance everything.

What is the texture like?

Very wet. The sponge cake absorbs a considerable amount of lemon syrup. If you enjoy heavily soaked cakes, you may appreciate the texture more than I did.

An opened and defrosted Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu on a pink surface.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Lemon Tiramisu feels like a really good brainstorming session that needed another round of editing.

Lemon tiramisu?

Yes. Absolutely. Take my money.

But give me ladyfingers. Give me mascarpone. Give me a little lemon curd. Heck, give me some limoncello.

Just don't hand me a sponge cake taking a bath in sugar syrup and tell me we've made tiramisu.

Even if I completely ignore the name, the dessert doesn't quite work for me. It's too sweet, far too wet, and desperately needs something tart to bring the flavors back into balance.

The idea was good.

The execution wasn't.

And unlike the cake, I won't be soaking up another one.

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25 Trader Joe’s Back to School Snacks for Lunch Boxes

Packing school lunches always sounds easy in August.

Then October arrives and you find yourself staring into the refrigerator at 7 a.m. wondering whether crackers, a cheese stick, and an apple technically constitute a meal.

Good news. They pretty much can.

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to stock up on lunchbox snacks because you can find everything from individually packaged proteins to fruit, crackers, crunchy snacks, and treats without visiting three different stores.

The trick is having enough variety around that you can mix and match without actually having to think about lunch every morning.

So rather than just giving you a giant list, I've broken these Trader Joe's school snacks into categories. Whether you're looking for protein, nut free options, shelf stable snacks, something for a picky eater, or just the little treat that convinces your kid to open the lunchbox in the first place, there should be something here.

As always, check current labels and your school's allergy policy before packing any food for school.

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Protein Packed Trader Joe's Lunchbox Snacks

Antipasto Sticks

These immediately struck me as a lunchbox option when Trader Joe's introduced them.

They come in two varieties, Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack. Each 1.5 ounce stick costs $1.99 and contains 10 grams of protein.

The Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella is my favorite because the mild, dense mozzarella works really well with the salty prosciutto. The Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack has more personality and a little heat, so it might appeal more to older kids.

They're individually packaged, which means there is absolutely nothing to prepare in the morning. Add an ice pack and throw one in the lunchbox.

You can see my review here.

Best for: Older kids, teenagers, teachers, and adult lunches.

Package of Trader Joe's Mild Cheddar Cheese Snack Sticks

String Cheese & Individually Wrapped Cheese Snack Sticks

It isn't glamorous, but it works.

String cheese is individually packaged, portable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to pair with just about anything else on this list.

Crackers plus string cheese plus fruit is also one of my favorite emergency "I forgot to plan lunch" combinations.

Best for: Pretty much everyone who likes cheese.

Babybel Style Mini Cheeses

If your child prefers a little round cheese over string cheese, Trader Joe's refrigerated section usually has individually portioned cheese options worth checking out.

They're fun to unwrap, easy to portion, and substantial enough to add some staying power to a snack style lunch.

Best for: Kids who think unwrapping food somehow makes it taste better.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Not every kid is going to open a lunchbox containing a hard boiled egg and rejoice.

But if yours will, you've got an easy protein option that requires essentially no preparation when you buy them already cooked.

Just make sure that ice pack is doing its job.

Best for: Kids who genuinely like eggs, not kids you are trying to convince to like eggs at school.

Turkey or Chicken Slices

A few rolled slices of deli meat can turn a collection of snacks into something much closer to lunch.

Roll them on their own, wrap them around cheese, or pack them alongside crackers so kids can make their own little sandwiches.

Best for: DIY lunchable style lunches.

Nut Free Lunchbox Ideas

A quick but important note here. Ingredient statements and manufacturing information can change, and individual schools can have different policies. Always check the package you are actually purchasing before sending anything into an allergy-restricted classroom. Also, always double-check because there can be changes after this is published or even regional differences.

Fruit Sauce Crushers

Few lunchbox foods are easier.

No spoon, no peeling, no slicing, and no apple returning home at 3 p.m. with precisely one bite missing.

Trader Joe's Fruit Sauce Crushers are especially useful for younger kids or anyone who prefers fruit in pouch form. These come in a variety of flavors from apple strawberry to apple mango and apple banana there is a little bit of variety to be had here.

Best for: Younger kids and easy fruit portions.

Freeze Dried Strawberries

Freeze dried fruit is one of my favorite lunchbox tricks because it solves several fresh fruit problems at once.

It doesn't bruise. It doesn't leak. It doesn't need refrigeration. And it still has that satisfying crunch kids often want from a snack.

The strawberries are naturally sweet and light enough that a bag lasts for multiple lunches if you portion them out. You can check out my review of this here.

Best for: Kids who reject fresh strawberries the moment they become slightly soft.

Soft Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies

Trader Joe's Soft Baked Snickerdoodles out of the package

Sweet and allergy friendly: yes, please. These are one of the few cookies that you would be hardpressed to notice all the allergy items that are missing from this treat.

You can check out my review here.

Best for: kids, adults, and those who appreciate a well done soft bake cookie.

Sour Cream and Onion Rings

Gluten-free and without nuts these are packed with flavor. They are crunchy and are a surpisingly good snack. Since they are made with lentils they also do add an extra touch of fiber to what would otherwise be an empty caloried snack.

Best for: older kids, kids who adore the crunchiest of snacks.

White Cheddar Corn Puffs

If your kiddo loves all things Pirate's Booty but isn't loving the sudden change in packaging, it might be time to give this favorite a try. It's crunchy, cheesy, and is nut free.

Best for: Safe bet for kids who need their cheese with crunch.

Rolled Tortilla Chips (Chile & Lime, Ranch , and Nacho Cheese Varieties)

An opened bag of Trader Joe's Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips showing the chips on a lime green background

If your child thinks Takis or a rolled tortilla chip is a good and maybe you are against artificial colors, then look no further than the Chili & Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips.

If you have a kiddo who wants something a little more mild without the kick, then seek out the Ranch variety. Just be aware this is more hidden valley than cool ranch. IYKYK.

You can see my review here.

Best for: Older kids, kids who find Takis to be hot. These are a bit more mild and have a ranch variety (but don't expect them to share the flavor profile of Cool Ranch)

Veggie Sticks

No, you aren't getting a serving of veggies with this. You will get veggie flavor much like Veggie Straws. A little greasy, but a kid favorite.

Best for: Kids of all ages, and their Toys R Us parents.

No Refrigeration Needed

These are the foods I like having around for field trips, after school activities, forgotten ice packs, or those mornings when the refrigerated section of the lunchbox simply isn't happening.

Organic Mini Cheese Sandwich Crackers

These are one of those snacks that doesn't require a sales pitch.

They're little crackers with cheese filling. Kids understand the assignment.

They can work as a side with a sandwich or become part of a snack style lunch with fruit, vegetables, and protein.

Best for: The kid who would happily live on crackers.

Trader Joe's This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar Cereal Bars box on a red background

This [Fruit] Walks Into... Bars

Trader Joe's fruit bars are small, portable, and incredibly easy to keep in the pantry.

Throw one in the lunchbox and you're done.

They're also useful for backpacks and after school activities when you want something that won't melt, leak, or require utensils.

These come in a variety of flavors, including strawberry, blueberry, apple, pumpkin, cranberry, and peach.

Best for: Keeping in your emergency snack stash.

Fruit Leather Buttons

Yes, they're cute.

Sometimes cute helps.

These are sweet and fun without taking up much room in the lunchbox. I think of them more as a treat than a replacement for a serving of fresh fruit, but they're an easy addition.

Best for: A little something sweet.

Baked Cheese Crunchies

Sometimes you just want something that fills the "I wanted chips" position in the lunchbox.

This is that category.

They're crunchy, salty, and fun enough to make the vegetable sitting next to them seem slightly less offensive.

Best for: Kids who demand crunch.

Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies

If you can find these, the school theme makes them especially appropriate.

They're lightly sweet and fun without feeling like you've packed a giant dessert in the middle of lunch.

Best for: Back to school novelty.

Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

These are easy, filling, and portable, but obviously they belong exclusively in schools or classrooms where peanuts are permitted.

For nut free classrooms, skip them entirely.

Best for: Nut friendly schools or after school snacks at home.

Fruit and Something Sweet

Fresh Grapes

Trader Joe's doesn't get credit for inventing grapes, obviously, but they remain one of the easiest fruits to portion for a lunchbox.

Wash them, remove them from the stems, and you've got several days handled.

Cut them appropriately for younger children. They also come in seasonal varieties including cotton candy, gumdrop, thomcord, and champagne grapes (no alcohol here), in addition to the standard green and red varieties.

Best for: Easy meal prep.

Mandarin Oranges

Portable fruit in its own biodegradable packaging.

Nature really thought this one through.

If your child can peel one independently, mandarins are an easy addition to a lunchbox.

Best for: Kids who like citrus.

Sliced Apples

Pre sliced and bagged. This is time saver.

Best for: Kids who want crunch who aren't into biting into a full apple.

And for the Kids Who Are Epicurean

Seaweed sheets

Odds are you don't have the kid who wants mac and cheese. Nope, your kid has a specific sushi order.

I salute you. You can read my review here.

Best for: Kids who love salty and umami and don't think its weird and know this is delicious.

Plantain Chips

Crunchy, spiced, and delicious.

If your kiddo is into taste adventure consider picking up a bag of these.

You can read my review here.

Best for: open-minded kiddos who can't wait to try something new.

Lunchbox Snacks for Picky Eaters

No promises here. Picky eaters have humbled parents since the beginning of time.

But familiar flavors and simple foods tend to be the safest territory.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's

Joe Joe's Cookies

Sometimes lunch needs a cookie.

A couple of Joe Joe's tucked alongside the actual lunch can make opening the lunchbox considerably more exciting.

You don't need to send half the sleeve. Although I respect the ambition. These also come in seasonal varieties including candy cane, matcha, pumpkin, and Halloween.

Best for: Dessert.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Not nutritionally revolutionary.

Absolutely delicious.

A couple can add something fun without requiring a full size dessert.

Best for: Friday lunch energy.

An unopened bag of Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies

Seasonal Trader Joe's Treats

This is where Trader Joe's gets dangerous.

There is almost always some seasonal cookie, gummy, chocolate, or miniature dessert sitting on the shelves begging to be added to a lunchbox.

Use those rotating products to keep lunch interesting without having to change everything else.

The sandwich can stay the same. The little surprise doesn't have to.

Best for: Making an otherwise ordinary lunch feel new.

Easy Trader Joe's Lunchbox Ideas

Once you have a few items from each category, you don't really need recipes.

You need combinations.

The Snack Box

Antipasto Stick + crackers + grapes + cucumber slices + small cookie

The Classic

Turkey sandwich + applesauce + pretzels + baby carrots + Joe Joe's

The Picky Eater

String cheese + Cheddar Rocket Crackers + strawberries + cucumbers + Fruit Leather Buttons

The No Refrigerator Lunch

Fruit bar + crackers + freeze dried strawberries + shelf stable snack + small treat

The DIY Lunchable

Deli turkey + cheese + crackers + grapes + chocolate covered pretzels

The Older Kid Lunch

Salami and Pepper Jack Antipasto Stick + crackers + fruit + vegetables + popcorn + something sweet

My Lunchbox Formula

If you don't want to plan five completely different lunches every week, don't.

I find it much easier to think in categories:

Protein + fruit + vegetable + crunch + fun

That's it.

The protein helps make lunch satisfying. Fruit and vegetables add something fresh. Crunch gives kids the snack element they're usually looking for. And the fun item gives them something to look forward to.

You can rotate one or two components without reinventing the entire lunch.

Monday might be string cheese and pretzels.

Tuesday might be an Antipasto Stick and crackers.

Wednesday might be turkey and Cheddar Rockets.

The fruit can change depending on what is actually looking alive in your refrigerator.

Nobody needs five themed bento boxes.

A Few Lunchbox Tips

Freeze the water bottle. If your child's bottle allows it, partially freezing water the night before can help keep things cold and provide cold water later in the day.

Use an ice pack. Meat, cheese, yogurt, eggs, and other perishable foods need to stay properly chilled.

Pack foods your kid actually eats. School lunch is probably not the ideal moment to introduce your child to marinated artichoke hearts.

Don't overpack. Kids often have surprisingly little actual eating time at school.

Open tricky packaging at home first. If your child can't independently open something, either transfer it to another container or make a small starting tear when appropriate. For me, that's been opening the cheese sticks slightly so it can be opened at school and enjoyed.

Keep emergency snacks in the pantry. Freeze dried fruit, crackers, fruit bars, and pretzels can rescue a chaotic morning.

A Note About School Allergies

One of the most important considerations when shopping for school snacks is your child's classroom allergy policy. Some schools have none. Some schools have major restrictions inside the school or individual classrooms.

I'm an allergy mom. Unfortunately, we went from 0 to multiple allergies almost overnight and now carry epi-pens in case something is cross contaminated that we weren't aware of. We didn't ask for this, but for some kids something so basic can all of a sudden turn life threatening.

A product being safe for your own child doesn't necessarily mean it is appropriate to send into a classroom with another child's allergy.

Always read the current label. Recipes, facilities, and allergen statements can change even on products you've purchased many times before.

Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks are an interesting option because the packages I purchased list milk as the only major allergen. That could make them useful for some families dealing with other common allergen restrictions.

However, the package in your refrigerator should always outrank a blog post, including mine, when it comes to allergy information.

Final Thoughts

The best school lunch isn't the prettiest one on Pinterest.

It's the one your kid actually eats.

Trader Joe's makes it relatively easy to keep a mixture of proteins, fruits, crunchy snacks, pantry staples, and treats around so you aren't reinventing lunch every morning.

And don't underestimate the usefulness of convenience.

Could I buy prosciutto and mozzarella and make my own Antipasto Sticks for less than $1.99 each? Absolutely. Could I portion every cracker, bake homemade cookies, cut fruit into stars, and leave inspirational messages written on organic bananas?

Also yes.

Am I doing all of that at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday in November?

Absolutely not.

Stock the foods they'll eat, throw in an ice pack, zip the lunchbox, and call it a win.

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Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions Review: A Jarring Disappointment

Pickled red onions are one of those ingredients that can make an otherwise boring meal taste like you actually put some effort into it.

Tacos? Add pickled onions. Sandwich looking sad? Pickled onions. Grain bowl need a little something? You know where this is going.

They're bright, tangy, crunchy, and ridiculously easy to make at home. I've made my own plenty of times with sliced red onion, an acid, salt, and a little sugar. Personally, I like using lime juice because you get acidity without overwhelming everything else.

So when I spotted Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions for $3.29, my first thought wasn't necessarily, "Finally!"

It was more like, "That's a lot of money for onions sitting in vinegar."

But convenience has gotten the better of me before, so into the cart they went.

Unfortunately, convenience is about the only reason I'd choose these over homemade.

An unopened jar of Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions on a pink surface.

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Review

Let's start with what Trader Joe's gets right.

The onions themselves are pretty good.

They retain that gorgeous pinkish purple color you want from pickled red onions, and they haven't been sitting in the jar long enough to surrender all their texture. There is still a decent crunch, which I appreciated. Nobody wants a pile of limp purple shoelaces sitting on top of their taco.

Trader Joe's also adds whole black peppercorns and garlic. Neither bothered me. In fact, both could have been nice additions if the brine had been better balanced.

And that's where these lost me.

Apple cider vinegar absolutely dominates the flavor.

Pickled onions should be tangy, but there is a difference between acidity brightening an onion and vinegar walking into the room with a megaphone.

This is the latter.

Apple cider vinegar has such a distinctive flavor that it becomes the first thing I notice and the last thing that lingers. Instead of tasting the sweetness of the red onion followed by acidity, salt, and seasoning, I mostly taste apple cider vinegar.

The garlic doesn't stand much of a chance. Neither do the peppercorns. And the onion itself becomes more of a vehicle for delivering vinegar.

If you love the assertive flavor of apple cider vinegar, you might have a completely different reaction to these. But for me, the balance just isn't there.

I'm not opposed to vinegar in pickled onions. That's obviously pretty standard territory.

My problem is specifically how assertive the apple cider vinegar tastes in this particular product.

There are so many ways to pickle a red onion. White vinegar gives you a cleaner acidity. Red wine vinegar can add some complexity. Lime juice is my personal preference because its brightness works especially well with tacos and Mexican inspired dishes.

Here, I kept wishing the acidity were cleaner and less dominant.

Pickling should transform the onion without completely erasing it.

These taste like the vinegar got top billing and forgot there were other ingredients in the cast.

The price is another sticking point for me.

Red onions aren't particularly expensive. Neither are vinegar, salt, or sugar. And making quick pickled onions at home requires very little culinary ability beyond slicing an onion and putting ingredients into a container.

So you're primarily paying $3.29 for convenience.

There are plenty of foods where I'm happy to pay Trader Joe's to save me time. I'm not making my own croissants. I'm probably not making my own puff pastry. There are days when I'm not even interested in chopping my own vegetables.

But pickled onions?

This is one of those cases where the homemade version is not only cheaper, but I genuinely prefer the flavor because I can control the acidity.

For $3.29, I wanted these to make me reconsider making my own.

They didn't.

The dominant flavor is apple cider vinegar, followed by the red onion itself.

There is some seasoning from garlic and whole black peppercorns, but I found both fairly secondary because the vinegar is so assertive.

Texture is considerably better than flavor. The onions maintain a pleasant crunch and haven't turned mushy in the jar.

So if your priority is convenience and you really enjoy apple cider vinegar, there is a chance you'll like these more than I did.

If you prefer a more balanced pickled onion where you can actually taste the onion and accompanying seasonings, these might be a disappointment.

Calories and ingredients in Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions.

How to Use Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions

Even though these aren't a repurchase for me, pickled red onions are incredibly versatile.

Tacos: Probably the most obvious use. They add acidity and crunch to beef, chicken, fish, or veggie tacos.

Burgers: Use them instead of raw onions for a tangier topping.

Sandwiches: They work especially well with rich meats and cheeses where the acidity can cut through some of the fat.

Grain bowls: Add a forkful to rice, quinoa, or farro bowls for color, crunch, and acidity.

Salads: They're an easy way to add more flavor than you would get from plain sliced red onion.

BBQ: Pickled onions pair especially well with pulled pork and other rich, smoky meats.

Nachos: Scatter a few over the top after baking for a bright acidic contrast.

Two tacos with Trader Joe's Al Pasto, Pickled Red Onions, and Queso Fresco.

FAQ about Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

How much are Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions?

They're $3.29 per jar.

What do Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions taste like?

They're tart and very vinegar forward. Apple cider vinegar was the dominant flavor for me, with garlic and black pepper playing much smaller roles.

Are Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions crunchy?

Yes. This was one of the better aspects of the product. Mine retained a pleasant crunch rather than becoming soft or mushy.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Pickled Red Onions aren't terrible pickled onions. They're crunchy, colorful, convenient, and ready to rescue a taco from blandness at a moment's notice.

But the brine completely lost me.

The apple cider vinegar dominates to the point where the garlic, peppercorns, and even some of the natural onion flavor struggle to come through. Pickled onions should bring brightness and acidity to food. These bring acidity, underline it twice, and then remind you about it again.

And at $3.29, I'm not convinced convenience makes up for that.

Especially when homemade pickled red onions require a red onion, a few pantry ingredients, and very little effort. I can make them cheaper, choose an acid I prefer, and adjust the sweetness and saltiness exactly to my taste.

For me, this is a skip.

I'll keep the $3.29 and slice my own onion.

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Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts Review: Filled With Potential

Trader Joe's and frozen donuts have a little history together, and it hasn't always been pretty.

Longtime shoppers might remember the frozen Donut Bites that disappeared from shelves following quality control issues. Now Trader Joe's is taking another trip down the frozen donut road with Raspberry Filled Donuts.

The good news? These are fully baked, easy to prepare, and certainly an improvement over the donut drama of years past.

The bad news?

Someone apparently put the raspberry filling on a strict budget.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts on a pink surface.

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Review

Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts certainly look the part.

They're pretty. They're pink. They're covered in powdered sugar. Cut one open and you'll find a bright raspberry filling in the center. On appearance alone, you might reasonably assume you are about to get hit with raspberry flavor.

Unfortunately, the color is doing a little false advertising.

The pink hue of the donut comes from beet root rather than raspberries. There is nothing inherently wrong with using beet root for color, but it feels like a huge missed opportunity. Imagine if some freeze dried raspberry had been incorporated into the dough or coating. You could have had raspberry flavor from the first bite to the last rather than waiting until you finally reach the filling.

Because that filling has a lot of work to do.

There just isn't enough of it.

My donuts had what seemed like roughly a teaspoon of raspberry filling in the center. It provides a nice sweet, fruity pop when you actually reach it, but it isn't generous enough to carry the entire donut.

This isn't one of those jelly donuts where you take a bite and immediately regret not grabbing a napkin. Nothing is squirting onto your shirt. Nothing is dripping onto the plate.

You may not even need the plate.

Depending on how you feel about messy filled donuts, perhaps that's a positive. For me, if you are going to call something a Raspberry Filled Donut, I want a little danger involved. I want to wonder whether I'm going to wear some of that raspberry filling home.

Instead, this is all very polite.

The donut itself is fine. And I mean that in the most neutral way possible.

The dough is slightly sweet, soft enough, and perfectly edible. It doesn't have an especially rich or memorable flavor, but there is nothing particularly wrong with it either. The powdered sugar on the outside adds another layer of sweetness and gives you that familiar powdered donut experience.

So you essentially get three elements: a mildly sweet donut, powdered sugar, and a small pocket of sweet raspberry filling.

None of those components are bad.

They just never come together into something I'd rush back to buy.

That's what makes these more disappointing than an outright bad product. There was potential here. A more generous raspberry center, some actual raspberry flavor in the dough, or even freeze dried raspberry in the coating could have taken these somewhere much more interesting.

Instead, raspberry feels like a supporting character in a donut that has its name on the marquee. Think powdered sugar donut with a small amount of raspberry jam in the middle.

The powdered sugar provides a good portion of the sweetness. The donut itself is relatively mild, and then you get a sweeter, fruitier note once you reach the raspberry center.

The filling is easily the most flavorful part of the donut. Unfortunately, because there isn't very much of it, some bites are considerably better than others.

If you happen to bite directly into the filling, you get the experience the package promises.

If you don't, you're mostly eating a pink powdered donut.

The raspberry filling tastes good. It is sweet, fruity, and provides enough tartness to keep the entire donut from tasting like straight sugar.

I just wanted considerably more of it.

A good filled donut should have enough filling that you get some in most bites. Here, the filling is concentrated in a relatively small area in the center.

There is no glorious raspberry explosion.

There is a raspberry encounter.

And then it is over. And since there are 6 donuts inside this tiny box, it is over before you know it.

The exterior pink color makes these especially frustrating because visually they already look raspberry flavored.

But that color comes from beet root.

I understand why Trader Joe's might choose a natural source for the pink coloring, but why stop at color?

Freeze dried raspberries could have added color while reinforcing the actual flavor. Raspberry powder in the dough or coating could have helped deliver raspberry throughout the donut instead of relying almost entirely on that small pocket of filling.

For something called a Raspberry-Filled Donut, I shouldn't have to look for the raspberry.

Nutritional information, calories, and ingredients in Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts.

How to Serve Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts

These don't really require much help, but a few additions could make them more interesting.

Serve with coffee The slightly sweet donut works particularly well with something hot and bitter.

Add fresh raspberries A few berries on the side give you some of the raspberry flavor I wish were already in the donut.

Add raspberry preserves Is it ridiculous to add more filling to a filled donut? Maybe. But a spoonful of good raspberry preserves fixes my biggest complaint.

Serve slightly warm A little warmth helps soften the donut and makes the raspberry center more noticeable.

Add whipped cream and berries Turn one into a plated dessert with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.

Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts thawing directions.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Are Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts already baked?

Yes. These are fully baked frozen donuts, so you aren't dealing with raw dough. Just thaw and enjoy.

Do Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts have a lot of filling?

No. This was my biggest disappointment. Mine contained only a relatively small amount of raspberry filling, roughly around a teaspoon.

Are Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts very sweet?

They're sweet, but the individual components aren't overwhelmingly so. You get sweetness from the powdered sugar, lightly sweet dough, and raspberry filling.

Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts with the box open showing two donuts with one bitten into.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts are an improvement over the company's previous frozen donut misadventures, but that doesn't automatically make them a winner.

The dough is fine. The powdered sugar is pleasant. The raspberry filling actually tastes good.

There just isn't enough raspberry.

For a donut that announces raspberry right in the name and shows up wearing an entire pink outfit, I expected the fruit to have a much bigger personality. Instead, the beet root supplies the color while a small spoonful of filling is left responsible for almost all of the raspberry flavor.

They're perfectly edible and I wouldn't be upset if someone served me one with a cup of coffee. But with all the fantastic desserts competing for freezer space at Trader Joe's, "perfectly edible" isn't enough to earn a permanent spot in mine.

I'm glad I tried them.

I won't be buying another box.

If you need a donut from Trader Joe's then head towards the bakery aisle. You'll have better luck there.

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Trader Joe's Antipasto Stick Review: Meat Your New Favorite Snack

There are snacks you buy because they are exciting, and there are snacks you buy because you need something that will keep you from making terrible decisions when you are hungry. Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks fall pretty comfortably into the second category.

These are essentially individually packaged meat and cheese sticks, but calling them Antipasto Sticks makes them sound substantially more sophisticated. And I'm fine with that. If wrapping cheese in cured meat transforms my afternoon snack into an antipasto experience, I'm willing to play along.

Trader Joe's offers two varieties, Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack Cheese. Each 1.5 ounce stick costs $1.99 and packs 10 grams of protein into a convenient single serving package.

I've tried both, and while I definitely have a favorite, these are both solid additions to the refrigerated section.

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Review

Let's start with the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella because this was easily my favorite of the two.

If this combination sounds familiar, it should. Trader Joe's previously carried Volpi Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella, and since these Antipasto Sticks appeared, I haven't noticed the Volpi version on shelves. This certainly seems to occupy the same little corner of the refrigerated snack universe.

The concept couldn't be much simpler. You have a dense stick of mozzarella wrapped tightly in thin slices of prosciutto. That's it. No crackers. No sauce. No assembly required.

And it works.

The mozzarella is firm and substantial rather than soft or watery. It has enough density that the stick actually feels filling, while the prosciutto adds the salty, savory flavor that mozzarella on its own would be missing.

More importantly, the prosciutto is wrapped tightly enough around the cheese that the whole thing stays together while you eat it. I realize that sounds like a very low bar, but nobody wants to open a snack at work and immediately have a piece of prosciutto unravel into their lap.

The Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack follows exactly the same formula, but the personality is completely different.

Pepper Jack obviously brings more flavor and a bit more heat, while the salami is richer and more assertive than prosciutto. Together, it makes for a bolder, spicier snack. The cheese is just as dense and satisfying, and the salami is wrapped just as securely around it.

Quality wise, I don't think one is better than the other. This really comes down to preference.

For me, the prosciutto and mozzarella combination wins. I like the contrast between the mild mozzarella and salty prosciutto better than the stronger salami and Pepper Jack combination. But if you prefer a little heat, you might easily come to the opposite conclusion.

Nutritional information and ingredients in Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks.

Are Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks Filling?

For such a small package, surprisingly, yes.

Each stick contains 10 grams of protein, and combining meat with a dense piece of cheese makes these considerably more satisfying than their 1.5 ounce size might suggest.

There isn't much sugar here either, so this isn't one of those snacks that tastes great for five minutes and leaves you rummaging through the pantry again shortly afterward.

I could easily see keeping one in the refrigerator at work for that awkward stretch between lunch and dinner. They also make sense for road trips, after school snacks, or any time you need something quick without wanting to commit to an entire meal.

At $1.99 each, however, convenience is definitely part of what you are paying for. You could buy packages of meat and cheese and assemble the same basic thing yourself for less per serving. But then you have to actually do that.

Sometimes two dollars to have someone else tightly wrap prosciutto around your mozzarella is money well spent.

Prosciutto and Mozzarella vs. Salami and Pepper Jack

If you are trying to decide between the two, the biggest difference is flavor rather than quality.

Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella is the milder option. The mozzarella is creamy and mild while the prosciutto supplies most of the salty, savory flavor. This was my favorite.

Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack is the bolder option. You get more seasoning from the salami and some additional heat from the Pepper Jack cheese.

Both contain 10 grams of protein, both are 1.5 ounces, and both cost $1.99.

So this isn't really a case where I would tell you one is worth buying and the other isn't. Pick based on whether you want mild and salty or bold and spicy.

Or buy one of each. We aren't making major life decisions here.

Allergy Information

One detail worth mentioning is the relatively simple allergen statement. Milk is the only major allergen listed on the packages.

That may make these worth a closer look for shoppers avoiding some other common allergens, although you should always check the current package yourself if you have a food allergy since ingredients and manufacturing information can change.

I have a child whose classroom is peanut free, so having a safe snack is big in my book.

The back of Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks.

How to Serve Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks

Obviously, the entire appeal here is that you can tear open the package and eat one. But there are a few ways to make them more interesting.

Pair with crackers Add a handful of crackers and suddenly your meat and cheese stick has become a respectable little lunch.

Add fruit Grapes, apple slices, pears, or berries add sweetness to balance the salty cured meat.

Make a mini antipasto plate Add olives, marinated artichokes, peppers, and crackers. Slice the stick into pieces and you've basically made yourself a tiny charcuterie board.

Pack one for lunch Pair it with fruit, vegetables, crackers, and a small treat for an easy lunchbox option.

Slice into bite sized pieces If you're putting together a snack plate, cutting these into rounds makes them much easier to share.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about this product:

What flavors do Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks come in?

There are two varieties, Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella and Salami Wrapped Pepper Jack Cheese.

How much are Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks?

Each individually packaged 1.5 ounce stick costs $1.99.

How much protein is in a Trader Joe's Antipasto Stick?

Both varieties contain 10 grams of protein per stick.

Do Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks need to be refrigerated?

Yes. These are refrigerated meat and cheese products and should be kept cold.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Antipasto Sticks aren't revolutionary, but they don't need to be. For $1.99, you get a convenient, individually packaged meat and cheese snack with 10 grams of protein that actually does a decent job of keeping hunger away.

Both varieties were good quality, the cheese was dense and satisfying, and the meat stayed wrapped around it instead of turning snack time into an assembly project. My vote goes to the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella, but that's entirely a matter of taste rather than quality.

Could you make essentially the same snack yourself for less? Absolutely. But for something you can grab from the refrigerator and throw into a lunch bag, purse, or cooler without thinking about it, these are pretty convenient.

I'd buy the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella again without hesitation, and I'd happily recommend trying either variety depending on how much spice you like.

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