Trader Joe's is renowned for its frozen food selection, with items like Mandarin Orange Chicken and viral frozen kimbap earning rave reviews. Yet, when time is of the essence, even microwavable meals can feel too slow. That's where Trader Joe's grab-and-go options come in handy.
Head to the refrigerated foods section, and you'll find an array of sandwiches, salads, and other ready-to-eat delights. These offerings are exactly as they sound—ready-to-eat, with no heating required. Just open the package and dig in!
Convenient, affordable, and quick, these grab-and-go options can be a game-changer for busy individuals. While they might not have the same devoted fanbase as Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi or Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings, they definitely deserve attention.
As you gear up for your next Trader Joe's run, don't overlook these speedy options. Here are the top fresh, grab-and-go foods you should consider adding to your shopping list.
1) Classic Greek Salad
Nutrition information not provided.
For those craving a taste of the Mediterranean, Trader Joe's offers a pre-packaged Greek salad. This flavorful ensemble features crisp romaine lettuce, vibrant red cabbage, crunchy cucumbers, sweet red bell peppers, zesty red onion, tangy feta cheese, and briny kalamata olives. To tie it all together, a packet of delectable red wine vinaigrette is included. Among the salad's enthusiasts, some shoppers have singled out their favorite components.
"That red wine vinaigrette in the Greek salad is absolutely amazing. I wish they sold it separately. I'd stock up on produce to make my own salads," remarked one fan.
"I have to agree, the feta cheese in that salad is superior to the feta sold separately at Trader Joe's," added another.
2) Green Goddess Salad
NUTRITION: (Per 1 1/4 Cup Salad + Dressing):
CALORIES: 130
FAT: 9 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
SODIUM: 280 mg
CARBS: 8 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 12 g)
PROTEIN: 4 g
Make a quick stop at Trader Joe's, and you'll discover the tantalizing Green Goddess Salad. Priced at $5.99, this pre-packaged salad boasts a vibrant mix of romaine lettuce, spinach, red cabbage, and carrots, generously topped with succulent blackened chicken thigh meat and crispy puffed red rice. Accompanying each salad is a delightful packet of Green Goddess Ranch Dressing, crafted from a blend of buttermilk, champagne vinegar, lemon, and herbs. It's the ultimate on-the-go lunch option!
3) Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon
NUTRITION: (Per 1 1/3 Cup Salad + Dressing):
CALORIES: 130
FAT: 9 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
SODIUM: 280 mg
CARBS: 6 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g)
PROTEIN: 5 g
If you're hankering for salmon, the Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon is sure to grab your attention. This delectable dish combines romaine, frisée, and baby spinach with red cabbage, carrots, diced cucumbers, sliced onions, and seasoned grilled salmon. To complete the $6.99 meal, it comes with a small bag of crispy onions and a packet of sesame miso dressing. Since its debut in fall 2023, this item has received rave reviews from shoppers.
"This salad strikes a perfect balance. It's especially appealing to those who prefer lighter options. I would definitely purchase it again," shared one satisfied Redditor.
Another enthusiast expressed their wish for the dressing to be available separately in large bottles, praising its "perfectly umami and balanced" flavor profile without being overly sweet or acidic.
4) Field Fresh Chopped Salad
Nutrition information not provided.
Yet another salad featuring a remarkable dressing is the Field Fresh Chopped Salad. It boasts a blend of Israeli couscous, currants, parmesan cheese, grilled white chicken, and a delectable sweet basil dressing.
One avid fan, dubbing it their "absolute favorite prepared salad," expressed their desire for the dressing to be bottled separately, stating, "I wish they'd bottle that dressing." Echoing similar sentiments, another shopper added, "I've scoured everywhere to replicate the dressing but haven't found the right one. They really need to bottle it already!"
5) Chicken Wrap With Pesto Vinaigrette
Nutrition information not provided.
Another Trader Joe's fan favorite is their wrap featuring grilled chicken, ricotta, and sun-dried tomatoes, perfectly complemented by the indulgent pesto sauce.
Once more, it's the sauce that steals the show. Some enthusiasts are so enamored with this vinaigrette that they've expressed interest in purchasing it separately. "Honestly, this sauce might just be the best thing I've ever tried. I could drink gallons of it and pour it over everything!" exclaimed one customer on Reddit.
6) Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Nutrition information not provided.
For all the lemon enthusiasts out there, this Trader Joe's grab-and-go pasta salad features a medley of bowtie pasta, spinach, zucchini, peas, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty lemon wedge.
"It's incredibly fresh-tasting," remarked one TikTok user in a product review. "Absolutely love it! I pick it up regularly!" chimed in a fan in the comments section. Others affectionately labeled it as their "go-to favorite."
7) Spicy Lentil Wrap
Nutrition information not provided.
This vegan grab-and-go wrap has garnered praise from shoppers for its impressive 14 grams of protein per serving. Encased in a lavash wrap, each handheld delight features a savory blend of lentil and bulgur wheat, along with shredded cabbage, red pepper paste, and a fiery tahini sauce.
"Spicy Lentil Wrap absolutely slaps," exclaimed one Reddit user. "I only tried the Spicy Lentil Wrap for the first time 2 weeks ago (and I'm a pretty regular shopper since TJ's hit my city) and hoooolllyyyyy shhheeeeeiiiiittttt it is GOOD and SATISFYING," echoed another delighted fan.
8) Crunchy Slaw Salad
Nutrition information not provided.
For those craving the bold flavors of peanut dressing, the Crunchy Slaw Salad might hit the spot. Loaded with grilled white meat chicken, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, crispy noodles, and of course, a peanut dressing, it's a go-to choice for many. "The Crunchy Slaw Salad is my favorite salad from Trader Joe's," shared one Reddit user. "I add a little Sriracha to give it a kick," they added.
9) Lemon Chicken Arugula Salad
Nutrition information not provided.
Featuring Moroccan-inspired couscous, red quinoa, fresh parsley, mint, sweet currants, and zesty lemon chicken atop arugula, this Trader Joe's grab-and-go salad is a flavor explosion. And let's not forget about the spicy red pepper dressing—it's a game-changer. "That arugula salad is just about my favorite thing from TJ's, period," raved one shopper. "Everything goes together so well in that salad, it's just delicious," they added.
10) Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich
Nutrition information not provided.
The Turkey, Apple, Cheddar Sandwich from Trader Joe's is a delightful combination of turkey breast, sliced apples, aged cheddar, and baby arugula, all nestled between a multigrain rustico roll and finished with dijon mayo.
Fans rave about its taste and convenience. "That turkey apple cheddar sandwich has been my go-to when I'm suddenly ravenous, so good!" exclaimed one Reddit user. Another shopper, despite being a vegetarian, admitted to indulging in the sandwich occasionally. "I'm a vegetarian, but I cheat with that sandwich," they confessed. High praise indeed!