16 Hidden Treasures In Trader Joe's Freezer Section
By Heather Bien,
2024-09-19
Have you ever found yourself in a cycle of resorting to takeout meals and trips to the coffee shop? Life gets busy, and ramen for dinner and croissants for breakfast sounds easier than trying to whip something up at home. But all of those little meals add up quickly, and when you’re trying to save money, handing over $3 for a muffin day after day can wreck your budget.
Luckily, one of the easiest grocery budget hacks is also one that’s a perfect substitute for those quick meals.
Trader Joe’s freezer section has so many hidden treasures that will actually save you time over ordering food or going out to pick up takeout — and, in a lot of cases, they taste just as delicious. Here are 16 freezer items you need to pick up next time you take a trip to Trader Joe’s.
Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
Keep a bag of these mini French baguettes in your freezer at all times. They’re the perfect size for a light lunch of jambon beurre (a traditional ham and butter sandwich) or to accompany a dinner salad. They take just a few minutes in the oven to warm up, and it’s like you ran to the French bakery — except all you did was open your freezer.
You’ll throw away all of your delivery menus as soon as you try this orange chicken. It’s as good as anything you’ll get from a restaurant, but it’s inexpensive, quick, and easy. You’ll even have enough left for lunch the next day.
3. Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $5.49
If you’ve been to a coffee shop recently, you probably expect to pay $5 for a single croissant. But, if you have your act together the night before, these chocolate croissants taste as good as any in a cafe. You just have to proof them overnight before baking.
Here’s the ultimate takeout hack. Order your entree from your favorite restaurant, but pair it with Trader Joe’s frozen sides. The mini vegetable samosas are the perfect accompaniment for the butter chicken from your go-to neighborhood spot, but you’ll save a few bucks by going with the frozen ones from TJs.
5. Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Wontons
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $3.49
These flavor-packed wontons are absolutely delicious when pan-fried. You’ll get a soft, warm inside with a nice crisp on the outside. Serve them with a drizzle of Sriracha and soy sauce, and you have an appetizer that you’ll reach for again and again.
Another great classic takeout side, the soup dumplings from Trader Joe’s are always a go-to when you’re making a quick Asian meal. They’re warm and flavorful, and the texture is exactly what you want in a dumpling — you’ll wonder how they achieved this in frozen form.
Sometimes just a bite or two of a sweet treat is all you want after a meal, and that’s when you need these mini ice cream cones. They’re perfectly creamy, but you’ll find yourself racing through to get to that last chocolate-packed bite in the bottom of the cone.
8. Trader Joe’s A Dozen Macarons Variés
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $5.99
When you want to feel fancy without dropping a few dollars on a single macaron from a bakery, reach for these frozen macarons. They need just a few minutes to come to room temperature, and you’ll have a light and crisp yet chewy bite of these beloved French pastries.
9. Trader Joe’s Dutch Griddle Cakes
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $3.49
It’s not that pancakes are hard to make, but sometimes you just don’t have the time and energy. That’s when you need these Dutch griddle cakes from Trader Joe’s. They taste just like the ones you’d get from a diner, but you can make them in minutes at home.
Who doesn’t love pigs in a blanket? And who doesn’t love pickles? So why not combine them? Leave it to Trader Joe’s to do what no one else had thought of — and make it delicious. These are the best party snacks to have on hand this football season.
11. Trader Joe’s Japanese Style Fried Rice
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $3.79
If you have this Japanese-style fried rice in the freezer, you’ll always have a quick, easy dinner. You can add chicken, beef, or even a fried egg to it, and you’ll have a flavorful entree in just minutes.
12. Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $4.49
This is the easiest takeout alternative you can have sitting in your freezer. Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala rivals anything you’d get from your neighborhood spot, but it costs just over $4, and it’s ready in minutes.
Tempura fried batter over julienned onions, carrots, and chopped kale is one of the most shockingly yummy things you’ll have in your freezer. Trader Joe’s serves these bird’s nests with an Asian-influenced soy-based sauce that you’ll want to put on everything going forward. Cook these in the air fryer for the perfect crisp.
There’s a reason these pastry bites have been in Trader Joe’s freezer cases for decades — they’re unbelievably good. They may not be the first thing you reach for when you’re grocery shopping or when you’re at a party, but the minute you take a bite, you’re definitely going to go back for another…and another.
15. Jamaican Style Beef Patties
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $4.49
When you want something warm, delicious, and reliable, these Jamaican-style beef patties are it. The flavors are spicy, the shell is flaky, and the experience of biting into these is like discovering your new comfort food.
16. Tandoori Naan
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Price: $2.99
The issue with specialty bread that you don’t keep on hand at all times is that you never have it when you need it. But, with this naan that you can keep in the freezer, you’ll always have it ready when you want a quick Indian meal. It takes just minutes to heat up in the oven.
Bottom line
Want to save even more on your next Trader Joe’s bill? Look for the best cash back credit cards that offer additional points and cash back on groceries.
Those add up quickly, particularly when you start eating out less and cooking more — which is easy when you realize that some Trader Joe’s frozen meals are just as good as takeout!
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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