Trader Joe’s December Drop: 20 Viral Hits & Skips You Need to Know

Your holiday shopping list is about to get a serious upgrade.

We’ve sifted through this season’s newest arrivals and long-awaited returns to bring you the definitive list of what deserves a spot in your cart—and what can stay on the shelf.

The Viral Hits (“Run, Don’t Walk”)

1. Garlic & Herb Butter Mussels —$5.99/6.35 Oz

• The Buzz: These are exploding on TikTok as the ultimate “fancy but cheap” hack.

• Why Buy: They come on the half-shell and heat up in minutes. Users love dipping crusty baguettes in the leftover garlic-parsley butter.

2. Mini Filet Mignon En Croute — $9.99/10 Oz)

• The Buzz: Basically mini Beef Wellingtons.

• Why Buy: A “lazy host” hero. You get tender beef wrapped in puff pastry with mushroom duxelles. Social media users say these make you look like a pro chef with zero effort.

3. Peppermint Pretzel Slims — $3.49/6 Oz

• The Buzz: Ranked as the #1 holiday snack in multiple taste tests this month.

• Why Buy: The perfect salty-sweet balance. Unlike other peppermint items that can be overwhelming, the white chocolate and peppermint ratio here is described as “unmatched.”

4. Italian Tomato Pasta Sauce Trio — $9.99/30.69 Oz

• The Buzz: People are buying these in bulk for gift exchanges.

• Why Buy: Includes three distinct jars (Puttanesca, Roasted Vegetable, and Cherry Tomato). It’s a high-value gift set that looks more expensive than it is.

5. Kouign Amann (Frozen Pastries) — $5.49/11.2 Oz

• The Buzz: A bakery-quality favorite that is back for the season.

• Why Buy: Pro-Tip from Reddit: Ignore the box instructions. Let them proof overnight (8+ hours) instead of the recommended time for maximum fluffiness before baking.

6. Jingle Jangle — $9.99/22.7 Oz

• The Buzz: The tin is a status symbol.

• Why Buy: A chaotic but delicious mix of chocolate-covered pretzels, popcorn, and peanut butter cups. It consistently sells out because it hits every craving at once.

7. Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs — $4.29/12 Oz

• The Buzz: A new protein hit for December.

• Why Buy: Made with chicken thigh/breast and Monterey Jack cheese. Great for quick holiday appetizers or a low-effort game day snack.

8. Truffle Risotto — $4.99/16 Oz

• The Buzz: Called “restaurant quality” by employees and fans alike.

• Why Buy: Real Italian rice with black truffles. It takes minutes on the stovetop but tastes like you spent an hour stirring.

9. Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches — $3.99/13.52 Fl Oz

• The Buzz: A new arrival replacing the standard chocolate chip version.

• Why Buy: The cookie is soft and spiced with molasses/ginger, pairing perfectly with the cold vanilla ice cream. A festive upgrade.

10. Hot Honey Popcorn — $2.99/7 Oz

• The Buzz: “Sweet, spicy, and addicting.”

  You May Be Interested In

  

  March 2026 Trader Joe’s Desserts: 20 Must-Try Treats Ranked

  

  Costco Taste Test: I Tried Everything—Here’s What’s Worth It (Mar 2026)

• Why Buy: It was supposed to be a limited seasonal item but keeps coming back due to demand. If you see it, grab two bags.

11. Holiday Cheer Unexpected Cheddar Spread — $4.99/9 Oz

• The Buzz: The cult-favorite cheese gets a holiday remix.

• Why Buy: Infused with cranberries, Riesling, and cinnamon. Fans are putting this on everything from crackers to baked potatoes.

12. Candy Cane Baton Wafer Cookies — $1.99/5 Oz

• The Buzz: A lighter alternative to the heavy chocolate items.

• Why Buy: Crispy rolled wafers with peppermint crème. They are being praised as a “refreshing” palate cleanser after heavy holiday meals.

13. Mini Peppermint Meringues — $2.99/4 Oz

• The Buzz: A “diet-friendly” holiday treat that doesn’t taste like one.

• Why Buy: Airy, crisp, and melt-in-your-mouth. Users warn you might accidentally eat the whole tub because they are so light.

14. 3 Spreads for Cheeses & Toast — $8.99/13.75 Oz

• The Buzz: Another top-tier “giftable” pantry item.

• Why Buy: Features Strawberry & Black Pepper, Rhubarb & Vanilla, and Mango & Yuzu. Elevates any charcuterie board instantly.

15. Almost a Kilo of Belgian Chocolate Bars — $14.99/31.7 Oz

• The Buzz: A massive value buy.

• Why Buy: You get a trio of high-quality chocolate bars (including a milk chocolate with crunchy corn). Perfect for breaking apart into stocking stuffers.

---

The “Skip It” List (According to Socials)

16. Lebkuchen Cookies — $4.49/7.05 Oz

• The Buzz: “Tasted like paper.”

• Why Skip: Reviewers found the edible wafer bottom ruined the texture, making it chewy in a bad way. One taste test ranked this dead last.

17. Trader Joe’s Peppermint Bark — $14.99/16 Fl Oz

• The Buzz: “Too thick to bite.”

• Why Skip: While a classic, recent reviews complain the slab is too hard to break and the peppermint flavor completely overpowers the chocolate.

18. Sleigh Ride Cookies — $3.99/8.5 Oz

• The Buzz: “Tastes like a dog treat.”

• Why Skip: These iced cookies are cute visually but described as incredibly dry and lacking flavor.

19. Vanilla Bourbon Sugar — $3.99/3.5 Oz

• The Buzz: “False advertising.”

• Why Skip: Users disappointed by the lack of bourbon flavor—many claim it tastes more like artificial root beer.

20. Clotted Cream Fudge — $2.99/5.29 Oz

• The Buzz: “Rock hard.”

• Why Skip: While the packaging is cute, reviews suggest the texture is sugary and grainy rather than the smooth, creamy fudge people expected.