Trader Joe's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

I'm not gluten-free. But when it comes to food reviewing that may or may not be a good thing. I can eat everything. Which means I can compare it to a product that it is mimicking.

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese review

Testing this out

Now, back when I tried Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Egg Fettuccine I was blown away by how close it was to its gluten-carrying sibling. They absolutely nailed it.

Mac and cheese however it a bit more difficult to nail.

If you are making mac and cheese from scratch gluten will show up in two different ways: the pasta and the roux.

So, TJ's had to figure out a way to avoid both of these.

The biggest flaw here is the pasta. It's close, but not nearly the same level as the gluten-free fettuccine. But those are in different aisles: frozen vs refrigerated.

The pasta seemed a bit mushy for my liking and texturally different. I'm also willing to blame the fact that I used my microwave on this too.

And once again, I'm not sure if it was the microwave but the sauce did not seem quite as thick as I would have liked on a mac and cheese. Mine seemed a bit more watery than some other varieties that I've had.

Not inedible, just different.

As far as the cheese blend goes, it is on par with the other full-fat varieties sold at Traders. Plus, the calorie count will remind you that this is just as caloric as almost everything else in that section (with the exception of the Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese).

Was it my favorite? No. Does it have to be? No.

This product fills a noticeable gap for many people. And for that, I applaud Trader Joe's for putting this item out there.

So my decision here is split.

If you are gluten free-This is a no-brainer. Try it. Enjoy it!

If you aren't gluten-free- it's ok to skip. You might miss the texture here.

Overall

For $3.49 it's priced in line with the other frozen mac and cheese options.

Would I buy this again? Personally, I would not buy Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese again. But that is because I can eat anything I want. It didn't nail the texture. But if I was sensitive to gluten, then yes, this is a good option. Not perfect, but a good option.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese nutritional information — Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese are about the same as other mac and cheese varieties. Not the reduced guilt though.

Ingredients

Directions

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese how to prepare

Fully cooked and out of the microwave:

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese fully cooked

A closer look at this product:

Would I buy this again? For me personally, I would not buy Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese again. But that is because I can eat anything I want. It didn't nail the texture. But if I was sensitive to gluten, then yes, this is a good option. Not perfect, but a good option.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

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Trader Joe's Cheese Party Tray

The cheese aisle has been a hit-or-miss fest for me. There have been some cheeses I've loved. Some were just failures that I wish to never have near my palate again.

Taste

But there is one standout problem with Trader Joe's cheeses. If it is sliced cheese, it doesn't seem to have a long shelf life. There have been some cheeses that I have brought home tightly wrapped, but within a matter of days, mold would appear. Now, mold is sometimes welcome on cheese, but not the ones I brought home.

But this seems to have a pretty long shelf life. The date on my package left more than enough time to open and enjoy even if we did not dig into it right away.

And enjoy we have because I've bought this four different times now.

First off there is the price. It's $5.49 for a full pound of pre-sliced cheese. Most cheeses sell for double that per pound.

All the slices are decently thick sliced. It's about standard size for a cracker cut, but these are a bit longer than a typical cracker.

Within the package is a pleasant mild cheddar. Nothing standout, but nothing that I didn't mind eating either. My husband liked the cheddar the best out of the four.

My favorites were the Colby Jack and the Swiss. The Swiss cheese did not have many holes, but I wasn't too upset by that. More cheese and less air right? The Colby Jack is very similar to what is on shelves, but unlike the slices here, this actually has a decent shelf life. Two slices were actually satisfying.

But it's still cheese and hard to put down.

The pepper jack was good, creamy with a nice kick to it. But pepper jack is rarely a hit in our household. We will eat it, but we seem to save it for last.

Overall

Trust me, nothing wrong with this cheese. Trader Joe's did well on picking out four good kinds of cheese.

It's good for a party or just plain old snacking.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Cheese Party Tray again. I've bought four of these since I found them. It was a good value too.

Product photos

The package of Trader Joe's Cheese Party Tray:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Cheese Party Tray nutritional information

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Cheese Party Tray ingredients

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

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Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub Review: Berry Good Exfoliation

Trader Joe's quietly released this Blueberry and Açaí Facial Scrub years ago, and even though it is now discontinued, it remains one of the most memorable skincare items the store has ever carried. It came in a beautiful heavy glass jar, smelled like a berry smoothie straight out of a blender, and offered a surprising level of exfoliation for the price

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub

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Review

This scrub was one of the rare Trader Joe's skincare items that felt far more expensive than its price tag. The first thing you noticed was the scent. It smelled like a fresh berry smoothie with no synthetic or sugary perfume notes. Just blueberry and açaí goodness. It was the type of scent that made the "for external use only" warning suddenly feel very necessary.

The packaging was another standout. This came in a thick glass jar that felt more like something you would buy at Sephora than a grocery store. It had a surprising weight to it which made the experience feel elevated, although I always felt a touch cautious using a glass jar in the shower.

Texture wise, this scrub struck the right balance between effective exfoliation and a gentle feel on the skin. You could definitely feel the grit, but never in a harsh or scratchy way. It exfoliated well without crossing into sandpaper territory. The formula included alpha hydroxy acids, which explained the mild tingle I felt after applying it. This was normal for chemical exfoliants and helped with brightness and texture.

Despite the gritty exfoliation and the AHA component, it did not strip my skin. It did not moisturize the way a sugar scrub does, but it left my face soft, refreshed, and ready for the rest of my skincare routine. After a week, it never caused breakouts or irritation for me.

At $5.99, this scrub was an absolute steal and truly one of those Trader Joe's beauty products that punched way above its weight class. It is no wonder that people still ask about it even though it has been discontinued for years.

If you can't find this at your local Trader Joe's then this can also be found through third-party sellers on Amazon.

Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub ingredients

Key Ingredients Overview

Trader Joe's never released a full INCI list publicly, but based on product texture and behavior, here are the standout elements the scrub was known for:

Blueberry and Açaí Extracts
Added fragrance, antioxidants, and that natural fruit smoothie scent.

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
Created a gentle tingle and boosted exfoliation. Helped skin look brighter and smoother.

Fine Exfoliating Particles
Strong enough to polish, gentle enough to avoid irritation.

Oatmeal and Shea Butter
Helped soften and balance the exfoliating effects.

Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub description

How to Use It

Even though this is discontinued, these tips apply for similar berry or AHA based scrubs:

• Use one to three times per week
• Apply to damp skin to prevent irritation
• Massage gently in circular motions
• Let sit for up to one minute if you want extra exfoliation
• Rinse thoroughly and moisturize afterward

Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub

Other Trader Joe's Skincare Reviews

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen
Essential because AHA use requires sunscreen messaging.

Trader Joe's Marula Oil Cream Cleanser
Similar gentle exfoliation energy and a great comparison for daily vs. weekly cleansing.

Trader Joe's Ultra Rich Body Butter
Readers searching skincare often click into moisturizing products next. Also check out the matching bodywash.

Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
Perfect follow up since this pairs well after exfoliation.

Trader Joe's Microdermabrasion Scrub
Great for readers who want a comparison between a mild AHA scrub and a more intense one.

Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub out of its packaging.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Blueberry and Açaí Facial Scrub was one of those rare beauty products that felt like a true hidden gem. It smelled incredible, exfoliated beautifully, and came in heavy glass packaging that made the experience feel extra luxurious. It was affordable, effective, and memorable, which explains why so many people still ask about it today. If Trader Joe's ever brings this one back, it deserves a spot in your cart without hesitation. But if you are looking for some great picks in beauty then check out my post of Trader Joe's Best of Beauty.

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Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels

When I think or Octoberfest or going to a sporting event I think of pretzels. The nicely done crisp on the outside yet soft and delicious in the center.

But if you are at the big game, they can be quite pricey. And if they have been sitting out for too long then they sometimes aren't up to par.

If you have found yourself saying any of these things then Trader Joe's has got a product worth of not only buying, trying, but of a repeat purchase.

The packaging

The packaging is pretty basic here. It is nothing more than a plastic bag. Inside the plastic bag is another plastic bag that contains a salt packet.

So if you wanted to enjoy this salt-free you can. Also, if you love salt I've found the contents of these bags to be more than sufficient to cover 4 pretzels and have salt leftover.

If you happen to not need all four at the same time you are going to probably find an alternate package as this cannot be resealed.

Taste

This has the taste you would expect from a German pretzel. It comes out mildly crisp on the outside.

This also is tender and doughy in the middle. For a frozen item this is near perfection in terms of taste.

Each one makes for a nice sized appetizer, however it is easy to eat more than one.

The biggest difference between this and a true Octoberfest pretzel is size. This is more single size than some of the ones I've had in the past.

Pairing suggestions

Here are some pairing suggestions to have with your pretzels (if you have more leave them in the comments):

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Trader Joe's sell soft pretzels?

Yes, Trader Joe's sells soft pretzels. The first variety can sometimes be found with the fresh bread. The other variety Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels are found in the frozen aisle.

Are Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels vegan?

While this isn't labeled vegan the ingredients do not seem to contain any animal based ingredients. However, the allergy information indicates it may have traces of milk.

Can you defrost these ahead of time?

Yes, I've defrosted these without issue. By defrosting them you can reduce the amount of cooking time.

What's the best way to get the salt to stick?

Add enough water to make the tops a bit tacky. Place the salt on a wide plate and press the pretzel tacky side towards the salt.

Overall

For $2.49 for four these are reasonably priced, made in Germany, and are a good pretzel. So while they are a similar product to what has been offered in the past, it is still a good product.

A visual rundown of the product

The bag of Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels nutritional information

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels ingredient list — Yes, the allergy info mentions dairy.

How to prepare:

Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels cooking instructions

How Trader Joe's describes this:

Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels description

How I enjoyed mine:

Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels fully cooked — I don't like a ton of salt on my pretzels, but there is a decent-sized packet of salt included. And yes, Pub Cheese is excellent with this. Any variety will do.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels again.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

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Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup

If you are looking for a cheap meal then ramen is probably on your list of things to pick up.

Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup review

Tasting and review

Until recently, I did all of my ramen shopping at my local H-Mart. If you don't have an H-Mart by you then it's an Asian grocery store.

My husband is the ramen soup fan between the two of us. Often times he would ask for ramen and throw in the fact that he prefers spicy ramen.

So in H-Mart, there are lots of ramen options. Most of which you have to take an educated guess as to what is actually in each package as most of the ones I reach for don't have much English on them.

So, I found this one package of spicy chicken ramen. Awesome I thought. It was clear that it was chicken. It was clear that it was spicy. I felt like it was mission accomplished.

I nearly killed my husband. Or at least burned his insides out. Ok, not literally, but I'm pretty sure it felt that way.

We both found out after the fact that there is some sort of YouTube challenge devoted to this spicy chicken ramen. Without knowing this I used the whole spice packet and fed it to him.

He was so hungry that day that he consumed it without thinking much of it. But then there is that notorious heat delay. And then my husband sat there with his mouth wide open in hopes of cooling off his now blazing palate.

We still laugh about it to this day.

I don't use the whole spice packet either. A drop or two is all.

But this ramen that Trader Joe's sells, is not spicy in any way. This is pretty much the same format as the Miso but with chicken.

In about 7 minutes, you have noodles in a cup. The broth is decent tasting for something that started off as a powder. Garlic, onion, and green onion round out the flavors here.

The noodles grow into a healthy quantity that is similar in size to angel hair pasta.

Overall

There are only 180 calories in this little bowl, so you could easily bulk up this meal with other protein add-ons. It was nice that it had its own cup so you can grab and go.

For $1.29 it isn't as cheap as the small package of 4/$1 ramen, but those don't come with their own bowl. Overall, if you need a quick meal and soup tastes good to you, then this is a good one to reach for.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup again.

Product photos

The container of Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup nutritional information

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup ingredients

Directions

Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup how to prepare

After being cooked you get:

Trader Joe's Chicken Ramen Soup fully cooked

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.