If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed standing in Trader Joe’s frozen aisle, you’re not alone. With so many tempting options, it’s tough to know which meals are actually worth your time (and freezer space). These 7 frozen favorites, raved about by Trader Joe’s super fans, are the ones that stand out for their flavor, ease, and overall satisfaction.
Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons $4.99/7.5 oz
These crispy wontons are a spicy-savory dream, filled with cream cheese, Parmesan, and diced jalapeños. A perfect appetizer or snack that hits all the right notes.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 300
- Fat 19g
- Carbs 27g
- Sodium 460mg
- Dietary Fiber 3g
- Sugar 3g
- Protein 6g
Ingredients
- Wonton wrapper (wheat flour, water, sea salt, cornstarch, ascorbic acid [to preserve], citric acid [to preserve]), cream cheese (pasteurized cultured milk and cream, salt, stabilizers [guar gum and carob bean gum]), Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part skim cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, microbial enzyme), jalapeño peppers, canola oil, garlic, sour cream (cultured cream), onion, water, chives, heavy cream, ginger, cornstarch, jalapeño pepper powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder.
- Contains: milk, wheat.
- May contain: egg.
Preparation Instructions
Bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes or air-fry at 375°F for 8 minutes until golden brown. Best served with sweet chili sauce.
Chicken Burrito Bowl $3.49/10 oz
A hearty, microwaveable bowl filled with seasoned chicken breast, brown rice, quinoa, black beans, corn, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, and chipotle Southwest sauce.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 370
- Fat 4.5g
- Carbs 51g
- Sodium 630mg
- Dietary Fiber 9g
- Sugar 2g
- Protein 22g
Ingredients
- Parboiled brown rice (water, brown rice), water, white meat chicken (chicken breast, water, potato starch, sea salt), black beans (water, black beans), red quinoa (water, red quinoa), red pepper, green pepper, corn, cheddar cheese (milk, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, annatto [color], microbial rennet, cellulose), crushed tomatoes, sour cream (milk solids, cream, bacterial culture), diced tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice), poblano peppers, onions, cream, cornstarch, expeller pressed canola oil, garlic puree (garlic, water), spices, sea salt, chili powder, chipotle pepper paste (red bell peppers, sea salt, chipotle peppers), cilantro, lime juice (water, lime juice concentrate, lime oil).
- Contains: milk.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave on high for 3–4 minutes. Stir halfway through. Let cool for 1 minute before serving.
Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese $3.49/12 oz
Creamy mac and cheese made with smoky, slightly spicy Hatch chiles from New Mexico. A comfort food classic with a flavorful twist.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 260
- Fat 10g
- Carbs 31g
- Sodium 430mg
- Dietary Fiber 1g
- Sugar 3g
- Protein 11g
Ingredients
- Cooked elbow macaroni (water, enriched durum wheat flour, durum wheat semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), milk, cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, microbial rennet, annatto [color]), roasted Hatch chile peppers, chile, unbleached enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), butter (pasteurized cream, salt, annatto [color]), salt, modified rice starch, spices.
- Contains: wheat, milk.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave for 4–5 minutes or heat in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs $14.99/20 oz
Tender beef ribs marinated in a sweet-savory Korean-style sauce made with soy, garlic, sesame oil, and brown sugar.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 320
- Fat 27g
- Carbs 2g
- Sodium 230mg
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugar 2g
- Protein 16g
Ingredients
- Beef short rib
- Marinade: (soy sauce [water, wheat, soybean, salt], water, brown sugar, rice wine [rice, koji rice, water], sesame oil, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper)
- Contains: wheat, soy.
Preparation Instructions
Grill or pan-fry on medium-high heat for 4–6 minutes per side until caramelized. Serve with rice and pickled vegetables.
Spinach & Feta Egg White Burrito $4.49/7.1 oz
A whole wheat tortilla stuffed with egg whites, spinach, feta cheese, and a tangy sun-dried tomato spread. A surprisingly flavorful healthy breakfast.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 410
- Fat 18g
- Carbs 43g
- Sodium 740mg
- Dietary Fiber 5g
- Sugar 3g
- Protein 19g
Ingredients
- Wheat tortilla (enriched wheat flour [wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], whole wheat flour, water, canola oil, cultured wheat flour [to preserve], sea salt, leavening agent [sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, monocalcium phosphate], mono- and diglycerides [to preserve], citric acid [to preserve], yeast, guar gum), egg whites (egg whites, water, citric acid [to maintain color]), spinach, feta cheese (milk, salt, cheese cultures, vegetable enzymes), cream cheese (cultured milk and cream, salt, stabilizers [guar gum, carob bean gum]), sun dried tomatoes (tomatoes, sulfur dioxide [to maintain color]), tomato paste, canola oil, cornstarch, salt, sugar, dried garlic, dried onion, oregano.
- Contains: milk, egg, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave for 2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let rest for 1 minute before eating.
Korean-Inspired Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice with Kimchi $5.49/16 oz
A bold and savory rice dish featuring tender beef, veggies, kimchi, and Korean-style sweet and spicy seasoning.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 680
- Fat 18g
- Carbs 103g
- Sodium 1960mg
- Dietary Fiber 5g
- Sugar 11g
- Protein 19g
Ingredients
- Seasoned cooked rice (cooked rice [water, rice], sauce [soy sauce {water, soybeans, wheat, salt}, sugar, sesame oil, sea salt, canola oil, water, granulated garlic, dehydrated onion, seasoning {natural flavoring, maltodextrin}, molasses, red pepper powder (red pepper, salt), seasoning {sunflower oil, natural flavor}, black pepper, xanthan gum], canola oil), stir-fried vegetables (green cabbage, kimchi [napa cabbage, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, carrot, garlic, green onion, cane sugar, onion, sea salt, ginger], onion, canola oil, garlic), beef, water and potato starch product (beef, sugar, water, garlic puree, soy sauce [water, soybeans, wheat, salt], toasted sesame oil, less than 2% of potato starch, onion juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, vinegar, sea salt, grill flavor [tapioca dextrin, salt, grill flavor {from sunflower oil}, smoke flavor, silicon dioxide], flavoring, black pepper), green onion, green beans.
- Contains: soy, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave for 5 minutes or heat in a skillet on medium for 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cheese-Filled Fiocchetti with Pink Sauce $3.99/12 oz
Fiocchetti pasta (mini purses) filled with a blend of Italian cheeses and tossed in a creamy tomato sauce. Rich and comforting.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 290
- Fat 17g
- Carbs 26g
- Sodium 370mg
- Dietary Fiber 1g
- Sugar 2g
- Protein 8g
Ingredients
- Water, durum wheat semolina, cream, eggs, tomato puree (tomato, citric acid [acidifier]), ricotta cheese (milk, salt, lactic acid), sunflower oil, minced onion, Taleggio cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, animal rennet), mozzarella cheese (milk, microbial enzyme, salt, citric acid [acidifier]), butter (milk, natural flavor), wheat flour, Parmesan cheese (milk, salt, animal rennet), bread crumbs (wheat flour, water, salt, yeast), garlic puree, salt, lemon juice, basil, parsley, ground black pepper.
- Contains: milk, egg, wheat.
- May contain traces of: soy.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave for 3–4 minutes or heat in a skillet on low, stirring gently until hot.
Conclusion
These frozen favorites make meal prep easy, flavorful, and satisfying. Whether you’re craving spicy bites, cheesy pasta, or bold Korean flavors, Trader Joe’s frozen section has something for every craving.
