TRADER JOE'S DOES IT AGAIN TASTE TEST

In addition to trying out Trader Joe's NEW chocolate and berries lip balm set, my husband and I could tell right away what products we were going to enjoy and which we were not. From the new black garlic cream cheese to the chocolate almond protein smoothie to the Thai peanut satay sauce, there was a wide variety of products this week.
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[@lillianfredriksson1890]

Tart cherry juice is actually more of a medicinal drink. I add fresh squeezed orange juice, coconut water and a scoop of vanilla protein powder and dash of salt and make a nice adrenal health cocktail with it. It’s delish.

[@hdreitz]

For the peanut sauce, add some fresh herbs ( cilantro, scallions) and some lime juice!

[@denisem8356]

And Sriracha

[@ChineseAg]

My West Seattle TJ help desk looked at me crazy when I asked about black garlic cream cheese. They then asked me how did I learn about this new item, since it becomes available for ordering this coming Monday 1-29-2024. I told them about you Katie, they then told me Cali gets stuff first on West Coast 😆

[@livwithbiv]

Hey neighbor!! I’m in Queen Anne!!!!

[@KatieHespe]

Haha that’s funny!

[@jenniferwellman5311]

Hey neighbor, I’m in Kirkland and they also looked at me funny. 😂😂😂 when I asked about the garlic cream cheese.

[@amycolucci6769]

My tjs in new jersey is trash no alcohol or paper bags🤣i miss arizona

[@sharonwhelanCALI]

To the satay sauce and pasta, maybe add some thinly sliced green onion, sauteed zucchini (in place of the broccoli), chopped peanuts, red pepper flakes and thinly sliced kumquats or orange segments and a bit of zest. Yum...sounds good for a picnic. 🌞

[@leeannsanders7017]

Add crushed red pepper flakes to the peanut satay sauce. Or soy sauce. Yum!!

[@KatieHespe]

Yes! Love both these ideas.

[@jenniferwellman5311]

Tim should love the egg salad, it doesn’t have pickle juice or mushrooms. Lol 😂😂😂

[@lynnduke8700]

Lime and siracha to the peanut satay 👍🏼

[@KatieHespe]

Definitely trying this!

[@sbloome77]

I tried the cherry juice a few months ago and it lasted pretty well in the fridge until I finished it a week ago. I added a lime juice and seltzer which made it like the cherry limeade soda from Buffalo Wild Wings. It also goes well with tequila!! Some Thai marinated and grilled chicken could be dipped into the Thai peanut sauce.

[@lynnloehr1566]

Add a little sweetner of choice to the cherry juice wirh the spindrift. Makes a huge difference!

[@KatieJoMikell]

Not sure about my least favorite Trader Joe’s item but I can tell you our very favorite dessert there is their chocolate Babka oh my gosh so delicious!

[@miaweston]

You two have the BEST banter haha

[@roarmaus]

For a better chilled protein drink option: Koia. The Cinnamon Horchata and Chocolate Banana are my favorites. Low sugar and 18g protein.

[@jeannegeiger4750]

I was going to suggest that they are my favorites!

[@kathleenproctor5207]

Lots of good ideas here about adding some oomph to the satay but one mentioned the product that would be my answer to the question of the day. I bought the chili onion crunch thinking it would be a great condiment to add to a variety of dishes, but it was not for me. After trying it about three different ways where i thought it ruined the dish, I tossed the jar. That was a first for me. Many products I have finished and thought won’t buy that again, but, to me, this was ruining otherwise good food.

[@beaglenglund]

I agree even though many people seem to love it.

[@sandragreenberg6010]

I’m actually one of the people that loves it!

[@michelleoconnell911]

I agree!

[@shannonsaliba2433]

That color on Tim is 🔥 will have to try the peanut sauce 😋

[@KatieHespe]

It's so good!

[@susansimpson5857]

Satay is great on chicken skewers, but I think grilled tofu would work for you, Katie.

[@KatieHespe]

I want to try it with tofu!

[@valnaples]

NICE---we all have a simple 3-ingredient recipe now! The noodles, broccoli and Satay sauce....as a vegan, I THANK YOU!

[@KatieHespe]

Awesome! Glad I could lend inspiration.

[@Irena-Irena]

Hey Ya! lol, I knew it was the OutKast song , and after watching you I had to go listen to it on KZbin 😁. Thanks always for the reviews because they do help!

[@jordanvincent5476]

Well, the frozen butternut squash Mac and cheese doesn’t shout out “Jordan “ 😂

[@lose999]

Good question of the week! I once had to return the Birria beef; it was grisly and gross with about one tablespoon of meat to a whole tray of sauce. Not worth it. I'm happy you're feeling better. The flu is no joke. Those chocolates might be my Valentine's gift to myself.❤

[@KatieHespe]

Definitely gift them to yourself. You deserve it! They make me happy so I pretend Tim gets them for me 😂😂

[@saramcdonald23]

suggestions to add to noodles/peanut sauce: chili onion crunch (there are some with dried citrus bits inside) - sesame seeds or ETBTB - scallions

[@catmama54]

Broccoli noodles and a peanut sauce, sign me up.For me the salmon burgers. The texture was icky

[@tracyhoward5256]

So satay sauce is used as a dipping sauce traditionally. Vietnamese use it as a dip for Spring rolls and Malaysian/Thai people dip a chicken skewer into it. I tried the t j's version and it is true to form...delicious!

[@D7cooper]

Glad to see you're doing better, Katie. Best Trader Joe's item - brownie truffle mix Worst TD item - the okra chips? Thanks for the broccoli suggestion for the satay sauce. Take care!

[@roxyjohnson5112]

I make peanut sauce with orange. It’s good. You were spot on.

[@lindagraham9563]

Tried it today…amazing. Did had 2 hard boiled eggs to make it thicker.

[@KatieHespe]

That’s a great idea to thicken it up and it will go further.

[@juliewilburn2942]

Had a successful trip today to TJ - most things in stock - looking forward to trying all the new items I got from your suggestions!! A couple of random beers may have found their way into my cart 🍻cheers guys! ❤

[@tamrobinson3523]

The first dish sounds delicious I think I would add chopped peanuts and maybe a little Sriracha can't wait to try it.

[@KatieHespe]

Siracha could be the move! Thanks for the idea.

[@lydiaerickson3731]

For the satay tim should add red pepper flakes and you should add lime. I love adding both into the homemade satay sauce I make and it’s the perfect amount of peanut, spice, and tang.

[@dianap.2455]

I just started watching you guys. This was my second video. I knew I liked you two for a reason. As soon as he showed the Chargers ⚡️ cup it all made sense. 😂 I love these videos. I get overwhelmed at Trader Joe's. I get sensory overload. There are so many products to look for and it's always crowded. With these videos I'll know exactly what to go for. Thanks Guys!

[@KatieHespe]

Yay welcome to the channel! Thanks for you support and Go Chargers!!

[@Novemberbaby333]

I don't live near one so have so far like most everything I've gotten. Such a great store-my closest one is 100 miles away.

[@lauriec9541]

Were getting a TJ's in my hometown finally! Now i wont have to drive 45 min anymore. No matter what i did, things thawed somewhat, and i had to refreeze! Can't wait.

[@vickisiegel6159]

I was so excited about the vegan poke bowl and then I bought it and tasted it. It was inedible !

[@1shebop]

Agree!

[@julieschilling2836]

Try adding a shot if Liquid Smoke and/or a sprinkle of curry powder to the egg salad. Maybe a bit of green goddess seasoning...

[@KatieHespe]

Green goddess is my favorite! Will be trying this tonight.

[@danabrown6341]

Anytime I buy jarred peanut sauce, I always add cayenne or Aleppo pepper and grated garlic while cooking, then I add cilantro, green pepper and a squirt of fresh lime to top. Delicious 😊

[@KatieHespe]

Wow such a great suggestion. I’m going to try that. I have fresh cilantro in my garden so it will go to good use.

[@danabrown6341]

@@KatieHespe I meant green onion, not green pepper, lol! But, I think the cilantro is what makes it 🙂

[@kvcooks814]

Yay, so glad to hear that you liked the egg salad and the satay sauce! Our stores here in the PNW will get the black garlic cream cheese this week so I'll add all 3 items to my next grocery list. You absolutely confirmed our crew consensus on the smoothie, sorry🤢.

[@KatieHespe]

Yay glad you guys will get all the goodies soon. Ya that smoothie was a no go. 🙅🏼‍♀️

[@michelegriffin9093]

I ❤ the smell of Play Doh! When I was in college, I had a small container in my back pack. Really helped when stressed or taking exams!

[@KatieHespe]

Nice! You may love that smoothie then.

[@teashagrant3054]

You guys are so cute❤️. I love the reviews. Have a great Sunday!

[@Cosifantutte227]

I add Thai chili sauce to peanut sauce. Just right!

[@blanchep216]

Yay Chargers (I still call them the San Diego Chargers)! I love gnocchi but I am not a fan of the cauliflower gnocchi, I tried but I couldn't eat it.

[@crazylicious85]

That’s funny because I didn’t think I would like the truffle gnocchi but I didn’t hate it - I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. I added a basil Alfredo I think to that one and it made it better

[@aimeeyork6319]

Hmm ... Maybe add some of TJ's frozen ginger, soy sauce and a little more PB to the Peanut Satay? Garlic?

[@KatieHespe]

Garlic would be a really good addition!

[@aimeeparrott9204]

This was a really fun taste test! I feel like every pull tab is a lie. They all seem to have stopped being functional. Katie, your comment about kids eating Play-Doh brought back a funny memory. They're was a kid in my kindergarten class who ate crayons, but he was very particular. He only ate the black ones! Least favorite product: it was a while ago, but there was a powdered pumpkin chai. Both the smell and the taste were horrific to me. 🤢

[@KatieHespe]

The pull tab is a total scam! 😂 Wow black crayons only?! Haha that’s so funny and weird. Kids…am I right!!

[@aimeeparrott9204]

@KatieHespe When you're right, you're right! They are SO funny and SO weird.

[@gigiscomfortfood]

Cherry juice is really good at preventing Gout symptoms

[@bethdrake2104]

There was a peanut butter years ago that was diet or something. It was nasty. It was there for a few years. Haven’t seen it in a long long time.

[@Allioops810]

I was at Tj’s today and got a few things from your last taste test, I didn’t get the satay sauce because I wanted to see if you guys liked it. The worst things I be ever tasted from Traders was a bag of frozen veg. I think it had stringbeans, onions and maybe peppers, can’t remember exactly but it just came out like mush and tasted really bad. The other was the meatless cheeseburger pizza. I gagged from it but my daughter loved it.

[@carolm6952]

Happy Sunday Katie and Tim! I need to get that Red Tart Cherry Juice. I am sure it has a strong taste by itself but worth the other health benefits. Okay I am sold on trying the Black Garlic Spread. I will pass on the smoothie. I'm hooked on my Gut Renew. Lol you all are funny. I enjoy these hauls and videos. Have a good rest of your weekend! I'm glad you are feeling better. Who doesn't love chocolate!

[@kaylagray7935]

I love to use Tart Cherry juice in the summer - I use frozen banana, frozen cherries, tart cherry juice, Zero Vitamin water in lemonade and a little cherry flavored Skinny Syrup to take the bitterness off. So good! My least favorite TJ item that still lingers in my memory is the frozen Umami garlicky noodles- I probably got the name wrong. The smell alone couldn't have been worse than what a mummy must smell like when they dig it out of a peat bog! I had to taste it since I got that far, but one bite was more than enough!😂 Can't wait to try that garlic spread, though! And the chocolates, of course.

[@user-hg2iu3tx8r]

I am not a big Green Goddess person, but decided to try seasoning and dressing. I liked the seasoning really good on fish and on green goddess salad mix one of brands carry. I used the Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing in refrigerated section on my salad. Horrible!!! Felt like you Tim when you taste truffle. I’m sure lots of people love it! Me YUCK!!!! In same area they have Ranch Dressing I love. Purchase a bottle every week. Never run out. Different Strokes for Different Folks !!!!

[@femmefits]

Another great video! Thank you 💕

[@AlyssaEveMitchel93]

I went to TJs today and got the peanut sauce! Excited to try with rice, veggies and Asian chicken that I baked! Katie I love that after you mentioned being excited about trying the egg salad you said, “I’m so egg-cited!” lol My least favorite item is probably the strawberry oat milk almond brittle frozen dessert (way too artificial tasting for me)

[@sr9802]

Thanks for the haul! I didn’t like the pretzel sticks( they are long like breadsticks) and those pizza puff things. Both are fairly new I think. The pretzel sticks didn’t taste like anything and the pizza puffs didn’t either.

[@karenmar1529]

I love that you tried the lip duo Katie, thank you. Those chocolates looked so good. Will pick up a box. Mine was a seasonal item. It was the box of little iced gingerbread men. To me it had a weird aftertaste.

[@connie6410]

I'm definitely going to try that peanut satay sauce. It sounds worth a try even if I have to spice it up a bit. Katie, thanks for tryin those lip products. I'm going to treat myself to those and the chocolates, too they sound amazing! I'm not nearly as adventurous as you two in trying new products, so I can't think of a Trader Joe's product that I disliked. I remember both of yours though! 😂😂

[@RWCLtd3]

Maybe some Chili Crunch or Sesame Oil would help the noodles?

[@KatieHespe]

Great idea!

[@alexanderschwarm7755]

Nicely done as usual

[@lisatowan4536]

Can't wait to try the garlic spread. I will definitely use it on sandwiches. The worst Trader Joe's product was the sparkling pomegranate juice. I bought it for my mom and she spit it out, so of course I had to try a sip. I'm not sure that it was the flavor that we didn't like, I think that there was something wrong with the batch. It tasted like plastic. I don't usually return things, but I had to return that.

[@KatieHespe]

I disliked that sparkeling pomegranate juice as well. It was terrible.

[@lisatowan4536]

@KatieHespe Glad to know it wasn't just me and my mom. It seriously tasted like something was wrong with it. I couldn't even swallow more than one sip.

[@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703]

I am not interested in buying th le egg salad but I will make it on my own. Not because of cost but I do t like pickle or relish in my egg salad.

[@KatieHespe]

That makes sense. I make my own in the summer a lot.

[@suzanneparvey4346]

Want to try the peanut sauce and I see lots of great ideas from others on what to add to it. I would enjoy it on tofu for sure or on the noodles with veggies. I love your sweater Katie. Can I ask where you got it? Really pretty on you. The lip mask sounds like fun. I am all about moisturizing and a little glitter. This was a really fun taste test.

[@sylviaasebedo5370]

Can someone recommend a good sriracha sauce since the famous “rooster” one is really hard to find? I’ve tried other brands from my local grocery and they are terrible.

[@kellyphelps2739]

Yes, we all saw that Chargers water jug. The Chargers just got a great coach in Harbaugh, Nor Cal 49er fan here.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes, that’s all Tim can talk about 😂😂😂 He’s a die hard fan.

[@JJWalleye]

Lions fan here - Go LIONS!

[@carmelcornr1715]

When I lived in Singapore, it was pronounced "saw-tay" - use fresh lime juice with it!

[@EP-hm5ue]

Didn’t Trader Joe’s have a satay sauce years ago? Glad they brought it back.

[@tammybozza4703]

I’m with you, Katie. That beer cheese was NOT good. We tossed it after one bite.

[@annekern6410]

I would add Sriracha sauce to the Satay sauce

[@lilikhazeni1688]

Katie, you two are greatest 👍👏 I already got the garlic cream cheese 😋😋😍 Where did you get your lovely, gray pearl beaded sweater.

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you. My mother in law got it for me and I believe she got it at Nordstrom Rack.

[@andreab9025]

Hands down our least favorite TJs item is the seaweed snacks.

[@bobbiadams-lloyd1888]

I’m going to add pepper flakes to the satay.

[@melisaspur032]

Thank you Katie for testing the lip masks in this video I appreciate it ! I may buy it put both on together would be like a chocolate covered cherry lol also the Lanege gummy bear came in a tube and slight purple tint Lawless makes great lip masks with tint one of the “clean” brands at Sephora thx again

[@KatieHespe]

Good to know. I haven’t tried the lawless brand but I want to.

[@cassandraqcassandraq5510]

You can always add spice...hard to subtract

[@karinajas]

I hope you are back to feeling 100% better soon.

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you so much! I am almost there…tomorrow is the day. 😊

[@carolskinner7411]

Tim the "The Chargers" ? I'm with Tim,no citrus!

[@MsK_1111]

Definitely no citrus. Satay sauce is usually served on the side to dip chicken skewers at restaurants

[@KatieHespe]

The chargers are his favorite football team. I guess lime is an ingredient commonly added to peanut satay so I’m going to give it a try. I usually like a little tang in my food.

[@Mariakayc]

Wonder if I add some ginger and rice vinegar if the peanut sauce would make a good dressing.

[@natcat1433]

For the Satay Sauce I would add TJ's Crunchy Chile & Onion Crunch and a squeeze of lime. For the worse thing I bought at TJ was that Chocolate Almond Protein Shake. I bought it before I saw your video.

[@MsK_1111]

Peanut satay is so good on grilled chicken skewers! Add chili oil to the dish you made. Back to add: I’m with Tim I’m not a fan of tart cherry juice other than the health benefits.

[@MariaSoares-yd2hf]

Love your videos! Always look forward to them!

[@DeAnn_Davies_1227]

Nice one, Tim! I love my Justin Herbert! Hoping Harbaugh is the right coach for him! Go Chargers and Go Ducks! We tried the CUY wine. A nice wine 🍷 I enjoyed the strawberry taste. It definitely opens up and becomes a different wine when it airs out for a bit.

[@KatieHespe]

Ducks fans as well!! My parents would love you. They just went to a game Tuesday with their friends. I agree, the Cuy wine taste changes as it opens up.

[@karlarussell3555]

Hello Friends, the black garlic cream cheese is BEYOND good in a veggie wrap, especially one with a lot of carrots, broccoli and cucumbers.

[@machupikachu8349]

I once bought a brie that had some green stuff in it…maybe it was capers?…but they brie straight up tasted like ammonia. I rarely take things back… I just chuck them… but i did with the brie bc I had to let them know how disgusting it was. and I’m someone who enjoys triple creme brie.

[@anneflynn3971]

Add ginger to Satay sauce

[@juliejuarez1214]

Pumpkin oat meal.!! So bad I returned it. GROSSAROLA!!

[@nancyfasolino7607]

Have you tried the Costco Korean bbq sauce? I would add that and maybe some chili crisps that bbq is a staple in my house as far as a Asian sauce it’s a little healthier ingredients

[@KatieHespe]

I have not, but I’ll look for it. I haven’t been to Costco in a little bit. We plan to go this week.

[@AnnoyedKangaroo-qc7xv]

My trader joe in queens ny had nothing no new item zero …

[@KatieHespe]

What I have been told is East Coast gets items a week behind West Coast. Seems unfair but at least you will be prepared when everything comes in!

[@susanlondon4774]

Katie, Do you think we could use the Thai peanut sauce as the sauce for a Thai pizza??

[@rebeccar4312]

I SO wanted to get those lip balms, but then I read the ingredients and ugh-the thought of putting things like titanium and all those other chemicals on my lips soured me on a product that was so compelling at first...sigh

[@jolenemudra4971]

I would add some garlic to that satay sauce. It would bump up the flavor.

[@MisTubingNu]

Katie, try to add the Trader Joe’s Soyaki sauce or the Kho Sauce with the Peanut Satay Sauce together. It will give it a little bit more depth

[@KatieHespe]

Yum, great ideas!

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

You could probably add any of the normal Thai peanut sauce ingredients to amp it up. Lime juice is commonly used, so that would add the citrus element you mentioned. Chopped spicy Thai chilies would add the heat for Tim, or you could probably add a jarred Asian chili sauce or jarred chilies. Also common is fish sauce, which is my guess is another key ingredient that adds umami that TJ’s probably left out to make it vegan. You could add coconut aminos to get somewhat of the flavor. All of these together would probably make it great. 😊. As for least favorite item I have actually purchased, that is going to be the limoncello. I thought it was disgusting and it may be the only item I have returned there. But, I just don’t buy other things I know I won’t like such as anything made with dark meat chicken. 😀

[@KatieHespe]

Great suggestions for the peanut satay. Lime juice would be great!

[@tinymontgomerykitchen2334]

A couple autumns ago TJ had a cinnamon bun cookie that was terrible. It tasted stale and old right out of a brand new box. I also extremely dislike the chili crunch.

[@Kimbobutterfly]

Are you guys still doing the Aldi taste test?

[@KatieHespe]

Yes, it will be out today.

[@tyreebruce]

Mix some of that cream cheese on mashed potatoes!!

[@fionakarbel258]

Two worst items I had were the truffle gnocchi, and the Garlic Sauce thai noodles 🤢

[@7real688]

Love your makeup in this video!!

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you!

[@RWCLtd3]

Don't kill me. The Mandarin Orange Chicken is my least favorite product. 😵‍💫

[@LisaWard-rm7dq]

I've always wanted to try it until I read that it's dark chicken meat, and I don't eat dark chicken meat.

[@MJ-mt4cg]

I agree, I don’t like it!

[@KatieHespe]

Haha I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had it. Years ago they changed it and use less quality chicken. Over heard it’s gross now.

[@Allioops810]

The chickenless orange chicken is really good.

[@RWCLtd3]

​It's enough to make anybody turn into a vegetarian. 😂

[@user-fv5mw8ee6n]

Add some rice vinegar and wisk.

[@nancyfasolino7607]

I think my leader favorite thing was a few years ago they had a Shepard’s pie it was gross! Also I didn’t like truffle chips , and the bao bun

[@KatieHespe]

I forgot about that! I remember it and you’re so right, it was bad!!

[@christineh1546]

Add sriracha to peanut sauce

[@lifeisgood32]

Great video! Congratulations on your job, I didn’t know you went back to work?

[@KatieHespe]

My job is KZbin. I have been doing this for 6 years 😀

[@Kimbobutterfly]

I love those glasses you used for the cherry juice, where did you get those from?

[@KatieHespe]

amzn.to/3SCNF6B

[@klimtkahlo]

I know I don’t like sweet and sour products like a lot of the Asian products are, so I don’t buy those. I bought a vegan cheese at Trader Joe’s that was so salty and bad tasting that I thought it was inedible to me! I bought gummies the other day in a small pouch that I found rather bad but still finished them, but will never buy them again. So for the most part I am quite lucky with most things.

[@kimmachette5024]

Truffle popcorn, or as my husband calls it, popped feet 😂 so gross

[@KatieHespe]

😂😂😂

[@sunshinebakery_melinda]

Watch out cherry juice can make you 💩 😂