Recommendation Food & Drinks · Local

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.

Julie Sorkin
2 months ago

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. 

Shrimp Boom Bah
Brand: Trader Joe's
Chicken Karaage
Brand: Trader Joe's
Crispy Battered Calamari
Brand: Trader Joe's
Mushroom and Black Truffle Flatbread
Brand: Trader Joe's
Dawn Holland
2 months ago

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. 

Garlicky Pasta
Brand: Trader Joe's
CocoBella
2 months ago

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. 

Kimbap
Brand: Trader Joe's
Jumeokbap
Brand: Trader Joe's
dshannon00
1 month ago

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a fan-favorite frozen meal, loved for its crispy texture and deliciously tangy-sweet orange sauce. The meal kit includes bite-sized chicken pieces that can be quickly cooked in an oven or air fryer to achieve a crisp, golden exterior. Once the chicken is hot, it's tossed in the provided orange sauce, which combines bright citrus flavor with a hint of savory soy and mild spice.

I love how versatile it is as it goes well with noodles or rice. My go to recipe is cooking it with some veggies like onions or bell peppers and serving it with rice.

It’s affordable, easy to prepare, and delivers a restaurant-style meal at home, making it a staple for Trader Joe’s shoppers.

Mandarin Orange Chicken
Brand: Trader Joe's