Welcome to our deep dive into the frozen Mexican food section of everyone’s favorite quirky grocery store, Trader Joe’s! Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or a festive snack, Trader Joe’s has an array of options that promise to transport your taste buds south of the border.
But not all options are created equal! We’ve taste-tested a slew of their offerings to bring you the ultimate ranking of these Mexican delights.
15. Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers $2.99/9.75 Oz
Taste Test
Bursting with the flavor of street corn, these chips are a snackable version of Mexican elote.
Texture
Crunchy, with a hearty corn taste.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 150 per 1 oz (28g or 12 chips)
- Fats: 8g
- Carbs: 17g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Corn, sunflower oil, elote seasoning (Parmesan cheese, salt, chili pepper, butter powder).
Pair-with
TJ’s Chunky Spicy Guacamole Auténtico for a snack that’s hard to resist.
14. Pollo Asado Burrito $3.49/10 Oz
Taste Test
Juicy chicken with a hint of citrus makes for a satisfying quick lunch.
Texture
Soft tortilla with well-cooked, tender chicken.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 320
- Fats: 9g
- Carbs: 40g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 20g
Ingredients
Chicken breast, rice, black beans, red peppers, onions, cilantro, lime juice.
Pair-with
Salsa Auténtica to kick up the flavor.
13. Black Bean and Cheese Taquitos $4.29/16 Oz
Taste Test
A comforting blend of black beans and cheese, perfect for dipping.
Texture
Crispy exterior with a creamy filling.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 190 per 2 Taquitos (76g)
- Fats: 9g
- Carbs: 21g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: less than 1g
- Protein: 6g
Ingredients
Black beans, cheddar cheese, spices, corn tortilla.
Pair-with
Chunky Spicy Guacamole Auténtico for a hearty snack.
12. Chicken Burrito Bowl $3.49/11.6 Oz
Taste Test
All the flavors of a burrito without the wrap, packed with veggies and chicken.
Texture
Well-balanced with tender chicken and firm veggies.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 370 per 1 bowl (330g)
- Fats: 10g
- Carbs: 51g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Dietary Fiber: 9g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 22g
Ingredients
Grilled chicken, rice, black beans, red peppers, corn, onions.
Pair-with
A dollop of Salsa Auténtica and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
11. Chicken Chile Verde Burritos $3.99/14 Oz
Taste Test
Savory and mild, these burritos are a crowd-pleaser with their gentle heat.
Texture
Soft tortilla wrapped around moist, flavorful chicken.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 410 per 1 burrito (198g)
- Fats: 15g
- Carbs: 51g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 19g
Ingredients
Chicken, green chile, rice, beans, spices, flour tortilla.
Pair-with
A side of Spicy Mexican-style Riced Cauliflower for a full meal.
10. Carnitas with Salsa Verde Burrito $3.49/each
Taste Test
Rich and tender carnitas paired with tangy salsa verde.
Texture
Moist meat with a soft, chewy tortilla.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 330
- Fats: 16g
- Carbs: 32g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 18g
Ingredients
Pork carnitas, salsa verde, rice, flour tortilla.
Pair-with
A fresh lime wedge and a slice of avocado to enhance the flavors.
9. Chunky Spicy Guacamole Auténtico $3.99/each
Taste Test
A perfect blend of avocados, onions, tomatoes, and just the right amount of heat.
Texture
Chunky yet creamy, ideal for dipping or topping.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 50
- Fats: 4g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime.
Pair-with
Any of the burritos or chips for a mouth-watering addition.
8. Salsa Auténtica $2.29/12 Oz
Taste Test
A vibrant and fresh-tasting salsa that’s mildly spicy and deeply flavorful.
Texture
Smooth with bits of chopped tomatoes and onions.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 10 per 2 Tbsp (30g)
- Fats: 0g
- Carbs: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients
Tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, salt, garlic.
Pair-with
Any of the burritos or dippers for a classic Mexican flavor boost.
7. Chiles Rellenos con Queso $5.99/14.4 Oz
Taste Test
Rich and cheesy with a pleasant kick from the poblano pepper.
Texture
Soft outer layer with a gooey cheese filling.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 330 per 1 piece + 1/3 cup sauce (205g)
- Fats: 24g
- Carbs: 19g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 9g
Ingredients
Poblano peppers, Monterey Jack cheese, tomato sauce, spices.
Pair-with
A side of refried beans for a hearty meal.
6. Beef Birria $7.99/16 Oz
Taste Test
Tender and juicy beef in a savory, slightly spicy sauce that’s packed with flavor.
Texture
Slow-cooked to perfection, the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 280 per 1 cup (227g)
- Fats: 15g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 1090mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: less than 1g
- Protein: 32g
Ingredients
Beef, birria sauce (tomato, chili peppers, onion, garlic), spices.
Pair-with
Warm tortillas and a spoonful of Salsa Auténtica for the ultimate experience.
5. Spicy Mexican-style Riced Cauliflower $3.79/16 Oz
Taste Test
A zesty and health-conscious alternative to traditional rice.
Texture
Grainy yet tender, mimicking the mouthfeel of cooked rice.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 50 per 1 cup frozen (110g)
- Fats: 2.5g
- Carbs: 5g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Cauliflower, poblano peppers, tomatoes, onions, spices.
Pair-with
Chicken Chile Verde Burritos for a low-carb meal.
4. Cheese and Green Chile Tamales $3.79/10 Oz
Taste Test
The smooth texture of masa combined with the creamy, spicy filling offers a delicious bite every time.
Texture
Soft masa encasing a flavorful cheesy and chile filling.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 290 per 1 tamale (142g)
- Fats: 16g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 8g
Ingredients
Corn masa, green chiles, cheese, vegetable oil, baking powder.
Pair-with
A side of Salsa Auténtica for dipping.
3. Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas $4.99/16.5 Oz
Taste Test
Comforting and hearty with a tangy salsa verde that brightens each bite.
Texture
Soft tortillas enveloping a generous chicken filling, smothered in green sauce.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 320 per 1/2 package (234g)
- Fats: 11g
- Carbs: 30g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 24g
Ingredients
Chicken, corn tortillas, cheese, salsa verde (tomatillo, jalapeño).
Pair-with
A crisp side salad to balance the richness.
2. Carne Asada Burritos $5.49/14 Oz
Taste Test
Flavorful and well-seasoned beef with just the right amount of char.
Texture
Juicy carne asada wrapped in a soft, chewy tortilla.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 490 per 1 burrito (198g)
- Fats: 19g
- Carbs: 55g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 23g
Ingredients
Beef asada, rice, beans, red peppers, onions, cilantro.
Pair-with
Chunky Spicy Guacamole Auténtico for a flavor-packed meal.
1. Chicken Mole $6.99/16 Oz
Taste Test
A complex and rich mole sauce that beautifully complements the tender chicken.
Texture
Slow-cooked chicken that’s soft and pulls apart easily.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 190 per 5 oz (140g)
- Fats: 7g
- Carbs: 12g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 20g
Ingredients
Chicken, mole sauce (chili peppers, chocolate, spices), sesame seeds.
Pair-with
A serving of Spicy Mexican-style Riced Cauliflower for a satisfying dinner.
This rounds up our ultimate taste-tested ranking of Trader Joe’s frozen Mexican delights. From the crunchy chips to the savory complex flavors of mole, this list is sure to help you navigate your next flavor adventure at Trader Joe’s!
