Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is quite possibly the best cauliflower “substitute” product to date.
The cons: This is not organic or labeled as being gluten-free. Once people try this, I predict it will be a while before I see this on shelves again.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Asian Vegetables with Beijing Style Soy Sauce is a solid blend of Asian veggies with a thick and flavorful sauce.
The cons: Nothing stands out.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Grilled Cauliflower is one of a number of cauliflower options available in the freezer aisle. This is also priced the same as Trader Joe’s Rainbow Cauliflower.
The cons: While priced the same as Trader Joe’s Rainbow Cauliflower, this is not organic. This also wasn’t as good either.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mushroom Medley are quick and easy mushrooms that can used in place in of freshly sautéed mushrooms.
The cons: Not as low-calorie as some other frozen vegetable options, but not terrible either. They are simple in flavor as they only contain mushrooms, olive oil, salt, parsley, and garlic.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Rainbow Cauliflower is new and adds to a growing list of cauliflower products. This is a solid choice if you are looking for a side.
The cons: While cauliflower may help you feel full, there doesn’t seem to be much fiber in this stuff.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Vegetables is a nice sized and easy to prepare stir fry mix.
The cons: The balance of the veggies could have been better. Mine seemed to be mostly pea pods.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Melange is a pleasant blend of veggies that can be made quickly without needing to add much of anything.
The cons: If you don’t like the seasoned butter sauce it has been part of the coating of the veggies. Bag cannot is not resealable.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Roasted Potatoes with Peppers and Onions is a well done all in one bag of potatoes, onions, and peppers.
The cons: This is primary roasted potatoes rather than onions or peppers. If you are hoping for crisp veggies, then make sure to make this in a pan instead of the microwave. The bag cannot be resealed.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Roasted Rainbow Potatoes make for a beautiful presentation for those who don’t have the time to do the prep work.
The cons: This is a seasonal item. Does not come in a resealable bag.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Hasselback Potatoes are a good potato that is prepped for you and ready to go. The taste and texture was better in the oven than in the microwave.
The cons: These are truly overpriced potatoes. There was nothing notable or that made these standout in anyway.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes taste pretty darn close to homemade mashed sweet potatoes and were perfect from the microwave.
The cons: This is a seasonal item, so if you enjoy it then you’ll want to pick up a few. I wished they had packaged this in a resealable bag.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower Stuffing is a healthier spin on stuffing that is perfect for vegans and the people who really watch what they eat.
The cons: For some this might not take the place of actual stuffing. This bag can not be resealed and this item is seasonal.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Ribbons are found in the refrigerated section and are another substitute for pasta.
The cons: With a little bit of prep, you could probably make these yourself.
The verdict:
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The pros: Trader Joe’s Mashed Cauliflower is for the people who need cauliflower everything. If you are looking to cut calories, this is a starting point but maybe not the best avenue.
The cons: From the microwave it seems more like soup and less like a mash. The bag this comes in should be resealable. Have a bag clip ready if you are not going to make the whole thing.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower is tasty and can be reheated so as long as you don’t put the sauce on it.
The cons: There were 13 pieces of cauliflower in my bag which means a serving size is about 2 pieces. Those two pieces were 150 calories. Compare that to a bag of Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower and this can be a diet buster.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn is a flavor explosion. I thought it was fantastic on its own and could be used to compliment a number of dishes.
The cons: If you have food allergies, then some of the allergy information was a bit unexpected.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Carrot Spirals are the newest addition to the frozen veggies section. While it contains only simple ingredients, the end result was very good.
The cons: On the other hand, this took longer to cook from frozen than the package stated. Also, a few spirals were very, very long. Be careful about overcooking these. You do want al dente.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Eggplant Cutlets are affordable and super convenient, not to mention tasty and pretty darn close to tasting homemade.
The cons: I was wishing for it to be a tad crispier, but I guess you give some of that up when you buy frozen.
The verdict: …
The pros: A new addition to the freezer section. Trader Joe’s Cauliflower and Broccoli Vegetable Patties are quick and easy that taste fresh and require minimal work. While they won’t work out as a burger, they will make a nutritious side dish.
The cons: You’ll need to add something here to make it more flavorful. This is a blank canvas. I found the addition of a bit of salt to be essential. No microwave allowed on this one.
The verdict: …
The pros: Recent addition to the freezer aisle. Trader Joe’s Carrot and Pea Vegetable Patties looks like the picture on the package. Good source of vitamins, good ingredients. Healthy. If you need a break from frozen veggies this might give you a break.
The cons: Trader Joe’s Carrot and Pea Vegetable Patties has good potential but taste was bland but is improved with salt when it’s done cooking or by hot sauce.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Zucchini Fries are tasty, lightly battered pieces of zucchini that when cooked were nice and crispy. Vegan if that is important to you.
The cons: Salt level will need some adjustment to taste, slices of zucchini were very uneven which leads to uneven cooking where some fries were super crisp (almost burnt) in 25 minutes. Others were mushy. Bag is not resealable.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Superfood Pilaf is a bag of colorful and healthy superfood. A whole lot of vitamin A in one serving. Lots of superfoods in one bag. Ready in about 10 minutes on the stove or even less in the microwave.
The cons: Came out as one giant block which made it difficult to prepare. Was very plain tasting.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Corn Pudding is a tasty custardy corn dish loaded with cheese. I’m not sure why 1 cup was the serving size which will fill you up.
The cons: A whopping 60% of your saturated fat is coming in one serving.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Portobello Fries are a phenomenal alternative to potato fries. Imagine tempura fried steak. Instead of steak put in the meatiness of portobello mushrooms with the right balance of subtle seasoning.
The cons: Some of the largest pieces were not as crispy as I would have liked. No microwaving allowed on this one. Because the mushrooms were all different sizes cooking times will vary. Some will be ready before others.
The verdict: …
