7 Trader Joe’s Inspired Meal Ideas
Today’s Post by Kelsey Chadwick, MS RDN
August 17th, 2023
This week’s blog post is about one of my favorite places to grocery shop - Trader Joe’s. They have a lot of unique products, as well as staples for easy weeknight meals. Cooking can be time consuming and stressful, but today I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! Life is busy and it’s perfectly OK to rely on frozen and ready-made meals. Prepackaged foods, especially frozen items are often labeled as “unhealthy” or “bad” foods. This is certainly not the case and these meals still provide all of the nutrients we need. I have created some balanced meal ideas, mostly made of a mix of frozen and pre-cooked items for weeknight meals. Remember, the goal is to nourish your body with foods that taste good, not to add more stress at meal times!
Shrimp Stir Fry
The shrimp and vegetable fried rice can be found in the frozen section. The sugar snap peas and ready veggies can be found in the produce section if you would like additional veggies. The coconut aminos and other soy sauce options can be found in the grocery aisle.
Ingredients:
Vegetable Fried Rice
Argentinian Red Shrimp with Ginger Garlic Butter
Ready Veggies
Sugar Snap Peas
Organic Coconut Aminos
2. Mediterranean Bowl
The chickpeas and quinoa can be found in the grocery aisle and the feta and hummus can be found in the cheese and dip section. The fully cooked falafel can be found in the frozen section. Additional toppings could include chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and artichokes.
Ingredients:
White or Tri Colored Quinoa
Fully Cooked Falafel
Mediterranean Style Hummus
Israeli Feta
Greek Chickpeas Parsley & Cumin
3. Vegetable Tofu Dish
The brown rice and garlicky cabbage can be found in the frozen section and both the tofu and green onions can be found in the produce section. Top with your favorite soy sauce.
Ingredients:
Organic Jasmine or Brown Rice
Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage
Sriracha Tofu
Green Onions
4. Quesadilla with Spanish Rice and Corn
All of these items can be found in the frozen section. For a vegetarian option, opt for the chipotle vegetable quesadillas. Topping ideas: sour cream and salsa
Ingredients:
Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas
Chipotle Vegetable Quesadilla
Spanish Rice
Mexican Style Roasted Corn
5. Lemon Herb Salmon Bowl
The salmon can be found in the frozen section. The lemony arugula salad kit can be found in the produce section and the cous cous can be found in the grocery aisle.
Ingredients:
Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit
Israeli Couscous
Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter
6. Taco Bowl
The chicken breast can be found in the meat section. The Southwest chopped salad can be found in the produce section and both the shredded cheese and guacamole can be found in the cheese and dip section. Additional topping ideas: salsa or pico de gallo, sour cream, scallions and peppers and onions.
Ingredients:
Southwest Chopped Salad
Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
Pre-cooked Chicken Breast
Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole
Organic Jasmine Rice
7. Spicy Apple Sausage Pasta
Both the pasta and sauce can be found in the grocery aisle and the sweet apple sausage can be found in the meat section.
Ingredients:
Penne Rigate
Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce