Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
The pros: Trader Joe’s Ghost Pepper Cheddar Cheese is hot cheese, but nothing you’ll need to sign a waiver to consume.
The cons: I did not love the flavor pairing here. Spice junkies might be bummed out that this is only medium to hot. This is meant to give a rich pepper flavor without completely overwhelming the palate.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Zhoug Sauce is a new addition to the refrigerated dips and sauces at Trader Joe’s. This product is also vegan if that is important to you.
The cons: If you are sensitive to the taste of cilantro or cumin, then pass on the this sauce. The oil in this package is quite yellow and could possible stain anything it touches that isn’t treated right away. This is not a low calorie sauce.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gochujang Almonds are delicious as long as you like some heat and garlic.
The cons: You might need a breath mint after eating a handful of these. At least that is what my husband suggested.
The verdict: …
So, you purchased Trader Joe’s Organic Jalapeno Limeade. Now what? Well, I didn’t love drinking it plain. However, mixed with some simple (adult) ingredients it was much improved. I made a Spicy Jalapeno Limeade Margarita out of it. I found the product was improved with the addition of some time ingredients. For the easiest rimmed glass, use agave or corn syrup around the rim and dip in coarse salt. The salt will stay put and the sweetness won’t come through….
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Jalapeno Limeade was the hottest beverage I’ve ever tasted. This doesn’t fail at bringing the spice.
The cons: This is a product that is not intended for everyone to enjoy. I have a feeling the reviews for this product will be all over the place. In fact, it was a split decision in my household. When I had my husband try it, he said it was the worst thing he’s ever tasted. I found this to be better mixed in an adult beverage.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Sicilian Style Pizza is quick and ready in under 15 minutes from your oven. The organic olive oil was an added bonus that I was tempted not to use, but only added to the flavor here.
The cons: The pearl mozzarella cheese and the crust seemed under salted.
The verdict: …
Sometimes you just don’t have the time boil a whole big pot of water to make pasta. Maybe you also don’t want to dirty a pan for a sauce either. Trader Joe’s Penne Arrabbiata is a decent choice in the freezer aisle, but may need some adapating to what you like.
The pros: Trader Joe’s Penne Arrabbiata is al dente pasta with a slightly spicy tomato sauce. Out of the microwave was pretty good for freezer food.
The cons: Don’t expect the Arrabbiata sauce to blow you away. It’s just ok because there is one classic flavor missing.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Grilled Eggplant Wrap is a decent wrap but the star was the spicy tahini sauce.
The cons: For a vegan dish, this has quite a bit of fat in it. Sitting in the refrigerated aisle did the bread on this no favors.
The verdict: …
The pros: Quinoa and chocolate work in Trader Joe’s Golden Spiced Milk Chocolate Bar to make a crisp texture and in fact I wish and would be willing to buy many bars containing this combination. It’s a healthy improvement to a familiar flavor & texture combination.
The cons: Eating this whole bar is 70% of your saturated fat for the day. Spice combination that might not be for everyone.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Reduced Guilt Guacamole is a tasty guacamole that might surprise you (as it did me). A nice amount of heat. Nice chunks of fresh veggies.
The cons: You might eat half the container without realizing it.
The verdict: …
The pros: Tasty, slightly spicy and doesn’t pretend to be meat. Better if prepared on the stove top or oven which gives it a tasty crust. Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers are filling as a burger or as a side.
The cons: A bit mushy in the microwave, but the taste was still there.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese is tasty, mildly spice mac and cheese ready from freezer to microwave in about 5 minutes.
The cons: I found 5 minutes was too long for my microwave. I would start at 3 minutes check on it, then add more time if necessary.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Wasabi Seaweed Snack is salty, spicy, slightly nutty snack. If you’ve had these at your local Asian market, they are basically the same thing, just with a nice wasabi coating that wasn’t overpowering and won’t clear your sinuses.
The cons: Seaweed taste might not be for everyone.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken has savory dark meat chicken served with some veggies and a medium heat sauce. This bag was mostly chicken and light on the veggies.
The cons: Two packets of sauce were included. Not really sure why they couldn’t have put it all into one packet. Meat is a wide range in sizes which lead to some uneven cooking.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Greens, Beans, and Grains is a tasty entrée that would make a light lunch of dinner, yet filling enough to be a whole meal. Cooked perfectly in the microwave and was ready in about 6 minutes. Medium heat so be warned.
The cons: I felt after eating this there was the lingering aftertaste of garlic. Not everyone will enjoy cilantro (I liked it) as for some people they are tasting something soapy.
The verdict: …
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 Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is a relatively spicy rice dish that will need some supplementing of protein in order to bring it up to the standard of a meal.
The cons: I thought of this more of a side than its description of being a meal. For 4 servings to be in this bag, I would not consider 2 shrimp to be a meal. They were heavy handed on the Thai Chilis. Not even a lot of veggies on this one either.
The verdict: …
The pros: Spicy chicken wings, nice and meaty, a good variety of drum sticks and wings. Trader Joe’s Hot and Spicy Chicken Wings are more than mild but not inedibly hot. I would put them closer to a medium heat.
The cons: These aren’t true buffalo wings, so if you want the sauce you’ll have to add it yourself. Not sure why the word “sections” needs to be in the name.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Korma Fish Curry expands the Trader Joe’s line of Indian cuisine. At $3.49 this is reasonably priced and in line with everything else they offer. It’s also an excellent value when you consider you are getting a fish entree (and a good sized portion of fish) for this price.
The cons: Must enjoy (or be willing to try) curry to appreciate this dish. The occasional fenugreek leaves left behind in the rice was an element which I wasn’t crazy about. Swai doesn’t taste like much, but the sauce carries this dish.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Korean Style Beef Short Ribs have tasty Korean flavors. Short ribs were tender, thin cut, don’t require hours of cooking like many short rib recipes do. It’s already marinaded and waiting for you to defrost.
The cons: You can’t just grill these out of the bag. They absolutely have to defrost. Not a deal breaker, but if you are starving please plan accordingly. This isn’t a 5 minute meal. I also wish there were more in the bag. As one person it would be easy to polish off the whole bag. Not a deal breaker though. Can’t use a microwave.
The verdict: …
The pros: The smell of opening the bag of Trader Joe’s Sweet Sriracha Uncured Bacon Jerky was intoxicating. They should sell it as a fragrance. The taste was all bacon with a noticeable kick and a hint of sweetness.
The cons: Jerky bags are always so small and per pound they are some of the most expensive items in the store. This 2 ounce package was $5.49 (or the equivalent of $43.92 per pound).
The verdict: …
The pros: For $2.29 Trader Joe’s Aloo Chaat Kati Pouches which contain two pouches. Vegetarian snack, hearty filling reminded me of meat. Crispy pasty. Ready in 4 minutes (unless you want to burn your tongue by not waiting for it to cool down).
The cons: If you are sensitive to spice, this spice will linger on your tongue for a while. It’s medium heat. Filling will be a hit or miss with some people.
The verdict: …
The Pros: Trader Joe’s Beef an Broccoli is a tasty and cost effective as compared to going out. Be ready for a bit more spice than traditional beef and broccoli.
The Cons: Can’t be done in the microwave. You will need to do some “cooking” on this. Calorie count is reasonable, but it’s also easy to eat the whole bag too.
The Verdict: …
I’ve reviewed a number of things at Trader Joes. If there is a testimony to how much you like something, it’s how often you repurchase something. Trader Joe’s Sriracha Potato Chips are something I keep buying every time I see it.
The chip aisle is one of the busier aisle in the store. Only the freezer aisle is harder to navigate. Within the chips are odd ball flavors with some more familiar offerings mixed in. Now, I know Sriracha is one of the “hottest” flavors (popularity of it being thrown in everything, not actual heat). This one achieves a unique balance….
