Well, busy bees and kitchen adventurers, spring has sprung at Trader Joe’s and they’re serving up a fresh batch of culinary curiosities that’ll make your wallet sing and your taste buds dance! This week’s haul is giving us major “treat yourself without breaking the bank” energy, with a duo of Japanese frozen finds that are about to make your Tuesday night takeout dreams come true, plus some summer-ready skincare that won’t cost you your organic avocado budget. Whether you’re juggling spreadsheets or school runs, hunting for kosher-friendly convenience, or trying to keep that glow going while chasing toddlers (or deadlines), TJ’s has cooked up some affordable solutions that are about to become your new ride-or-die staples. Let’s dive into what’s making us actually excited to grocery shop this week!
1. Trader Joe’s Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki Frozen Pancakes $4.99 I went to Japan last summer and ate many of these and all I can say is Thank you Trader Joe’s! Say “konnichiwa” to your new weeknight dinner savior: Trader Joe’s Frozen Okonomiyaki! These savory Japanese pancakes are basically what would happen if a fritter and a pizza had a beautiful umami baby. Loaded with cabbage, carrots, and green onions, these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside flavor bombs go from freezer to table in under 10 minutes! For the gluten-conscious among us, these babies are made with rice flour instead of wheat, making them a safe bet for your celiac sidekicks. Budget minded mamas will appreciate that a pack of two generous pancakes rings in under $5 making them roughly 87% cheaper than ordering the same thing from that trendy izakaya downtown. Just add a fried egg on top and a squiggle of mayo for maximum authenticity, and voilà you’re basically a Tokyo street food vendor (minus the 14-hour flight and jet lag). Full review coming shortly!
Full Review here: Trader Joe’s Okonomiyaki Review
Price: $4.99 for 10.2 ounces.
2. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 Skincare enthusiasts, rejoice! Trader Joe’s new Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 is here to prove that effective sun protection doesn’t require taking out a second mortgage. This zinc oxide-based formula creates a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays without using those questionable chemical filters that make environmental scientists nervous. At just $12.99, it performs like those $48+ fancy versions, making it the ultimate budget beauty hack. The silky matte finish works beautifully under makeup without pilling or balling up (we’ve all been victims of the dreaded sunscreen-foundation divorce), and it’s gentle enough for sensitive or rosacea-prone complexions. Free from artificial fragrances and parabens, this little tube checks all the boxes for clean beauty enthusiasts while still delivering serious protection. Your dermatologist would be so proud and utterly shocked at how little you paid.
Price: $12.99
3. Trader Joe’s Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen SPF 40
Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen SPF 40 Trader Joe’s new Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen SPF 40 is about to become your summer skincare superhero, swooping in to save you from both harmful UV rays AND that ghostly white sunscreen cast that makes you look like you’re auditioning for a mime troupe. This lightweight formula disappears into skin faster than your kids vanish when you mention chores, leaving behind zero greasy residue or funky smells. Perfect for busy professionals who need to look polished post-pool party, this $12.99 tube delivers the same protection as those fancy department store versions at literally a third of the price. The fragrance-free, oil-free formula makes it suitable for sensitive skin types, and it’s even gentle enough to use on kiddos who typically run screaming at the mention of sunscreen application. Stash one in your purse, one in your car, and one in every beach bag you own, your future self with youthful, unburnt skin will thank you profusely.
Price: $12.99
4. Trader Joe’s Organic Margarita Mix
Margarita Mixer with Real Lime Summer entertaining just got exponentially easier with Trader Joe’s new “Just Add Tequila” Margarita Mixer with Real Lime! Unlike those dayglo concoctions that taste like they were formulated in a lab by scientists who’ve never actually tasted a lime, this mixer contains, wait for it… ACTUAL LIME JUICE! Revolutionary, right? The perfect balance of tart and sweet means you can whip up restaurant-quality margaritas without squeezing approximately 37 limes or earning a graduate degree in mixology. At $3.99 for a generous bottle that makes roughly 12 drinks, you’re looking at cocktail hour for a fraction of what you’d pay at that place with the unlimited chips and salsa. Bonus points: it’s kosher certified and free from any artificial colors or flavors, so you can feel slightly superior while getting your fiesta on. And for the teetotalers and designated drivers? It’s equally delicious blended with ice and sparkling water for a mocktail that doesn’t scream “I’m not drinking tonight!”
Price: $3.99 for 32 ounces
5. Trader Joe’s Taiyaki
Taiyaki Waffles Treats Hold onto your taste buds, folks, Trader Joe’s has unleashed Taiyaki upon us mere mortals! These adorable fish-shaped treats feature a crispy yet soft waffle exterior wrapped lovingly around vanilla custard center. The ultimate East meets West dessert fusion that’s guaranteed to make your Instagram followers wild with envy. Each box contains eight individually wrapped fishies, perfect for doling out to the kiddos one at a time (while secretly hoarding one for your own midnight snack session, we won’t tell). Priced at just $4.99 per box of eight, they’re substantially cheaper than the food truck versions that have your children begging for $8 treats every time you pass by. Talk about the catch of the day!
Price $4.99 for eight or 7.89 ounces.
Happy Treasure Hunting at Trader Joe’s!
Love to order food.