The 5 Best New Trader Joe’s Items To Try This December

Your local Trader Joe’s has most likely taken down its Thanksgiving decorations, and the surge of pumpkin-flavored baked goods may have finally started to subside. But don’t worry, this beloved grocery chain is merely making room for even seasonal specialties.

Once again, another month brings a fantastic selection of new products to try at Trader Joe’s, from elegant frozen appetizers to limited-edition proteins that make preparing cozy dinners much easier.

Fans and frequent shoppers have already given several of the newest items their seal of approval following initial taste tests — and once you hear about the sweet, savory, and rich bites coming up, it’s easy to understand why. Especially if you have a month full of hosting and entertaining ahead, Trader Joe’s December lineup is worth paying attention to.

Here are the five gems to look out for first before they sell out or vanish from shelves.

Garlic & Herb Butter Mussels

Located in the frozen aisle, Trader Joe’s new Garlic & Herb Butter Mussels are served on the half-shell and topped with butter, parsley, breadcrumbs, garlic, and shallots. Enjoy these fresh out of the oven with a warm baguette to soak up all the buttery sauce, or serve them over linguine for a flavor-packed weeknight pasta. Customers on

are already impressed with these garlicky mussels, and at $6 for a dozen, they’re an incredible deal.

Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs

The Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballspriced at just $4.29, are a welcome addition to the refrigerated, ready-to-heat protein selection at Trader Joe’s, just in time for the rest of football season. Made with chicken thigh and breast meat, along with Monterey Jack cheese, they’re seasoned with a cayenne pepper sauce, distilled vinegar, and garlic powder to deliver on that promise of Buffalo flavor.

Since these are pre-cooked, they can be quickly browned in the oven or air fryer and are ready to enjoy in minutes. Placing the meatballs inside a sub roll would make for a delicious sandwich, or you could serve them as an easy appetizer with a side of ranch for dunking.

Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce Trio

If you needed an excuse to plan a pasta night — or three — this month, Trader Joe’s new Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce Trio might be it. The bundle, which costs $10, includes three sauce varieties: an Italian Tomato & Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce made with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, celery, and carrots; the Italian Datterino Cherry Tomato & Roasted Garlic option featuring Datterino cherry tomatoes, onions, roasted garlic, and basil; and the Italian Tomato Puttanesca that’s crafted with tomatoes, Kalamata and Chalkidiki olives, anchovies, capers, and roasted garlic. All three pasta sauces are prepared with tomatoes grown in Italy’s Puglia region.

Mini Filet Mignon in Crust

These Mini Filets Mignons in Crust are the showstopping appetizer you need for the holiday season, without any of the effort — or expense — required to make something similar from scratch. The hors d’oeuvres feature pieces of beef tenderloin covered in a mushroom and shallot duxelles, then wrapped in flaky, buttery puff pastry. They’re essentially miniature beef Wellingtonsand you can get 10 handheld bites for $10.

2 Affogatos Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts

If you’re hosting a dinner party soon, don’t worry about last-minute dessert preparations—let Trader Joe’s new 2 Affogatos Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts do the work for you. You don’t even need espresso to make this instant rendition of the classic Italian dessert; just add hot water, and it’s ready to serve. The frozen dessert is coconut milk-based, entirely vegan, and costs $4.49 for a pack of two affogatos.