19 Trader Joe’s Must-Haves For Summer Grilling Season

It’s time to fire up the grill! With summer well underway, we’d be remiss not to share some of our favorite must-haves for the remainder of grilling season. And, while you can venture to any grocery store to pick up some hamburger buns, hot dogs, corn, and other grilling essentials, there’s just something about Trader Joe’s slate of summer products that really stands out. Take barbecue sauce, for example. Instead of any old condiment, Trader Joe’s has (among other options) its own Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce made with yellow mustard, sweet and smoky molasses, vinegar, tomato puree, and Worcestershire sauce, as well as a blend of spices, including a kick of cayenne pepper. The balanced yet slightly sweet sauce works well on ribs, chicken wings, and a whole host of things you might toss on the grill.

Keep reading for more worthwhile grilling must-haves you can only find at Trader Joe’s!

Angus C.B.P. Ground Beef Patties

When you think of grilling season, you think of hamburgers, and these C.B.P. Ground Beef Patties are in a league of their own. Each patty is a third of a pound, and is made up of three different whole muscle cuts of meat—chuck, brisket, and picanha. While these patties are a bit fattier than others, this just means that they’re juicer and more flavorful than your standard burger. They’re sold four to a pack for less than $10. 

Sliced Black Truffle Monterey Jack Cheese

Every burger, whether it’s made from beef, chicken, turkey, or veggies, can benefit from a slice of cheese melted on top. For an elevated take on a cheeseburger, opt for Sliced Black Truffle Monterey Jack Cheese. Crafted by an expert cheesemaker in Wisconsin, each slice of this cheese features bits of black summer truffle and is wonderfully savory with a toothsome texture.

Chile Lime Seasoning Blend

Trader Joe’s is known for its array of flavorful seasoning blends, and the Chile Lime Seasoning Blend is a fan favorite. Made with salt, chile powder, and lime juice powder, this seasoning shines on potatoes, tacos, the rim of a margarita glass, and anything else that needs a little kick of flavor. For your backyard BBQ, stock up on the Chile Lime Seasoning Blend and use it to flavor ears of grilled corn and grilled vegetables.

Organic Uncured Grass Fed Beef Hot Dogs

No summer grill sesh is complete without hot dogs. These Organic Uncured Grass Fed Beef Hot Dogs from TJ’s are made with uncomplicated ingredients, including USDA certified organic beef, sea salt, celery powder, minced onion, paprika, and red pepper flakes. What you won’t find in these dogs are preservatives, such as nitrates and nitrites. Serve on a bun with relish (or ketchup, if that’s more your thing) and enjoy!

Fresh Atlantic Salmon Boneless Fillet

For something other than meat at your summer cookout, pick up some Fresh Atlantic Salmon Boneless Fillets. Each rich, buttery fillet comes from the Atlantic Ocean, and is raised without antibiotics. Salmon is one of a few fish that cooks well on the grill—simply brush the fish with some olive oil or butter and sprinkle it with the seasoning of your choice—but you can also roast, bake, poach, or even air fry it for a meal that’s ready in minutes.

Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage

When it comes to sausage, Trader Joe’s has plenty of options to choose from. We’re partial to the Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, which is seasoned with aromatic spices like mild anise and fennel seed. Each link is also contained in a natural pork casing to ensure a satisfyingly snappy texture once it’s cooked. To enjoy these sausages, simply grill them as they are, use them as part of an elevated hot dog, or crumble up the meat and use it as a flavorful pizza topping.

Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce

Whether you’re barbecuing ribs or chicken wings, you’ll need some barbecue sauce to help get the job done. The Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce from TJ’s has the bright tang of yellow mustard, balanced by sweet and smoky molasses, the vibrancy of vinegar, tomato puree, and Worcestershire, and a blend of spices, including a kick of cayenne pepper. Since this sauce is a tad sweeter than some, it also works on burgers, sandwiches, and as a dipping sauce for fries or chicken nuggets.

Caramelized Onion & Bell Pepper Turkey Patties

Turkey burgers aren’t known for being the most flavorful grilling option, but we can assure you that the Caramelized Onion & Bell Pepper Turkey Patties from Trader Joe’s don’t disappoint. This new summer item features turkey thigh meat that’s been blended with bell peppers and caramelized onions. Each patty is juicy, slightly sweet, and begging to be topped with your typical burger fixings. Drooling yet?

Veggie Kabobs

Vegetarians can enjoy grilling season too, and these Veggie Kabobs are proof of that. Sold two to a package, these massive meat-free kabobs are made with pre-cut onions, squash, bell peppers, and mushrooms. To add more flavor to this vegetarian option, simply season the kebabs with your choice of spices, or baste ‘em with your favorite marinade, and you’re good to go.

Corn on the Cob

As far as BBQ sides are concerned, corn on the cob is a must. The fresh summer fruit (yes, corn is a fruit) is sold at Trader Joe’s inside the husk, which helps keep the sweet and buttery kernels from drying out. Grill the corn with the husk on for the best results, slather the kernels with butter, and enjoy. At just 69 cents a piece, there will be plenty of corn for everyone.

Kosher Dill Pickle Chips

These Kosher Dill Pickle Chips will certainly come in handy this grilling season, no matter what you’re cooking. Each pickle chip is sliced into perfectly sized, crinkle-cut rounds, and they’re cold-packed in a savory, well-seasoned brine. We love using these pickle chips to top a hamburger, veggie burger, or even a homemade pizza, but they can also be fried and turned into a snack in their own right, or minced and mixed into a dip.

Ground Beef

As we mentioned, TJ’s sells its own pre-formed patties, but if you’d rather make your own burger patty, go ahead and purchase ground beef instead. This specific ground beef is made from 80% lean, 20% fat beef, which many experts say yields a perfectly moist, juicy burger. And don’t worry, the fat will reduce while the meat cooks, ensuring the resulting burger is anything but dry and flavorless. 

Brioche Buns

Every burger needs a bun, and brioche buns are a cut above the rest. Each one is buttery, fluffy, and slightly sweet, making it the perfect accompaniment for just about anything coming off the grill. To kick things up a notch, butter the inside of the buns and grill ‘em for a couple of minutes before building your burger or pulled pork sandwich.

Organic Mango Vinaigrette Dressing

Sure, this Organic Mango Vinaigrette Dressing works beautifully on a fresh summer salad, but it’s also a secret weapon of grilling season. Made with organic mango purée, vegetable oil, distilled white vinegar, cane sugar, dried red bell peppers, and garlic powder, this condiment shines as a marinade for grilled chicken or a fish taco topper, and even works in a pasta salad.

Beef Rib Eye Steak

When it comes to steak, certain cuts fare better on the grill than others, but you really can’t go wrong with a rib eye. The Beef Rib Eye Steak from Trader Joe’s is special in that it comes from Argentina and Brazil, and has just enough fat that translates to a rich, buttery flavor. You can marinate the meat for even more flavor, but a simple seasoning of salt and pepper right before it hits the grill also works. You’ll know your rib eye is grilled perfectly when it reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees.

Smoky & Hot Chile Powder

Here’s another seasoning blend we can’t get enough of! This Smoky & Hot Chile Powder, which is ideal for chili, grilled seafood, or as the base of homemade BBQ rubs and Cajun-style seasonings, is made with just the right ratio of smoked paprika and chile powder. Outside of grilling season, this item also works in soups, stews, and as a seasoning for roasted vegetables.

Savory Herbed Chicken Thighs

Aside from being juicy and flavorful, chicken thighs thrive on the grill. As the name suggests, these Savory Herbed Chicken Thighs are pre-seasoned with a sublimely savory marinade that’s made with aromatic herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint, along with garlic, shredded lemon peel, crushed chili peppers, and a dash of umami-rich fish sauce. To enjoy, grill the chicken thighs until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees and dig in!

Vidalia Onions

Grown in a certain set of counties in Georgia, Vidalia onions are known for their sweetness and can be enjoyed cooked or raw. They’re also a good source of vitamin C. The Vidalias you’ll find at TJ’s are sold in two-pound bags, and cost just $2.99. Generally speaking, Vidalias are particularly great for roasting, caramelizing, and quick-pickling—all of which will accentuate their natural sweetness. They’re also the ideal (raw) hamburger topping, which is perfect for a summer cookout.

Cornbread Mix

There’s plenty to love about cornbread, including its versatility. This TJ’s Cornbread Mix, which features actual corn kernels, yields a loaf of cornbread or single-serve cornbread muffins that work with ribs, pulled pork, barbecued chicken, and more. It’s a grilling season staple!