Trader Joe's Customers Are Calling This Fall Staple One Of Its Best Seasonal Items Of The Year

The annual return of Trader Joe's best seasonal products is like celebrities at a red carpet appearance, instantly turning the heads of eager shoppers. The moment they appear on shelves, dedicated foodie influencers take pictures to post. Their followers cheer, rush to Trader Joe's to fill their carts, and then chat about all the new pumpkin-flavored goods on the internet, which is not hard to do when seasonal items are as delectable as the pumpkin butter.

Trader Joe's pumpkin butter swirls pumpkin puree with sugar, spices — including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove — and honey to make a rich, smooth spread. Despite its name, pumpkin butter is dairy-free: The store itself likens it to dairy-free pumpkin pie filling. As a seasonal item, the 10-ounce jars are only available during the fall, costing $2.99. And, according to the reviews, it's worth stocking up on a few jars to enjoy throughout the season — and after. 

On Instagram, a fan called the pumpkin butter "my all-time number one favorite thing that Trader Joe's sells," saying it's the "one thing you can't leave Trader Joe's without." A first-time reviewer, who tested it out with Trader Joe's new pumpkin sourdough bread, said, "That is really good. Delicious. If I toasted this? Perfect for breakfast." Longtime enjoyers agreed, as one noted, "The pumpkin butter is my favorite on homemade bread. I buy six."

Many foods — sweet and savory — go smashingly with pumpkin butter, according to fans. For breakfast, spread it on toast, bagels, or even pancakes. Add it to a bowl of oatmeal or mix it into your morning coffee. For lunch, mix the butter with cottage cheese or yogurt, or try it as a replacement for jelly in a PB&J, or substitute it for fig jam when eating cheese and crackers or making a charcuterie board. It even has potential at dinnertime too, with fans recommending it go on pork chops and chicken bakes, and Trader Joe's suggesting making a pasta sauce by combining pumpkin butter and cream in equal parts, then heating.

If you're in the mood for dessert, pumpkin butter apparently works as a great pumpkin-based ice cream topping for the fall or a jam replacement in thumbprint cookies. Plus, it pairs well with other seasonal Trader Joe's products. Use the butter as a dip for your Pumpkin Joe-Joe's, a spread for both the new pumpkin sourdough and the returning pumpkin brioche, or, if you turn it into a sauce, atop the store's pumpkin ravioli (also available gluten-free) or Organic Fall Leaf Shaped Italian Pasta. Of course, there is one other way to enjoy the pumpkin butter: just grab a spoon and tuck in.