If you’re looking for a sweet and savory snack that’s ready for the trails...or the couch, as the case may be, Trader Joe’s Simply the Best Trek Mix might catch your eye. Priced at $6.49 for a one pound resealable bag, this nut and dried fruit blend promises a premium snacking experience with almonds, cashews, dried pineapple, tart cherries, and cranberries. It's been on TJ's shelves for at least nine years, and possibly longer, though I cannot confirm it was around prior to 2017...if you remember it earlier than that, drop us a comment below.
Let’s start with the standout: the dried pineapple. In our bag, it was absolutely plenteous, and the chunks were enormous. If you’re a pineapple fan, you’ll be thrilled. The pieces are sweet and bold, adding a tropical punch that dominates the mix in a good way. It almost feels like a pineapple-forward snack with nuts as the supporting cast.
Speaking of nuts, the almonds and cashews are high quality and fresh. The almonds bring a satisfying crunch, while the cashews add a buttery richness that balances the sweetness of the fruit. There were no stale or shriveled nuts in our bag—always a win when it comes to packaged trail mix.
That said, the fruit-to-nut ratio wasn’t perfect. While the pineapple was generous, there simply weren’t enough dried cherries or cranberries to create the tart contrast we were hoping for. Those ruby red bites add brightness and complexity, and we found ourselves digging through the bag looking for more.
Another small drawback: the mix contains canola oil. While it’s common in packaged snacks, we can’t help but wish Trader Joe’s had opted for a different oil, such as EVOO or avocado, to elevate the ingredient list just a bit more.
Overall, Trader Joe’s Simply the Best Trek Mix is a flavorful, satisfying snack with excellent nuts and abundant pineapple, but a slightly unbalanced fruit distribution. The beautiful wifey gives it eight out of ten stars, appreciating the sweetness and quality ingredients. I give it seven out of ten stars, docking a point for the shortage of cherries.
Still, for $6.49, it’s a solid grab for your next hike...or Tubi binge.
Trader Joe’s hit the mark with this Parmesan, Garlic & Herb Butter. It’s basically a four ounce roll of salted butter laced with the aforementioned titular flavors along with lemon juice, shallot, vinegar, pepper, and parsley so you get layers of flavor immediately: sharp cheese, bright citrus, savory garlic, and just enough cracked black pepper to keep it interesting. The parmesan really sings. It isn’t shy about its presence, giving the whole thing an umami punch you don’t always get from a flavored butter.
Spread on a warm baguette and broil for a couple minutes, it becomes effortless garlic bread—crisp on the edges, rich and gooey inside. I’ve also slathered it on morning toast when I forgot to buy jam, and truthfully, the tang of parm + herb was better than I expected. Other times, I’ve dropped a pat onto roasted potatoes or mixed it with wilted spinach and hot pasta for the kind of dinner that feels indulgent without any extra fuss. Folks online are doing everything from melting it over steak to dotting it on popcorn for a savory snack.
If there’s a downside, it’s that the pepper can be a little assertive if you’re just nibbling straight from the stick on a cracker. But overall, it’s one of those small extras that makes weeknight food feel a touch gourmet. Butter it on grilled cheese, finish grilled or roasted veggies, or stir it into rice or scrambled eggs to jazz up something plain. Quick, tasty, and incredibly versatile, this is one we'll pick up again.$2.99 for the eight serving stick, found in the refrigerated section. Eight out of ten stars from both Sonia and me for Trader Joe's Parmesan, Garlic & Herb Butter.
