The 52 Most Popular Trader Joe's Frozen Foods, Ranked From Worst To Best
If you ask me, the winner is clear.
Walking through the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe's is many things: awe-inspiring, hunger-inducing, and overwhelming. With so many items to try, how can one decide? Well, as a self-proclaimed TJ's fanatic, I've done the work for you. Here are 52 popular Trader Joe's frozen foods, ranked.
52. Honey Walnut Shrimp

Everything about these crispy battered shrimp seems like they would taste great, but something goes awry with the creamy sauce and sparse candied walnuts. The sauce is meager, and in any case, it doesn't seem to go together.
51. Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns

This cross-cultural combination definitely has potential, but this version didn't work for me.
50. Chicken Chile Verde Burrito


You can make a better version of these from scratch with just a few basic ingredients.
49. Pizza Margherita


Trader Joe's has plenty of frozen pizzas I genuinely enjoy (see: #5 on this list). This one, unfortunately, isn't one of them.
48. Chicken Pot Pie


Bland in flavor and rather unpleasant in texture, you should probably skip this IMO.
47. Organic A?ai Bowl
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I wanted to like this tropical smoothie-bowl breakfast, but it just doesn't taste fresh and the toppings (the best part, of course) are sparse.
46. Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry


You can definitely dress up this riced cauliflower stir to make it a satisfying meal. Add in some fried eggs and your favorite protein, and it's very decent. But on it's own, it's unimpressive.
45. Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese


A bit soggy and lacking in flavor, I prefer to top regular frozen corn with "Everything but the Elote" seasoning and Cotija cheese.
44. Vegetable Pad Thai


When it comes to pad Thai, it's all about the savory peanut sauce, and this version is seriously lacking in that department.
43. Jackfruit Cakes


While these vegan patties aren't BAD, they don't taste anything like the crab cakes they're meant to mimic.
42. Seafood Paella


IMHO, the most delicious thing about paella is the delightfully crispy rice that emerges when you scrape the bottom of the pan, and you're not going to find that with this frozen version.
41. Cheese-Filled Fiochetti With Pink Sauce


This frozen pasta had me at pink sauce, but it left me disappointed. It's definitely more than edible, but I'm not running back for this.
40. Mac and Cheese Bites


My main complaint with this party app is that the breading overpowers the cheese. I just want more of the gooey, cheesy interior!
39. Frozen Falafel Balls


Stick with TJ's falafel mix. It takes a tad bit more effort, but it's much tastier and crispier once cooked.
38. Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip


If you need a quick and easy party dip that everyone will enjoy, here it is.
37. Vegetable Fried Rice


If you're looking for an easy dinner that's cheaper than take-out, this veggie-fried rice is a good option. It won't change your life, but it will leave you satisfied.
36. Chocolate Lava Gnocchi
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Is it weird that I can't tell if I love or hate these?? For that reason, I'll put them somewhere in the middle.
35. Chicken and Mushroom Pelmeni


These Russian-style dumplings are interesting, but they're very small and much of the flavor disappears after boiling.
34. Tempura Shrimp With Soy Dipping Sauce


At $7.99 per package, this is one of the pricier items in Trader Joe's freezer aisle. The shrimp are large and there are a bunch of them, so you feel like you're getting your money's worth.
33. Cauliflower Gnocchi


Ahh, what can I say about the renowned cauliflower gnocchi that hasn't been said before? This lower-carb gnocchi alternative is definitely tasty. Pan-fry or roast it in the oven for the best texture. Or, if you're feeling ambitious, cook it in the air fryer.
32. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches


These chocolate-chip coated ice cream sandos are guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again.
31. Cauliflower Tempura


This crispy battered cauliflower is definitely satisfying, just go easy on the Kung Pao sauce. It's a lot — I usually only use about half.
30. Mini Chicken Tacos


Serve this finger food with some salsa and TJ's pre-made guac and you've got an instant fiesta.
29. Scallion Pancakes (Pa Jeon)


Whereas some frozen foods are skimpy, these savory scallion pancakes are large and can easily make a meal. I just wish it came with a dipping sauce.
28. Big Soft Pretzels


Move over, every other pretzel in the universe. These babies are crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside and pair perfectly with honey pale ale mustard.
27. Battered Fish Nuggets


As far as fish sticks go, these battered nuggets are leaders of the pack. After about 10 minutes in the oven, they get golden brown and crispy with a tender interior. Try them in fish tacos for a lazy meal.
26. Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup


While this frozen soup is light on the veggies and definitely not as pictured, the wontons themselves are actually very tasty. Keep this on hand for a cozy meal on a cold night.
25. Shrimp Seafood Burgers


When it comes to seafood burgers, this shrimp version takes the cake over the salmon and mahi mahi patties. It's actually incredibly flavorful and tastes pretty gourmet on a hamburger bun with some sliced avocado.
24. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese


Call me basic, but when fall rolls around I just crave this seasonal, comforting meal. It's cheesy and decadent and coated in a creamy butternut squash sauce.
23. Chicken Chilaquiles Rojo


I'm not sure if this is meant to be consumed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but I hereby declare it is appropriate for all the above meals.
22. Potato Pancakes


You don't need to be celebrating Hannukah to appreciate the goodness of a fried potato latke. Enjoy these for brunch with a poached egg and a slice of smoked salmon, and you're basically a gourmet chef.
21. Cheese Pizza With a Cauliflower Crust


Trader Joe's sells a plain cauliflower crust which is very meh, but this pre-made cauliflower crust pizza topped with tomato sauce and cheese is a winner in my book.
20. Stacked Eggplant Parmesan


To me, this frozen eggplant parmesan seriously tastes homemade. It actually takes a while to cook in the oven, but it only needs six minutes in the microwave. The eggplant is covered in a generous serving of melted cheese and a delicious combination of tomato sauce and pesto.
19. Outside-In Stuffed Gnocchi


The ultimate lazy meal, you don't even need to toss these puppies in tomato sauce because [drum roll].... it's already inside!
18. Gone Bananas


Don't let the bananas fool you, these bite-sized desserts are totally indulgent.
17. Garlic Naan


At $2 per bag, you'll never find my freezer without this.
16. Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs


These marinated and pre-cooked Korean short ribs are probably better than anything I could make from scratch. Bring on the bibimbap or short rib tacos.
15. Brazillian-Style Cheese Bread


I almost screamed out loud when I first spotted these at my local T.J's. This ~gluten-free~ Brazilian-inspired cheese bread is made with tapioca flour and lots of Parmesan cheese. They're light and airy and absolutely delightful.
14. Channa Masala


I can't speak for the 'authentic' label on the box — but I can say that this vegetarian-friendly Trader Joe's meal is incredibly flavorful and satisfying, especially when served with naan.
13. Cookie Butter Ice Cream


One word: speculoos.
12. Sweet Thai Chili Veggie Burgers


Trader Joe's has lots of frozen options that make it easy to eat vegetarian, but IMO these well-seasoned, Thai-inspired burgers are one of the absolute best.
11. Hatch Chile Mac 'n' Cheese


This frozen mac 'n' cheese is the ideal blend of rich and spicy. It tastes more gourmet than any boxed stuff.
10. Pork Gyoza Potstickers


You might be overwhelmed as you browse the numerous dumpling options at your local T.J.s I'll save you the guesswork: just grab one of these babies — the pork and chicken versions are equally good.
9. Mochi


Trader Joe's sells Japanese-inspired mochi in a bunch of different flavors from green tea to peanut butter. I suggest grabbing one of each and finding your favorite.
8. Chicken Tikka Masala


A slight point reduction for the slightly small serving size, but I think this tikka masala with basmati rice is pretty much restaurant-quality.
7. Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings


At first, I was hesitant to try these frozen soup dumplings. They just seemed like something that would taste better fresh. But I was wrong. Bite into these light and doughy dumplings and you'll find a savory pork filling in a spicy, ginger-y broth. They are darn goooood.
6. 4 Chocolate Croissants


Making croissants from scratch is something that most people (myself included) will probably never try. Better leave that to the French...or to Trader Joe's. They're great! Place these frozen croissants in the fridge overnight to rise, then pop them in the oven and voilà: flaky, doughy, wonderful pastries.
5. Burrata, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread


Easily the best frozen pizza that Trader Joe's has to offer. The prep is a bit more ~involved~ than your typical frozen pie though. Let it thaw for 20 minutes before cooking, then add the prosciutto slices, which are packed separately.
4. Parmesan Pastry Puffs


If you thought all pigs in a blanket were created equally, these Parmesan-crusted, doughy pastry pups will change your mind forever. It's my ultimate party app.
3. Hold The Cone


At the surface, there's nothing fancy about these mini ice cream cones coated in chocolate. But try one, and I suspect you (like me) will want to pick up another box every time you walk into Trader Joe's.
2. Mandarin Orange Chicken


If you know, you know.
1. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe


A newcomer to the frozen food aisle, this ready-to-eat cacio e pepe stole my heart the moment I tried it. It's PERFECT. It's like mac and cheese except more sophisticated, and if you close your eyes and enjoy it with a bottle of red, you can almost convince yourself you're eating in a Roman trattoria. ??