We’re finding ourselves in the kitchen a whole lot more. The struggle to come up with meal ideas is real!
I’m a big fan of easy meal hacks, and Trader Joe’s is the queen of hacks so here are 25 trader joe’s meal hacks ideas…
25 of the Best Trader Joe’s Meal Hacks
MEAT.
Turkey Bolognese Sauce. Make it multiple servings by adding a can of crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions, garlic and some spices.
Easy Curry. I use their red curry sauce + a can of coconut milk some chicken and whatever veggies I have on hand. Plus I always keep their microwave rice in my freezer for this meal. Can easily make this vegetarian too with some chickpeas.
Gyros. Naan from the freezer section. Gyro from the fridge section. Cut up tomatoes, cucumber and red onion in vinegar, a tub of hummus and tzatziki and you have a meal.
You can always cook up some cous cous if you want to add more to the meal.
Although, I’m a fan of homemade gyros as well!
Pork Pot stickers. Frozen pot stickers (and dipping sauce) with their frozen edamame and brown rice. So easy.
One of our favorite + easy meals at home.
Chicken Sausage Cauliflower Fried Rice. It’s good, but needs seasoning so try pan frying some sliced chicken sausage, and then throw the fried rice into the pan with the meat drippings for flavor. Try throw all those in butter lettuce for wraps.
Taquito Casserole. Top chicken or beef taquitos with your enchilada sauce, cheese, and black beans in a baking dish and you’ve got yourself a yummy mexican casserole. Don’t forget the TJ salsa and avocado/guac.
Orange Chicken. Frozen orange chicken with steamed broccoli, or sautéed zucchini and bell peppers, and their organic microwave brown rice. Everyone loves this one.
Another idea: Add some of TJs sesame oil plus some shaved brussels sprouts on top for a rice and chicken bowl.
Tikka Masala Burritos. Grab the chicken tikka masala frozen dish (or another favorite frozen dish), and wrap it up in a tortilla. Yum!
Lentil Soup with Ancient Grains. Such a delicious, hearty soup you can find in the pre-made refrigerated section. I love it with feta and their oven-baked cheese bites.
FISH
Salmon. Salmon patties are a lot better than Costco. Bake in the oven seasoned lightly on a bed of mixed greens and light vinaigrette.
The coconut panko shrimp is great with peppers, pineapple and any other veggies.
Fish Tacos. TJ’s tortillas, bag of shredded cabbage, island salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, limes, shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips and the star: the TJs frozen battered halibut. While the fish is baking in the oven (less than 20 minutes, so easy), assemble all the other ingredients. Can easily add other toppings too like canned black beans, rice, fresh pineapple, etc.
PASTA + PIZZA
Turkey meatballs. Everyone loves these. Cook up your favorite pasta while the meatballs and veggies simmer in some pasta sauce.
Pizza. We love their regular pizza dough, whole wheat, herb, and now their gluten free cauliflower pizza crust is a new favorite. Grab some sauce in the refrigerator section and pick out your family’s favorite toppings.
Also, did you know this tip for warming up leftover pizza?
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage. Dinner in a bag, people. It doesn’t get much easier than this! Yet, arguably, it’s the best frozen dinner TJ’s has to offer.
Ravioli lasagne. Ravioli, spinach and sauce make the easiest lasagna hack.
Lemon Alfredo Noodles. Combine the wide lemon noodles with the alfredo sauce and a sprinkling of dill and parm cheese for a delicious, easy meal.
Creamy Gnoochi. Frozen gnoochi with gorgonzola + container of pancetta (already cut up) + asparagus = dinner! Add some fresh bread too if you want.
VEGETARIAN
Mac and Cheese. Their frozen mac and cheese is one of their all-time best selling items. What kid (er adult) doesn’t love that stuff!
Also, did you know it only takes 10 minutes to make homemade mac and cheese? (image here)
Falafels. Frozen falafels with an assortment of their Mediterranean dips like the hummus, tzatziki, and tabbouleh on a bed of greens or with pita.
Caprese Salads. The mini ones are so fun! Grape tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, fresh ciliegine mozzarella balls of cheese and the best part, TJ’s (technically Trader Giotto’s) balsamic glaze.
We love peach caprese salads too.
Lemon Noodles. Their wide lemon noodles taste amazing in a homemade noodle soup or just tossed with butter and parm.
Roasted Chickpea Gyros. Preheat oven to 400. In a bowl mix 1 can of chickpeas with olive oil and sea salt. Bake for about 20 minutes until nice and crispy. Add Trader Joes tzatziki to Trader Joes middle eastern bread (or pita), lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion and tomatoes.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Add some pepitas and goat cheese. Yum!
Stir fry. Sauté bok choy (sometimes I do shaved carrots too) in sesame oil and set aside. In large pot, boil 1 box of miso broth and 1/3 box of water, add no more than half package of spaghetti noodles and cook until done. Add 1/2 bag of vegetarian pot stickers, simmer and season with fish sauce and soy sauce to taste. Simmer covered for 3-5 minutes. Add in the bok choy.
What are your favorite Trader Joe’s dinner hacks? PS What meals Trader Joe’s employees love the most.
NOT sponsored by Trader Joes, we just love them!