If there is one good thing about going to a Trader Joe's before the holiday, it's that the people in there seem just a big more kind and jolly than most grocery stores. The other grocery stores near me, the customers are miserable. Worse, the employees are even more miserable. So I hope you've done your shopping or are only running out for an item or two. As for me, here is a rare double review in honor of Thanksgiving.
Taste and review
I figured that with the holiday on Thursday, I'd get around to these two items before I hit some of the sweets and gift items that are on shelves.
So there are certain Thanksgiving essentials: some turkey like substance (yes, Trader Joe's does make a turkey-less option), veggies, and various condiments like cranberry and gravy.
Thanksgiving dinner is traditionally a dinner of contrasting flavors and textures. So let's get started with the cranberry relish.
More often than not the cranberry provides a tart contrast to the meal. However, this relish is more on the sweet side than on the tart and acidic side.
If you've avoided cranberry, then you have nothing to fear by trying this item. It gets an added kick of sweetness from the orange and sugar. There are no weird ingredients in this. And yes, I now fully adore the orange and cranberry pairing here.
But this is a relish and not a sauce. Sauce would need heat, this is the three items pulsed together and given enough time to allow the flavors to meld. It's acidic but citrus-y too. This is totally worth a try.
I've had Trader Joe's Turkey Gravy before. I just didn't write about it because I was kinda blah about it. But once again, not here.
While this won't be the most assertive flavored gravy, I can tell you it is a good turkey gravy that is made from a roux (the old-fashioned way), plus you get the flavor of the herbs and most notably the taste of the white wine in this.
Overall
In either case these are well priced time savers that you can use to pretend like you made it. These are priced at $3.99 for the Turkey Gravy and $3.49 for the Cranberry Orange Relish.
Now, I don't come from a large family. My husband is a first responder so holidays are often non-existent in our household. So if you are having a smaller Thanksgiving, Trader Joe's pretty much. Plus you can get everything on the table in an hour. I tried that experiment a few years ago. And it totally worked. You can read more about my Stress Free Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Dinner that I threw for both sides of my family on one of the few days where I could get both sides together.
Would I buy this again? Yes, I look forward to buying both Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish and Kettle Cooked Turkey Gravy next year.
Product photos
The containers of Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish and Kettle Cooked Turkey Gravy:
Calories
Ingredients
The ingredients and calories in Trader Joe's Kettle Cooked Gravy:
Heating directions for Trader Joe's Kettle Cooked Gravy:
After being served up with a pre-Thanksgiving meal with sliced Brined Bone In Half Turkey Breast and Scalloped Potatoes with Quattro Formaggio:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Need a cocktail suggestion?
Check out my Winter Wassail Cocktail Recipe. Nothing fancy. If you've already picked up Trader Joe's Winter Wassail, then you only need two more ingredients to make it: vodka and peach schnapps.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish and Kettle Cooked Turkey Gravy
Product Name: Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish and Kettle Cooked Turkey Gravy
Product Description: Fresh cranberry orange relish and a kettle cooked turkey gravy made from roux, herbs and wine.
Price: $3.49 and $3.99 respectively
Summary
Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish and Kettle Cooked Turkey Gravy are both solid refrigerated sides that will make meal prep easy and that you can pass off as your own.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Both of these will make preparing a big holiday get together (or a smaller one) easy and nearly mess free
- Both look good enough to pass off as your own
- Ingredients in both are straightforward and simple.
Cons
- If you are looking for that tart bite of cranberry, this is more orange and on the sweet side than anything I've had previously.
The cranberry sauce package said it made from the same facility that uses wheat, milk, eggs, nuts, soy, and shellfish. So it not really an allergen friendly sauce. At least the ingredients are simple that you could do at home without the allergens added in possibility.
I promised NOLA Boy that I would make and freeze gallons of cranberry relish this year. I have the cranberries. Just need the oranges and sugar. It freezes pretty well, and is a glorious taste treat along about February !!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
I tried this gravy with the turkey and cranberry meatballs. Both went back for a return. I found the gravy to be so bland.
I actually bought the turkeyless roast this year and baked it today (i was at a celebration with friends yesterday but that means no leftovers). The gravy that comes with it is amazing! Kind of mushroomy with herbs and black pepper.
Wish i had picked up the cranberry sauce, although maybe it is too sweet for me i like that tart punch of cranberries.
Many thanks to your husband for all he does, I’m sure it is a difficult job in so many ways and yet so important
Hey Ttrockwood! I just tried that for the first time yesterday! It was so awesome. I regret just buying one. I agree, they did that gravy pretty well. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!