Tasty Frozen Foods from Trader Joe's You Can't Pass On
For Whom/What:
lazy cook who wants quick and satisfying meals
Requirements:
only available at Trader Joe's
easy to make
staples
no vegan
Extra Details:
What are some of your go-to frozen foods from Trader Joe's? I'm planning a big haul as the nearest TJ is a 2-hour drive, so any suggestions are welcome. No vegan-friendly options, please.
I've got two - Pajeon and Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean pancakes.
Trader Joe's Pajeon, or Korean Scallion Pancake, is a tasty and convenient take on the classic dish. It's loaded with scallions and a mix of vegetables like carrots, giving it a nice, fresh flavor with a hint of sweetness and umami. The pancake has a chewy interior with a slightly crispy edge when pan-fried, which brings out its texture and adds to the overall experience. It's great as a snack or side dish, especially when paired with a soy-based dipping sauce. If you're craving Korean flavors and want something quick, it's a solid option that captures the essence of traditional pajeon.
Trader Joe's Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes, inspired by the popular Korean street food hotteok, are another delightful treat.
They’re crispy on the outside when pan-fried, with a soft, chewy dough and a warm, gooey center filled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of nuttiness. The filling is sweet and aromatic, almost like a cinnamon roll but with a uniquely chewy texture that feels more substantial. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, they’re especially tasty on a chilly day or paired with coffee or tea.
Trader Joe's does great rice-based frozen food menus, and I've been buying a lot of Kimbap and Jumeokbap lately.
This is from CupofTJ's Youtube channel, and she was taste-testing some of Trader Joe's frozen foods. She raved about Jumeokbap, and I totally agree how the rice has the perfect blend of seasoning. They're individually packaged, and they easily make a quick meal or a side dish.
CupofTJ gave a mediocre rating on the Kimbap, and I can see why. The Kimbap itself has too much rice and could use more meaty fillings. I, too, didn't get the hype at first. But it actually pairs well if you have any other main meat dish like bulgogi. And as frozen kimbaps go, it's well above average.
Now the calamari and karaage are not uniquely Trader Joe's, but they are much better than other brands, in my opinion. I air fry them, and they have the perfect amount of batter - crispy and crunchy.
And you can't go wrong with the mushroom and black truffle flatbread. It tastes good itself, but it tastes infinitely better if you add extra mozzarella, freshly grated.
This is a hidden gem from Trader Joe's. It's garlicky, soy sauce-based sauce has an Asian twist, giving the dish more umami flavor. The only downside is that it doesn't contain any protein, so I suggest adding your own. It pairs well with pork (bacon or pork belly slices taste heavenly) or chicken. Not so much with beef, for some reason. It'll also go well with various seafood, like shrimp or littleneck clams.
Tasty Frozen Foods from Trader Joe's You Can't Pass On
lazy cook who wants quick and satisfying meals
only available at Trader Joe's
easy to make
staples
no vegan
What are some of your go-to frozen foods from Trader Joe's? I'm planning a big haul as the nearest TJ is a 2-hour drive, so any suggestions are welcome. No vegan-friendly options, please.
I've got two - Pajeon and Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean pancakes.
Trader Joe's Pajeon, or Korean Scallion Pancake, is a tasty and convenient take on the classic dish. It's loaded with scallions and a mix of vegetables like carrots, giving it a nice, fresh flavor with a hint of sweetness and umami. The pancake has a chewy interior with a slightly crispy edge when pan-fried, which brings out its texture and adds to the overall experience. It's great as a snack or side dish, especially when paired with a soy-based dipping sauce. If you're craving Korean flavors and want something quick, it's a solid option that captures the essence of traditional pajeon.
Trader Joe's Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes, inspired by the popular Korean street food hotteok, are another delightful treat.
They’re crispy on the outside when pan-fried, with a soft, chewy dough and a warm, gooey center filled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of nuttiness. The filling is sweet and aromatic, almost like a cinnamon roll but with a uniquely chewy texture that feels more substantial. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, they’re especially tasty on a chilly day or paired with coffee or tea.
Trader Joe's does great rice-based frozen food menus, and I've been buying a lot of Kimbap and Jumeokbap lately.
This is from CupofTJ's Youtube channel, and she was taste-testing some of Trader Joe's frozen foods. She raved about Jumeokbap, and I totally agree how the rice has the perfect blend of seasoning. They're individually packaged, and they easily make a quick meal or a side dish.
CupofTJ gave a mediocre rating on the Kimbap, and I can see why. The Kimbap itself has too much rice and could use more meaty fillings. I, too, didn't get the hype at first. But it actually pairs well if you have any other main meat dish like bulgogi. And as frozen kimbaps go, it's well above average.
These are my current TJ obsessions.
Now the calamari and karaage are not uniquely Trader Joe's, but they are much better than other brands, in my opinion. I air fry them, and they have the perfect amount of batter - crispy and crunchy.
And you can't go wrong with the mushroom and black truffle flatbread. It tastes good itself, but it tastes infinitely better if you add extra mozzarella, freshly grated.
This is a hidden gem from Trader Joe's. It's garlicky, soy sauce-based sauce has an Asian twist, giving the dish more umami flavor. The only downside is that it doesn't contain any protein, so I suggest adding your own. It pairs well with pork (bacon or pork belly slices taste heavenly) or chicken. Not so much with beef, for some reason. It'll also go well with various seafood, like shrimp or littleneck clams.