The $2.99 Limited-Edition Trader Joe's Find I'm Buying All Summer Long

Whenever I step into Trader Joe's, I run to the "What's New" aisle to discover what new and exciting seasonal products are in store. No matter how often I promise, "I'm just grabbing one thing," I somehow end up with 10 or 12 items in my cart.

Take, for example, the new limited-edition Pretzel Buns. I am a sucker for a limited edition Trader Joe's product, so when I went there recently to stock up on burger night essentials, I couldn't resist the new buns. They are available now through the end of August, just in time for peak burger season.

Why I Love Trader Joe's Pretzel Buns

Now, before I get into my thoughts on how they taste, I have to point out right away that they didn't have the same look as other pretzel buns I've tried in the past. The color, texture, and shape were similar but missing one key characteristic: salt! 

At first, I was a little bummed. What's a pretzel bun without salt? As it turns out, it's genius. While I thought I'd miss the coarse pretzel salt on top, I didn't miss it when paired with a well-seasoned burger. 

As for the texture, the buns are super soft but have that signature chew you expect in a soft pretzel. They toasted beautifully on the grill and provided the perfect bun-to-burger ratio. Not too bready, but not too skimpy either. 

They have a pleasant, malty flavor that is nice when paired with a rich beef burger and sharp, zippy Dijon mustard. 

I have big plans for these over the summer. The texture and weight of the buns make them the perfect vessel for pulled pork sandwiches. I also can't wait to try the pretzel buns with grilled salmon sandwiches. The toasty flavor of the pretzel will taste great with the fatty salmon and a zesty mustard-based slaw. 

My only complaint? The buns are so good my kids have been requesting them for school lunch, so I have to buy several packages to keep us well-stocked! Here's to hoping they extend their run. The end of summer is hard enough!

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