Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas are a new addition to the quesadilla options in the freezer section of Trader Joe's. But quesadillas are so basic to make at home. Maybe perhaps for the premium price these would knock it out of the park for me.
Taste and review
In my quest for new items, I couldn't find a few things that I had seen online. Alas, no worries.
In the freezer section was a new actual food item. To be honest, Trader Joe's has released quite a few snacky things and I'm glad to see something new that can actually qualify in the "meal" category and not the snack/dessert category.
So the last time I tried their Southwest Chicken Quesadilla, I thought they reached just ok. I don't think I've purchased them since either. A quesadilla is pretty darn easy to make at home. It is like making a grilled cheese but even easier.
But I'm game to try just about anything so into the cart and into my microwave this went. It is a reasonable amount of calories unlike a lot of the wrap and sandwich options on shelves. In fact, you can eat this whole box for the same number of calories as the Cubano Seasoned Wrap.
The question is which tastes better? I like the Cubano wrap. I don't like the calorie count and if I'm going reach for a wrap I'm probably not just going to eat half. But this is ok with one glaring item that confused me to no end.
The "tortilla." I'm using that term pretty loosely because I'm not sure if that is what is covering this filling. I looks like a tortilla on the box. But if you look at my all-cooked photo, you can see that almost leaves the realm of what a tortilla is and goes straight to bread. And yes, I've reviewed flour tortillas here too. None was ever that thick.
The filling was good. Not much in the way of heat. The chipotle seasoning was prominent. It was filling with beans, cheese, and corn. But I got stuck on how doughy the tortilla was.
Now, yes, I made this in the microwave. But I'm kinda positive that this would be better off on the stovetop to get the outside a bit crunchy. But it is hot and I was in no mood to stand over a stove.
Overall
The wrap is quite doughy and pretty thick for a quesadilla. The finished product isn't quite as gracefully beautiful as the pictured quesadilla.
For $3.49 you get two in a box. They are quick and convenient, and the filling is ok. It just is going to hang on how much you love the traditional taste of a tortilla as a wrapper to the filling.
Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas only reach a maybe for me as a tortilla and cheese are pretty easy to make on their own and cost far less for me to make at home.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare in the microwave:
How to prepare in anything but a microwave:
After being cooked you get something that isn't quite as beautiful as on the box:
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Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas
Product Name: Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas
Product Description: Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas make for a quick meal with no prep.
Price: $3.49
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Chipotle Vegetable Quesadillas are new and super quick to make
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- It was filling and convenient to not put any effort into this meal
Cons
- So are any quesadillas and unfortunately this didn't knock it out of the park for me in terms of flavor
- The tortilla seemed extra thick for some reason which I wasn't wild about.
Dag says
Oh my gosh this is so funny! I just had that product in my hand about 20 minutes ago when I was at TJs. I havent been that thrilled with TJs quesadilla & buritto products in the past so I ended up putting it down. Now I am sort of glad I dis. I did end up buying their new big soft German pretzels though. They are actually imported from Germany. I totally forgot to buy Pub cheese though.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I wasn't a tremendous fan of the chicken one. And I'm very jealous of the pretzel. I have not been able to find it by me at all! I always wonder why certain stores get certain things at certain times. I look forward to getting my hands on that pretzel with some pub cheese and some mustard. Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by!
Alek says
I wonder if you could grill press those maybe it would be better.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! I think outside the microwave it would cook well, but the tortilla was really thick and I don't think any cooking method could have tamed that! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Rick says
I said the same thing with the chicken one
Looked nothing like the box and tasted pretty blah
becomebetty says
Hey Rick! I felt bad taking those pictures because there was literally nothing I could do to make it look delicious. Although to be fair, nothing was quite as deceptive as the shrimp soft tacos which looked NOTHING like the picture on the box. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Dag says
I saw the pretzels online also & nearly ran to TJs. Found them w/the frozen appetizers near the pizzas. There were only 3 left so my guess is they are popular already (that or limited availability 🙁 ). Nothing quite as good as a real German hot pretzel wither with beer cheese (heck.....any cheese) & a really good spicy mustard! Hopefully you will be able to find them soon.
Ttrockwood says
I always like seeing more vegetarian options, although i’ll have to pass (ugh, cheese). That is totally *not* a tortilla! So weird.
I feel like this would be good for those people who bring frozen meals to work for lunch, or for college kids that only have a microwave to cook in....
A basic quesadilla was one of the first things i ever cooked for myself! We always had tortillas around.
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! I think a grilled cheese, quesadilla and eggs are the first things I learned how to cook too. I'm one of those people who grab a frozen meal to bring to work because there isn't much around where I work, but you might be better off making a quesadilla at home and heating it up. Thanks so much for stopping by!
James says
Yep i made this
In the george foreman so much better
Added some fresh grated pepper jack and diced green chiles and some manchego 🙂 muy bien
becomebetty says
Hey James! Thanks so much for letting us know this! Yours sounds absolutely delicious!
lkhandmadedesign says
I microwaved the first one only, wasn't a huge fan. For the second one, I microwaved and then throw in a pan with a little butter so that it gets crispy, it's SO much better. Doesn't feel so bready - but it is definitely much thicker than a regular tortilla. I happen to like the breadiness once it's crispy. But if you don't have any remaining, I wouldn't say that you should go out and grab some just to try it this way 😉
becomebetty says
Thanks so much for sharing!