The pros: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Mac and Cheese is new and the only gluten free pasta option currently in the freezer.
The cons: It still misses the mark compared to the non gluten free varieties.
The verdict: …
Trader Joes
Trader Joe’s Cheese Party Tray
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cheese Party Tray is new* (see Alek’s comment at the bottom for some good insight), tasty, priced well, and lasts a decent amount of time in the refrigerator considering it is pre-sliced cheese.
The cons: Nothing really stands out.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub
The pros: Trader Joe’s Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub is nicely packaged, smells great, and is a nice facial scrub.
The cons: While the packaging is nice, I was concerned about keeping a glass jar in the shower no matter how heavy it felt.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Big Soft Pretzels
The pros: Trader Joe’s Big Soft Pretzels are new to shelves and have the salt package already in the bag so you decide how much or how little is best for you.
The cons: Four pretzels in a bag, but the bag can’t be resealed.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Ramen Soup
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Ramen Soup is one of two new flavors of ramen soup hitting store shelves.
The cons: Like all ramen noodles, this a relatively high in sodium.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s August 2018 Fearless Flyer Matchups
Welcome to the Trader Joe’s August 2018 Fearless Flyer Matchups! I’ve pulled together reviews from this blog and others around the web to give you (more) complete information in a single place.
The full flyer is always located on Trader Joe’s website, but they don’t archive them. So, at the bottom of this post there are links to my past matchups if you are curious what might be in store for the coming months or just to see what they’ve offered in the past.
It’s too early for pumpkin, but the next Flyer should show up around September 24th. After that there will be two more in November in time for the holiday season before we get into 2019.
Anything with an image next to it is a review from this blog. Anything with just a link, is from another reviewer’s site. I hope you find this helpful in your shopping. If there is anything you’d like to see me review, leave me a comment….
Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Soup
The pros: Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Soup is one of two new soups, but this one is vegan, filling, and does not taste quite as salty as some other ramens that I have had.
The cons: Not as cheap as the 4/$1 ramens, but those don’t come with their own microwave safe cups. Also, when I had my second cup, it did not contain an oil packet.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Rich Hydrating Face Sheet Mask
The pros: Trader Joe’s Rich Hydrating Face Sheet Mask is new, inexpensive, cooling, and hydrating.
The cons: I looked absolutely ridiculous wearing this. There is a tingling sensation that not everyone will appreciate.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Seltzer Water with Lemon and Ginger Juice
The pros: Trader Joe’s Seltzer Water flavored with Lemon and Ginger Juice is one of two new seltzer flavors and if you love ginger then you might dig this.
The cons: This is very assertively gingery for something that only contains 2% juice.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Seltzer Water Flavored With Cranberry and Lime Juice
The pros: Trader Joe’s Seltzer Water flavored with Cranberry and Lime Juice is one of three new seltzer waters that are quite distinct from other sparkling beverages around them.
The cons: This is pricier than the bottled sparkling water options at Trader Joe’s.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Lemon Shortbread Bar Mix
The pros: Trader Joe’s Lemon Shortbread Bar Mix makes for a pleasant and lemony dessert which has a nice contrast between the shortbread cookie and the soft lemony filling.
The cons: Seriously, I don’t understand why Trader Joe’s hasn’t rolled out a no bake bar for the summer months. The thought of turning on the oven isn’t that appealing during the summer months. There were a few things unclear in the directions.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Macaron Aux Framboises
The pros: Trader Joe’s Macaron Aux Framboises has three generous servings and delicious dessert from France.
The cons: The coconut was a surprise but not a deal breaker.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chile Lime Seasoning Blend
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chile Lime Seasoning Blend is a solid blend found in the spice aisle.
The cons: The name here should be reversed. It should be called lime chile as that is the order of dominant flavors.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas are a new addition to the quesadilla options in the freezer section of Trader Joe’s.
The cons: The wrap is quite doughy and pretty thick for a quesadilla. The finished product isn’t quite as gracefully beautiful as the pictured quesadilla.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chunk Cantuccini
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chunk Cantuccini are new to shelves and are priced under $2. These are a hybrid between the traditional biscotti and a chocolate chip cookie.
The cons: Bag is not resealable. If you are nut free, you need to skip this product.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Milk and Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Bits Bar
The pros:Trader Joe’s Milk and Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Bits Bar is basic chocolate. It’s inexpensive.
The cons: This bar is terribly designed. The ridges are too big for most mouths. I could not break off just a piece without reaching for a knife. The use of the word bits here is an understatement.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Secco Strawberry and Raspberry Rossini
The pros: Trader Joe’s Secco Strawberry and Raspberry Rossini was met with approval in my household as it was sweet, nothing sophisticated, slightly bubbly and pleasant tasting.
The cons: If you are a fan of dry wines, skip this one over. How to open this bottle might confuse some people including yours truly.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Organic Sriracha Ranch Dressing
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Sriracha Ranch Dressing is nice and spicy.
The cons: I wasn’t wild about this on a salad, but as a dip I was all in.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Neapolitan Joe Joe’s
The pros: Trader Joe’s Neapolitan Joe Joe’s is the newest flavor of Joe Joe’s to hit store shelves.
The cons: The pairing here might not be everyone’s favorite.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs
The pros: Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs make for a quick dinner from the freezer that keeps the calorie check in count.
The cons: Not the greatest turkey meatballs that I’ve had before.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Simpler Wines White
The pros: Trader Joe’s Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine is a decent white wine that comes in a very portable can.
The cons: Not sold everywhere due to local laws. Like where I live. More on that in a minute.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil
The pros: Trader Joe’s Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil is nicely moisturizing, has a sugary sweet aroma, and absorbs well into skin.
The cons: Fragrance might be natural but is not for everyone.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties
The pros: Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties are a good alternative to meat sausage patties in the morning.
The cons: True meat lovers probably will still want to stick with the real thing.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mint Chip Ice Cream
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mint Chip Ice Cream is one the best mint chip ice creams that I’ve ever had.
The cons: Don’t look at the nutritional label. Just. Don’t. Do. It.
The verdict: …
