Trader Joe's by Mike Mozart (CC BY)
Trader Joe's is well known for its cult-like-following and with good reason: the food. The chain has a relatively small offering of products — roughly 4,000 compared to a regular grocery store's over 40,000 offerings — but stocks meal options that fans love. We picked the best and found plenty of tasty choices ranging from pizza, Indian, Italian, to simple comfort food like macaroni and cheese.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$8
If you've never tried this Trader Joe's fan favorite, then you're in for a treat. This sweet breakfast is a danish that originated in Denmark and in the United States today, is produced in Racine, Wisconsin. The Kringle is a ring-shaped danish, iced and filled with a variety of flavors — the most common seems to be almond. You can eat them right away as-is or freeze them for later. They are so good you might just want to buy two and freeze one for later.
Related: The Best Snacks at Trader Joe's
$4
If you're looking for a filling breakfast, look no further than Trader Joe's jumbo cinnamon rolls. And when it says jumbo, it really means jumbo. Coming in a pack of five, just peel them open, cook them on a baking tray, then ice and eat—the perfect and easy breakfast. In a cinnamon roll showdown, Kitchn ranked them a close third to their top two picks and said they taste identical to the best choice — and for a few bucks less. The only reason the Trader Joe's version didn't take the number one spot is because the rolls aren't organic.
$4 (8.5 ounces) or $5 (16 ounces)
No Trader Joe's list of favorites would be complete without the Chicken Tikka Masala. It's ranked high in almost every expert round up — and for good reason. In a review on Freezer Meal Frenzy, it's the creamy curry sauce that is the standout here. For a delicious and easy dish that takes zero thought and minimal effort, it's a great idea to have one of these in your freezer at all times. Bonus: Trader Joe's favorite offering comes in an 8.5-ounce individual size or a 16-ounce family size.
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$5
Adults and kids alike love this long-time TJ's staple. Throw the chicken in the oven, or for extra crispy chicken try the air fryer. While the chicken is cooking, heat up the sauce, then mix it all together. Of course, you can add rice and even toss in some veggies for a bigger dish, but served solo it works, too.
Related: Why Trader Joe's Employees Are Surprisingly Helpful and Happy
$5
Creamy and bursting with flavor, the Trader Joe's Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken comes together on the stovetop in minutes. It's an excellent pick for a busy night and goes over well with the whole family. If you don't want the chicken, there is also a version sold without the chicken so that you can serve it up as a side instead. Either way, the price is right, and the taste is on point.
$3
Ready in five minutes, this frozen item is a sure-fire hit. With perfectly-flavored chicken and even little chunks of egg, this is a quickie we can't complain about. It tastes just as good as takeout and is probably better for your waist and wallet. It also pairs perfectly with the above-mentioned Mandarin Orange Chicken.
$5
Turn the heat up a notch with the Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried rice. Another one that's better than takeout is this dish that you can serve up in minutes. Reviewers at Fooducate all agree that it is spicy, very spicy. If spicy is your thing, then this dish is for you. One reviewer even says, "Just like you get in Thailand. Authentic and delicious!!" Bonus: the bag will make several batches, lasting several days and delivering more bang for your buck.
$4
Often overshadowed on many a foodie list by the Chicken Tikka Masala, the Butter Chicken is not to be overlooked. Reviewers on Influenster rave about it and many say they would eat it daily, or for every meal, they're such fans of the dish. The standout here is again the sauce, a creamy tomato sauce with an Indian and slightly spicy flare. With truly good portion sizes of both chicken and basmati rice, this makes a well-rounded and filling meal.
Related: 15 Best House Wines From Costco, Aldi, and Trader Joe's
$3
Another Indian dish that serves up a big taste and devoted reviews is the Channa Masala. The expert reviewers at The Daily Meal say this is better than the same dish in an actual restaurant. The flavors, the seasoning, and the portion size are all on point.
$3
A mouthwatering curry you can enjoy in the privacy of your own home at well below takeout prices is a match made in pandemic heaven. The portion size here is a worthy opponent for any grumbling stomach. Delicious flavors and large portion size aside, the tipping point here for the Freezer Meal Frenzy reviewer is the perfectly cooked rice and sheer variety of vegetables.
Related: 40 Low-Carb Snacks From Trader Joe's You'll Actually Enjoy
$3
With spinach basmati rice adding some unexpected flavor, the Paneer Tikka Masala scores big with reviewers all around. Reviewers at Fooducate say it's a solid vegetarian option. Filling and delicious one reviewer calls it a "good taste for a cheap price" and we couldn't agree more.
$3
If there is one thing TJ's does well, it's macaroni and cheese — and lucky for us, it does much more than that well. A rumored employee favorite, this mac n' cheese with a kick is sure not to disappoint. One reviewer at Reddit says he is completely hooked on this one while another calls it their best mac n' cheese offering. With a delightful amount of cheese, this one is definitely a winner for us.
$2
Reduced guilt in this instance means reduced cheese, reduced butter, a reduced serving size, and 90 fewer calories, but reviewers on Reddit still say it's one of the best pre-made macaroni and cheese meals they've tried. Perhaps a bit watery, but "a good meal that's good for you," one user says. If you're looking for a meal on the lighter side that doesn't sacrifice flavor, here you go.
$3
One expert reviewer of the pepperoni-pizza mac and cheese bowl on PopSugar calls this macaroni and cheese and pizza concoction "flawless" and says she even likes it better than pizza — and we tend to agree. What's not to like?
$3
Tasting like it's straight out of a good Italian restaurant, Trader Joe's Linguine with Clam Sauce is a hit with a reviewer at Freezer Meal Frenzy. If you're a die-hard seafood lover, you'll love the perfectly cooked pasta bursting with flavor and plentiful clams. You just can't go wrong here — especially when you take into consideration the $3 price tag.
$3
Another healthy choice, the Riced Cauliflower Bowl, scores points with reviewers at Fooducate for being simply delicious. "I just had this, and it was better than I expected," says one reviewer. "I thought the whole bowl made for a good, healthy, satisfying frozen dinner," he said, and others agree. At just $3, you get a good blend of filling flavor.
$11
Need an impressive dinner stat? Heat and serve the Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin Roast. It's already fully cooked and even sliced for you, and you can have it plated in a matter of minutes. As far as taste goes, it won't disappoint. One reviewer at Fooducate says, "Great flavor, not too salty — needs no additional seasoning." The website rates in a solid B, which translates to a "better than average rating." Not a bad option to have in a pinch.
$4
While a truffle dish will typically cost you a pretty penny, Trader Joe's once again delivers an expensive tasting meal for a meager price point. For just $4, you get a flavorful, cheesy, and rich pizza that the reviewers at Mashed just can't get enough of.
$3
Trader Joes's offers up another yummy seafood option in the Sriracha Shrimp Bowl. It is a tad heavy on the salt, but for an occasional meal, it's great to have on hand. Reviewers on Fooducate call it "delish" and "really filling."
$3
When you think of corn dogs, you probably think fat-laden, but that's not the case here. These Trader Joe's Turkey Corn Dogs weigh in at 150 calories and 4.5 grams of fat per serving. Not bad considering they're delicious, too.
$3
Comparative to Chipotle (minus the price tag), the Trader Joe's Chicken Burrito Bowl is a winner in our book. Reviewers at Fooducate agree and call it a filling and satisfying meal. One reviewer even says the chicken is really, really good.
$3
Described as a "great mix of lime and flavors" by one Reddit reviewer, it's a tasty choice that's bursting with a tropical flavor. The expert reviewer at Club Trader Joe's says it's filling and a perfect for a take-to-work lunch.
$5
Reviewers on Fooducate rave about this dish. Not one but two reviewers claim that this is their favorite Trader Joe's dish. "Honestly, my favorite thing to get at Trader Joe's, and that's saying a lot. I love this!! Seafood is delicious," one reports. We like that there is plenty of shrimp to go around, meaning a filling, protein-packed meal.
$3
Another excellent vegetarian option, the Yellow Jackfruit Curry, checks all the boxes. With abundant curry and well-textured jackfruit, this is a nice little meal for a nice little price. Never tried jackfruit before? Give this dish a go, and you won't be sorry.
$5
The BecomeBetty.com reviewer calls this a "savory" dark meat chicken, and a lot of it in one bag. Once again, TJ's hits a home run here. The flavor is better than takeout, and it's definitely a healthier option.