What are the best convenience foods at Trader Joe's?
I've been noticing that some of you have been mentioning some delicious-sounding convenience foods from Trader Joe's (I know I saw "TJ" and "birria tacos" in a comment!)
I am not super familiar with the offerings at Trader Joe's because I'm more of an Aldi shopper.
But since I do find myself sometimes needing a very quick meal (like after work shifts), I'm wondering if I should explore some of their convenience options.
I have bought their orange chicken and their fried rice, but that's about it.
Sooo, enlighten me! What do they offer that makes a speedy and reasonably nutritious dinner?
(And of course, it would be good if it's cheaper than takeout, but that's almost a given because most grocery store food is cheaper than takeout!)
P.S. You can give me any suggestions you want, but I'm really looking for main dish options. I already know that TJ's has delicious snacks and such, so I need dinner ideas!
A friend made a creamy sweet potato, butternut squash soup I enjoyerd made from their Autumn Harvest Hash that I obsessed over. Yes, I did buy it over and over and inbetween tried to make my own until I got the combo right (it was the sage.)
But for the real purchases we like the Bao buns...any of them. The stuffed gnocchi is very good and spanish rice with Beef Birria. These are good tasting and quick during times of my life where cooking is not the focus but we want something a little special.
They have a terrific array of jarred sauces. I use them as simmering sauces - dump sauce in small pot, add meat (chix usually best), simmer on low till done) - for easy protein.
Another reason TJs is good for the frugalista is that they really mean it when they say love it or return it. When, as a serious weightlifter, I needed protein bars, I bought one of literally each kind, then returned the 90% I didn't like. It was easy and friendly and we had a nice chat about lifting.
Can you recommend any brands? I also do weight lifting!
I enjoy the unexpected cheddar chicken sausage (very flavorful for a chicken sausage), French onion soup (way easier than making from scratch!), lasagna (again - easier than making yourself), and cracked wheat sourdough bread (I get this every time I go! Sometimes two!)
I like their kimbap from the freezer section and the goat cheese and caramelized onion ravioli from the fresh food section. I've only tried a few of their ready made items but they are convenient.
Their balela chickpea salad is delicious AND simple to do a knock-off version. Canned dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), canned roasted eggplant, and frozen naan are all the prepared foods of theirs that we do because of my husband's low sodium diet. We buy almost all of our produce, fruit, canned beans* (organic have less sodium, which is worth the 25 cent difference to us) and dry ingredients at Trader Joe's because our location is well-run and has amazing staff.
*I am not a beans from scratch person. When I want to make balela, I want to make it NOW. 😛
I haven't tried that many of the TJ's quick main dish options (except for the orange chicken, which I didn't much care for). But as I believe I've commented in the past, I'm a major fan of the frozen spanakopita (the type in little triangle shapes, not the big round one). It's almost as good as what DH's sister (who married into a Greek family) used to make. I know spanakopita is usually considered an appetizer, but I generally treat it as a main dish. Good for days when I just don't feel like cooking.
I really like their potstickers/gyoza. I have been making a skillet potsticker meal with a little ground beef, whatever veggie I have on hand, a dab of tomato paste, and some teriyaki. Their pizzas are pretty good, as are the chile lime chicken burgers. In the pasta section there are a couple of gnocci or pre-sauced pastas that are time saver bases for adding a protein and getting a quick meal made. Side note: this week I am checking out the current food offerings at IKEA for something new to fix.
Trader Joe’s frozen Indian food is remarkably good and I keep several options in our freezer! My personal favorite is the paneer tikka masala. I think their chicken tikka masala is also good but the butter chicken with basmati rice is a slight favorite in my opinion. My husband really likes the fiery chicken curry!
Not frozen but they also have bags of well seasoned legume stews (like dal or channa masala) that reheat nicely in the microwave. I take these for lunch when I can pair with leftover brown rice.
Good luck!