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.
Trader Joe’s Steak & Stout Pies are a total comfort food win. The flaky, buttery crust is perfectly crisp, and the filling is packed with tender beef in a rich, savory stout gravy that tastes way more gourmet than you’d expect from a frozen meal. The stout adds a deep, slightly malty flavor that balances beautifully with the hearty beef, making every bite super satisfying. It’s basically a cozy pub meal in a pastry, and it bakes up golden and crispy without any fuss. Perfect for a chilly night when you want something warm and indulgent without the effort.
And the Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi is a legit chef’s kiss for an easy, indulgent meal. The gnocchi are pillowy soft with just the right amount of chew, and the creamy pecorino-romano cheese sauce has that perfect black pepper kick. It’s rich, but not too heavy, and comes together in minutes on the stovetop—ideal for when you want something fancy-ish without the effort. Pro tip: add a little extra cracked pepper and parmesan on top, or toss in some crispy pancetta for an upgrade. Definitely a must-try if you love classic cacio e pepe flavors!
Lastly, the Family Style Meat Lasagna is arguably one of the best-frozen lasagnas out there. It’s super hearty, with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and perfectly cooked pasta that doesn’t get mushy. The portion is generous enough to actually feed a family (or leave you with solid leftovers), and the flavor is legit homemade-level good. Pop it in the oven, and your kitchen smells amazing—like you actually put in effort.
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.
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.
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.
Trader Joe’s Steak & Stout Pies are a total comfort food win. The flaky, buttery crust is perfectly crisp, and the filling is packed with tender beef in a rich, savory stout gravy that tastes way more gourmet than you’d expect from a frozen meal. The stout adds a deep, slightly malty flavor that balances beautifully with the hearty beef, making every bite super satisfying. It’s basically a cozy pub meal in a pastry, and it bakes up golden and crispy without any fuss. Perfect for a chilly night when you want something warm and indulgent without the effort.
And the Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi is a legit chef’s kiss for an easy, indulgent meal. The gnocchi are pillowy soft with just the right amount of chew, and the creamy pecorino-romano cheese sauce has that perfect black pepper kick. It’s rich, but not too heavy, and comes together in minutes on the stovetop—ideal for when you want something fancy-ish without the effort. Pro tip: add a little extra cracked pepper and parmesan on top, or toss in some crispy pancetta for an upgrade. Definitely a must-try if you love classic cacio e pepe flavors!
Lastly, the Family Style Meat Lasagna is arguably one of the best-frozen lasagnas out there. It’s super hearty, with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and perfectly cooked pasta that doesn’t get mushy. The portion is generous enough to actually feed a family (or leave you with solid leftovers), and the flavor is legit homemade-level good. Pop it in the oven, and your kitchen smells amazing—like you actually put in effort.
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.
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.