It's cold as anything since Thanksgiving. We were just talking the other day at work about how in New York we feel like we are down to having 2 seasons instead of the normal four. We all feel like we have summer or winter.
Taste and review
And while the calendar doesn't say, Winter, the temperatures and the items for sale at Trader Joe's do. With Thanksgiving done, the wreaths and holiday items have hit shelves. And the newest Fearless Flyer should land on Monday.
With Winter temperatures upon us, these French Onion Soup Bites have landed in time for the season. And yes, my receipt said these are seasonal.
Now, I adore French Onion Soup. I really do. I make my own. It's simple as anything to make too, but it takes time. So when I saw his appetizer I figured I would love it.
But I didn't.
Here is an appetizer that seeks to mimic the classic soup.
You have most of the elements: deeply caramelized onions, Swiss Cheese and bread (or pastry in this case). Everything except the soup.
But for some reason, I wasn't loving it.
I think is was the combination of parts that were just ok. First off, this is very similar to Trader Joe's Feta Onion Bites. The key difference was the filling there was way more cheese than onion.
Here, it's mostly onion. With the presence of cane sugar in the ingredients, I was wondering if that is how they sped up the caramelization process.
The onions weren't overly flavorful, the cheese wasn't plentiful, and the pastry (if I can call them that) part didn't add much in terms of flavor. I even found that on some of mine, I needed to run a spoon around the outside of each cup in order to get some of these out.
These would have been better in a puff pastry to lighten them up. Also, this has a vegetable base, when most French onion soups I've made were a beef base.
Overall
These are edible, but weren't my favorite.
For $4.49 they're affordable for a dozen appetizers. They do come in their own tray, but it still requires a sheet pan underneath.
Would I buy this again? No, I won't be buying these again. Fun to try once, but they didn't blow me away.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's French Onion Soup Bites:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
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Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Trader Joe's French Onion Soup Bites
Product Name: Trader Joe's French Onion Soup Bites
Product Description: Caramelized Onions with Swiss Cheese in a pastry cup.
Price: $4.49
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
All the elements of a French Onion Soup minus the soup.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Easy appetizer with a the tray already included
Cons
- Not inedible. but didn't blow me away either.
- A few on mine were challenging to get out of the plastic tray they came in.
Dag says
Oh my gosh I so agree with you on these. I had a huge hopes for them. I absolutely love French onion soup. When I first opened the the package I was disappointed about the amount of cheese present. Some cups only had a strand or two of cheese. I initially thought okay--- I'll just add some cheese if I have to. I also had difficulty getting them out of the tray post cooking and had to pry several out with a spoon. As you said they're just underwhelming. And you are correct in that they would be better with a beef opposed to vegetable base. I actually kind of found them bland and somewhat tasteless with the exception of a mild caramelized onion flavor. I will definitely not be buying these again.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I'm glad I'm not the only one who had that problem. I didn't know if it was just me, so thanks for that! I cooked the whole package but the ones pictured here are the ones that weren't mangled in the process. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
Penelope Tucker says
I agree 100%. I bought a box and promptly put them in the oven when I got home. But I found them too sweet from so many onions, and almost impossible to remove from the tray. I won’t be giving up precious freezer space for another box, I’m afraid.
becomebetty says
Hey Penelope! It sounds like we are all experienced the same issues. What a bummer. I was really excited about this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Alek says
Disappointing! WOW! I think it would be ideal if they did in a pocket style like hot pocket. Would hold all together.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! I think that would be a good starting point! But the lack of flavor was the biggest let down. I can deal with a mangled appetizer, but the flavor just didn't wow me or justify the calories. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
Philip Ray says
I've tried the regular two serving frozen French Onion soup and great with TJ baguette and butter . I've used the onion appetizers before and ok on own . I won't buy the French Onion ones.
becomebetty says
Hey Philip! I haven't tried the frozen french onion soup. I was afraid it wouldn't live up the real thing. Good to know you can use that as an appetizer. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
ashleyenapoli says
Disappointed
Ttrockwood says
The frozen french onion soup from TJs is awesome- they’ve sold it forever (definitely use the oven though, it’s significantly better) and that’s actually vegetarian although i think most customers who buy it are not.
So it’s weird they couldn’t get this app right. Maybe it should be a slice of baguette topped with carmelized onions and cheese....?
Philip Ray says
Try the real TJ French Onion soup lots cheese and onions. You cut plastic off each frozen soup ( looks like a cylinder that would fit in large cup) you place in custard type baking dishes individual ones two. Put on baking sheet , aprox 400 F for 40 min . Restaurant quality.
becomebetty says
Hey Philip! Sounds like something I'll be keeping an eye out for. Thanks so much for the preparation heads up. Good to know! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this!
Philip Ray says
Agree ; great soup .