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Trader Joe's Product Reviews

The average Trader Joe's store stocks 4,000+ products, most of which bear its name. But quality can vary, fortunately, that's why you have this site!

From Beef Bool Kogi to the Rich Hydrating Face Mask to their very popular Squid Ink Spaghetti find hundreds of reviews of Trader Joe's products and see which ones are worth your time and which ones you may want to consider leaving on the shelf!

Trader Joe’s Gnocchi al Gorgonzola

49 · Sep 23, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 1 Comment

I’ve reviewed other Trader Joe’s Gnocchi such as Trader Joe’s Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage (which for the record is my absolute favorite). So being unable to find my favorite flavor that I had purchased the week before, I picked up the Sorrentina and this one, Trader Joe’s Gnocchi alla Gorgonzola.

Gorgonzola is similar to blue cheese, just an Italian variation. So I was curious by this one. I found this to be completely confusing flavor, but my husband loved it. If you like a gnocchi alfredo with the subtle taste of bleu cheese this is likely for you. Blue cheese of any variety has the potential to overwhelm any dish, but that was not the case here. It was enough blue cheese to muddle the alfredo flavor.

So what do you get for $2.99?…

Trader Joe’s Beef Bolognese Ravioli

61 · Sep 23, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Odds are if you grew up in America with a time pressed parent or grandparent, you may have been served something very unique: Beef Ravioli from a can. While not terrible tasting as a kid, as an adult you may crave that beefy goodness but desire something more complex like a truly fresh pasta. If you are looking to elevate your Chef Boyardee cravings than look no further than Trader Joe’s Beef Bolognese Ravioli. For $3.49 you’ll get about a dozen ravioli so plan accordingly. You may find that you can easily polish off this box all by yourself and want leftovers for the next day.

Betty Twist: I can only imagine how amazing these would be fried. Just saying. And planning. And goal setting….

Trader Joe’s Steel Cut Oatmeal

13 · Sep 23, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Even breakfasts can be a lazy event for me. I want something filling and not something that will cost me an hour workout later in the day. If you enjoy oatmeal in the morning and enjoy the texture of a risotto you’ll probably like Trader Joe’s Frozen Steel Cut Oatmeal. For $1.69 you are paying for comfort of knowing oatmeal with texture (unlike instant oatmeal) is ready in under 4 minutes or less. There is no way to get steelcut oatmeal ready in that amount of time. It’s still less than what you might pay at your local McDonalds and for far less in the calorie count. Don’t let the picture on the package fool you either, you’ll have to add your own brown sugar and fruit if you so choose to….

Trader Joe’s Perline Pasta and Prosciutto

7 · Sep 22, 2016 · Updated April 7, 2019 · 4 Comments

Sometimes I actually buy items from Trader Joes that aren’t in the freezer section. Fresh pasta is absolutely awesome, but is messy and sometimes can be time consuming at home if it is stuffed with anything (think ravioli). Well, Trader Joe’s Perline Pasta and Prosciutto has had some staying power and food good reason, for $2.99 it is much cheaper than what you will find in the same section of a mass market grocery store….

Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad

6 · Sep 22, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Once again, it was Sunday night and I did not pack lunch. A quick run to Trader Joe’s (and about $100 later) meant that most of the freezer aisle had long since been cleared out. So I sought out the refrigerated section for something responsible for lunch. Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad is what I stumbled upon:…

Trader Joe’s Palak Paneer

51 · Sep 21, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 2 Comments

This is one frozen entree that is frequently unavailable is Trader Joe’s Palak Paneer. I wasn’t sure what to think of it just looking at the package. I’ve enjoyed their other Indian dishes such as the Trader Joe’s Vegan Tikka Masala, Trader Joe’s Lamb Vindaloo, Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken, Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala and my personal favorite the Trader Joe’s Paneer Tikka Masala Review. What I enjoyed most about the Paneer Masala was the Spinach flavored rice and the Paneer itself. This one is called Palak Paneer because Palak means Spinach. Can this dish be supplemented, yes, the back of the box give you recommendations to serve this with rice. Being that this is my lunch I’m having it without, but I’d highly recommend this with rice….

Trader Joe’s Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

19 · Sep 21, 2016 · Updated April 7, 2019 · Leave a Comment

It’s the season where everything is coming up pumpkin. If you go to Trader Joe’s they sneak pumpkin into just about everything so you end up trying just about everything. So in looking for ravioli the other day I came across this in the refrigerated aisle and figured I’d try it. Trader Joe’s Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli is definitely something worth looking at if you enjoy a good butternut squash ravioli….

Trader Joe’s Alfredo Sauce

62 · Sep 21, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 1 Comment

The pros: Trader Joe’s Alfredo Sauce is one of the better alfredo sauces on the market. For $3.29 it is a bit higher priced than other brands like Prego when on sale at the supermarket, but the premium is worth it.

The cons: Is it as good as homemade alfredo? Heck no. There is no comparison. It seems to always be on the bottom shelf out of sight. It deserves to be more visible.

The verdict: …

Trader Joe’s Asparagus Risotto

48 · Sep 20, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 2 Comments

As we head towards colder weather, is there anything more comforting than a steaming hot bowl of risotto? If the idea of slaving over a stove for at least 20-30 minutes doesn’t do it for you, Trader Joe’s Asparagus Risotto package will get it down to 5 minutes flat in a microwave. The taste was as close to homemade as I’ve ever had and is one of the best risottos I’ve had in the freezer section. My only regret is they only offer the Asparagus which some people might not find appealing. But it is definitely an item that should not be overlooked while in the freezer section at Trader Joes….

Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Wafers

2 · Sep 20, 2016 · Updated April 7, 2019 · Leave a Comment

Need a light snack? Now, don’t take the packages words to heart. Is it crisp? Yes. Cheesy? Yes. Little? Oh yes. Very little. Are they perfect with cheeses or charcuterie? I’m sure, but you’d have to have really tiny pieces to make it fit on Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Wafers….

Trader Joe’s Meatless Meatballs

3 · Sep 19, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 5 Comments

Trader Joe’s Meatless Meatballs. The ultimate oxymoron. I grabbed this bag on a whim after trying the Trader Joe’s Vegan Tikka Masala. I have to be honest, if some had given me the Tikka I would have never have known that meat was not a part of it. So I figured, why not give another Vegan dish a try. I don’t feel like I’m eating rabbit food on this one. So here is the breakdown of what you are getting:…

Trader Joe’s Fireworks Chocolate Bar

2 · Sep 18, 2016 · Updated April 7, 2019 · Leave a Comment

In the checkout line they place items to tempt the senses. Today was no different. I love chocolate. I like spicy. And it sounds like there could be a pop rocks type of experience here. Trader Joe’s Fireworks Chocolate Bar is the candy I will be reviewing today, all 2.8 ounces of it….

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Macarons

1 · Sep 18, 2016 · Updated April 7, 2019 · Leave a Comment

Yes, I know I reviewed other varieties of macarons from Trader Joes. I’ve even included a recipe to make your own macarons. I am very well aware that I’ve encouraged people to Deep Fat Fry your Macarons. This review is on Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Macarons a seasonal flavor that makes an appearance in the fall.

However, like Christmas in August, it’s September and everything is coming up Pumpkin. It’s still early and I haven’t had my fill of pumpkin just let, I figured I’d give these a go. They can easily be missed in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe’s as the box, if not looking closely looks a lot like not so seasonal Mango Macarons….

Trader Joe’s Vegan Tikka Masala

8 · Sep 18, 2016 · Updated November 10, 2019 · Leave a Comment

I’m not vegan and for the most part I’m very doubtful when it comes to trying anything labeled as such. I have the image of bunny food and tofu and the knowledge that I will walk away less than satisfied. But I was wrong with Trader Joe’s Vegan Tikka Masala.

This dish took me by surprise. The “meat” fooled me. If you had put this dish in front of me and not told me it was vegan I would have been none the wiser. The meat tasted like a perfectly shaped meatball. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything at all. This is a standout in the Indian section as is Trader Joe’s Paneer Tikka Masala and Trader Joe’s Fish Korma Curry….

Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage

163 · Sep 17, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 4 Comments

Another day, another excuse to not get my kitchen dirty. I love gnocchi. I know how to make it. It takes time which quite frankly I don’t have. There are a lot of high quality gnocchi products in the market. Many of which requires a pot of boiling water which in hot weather is unappealing to do. Enter Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage.

I’ll admit, I love all things sweet potato. Especially fries, but that will be another post. So let’s break down the product from Trader Joe’s. …

Trader Joe’s Lamb Vindaloo

8 · Sep 16, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

I’m not always the best about packing my lunch. It’s good to have certain meals available in the freezer at work. This is another selection from the Indian food in the Trader Joe’s Lamb Vindaloo. My full thoughts follow the pictures below….

Trader Joe’s Reviews

10 · Sep 16, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 4 Comments

Below is sectional list and an alphabetical list of all the Trader Joe’s Reviews on this site so far. It should be in order based on the name that appears on the packaging. If you don’t see it, use the search feature. Feel free to comment on product you’d like to see me do a review on and I’ll add it to my list of items to try! I’m not affiliated with Trader Joe’s. Some ladies are excited to bring home a brown bag from Bloomingdale’s. This Betty gets excited when the brown bag is from Trader Joe’s….

Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken

22 · Sep 15, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 6 Comments

So another box from the Trader Joe’s frozen Indian cuisine. I can honestly say I’ve never had Butter Chicken out. It also goes by another name murgh makhani, but that is no where on the package. What does Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken consist of? Plain Basmati rice and a spicy chicken curry. How spicy is this batch? As spicy as mild chicken wings in a bar, where there is heat but there is no pain….

Review of Trader Joe’s Macarons

103 · Sep 14, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

There are times company comes by expectedly or without any warning. Whatever the case is, there are handy items to keep in the freezer if you are just having a cup of tea and want something sweet. Be warned, if you are not familiar with macarons, they are light and somewhat sweet, they are not made with regular flour like most cookies, they are made with almond flour. So if you have a nut allergy, steer clear….

Trader Joe’s Seafood Paella

31 · Sep 14, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 2 Comments

Welcome to another edition of “I’ve had a long week and I need to pull something out of the freezer.” In one of my most recent trips to Trader Joe’s involved stocking up for what is turning out to be a crazy week. I love ordering Paella out, but there are 2 types of Paella. Real Paella and seafood with rice “paella.” The later is totally fake. Trader Joe’s Seafood Paella is pretty good for a freezer bag….

Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala

35 · Sep 13, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 1 Comment

If you are like me, Indian was not a familiar flavor in my household growing up. In fact, in an Irish-American household salt and pepper were exotic and frequently only placed on the table at holidays. They were frequently not passed around, nor were they used in my lifetime.

That same salt and pepper shaker were my grandparents, which means that that salt and pepper is likely half a century old if no longer. In other words, it probably wouldn’t taste like much. So Indian is definitely a foreign, but now much embraced flavor. So I ventured outside of my comfort zone and tried Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala. I’m glad I did….

Trader Joe’s Paneer Tikka Masala

13 · Sep 13, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

I’ve reviewed Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala in the freezer section. In actuality, Trader Joe’s Paneer Tikka Masala was the first Indian food I tried from their line of Indian cuisine in the freezer section. I looked at the picture, had no clue what Paneer was. I falsely assumed it was chicken somehow I was genuinely fooled. It could very easily pass as the most tender chicken you’ll ever eat (it’s cheese by the way, not chicken). Paneer for anyone who is unfamiliar with it, is like a cottage cheese that is pressed into cubes much like a ricotta salata….

Trader Joe’s Shrimp Tacos

7 · Sep 10, 2016 · Updated December 28, 2019 · 6 Comments

It’s completely possible that you have relied on a freezer meal at least once or twice in your life. I’ve eaten things like Lean Cuisines and SmartOnes in an effort to deal with both laziness, not packing a lunch regularly, not wanting to go out to lunch and not wanting to spend $10 on lunch. Yes, even a lazy dinner can be added to this list.

Now, Trader Joe’s Shrimp Tacos were awesome, but I will warn you, they are a bit misleading if you go by the picture alone….

Trader Joe’s Seasoned Rack of Lamb

18 · Aug 30, 2016 · Updated October 29, 2018 · 1 Comment

Dinner time. For what a fast food dinner at McDonalds or Chipotle will cost you, perhaps you should instead look in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe’s for something that is far tastier and perhaps even a bit cheaper. Even cheaper than buying individual meals for three people. Now granted, I haven’t included side dishes on this one, but let’s face it. It’s all about the protein. Trader Joe’s Seasoned Rack of Lamb is tasty and with some planning it makes for an elegant dinner….