If you're a fan of mint chip ice cream, you know not all versions are created equal. Some are too sweet, others too artificial. Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream aims to strike a balance between creamy, minty freshness and rich chocolate bits, all without being overpowering or overly indulgent.
Sold in a 1-quart container for $4.99, this pint-sized favorite is a sleeper hit in the frozen aisle.
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Review
This flavor isn't trying to reinvent mint chip, it's sticking to the classic formula and doing it surprisingly well.
The first thing I noticed when scooping it out was the texture. It's dense, creamy, and rich, not the whipped, airy stuff you find in bargain brands. You'll need to let it sit for a minute or two before scooping if you want that smooth, rounded spoonful.
Now onto the flavor: it's minty without being medicinal. Trader Joe's strikes a nice balance here: cool and refreshing, but not toothpaste-y. It tastes clean and subtly sweet, which makes it easy to go back for another bite. Or five.
The chocolate chips are more like shaved chocolate flakes, which I prefer. They melt more evenly on your tongue and don't freeze into rock-hard chunks. The amount of chocolate is generous but not overwhelming-it's there in every bite but never competes with the mint.
Overall, it reminded me of the kind of mint chip you'd get at a scoop shop. It's not fancy, but it's satisfying, nostalgic, and easy to love. If you enjoy a classic mint chip, this one hits the mark.
Ingredients
- Milk
- Cream
- Sugar
- Fudge chips
- Egg yolks
- Natural mint flavor
- Guar gum
Contains: milk, eggs, soy, and coconut.
How to Enjoy
- Blend into a milkshake with chocolate syrup
- Serve in a waffle cone or sugar cone for a nostalgic touch
- Add to a brownie sundae or chocolate cake
- Use in an ice cream sandwich with chocolate cookies
- Top with hot fudge and whipped cream for a minty twist on a classic sundae
FAQs about Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
While the ingredients themselves don't contain gluten, it's not labeled gluten-free, so those with sensitivities should use caution.
No artificial colors. It uses natural mint flavor, and it's not the common pale green that is seen in so many other mint chip ice cream.
Like many premium-style ice creams, it's best after sitting for a few minutes to soften slightly.
Not at all. The mint is cool and clean, but mellow enough to avoid that artificial "too minty" taste
The texture is creamier, the chocolate is shaved rather than chunked, and the flavor is subtle but satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream doesn't try to be trendy or reinvent the wheel and that's exactly why it works. It's cool, creamy, and familiar in the best way. If you're looking for a satisfying mint chip that's not too sweet, too green, or too artificial, this is a freezer aisle win.
It might not be the flashiest dessert in your cart, but it'll keep you coming back for another scoop.
If you are looking for other seasonal and well-done flavors, check out my reviews on the Ube, Speculoos, and Fudgy Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
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Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream
Product Name: Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream
Product Description: Trader Joe's Mint Chip ice cream is a super premium and super delicious ice cream option.
Price: $4.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream is among the best mint ice creams out there.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Creamy texture: Rich, scoop-shop quality mouthfeel
- Balanced mint flavor: Refreshing without being overpowering
- Shaved chocolate: Disperses evenly in every bite
- Affordable: Lower price point than premium pints
- No artificial flavor: Made with natural mint
Cons
- Can be hard to scoop: Needs a few minutes to soften
- Not allergen-friendly: Contains milk, eggs, and soy
- Subtle flavor: May be too mild for bold mint fans
- Limited availability: Sometimes rotates in and out of stock. While not a seasonal product, it can be sold out at times.
aRENOlife says
I love mint chocolate ice cream. I will have to give this one a try. Thanks!
becomebetty says
Hey aRENOlife! Would love to hear your thoughts on this when you get a chance to try it. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alek says
I love mint ice cream and do wish it come without chocolate sometimes. I understand there are peppermint flavor but what about mint ice cream. Or even mint sorbet. YUM!
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! I agree with you. My absolute favorite is actually Candy Cane ice cream. There is one pink container that I look for in my local Stop and Shop around December. It's so minty and so good, but oh how I hate the fact that is seasonal! Mmmmm...the idea of mint sorbet sounds just awesome. Maybe even a mojito sorbet sounds pretty darn amazing. Thanks so much for sharing the awesome ideas!
Dag says
I love mint chocolate chip ice cream but I'm not sure I can get past calories, sugar & fat content. I wonder if the mini cone mint chocolate chip is the same mint chocolate ice cream?
I did find a brand called Chilly Cow not to be confused with Skinny Cow that has a pretty great tasting mint chocolate chip with dark chocolate chips/flakes. They sell it as two half pints together. I think each half pint has 190 calories. And they also have bars. I like the portion control LOL. I am surprised that Trader Joe's hasn't gotten on this light ice cream bandwagon.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! You and I are on the same page on this one. I'm totally shocked they don't seem to have some sort of TJ's answer to Halo Top Ice Cream by now. But I never look at the nutritional labels before bringing them home. I'll have to keep an eye out for Chill Cow now 🙂 Thanks so much as always for stopping by!
Dag says
Hopefully they'll get on the bandwagon with the lower fat lower sugar lower lactose ice cream or dairy free product. The Chilly Cow is ultra filtered so those with lactose sensitivity don't have unwanted side effects per se. That was the reason I tried it it initially. But it is really yummy as well as the brownie batter version. I feel confident Trader Joe's is not far behind.
Joy Kennedy says
The chocolate in Trader Joe’s Mint Chip ice cream is the best! I would love to know where these heavenly slabs of smooth dark chocolate come from??
becomebetty says
I wish I knew the source, but sadly I don't. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this!