Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
Some of Trader Joe's most popular items are in the frozen section. But quality can vary, fortunately, that's why you have this site!
From the Chicken Tikka Masala to the Sweet Potato Gnocchi to their very popular Cauliflower Gnocchi find hundreds of reviews of Trader Joe's frozen products and see which ones are worth your time and which ones you may want to consider leaving on the shelf!
For about a month, I’ve been putting together a list of the worst things I’ve had from Trader Joe’s. If this wasn’t seasonal, it would make the list. How bad was it? Well, the conversation in my household went something like this:
“How was lunch, honey?” my husband asked me.
“I’m making a new one,” I responded.
“Why?” he inquired.
“This was the biggest Trader No’s I’ve had in a while.” “Seriously?” “Seriously.”
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Cookie Butter had its year. I’m pretty sure 2018 was the year of Cauliflower. Are we seeing Jackfruit as the food item of the year for 2019? Perhaps, but time will tell. And it will all be based on how good the products coming out are. But for right now, there is now an additional frozen item that has jackfruit in it.
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My husband and I are suckers for having appetizers in the place of dinner. However, this box became just my dinner. I didn’t want to share these. Now, don’t judge me to harshly when I say, I like Chinese food better cold rather than fresh out of the takeout container. And there is a connection here.
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The dessert aisle this year is killing me. So I’m taking a much needed break from it. So far I haven’t seen a ton of new appetizers yet. Perhaps it is too early to say, but I thought they would be out by Thanksgiving. Shelves in my local store have already been packed with Bacon Wrapped Scallops and dates and we’ve even seen the return of the Lemon Ricotta Cheese and Fondue in the cheese aisle.
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Let me apologize in advance for all the goodies that are going to be posted on this blog over the next month. I like reviewing real food, but this time of year all the goodies are out. Including this fancy breakfast/dessert that is so fancy it didn’t feel like it needed the “e” in chocolat.
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If I were to admit to the food pairings that I like most, it would probably be chocolate and peppermint. If I stop at a Starbucks, there is a peppermint mocha frappuccino in my future. If I go to the movies, I reach for Junior Mints. There is something about the pairing of those flavors that make my taste buds very happy.
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With the holidays nearly upon us, there are so many new things hitting shelves. Some are clearly meant for the Winter holidays while others are just for the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m not sure which category this is meant for, but this is another option as a side dish if you normally go through the refrigerated aisle for your sides.
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Donuts. There is a food item that has such powerful food memories attached to them. Done right they can instantly make you smile. In fact, donuts instantly make me think of certain pop culture icons: Homer Simpson and Fred the Baker from the Dunkin Donuts commercials instantly come to mind. It’s those cultural icons to which we have to thank for phrases like “Mmmmm….Donuts” and “Time to make the donuts.”
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Every now and again, I get a chance to write a review that I’m truly excited to share. Not only is this product new, it is sadly labeled as seasonal. This is the time of year where Trader Joe’s tends to bring out its best products along with a new items I deem as Trader Nos.
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Like Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight, all things pumpkin seems to have disappeared. The shelf space is quickly being shifted into Thanksgiving and holiday items. In fact, I got to pick up some old favorites like Brandy Beans and Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons as stocking stuffers. With the next Fearless Flyer landing Monday, it isn’t a shock to see so many new items.
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Easy as pie. Or at least that is how the saying goes. But what about the gluten-free crowd? Making pie without flour can be a bit of a challenge. However, just in time for the holiday season is Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pie Crust in the freezer section. It’s already shaped and even has its own pie tin too. But how does it compare to a non gluten-free crust?
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Well, well, well. It seems like I’ve seen this packaging before. But Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Pizza Crust packaging is darn similar to another item. If you pick up Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Crust, then you might accidentally find yourself picking up this product instead. Fortunately, not only is the packaging similar, so are the end products.
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If one good thing is coming from the new products on the shelves, it seems like Trader Joe’s has gotten on board with spiralizing veggies. I don’t oppose this trend. I love my pasta as much as anyone else. I just don’t love how easy it is to consume so many calories in one sitting.
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As promised, I’ll alternate the sweet and the “actual food” reviews here. Yes, there is some real food that is hitting shelves. But don’t get too attached this item as it is seasonal. Or if you are into it, then this is your cue to stock up.
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The pros: Trader Joe’s Diner Mac and Cheese is as close as you can get to homemade mac and cheese in a frozen package.
The cons: If you bring this as your lunch you will be consuming over 700 calories.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cheese Blintzes are a pretty good blintz that is frozen and relatively easy to prepare.
The cons: These begged for a fruit topping like what is pictured on the box.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Beef Cabbage Rolls are going to be the least pretty thing I’ve photographed in a while. In fact, they reminded me of a certain overused brown emoji. If you don’t like red sauce, then Trader Joe’s skipped that here.
The cons: Directions are microwave only and I do wonder if this would have held up better using a different method. This might not be a good idea to bring to work (more on that in a moment).
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Mac and Cheese is new and the only gluten free pasta option currently in the freezer.
The cons: It still misses the mark compared to the non gluten free varieties.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Big Soft Pretzels are new to shelves and have the salt package already in the bag so you decide how much or how little is best for you.
The cons: Four pretzels in a bag, but the bag can’t be resealed.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Macaron Aux Framboises has three generous servings and delicious dessert from France.
The cons: The coconut was a surprise but not a deal breaker.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas are a new addition to the quesadilla options in the freezer section of Trader Joe’s.
The cons: The wrap is quite doughy and pretty thick for a quesadilla. The finished product isn’t quite as gracefully beautiful as the pictured quesadilla.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs make for a quick dinner from the freezer that keeps the calorie check in count.
The cons: Not the greatest turkey meatballs that I’ve had before.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties are a good alternative to meat sausage patties in the morning.
The cons: True meat lovers probably will still want to stick with the real thing.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Artichoke Hearts is one of several artichoke options available at Trader Joe’s. This is cheaper than the marinated and has fewer calories.
The cons: This is a staple in my house can be sold out often at my local store.
The verdict: …
