15 Affordable Frozen Trader Joe’s Items That Make for an Unexpectedly Delicious Lunch

Fall is in the air, and you’re looking for warm lunch ideas. You don’t have to splurge on pricey takeout for your mid-day meals. Instead, try these Trader Joe’s shopping hacks for lunch.

TJ’s has the top frozen foods to take your lunch game up a notch. From Indian-inspired naan bread to tofu-stuffed seaweed rolls, these foodie finds are affordable deals that will keep your budget in check.

Editor’s note : Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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1. Reduced-Guilt Mac and Cheese

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Price: $2.29

Lighten your lunch with this “reduced-guilt” meal. With 65 percent less fat and 25 percent fewer calories than Trader Joe’s classic mac, this frozen find won’t weigh you down for the rest of the day.

For $2.29, this seven-ounce pack of mac is a steal. Even though you’ll get two ounces more from Amy’s Frozen Organic Macaroni and Cheese, this brand-name buy costs over $3 more.

2. Organic Brown Rice

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Price: $4.49

Spend less time in the kitchen and try this convenient frozen pre-cooked organic brown rice. Microwave the rice for three minutes to get a healthy side that pairs well with veggies, grilled chicken, or tofu.

For under $4.50, you’ll get three 10-ounce pouches — which equals more than one pound of nutritious USDA organic grains.

3. Mandarin Style Orange Chicken Bowl

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Price: $4.49

Fans of Trader Joe’s 22-ounce bag of Mandarin Orange Chicken will enjoy this lunch-sized portion. The 13-ounce bowl includes batter-dipped dark meat chicken and the brand’s classic mandarin-style orange ginger sauce.

It also includes a side of fried rice and veggies to mix in. A similar takeout meal could cost you $8.50 or more at a fast-casual Asian-inspired eatery like Panda Express.

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4. Pad See Ew

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Price: $3.79

Snag this classic Thai meal for a fraction of what you would pay at a restaurant. Trader Joe’s reimagined version includes tofu, broccoli, carrots, and thick, chewy rice noodles. A soy sauce marinade adds a salty flavor you’ll savor.

5. Tandoori Naan

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Price: $2.99

Get more for your money with this versatile Indian flatbread. Pair a bubbly, golden slice with traditional chutney, curry, or saag paneer. Even though these are classic ways to serve naan, you can get creative and try other options.

Heat it in the oven and dip the naan in hummus, add grilled veggies, or cover it in tomato sauce and shredded cheese to make a single-serve pizza.

6. Kimbap

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Price: $3.99

If you’re lucky to find this popular product in stock, you might want to fill your cart with kimbap. Perfectly seasoned tofu strips, root veggies, and sauteed greens sit at the center of this rice and seaweed wrap.

Defrost the frozen roll in the microwave and serve it hot or cold. At $3.99, this Asian-inspired item is much more affordable than takeout sushi.

7. Scallion Pancakes

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Price: $3.99

Scallion pancakes (a.k.a Pa jeon) are a welcome addition to a so-so, sandwich-filled lunchtime routine. As the name implies, this Korean comfort food is made with a hefty dose of scallions.

The savory selection includes leeks, onions, carrots, and oyster mushrooms. Heat the pancakes on the stove and serve them with gochujang sauce, soy sauce, or sriracha.

8. Grilled Chicken Strips

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Price: $8.99

You can top an autumn apple and spinach salad, stuff a sandwich, make a burrito, toss the strips with pasta and tomato sauce, or use them in your favorite lunchtime recipe. This grilled frozen chicken is ready to heat and eat in minutes.

9. Breaded Chicken Breasts

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Price: $8.99

These aren’t your child’s chicken tenders. The fully cooked, frozen tenderloin breasts are lightly breaded. Heat the chicken in the oven or air fry it to crispy perfection.

And bonus, you don’t have to use the entire one-pound bag for lunch. Pull a few tenders out right now and save the rest for later.

Score a 28-ounce bag for $8.99 at Trader Joe’s right now. You’ll pay $3 more for 24 ounces of the brand-name Just Bare breaded chicken at Target.

10. Seasoned Corn Ribs

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Price: $3.99

Skip the same sides you usually serve with lunch. Trader Joe’s corn ribs are a vegan option made with plant-based butter. Eat these “ribs” plain or top them with salsa, BBQ sauce, or guac. Pair the subtly sweet selection with a sandwich, wrap, grilled chicken, salad, or tacos.

11. Vegetable Masala Burgers

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Price: $3.49

Make lunch lighter with these vegetarian burgers. Instead of heavy hamburgers, try these vegetable masala patties.

The low $3.49 price is a bargain compared to $4.79 for the same size four-pack of Morning Star Farms Grillers at Target. And, you won’t get the savory Indian spices with the brand-name buy.

12. Mini Vegetable Samosas

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Price: $3.99

Heat a few of these bite-sized stuffed puffed pastries as your main meal, or serve them as a lunchtime side. A slight pinch of Indian spices adds a zesty taste to this carrot, pea, onion, lentil, and potato-packed pick.

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13. Fully Cooked Falafel

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Price: $3.99

Save time and money with this under-$4 bag of fully cooked falafel. Microwave a few of the frozen balls, pop them into the air fryer, cook them on the stove, or bake them in the oven — no measuring or mixing required.

The spiced spheres are a perfect addition to pita-pocket sandwiches, salads, and more.

14. Spanakopita

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Price: $4.99

Set sail to the Med for lunch. A flaky phyllo dough crust, spinach, feta, and ricotta cheese will make this Greek spanakopita your new lunchtime favorite.

The 12-ounce pack is $4.99 at Trader Joe’s. But at Target, you’ll only get 8.5 ounces of Good and Gather’s frozen spanakopita for $5.99.

15. Steamed Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings

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Price: $3.49

Cook these dumplings in less than two minutes. At $3.49 for six, these pork and ginger-filled buns are a steal compared to what you could pay for takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Add the dumplings to warm miso broth on a chilly fall day, or dip them into a spiced soy sauce blend.

Bottom line

Skip the same old sandwiches and try something new. Trader Joe’s has gourmet-inspired culinary creations that will transform your lunch menu. So go ahead and fill your cart with these frozen bargain buys.

As if the everyday savings weren’t enough, use the best cash back credit cards to score perks, points, and rewards on eligible grocery purchases.

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