This week’s meals are a bit of a yawnfest as all I really did was heat up a bunch of Trader Joe’s freezer meals and put them on a plate. But that counts as cooking, right? Well in some peoples houses I suppose it does. 😉
Trader Joe’s lasagna. I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10. And at $7.99, it lasted 2 days and was a good value for the money I thought.
I served it longside the bag of Trader Joe’s vegetables {potatoes, mushrooms and beans} I picked up last week as well. The side dish was delicious! Both the lasagna and the potatoes were items we said we would buy again.
A big salad with tomatoes, cheese, frozen peas, pickled beets, salami, hard boiled egg, cucumber and dried cranberries.
Next up was Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken. This one was a 10/10 and by far our favorite one of Trader Joe’s freezer meals. Lots of flavor and nice and spicy {but not too spicy}. I don’t remember how much this one was… $5.99? $6.99? But paired with rice with it made up 3 servings and was waaaay cheaper and tastier than takeout would have been.
If in fact we lived near any sort of take out joint. 😉 Ha!
Trader Joe’s gnocchi. The HH liked it, me, not so much. Then again I have never really liked any gnocchi I’ve ever tried.
Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice. It was another winner! I would buy it again. I must add that the HH said if he lived in the city and didn’t like or want to cook, he’d probably live off Trader Joe’s ready made meals.
And I don’t blame him.
I feel like their products are suited for singles or two person households and there is plenty of variety. Plus the quality and portion sizes are spot on for people like us who are not heavy eaters.
I like the smaller footprint of their stores too. They remind me of grocery shopping in England. The flowers and potted plants at the front are nice and you don’t have to walk a mile to get to the dairy section nor do you have to walk past ridiculously enormous rows of cereal boxes, 80 kinds of coffee or 52 varieties of pasta or soup.
The produce section always seems to be nice too and I like that they carry some seasonal things like an entire stalk of Brussels sprouts in the fall. Trader Joe’s makes grocery shopping fun!
You know what else is fun? Rocky road brownies. I made a batch of those last week too. When I make them I cut the brownies into 1 “bites” and then pop them into the freezer so I can have a nice little treat whenever I feel like it.
Doing this not only makes them last longer, but keeps us from eating an entire pan of brownies quickly.
Now the question is… Do I pop back into Trader Joe’s this week when I’m down south again for some ready made goodness? Hmmmm. It’s tempting! We’ll see.
How about YOU? Did you eat any ready made meals this past week? Is there something from Trader Joe’s you just love and I need to know about? Do tell!
Have a good one,
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries $0
- Total Spent in October on Groceries $83.81
- Total Spent in September on Groceries $109.49
- Total Spent in August for Groceries $13.04
- Total Spent on Groceries for July $376.89
- Total Spent on Groceries in June $41.56
- Total Spent on Groceries in May $288.51
- Total Spent on Groceries in April $35.36
- Total Spent on Groceries in March $82.28
- Total Spent on Groceries in February $101.14
- Total Spent on Groceries in January $167.33 {this includes buying groceries on Fair Isle}
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2023 $1,296.36 for our $100 a month grocery budget for 2
Katelyn says
I do almost all my shopping for our 3 person family at Trader Joe’s. My weekly trip rang in at $130 this week, without any pre-made meals, just ingredients. Their prices are phenomenal!
Bec says
We’re big fans of Trader Joe’s over here. Be sure to pick up some of the sea salt caramel chips while you’re there. They’re seasonal and are especially yummy in chocolate chocolate cookies. And probably your brownies, too! I love the idea of one bites. I might have to steal it!
Hawaii Planner says
This is a very timely question, because I just posted on my own blog about what a season we’re in. We normally do more made from scratch meals, but between getting back from vacation, busy work schedules, prepping for another international work trip, teen sports & college applications….we are barely hanging on! I consider TJ’s prepped meals to be an alternative to takeout, and/or the kind of thing to keep in the freezer where we just can’t put a meal on the table.
We love the orange chicken (use only 1/2 the sauce), the edamame, & the fried rice. We add two eggs to the fried rice. They also have a bunch of cauliflower rice options (a risotto, a Mexican version, etc) that are great sides to keep on hand for my husband, who can’t have regular rice.
I keep their prepped mac & cheese (diner style, I believe it’s called) in the freezer, and the teens sometimes eat that between practices, or for a meal in a pinch. Their favorite treat at TJs are the Hold the Cones, mini ice creams 🙂
Rosemary says
I ate freezer meals this past week, but they were ones that I had made. When I make a million cookies at Christmas, I freeze the extras so that I can enjoy them during the year (or else I would eat them all in one night . . . ha ha).
We have a Trader Joe’s in our area, but it is out of the way for us to go to. Next time I am in that part of town, I just might have to check it out!
Lana says
We aren’t fans of frozen meals from anywhere but they do have their place. Mom and Dad really benefited from them when they could no longer do much cooking. They are pricey though for the amount of food. Our TJ’s is so crowded that you take a step when the crowd takes a step and there is no quick in and out because of that. We have not gone in there in years. The population has exploded here and they have not built an additional store so I am sure nothing has improved.
Ronda Jones says
Lana,
that is the same reason I don’t go to Trader Joes it is a long time for just a few things mostly that I can find somewhere else. Just not worth the hassle.
Lynn Gilmore says
Lana:
I really got a kick out of the comment that “you take a step when the crowd takes a step”! Our Trader Joe’s is exactly the same. It’s located in one of the busiest shopping centers in our city. Every one of the TJ’s in SoCal is that way.
The parking is a nightmare, and we’ve yet to figure out a good time to shop. Although we did like some of their items, they’ve since discontinued them. We haven’t been in years and Ronda is right, it’s not worth the hassle.
Peg says
Our nearest TJ’s is 40 miles away, and, due to life, we don’t make trips to the town it’s located in. Love everything about TJ’s and wish they would build one here, but it’s highly unlikely as alcohol of any form is not allowed to be sold in grocery stores.
Lynn says
We love Trader Joe’s and, fortunately, there are 2 stores 20 minutes from us (we live between them). I love their produce (especially the prices), the ready-made salads, the dark chocolate peanut butter cups, the small ice cream cones, frozen meals and a lot of their seasonal items. Guess i like just about everything. Oh, and I can’t forget the people who work there. They obviously enjoy where they work because I’ve never met an unhappy, unpleasant employee!
Sue S. says
I agree 200 %.
Heather says
We love their frozen teriyaki chicken and orange chicken! Their frozen French green beans for $1.99 is a bargain and a great side dish for those two meals. You can’t go wrong with most Trader Joe’s foods
J in OH- IO says
Mavis,
Reading all these comments about Trader Joe’s seems like it is a no brainer for you to stop back in! Especially for the rest of us who do not have a TJ’s by us- we can live vicariously through you. I can’t wait to hear what else you buy/try on your next trip!
I like to shop at Aldi’s as much as I can for their prices and small store footprint (it reminds me of Trader Joe’s sorta vibe).
Vicki in Birmingham says
Did you know Aldi’s and Trader Joe’s are “related”? Yep. Brother stores! I have favorites at both stores, but TJ’s is about 20 miles away (and worth the drive) so I do most of my shopping at Aldi’s!
Rhea Strauser says
For those not close to a Trader Joe’s – they do offer mail order. My niece lives in WV, with no TJ’s close. I get think she keeps them in business buying their Peppermint JoJo’s during the season.
Wendy M says
The nearest Trader Joe’s is two hours away from me and I have never ever shopped there.
My husband is on a meal delivery service for people with special dietary restrictions. And as a caregiver who also works, it’s super convenient for me to just unthaw and reheat his meals whenever he wants to eat, instead of stopping to puree all of his meals so he can eat safely. Most of them taste pretty good, too!
Brianna says
I have a family member who has dysphasia, any recommendations on the tasty purée service?
Wendy M says
Mom’s Meals is who we use. They have a friendly delivery service too.
Kathy says
Mavis, Trader Joe’s has an orange infused dried cranberry pack that I believe is seasonal but it is phenomenal. I use in cranberry sauce but my fav way to use is in oatmeal cookies.
Sue S. says
The only thing better than a Trader Joe’s in the next town, is that it’s moving to MY town. Ll bean, j jill, and Trader Joe’s all in the same area. Woo hoo.
sandy says
SCORE!
Vicki in Birmingham says
Do you get the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer? I used to get it in the mail, now it is an email. It tells of new products, products considered winners, tips from employees on the best foods, etc.
I read about the Tarte d’ Alsace and decided to try it, it was delicious. I think it was maybe $5.99 or so. I will be buying it again too. Maybe you two would like it as well.
Deborah says
We love Trader Joe’s Cheddar & Gruyère cheese. And their 99 cent greeting cards!
Annette says
Those cards are nice! And a bargain!
Gwyn says
We weren’t big fans of the gnocchi either until I read the tip to cook it in the oven on a sheet pan. We loved it that way. Our easy back up freezer meal is a bag of the orange chicken and a bag of fried rice. Less than 10 dollars it is way cheaper than any drive through. It might set in the freezer
Torry says
We buy our eggplant at the Trader Joe’s in University Place, WA. I make eggplant Parmesan. In all of the years we have purchased eggplant there, we have only had bad eggplant once. My husband took it back. They told him that next time, he only had to bring in the receipt, because they stand behind their products. They also apologized for our ruined dinner plans. I was a little nervous about buying it again, but we have never had a another problem!
Frances says
I love TJs carne asada! I buy it when I go there about every 3 to 4 weeks, along with the reduced fat Mac and Cheese, cat cookies and bags of fruit and a wrap sandwich. Also, their prices on spices are great but selection is small.
Thanks for your suggestions, they are on the list for next time!
Lori K says
I miss TJs! Closest one now is 2+ hours away in a direction we never go. I totally agree on their meals, one I really liked was their chili lime chicken burgers.
Pam says
Total fan of TJs … we moved 6 years ago and nearest store is now 125 mi away (250 RT), but we shop (and load up) 1-2x per month. That’s how much we love their products. We eat a vegan diet and they carry a lot of vegan options.
sandy says
Trader Joes is my main grocery store. My family sends photos back and forth of TJ finds. We also mourn the discontinued favorites such as the rustic potato chips . My sister was recently living in Chicago where they were still available and bough them out.
Even my dogs are addicted to the dog biscuits. We are a TJ family for sure. Orange Chicken-flowers, coffee, the flour tortillas, carrot cupcakes, premade Pasadena salad…oh my.
I grew up not far from the original TJ’s in Pasadena. I may say TJ is part of my DNA…
Ann says
Trader Joe’s Potstickers are great to serve with the Chicken Fried Rice. I also love the rotating selection of fresh ravioli and tortellini. Great options when there’s no time to cook.
Brenda Robertson says
Funny that you should post about Trader Joes, we will be going this week. Our closest one is an hour away (Indianapolis, IN). We go twice a year. We ask our sons for their list and shop for them as a convenience. We love the boxed Indian meals (for a quick meal), their cheeses, their hand cream and several other items. As a special treat we purchase our eight year old grandson the dark chocolate cherries. One son loves the bag meals. As a bonus there is a Costco around the corner, so we stop there too. My husband purchased his hearing aids from Costco in January. They are awesome and were well priced. It is a great day out for us.
Darlene says
I like the frozen turkey burgers. There are 4 in the box but you just take out how many you need at a time.
Jeri says
I love their Pfefferneuse cookies! They seriously are the best, even better than my homemade! Theirs has a very thin icing that coats the cookie, which differs from so many others that just dust them with powdered sugar, which ends up on your clothes. I tend to purchase several boxes and hoard them so they last through the holidays and beyond.
We love all of their frozen Asian meals, though my husband thinks the broccoli beef is too spicy for his taste. We can eat these meals for so much less than take out, and they’re so good!
Fera says
Fried rice is something I often make for lunch – it takes at most 10 minutes to make. If I make rice the night before for dinner, I typically cook a bit extra for lunch the next day. It is a great way to use up meats, tofu and vegetables that are about to go bad. Most kinds of vegetables or meat can be thrown into fried rice. I usually use an egg, scallion, frozen peas and carrots, frozen shelled edamame or tofu, soy sauce and other things on hand. The TJ’s fried rice looks kind of sad. Sorry.
Kathy Alderfer says
Hi Mavis, it’s been a while! The closest TJs for us is in Charlottesville which is over an hour away. But if anything takes me over the mountain, I definitely hit up TJs. Our favorite meal is the frozen orange chicken. The frozen chicken spring rolls are good too. Chocolate babka, Thai yellow curry sauce, blondie baking mix, and chocolate coconut almonds are some of my other favorites.