Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Taquitos are quick freezer food that are only 110 calories per taquito
The cons: These are pretty close to flavorless. You will need to get creative with a sauce or toppings in order for this to have flavor.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Habanero Lime Tortillas sound intimidating but they are flavorful and just hot enough.
The cons: True spice junkies will likely be disappointed in the heat level in this product. I did not find this product to be very hot. They only come in the larger size.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Burrito is the newest addition to the refrigerated aisle and an otherwise weak section at Trader Joe’s: the wraps.
The cons: I’m not sure why the decided to pretend like this burrito is two servings? Perhaps to make the calorie count appear less.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Carnitas with Salsa Verde Burrito is one of the more recent additions to an otherwise lackluster section of Trader Joe’s.
The cons: Calorie count. I’m not sure why one burrito is considered two servings. I’m pretty sure this meant as a meal for one.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Handmade White Tortillas are super tasty and very fresh tasting. These are imperfectly shaped which makes them seem a bit more homemade.
The cons: I wish these were available in more sizes and I wish I could find this on a more consistent basis.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde are pretty close to what you might expect in a Mexican Restaurant without having to go out or pay restaurant prices.
The cons: Calorie count is higher than expected. Each enchilada is one serving. Don’t get me wrong, they are filling and nicely sized. The taste might convince you that eating all of them is a good idea….
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cheese Enchiladas Rojo are pretty close to what you might expect in a Mexican Restaurant, if not possibly better.
The cons: While the directions don’t mention it, my enchiladas stuck to the bottom of the pan that I used (and no, the pan they come in can’t go in the oven). Some cooking spray or parchment could have dealt with that issue. Calorie count is higher than expected and it’s easy for one person to sit and eat all of these in one sitting.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Burrito Bowl is a healthy portion of food ready in about 5 minutes from freezer to microwave. It’s very filling and I couldn’t finish it all. Good source of fiber.
The cons: Flavor of Trader Joe’s Chicken Burrito Bowl. While the veggies came out well and had texture out of the microwave I was wishing for a packet of hot sauce or anything to brighten this up. Looks prettier than it tastes.
The verdict: …
The pros: Right off of the grill pan Trader Joe’s Oaxacan Inspired Chicken Thighs in Mole Sauce made very tender chicken. Even served cold on it was still very tender. Made in the USA.
The cons: The mole marinade was just ok and was difficult to visually tell if it was cooked through. A meat thermometer is recommended.
The verdict: …
The pros: Tasty, good flavor, very tender meat off of high heat. Be sure to cut Trader Joe’s Carne Asada across the grain for the most tender texture.
The cons: Cooking directions could be elaborated a bit and should be easier to see. There is a distinct acidic taste to the meat which not everyone will find pleasing. Also if you have someone in your household who does not like cilantro, this is not a good product to try.
The verdict: …
So you’ve made a New Years Resolution. Perhaps you realize summer will be here eventually. Perhaps for health or personal reasons you realize that it’s time to drop a few pounds. There are plenty of diet programs out there. One I’m most critical of is Jenny Craig. Not that it’s a bad program, but it’s expensive. It also goes against the philosophy of “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime.” You are never really taught how to cook. Plus their food is quite expensive and some can even be confused with pet food visually. Since adding time to a set 24 hour day isn’t going to happen, you may need to rely on certain things being already made for you. Maybe it will give you time back in your day or give you just a few more minutes at the gym. So I’ve pulled together of (most) of my reviews and complied a calorie count for each item if you plan on Dieting at Trader Joe’s….
The pros: Trader Joe’s Cheese Enchiladas are in the freezer section and is better than other major brands of enchiladas but..
The cons: Just average, nothing special, stick with your local Mexican restaurant for the real thing.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chile Relleno makes for a tasty meal. It’s located in the freezer section. It’s loaded with melted cheese once prepared. High in Vitamin C.
The cons: Still not as good as your local Mexican Restaurant, but probably as good as your are going to get in the freezer aisle. High in both sodium and saturated fat.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Beef Tacos are tasty mini beef tacos ready in under 10 minutes.
The cons: Looks absolutely nothing like what is pictured on the box of Trader Joe’s Mini Beef Tacos. I don’t even know how it is possible to add cheese, tomatoes or any other type of filling.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Jack Cheese Burrito is a really tasty, cheese is melty after 90 seconds in the microwave, quick meal on the go.
The cons: It’s 40% or more of your daily value of sodium, saturated fat and fiber (bad if you are not used to this much fiber)
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas cost $1.99, it can stay in your freezer for a long time without worry about shelf life, quick meal ready in about 5 minutes.
The cons: Chicken was completely tasteless, they lacked texture, bottom of enchiladas were definitely soggy. Enchilada sauce overpowers everything else in the dish.
The verdict: …
I love a good dessert item from Trader Joe’s. And they do have some really good desserts to choose from. So I figured I was safe picking Trader Joe’s Mini Cinnamon Sugar Churros up. It’s both dessert and it’s fried. Something Trader Joe’s has seemed to have mastered in the freezer aisle. While this was good. There is a similar snack that I actually enjoy more.
The Pros: Cinnamon flavor, nice thick churros.
The Cons: 240 calories per serving.
The Verdict: …
Mexican is not Taco Bell. Real Mexican food is an experience. It matches every texture together in some form of perfection. I adore Mexican food. I love a good enchilada. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Corn Enchilada was just alright. There are better ones.
The Pros: Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Corn Enchilada has a sauce that had a nice smokey flavor it it.
The Cons: I expected there to be more cheese with this. The texture and filling was just ok.
The Verdict: …
Too lazy to go out for Mexican food? Just want snack food but want to actually feel full? Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Cheese Taquitos has got a winner in the freezer aisle.
Just promise you won’t make this one in the microwave. Taquitos should be served crispy. Make sure you have some awesome sides for this. Salsa, guacamole, or sour cream would all compliment this. But you’ll have to provide that. The box just has taquitos in it. So here is the run down of what you get for $3.69….
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….
