10+ Trader Joe’s Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Trader Joe’s has become a favorite grocery store for many because of its unique products and affordable prices. This article will explore a variety of delicious and easy recipes that you can make using ingredients from Trader Joe’s. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals or tasty snacks, you’ll find inspiration to make something special.

With a focus on simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these recipes are perfect for busy lifestyles. You’ll learn how to create satisfying dishes that keep your taste buds happy without spending hours in the kitchen.

1) Unexpected Fig Bites

Unexpected Fig Bites are a delightful treat that you can easily make at home. These bites combine sweet figs with savory cheese for a tasty appetizer.

To prepare, start by laying out fig slices on a serving tray. Top each slice with a square of Unexpected Cheddar cheese. Then, add a small dollop of Fig Butter on top for sweetness.

For a fresh touch, you can garnish each bite with a few thyme leaves. This adds a hint of herb flavor that complements the dish well.

Ingredients

• Freeze Dried Fig Slices
• Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
• Fig Butter
• Fresh Thyme Leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Place fig slices on a serving tray.
2. Add a square of Unexpected Cheddar on each fig slice.
3. Top with a small dollop of Fig Butter.
4. Garnish with thyme leaves and serve.

2) Double-Apple Oatmeal

Double-Apple Oatmeal is a tasty and nutritious way to start your day. It combines the sweetness of apples with hearty rolled oats. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for breakfast.

You will need Trader Joe’s Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice and your favorite apples. The result is a warm bowl of oatmeal that’s both filling and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Trader Joe’s Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice
• 1 cup Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats
• 4 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Salted Butter
• 1 apple (your favorite type), diced
• Optional: cinnamon or nuts for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the apple juice in a pot until it simmers.
2. Stir in the rolled oats and diced apple.
3. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the butter and mix well until melted.
5. Serve warm, and enjoy!

3) Sam’s Sweet Potato Soup

Sam’s Sweet Potato Soup is a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make and uses simple, fresh ingredients. You will love how flavorful it is.

To start, gather the ingredients. You need sweet potatoes, onion, vegetable broth, and spices. The addition of couscous makes it hearty and filling.

When you’re ready to cook, heat oil in a pot and sauté the onion. Then, add the diced sweet potatoes and cook until they begin to soften.

Pour in the vegetable broth and let it simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender. Finally, stir in the couscous and cook until it’s done.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp avocado oil
• 0.5 jumbo yellow onion
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 0.5 cup Israeli couscous
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• Spices to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat avocado oil in a large pot.
2. Sauté the onion until soft.
3. Add diced sweet potatoes and cook for a few minutes.
4. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
5. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.
6. Stir in couscous and cook until done.

4) Zhuzhed Up Ramen Cup

You can make your ramen cup more exciting with a few simple ingredients. Start with a Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Cup as your base.

For this recipe, add a soft-boiled egg for protein. Some sliced shiitake mushrooms will add flavor and texture. Finally, toss in some baby bok choy for extra crunch and nutrients.

To enhance the taste, drizzle a bit of avocado oil before serving. This quick twist elevates your ramen to a delicious meal in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Cup
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons Trader Joe’s avocado oil
• 2 sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 sliced baby bok choy

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.
2. Add the ramen cup and cook according to package instructions.
3. In a separate pot, boil the egg for about 6-7 minutes.
4. Slice the mushrooms and bok choy while the ramen cooks.
5. When done, remove the egg and cool in cold water.
6. Mix mushrooms and bok choy into the ramen.
7. Peel and slice the egg, then add it on top.
8. Drizzle with avocado oil and enjoy!

5) Cozy Tortellini Soup

Cozy Tortellini Soup is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for chilly days. This recipe features Trader Joe’s Spinach Tortellini, which are small pockets of pasta filled with cheese and spinach.

To make this soup, start by sautéing some mirepoix and garlic. Then, add vegetable broth and bring it to a simmer.

Finally, stir in the tortellini and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Let it cook until the tortellini is tender.

This soup is simple and ready in about 20 minutes, making it a quick go-to meal.

Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s Spinach Tortellini
• Mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions)
• Garlic
• Vegetable broth
• Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Sauté mirepoix and garlic in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the tortellini.
4. Cook until tortellini is tender.
5. Add Parmesan cheese before serving.

6) Korean Hot Chicken

Korean Hot Chicken is a delicious dish that features bold flavors and a spicy kick. You can make a quick version at home using Trader Joe’s ingredients for a tasty meal.

To start, you will need chicken pieces, some oil, and a few key sauces. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors is what makes this dish special.

Feel free to get creative by adding veggies or serving it with rice. It’s great for lunch or dinner and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces
• Cooking oil
• Trader Joe’s Korean Style Yangnyeom Sauce
• Gochujang paste (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss the chicken pieces in oil and lay them on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Brush with Korean sauce before serving. Enjoy!

7) General Tso’s Fried Chicken

You can make a tasty General Tso’s Fried Chicken with just a few ingredients from Trader Joe’s. This dish combines crispy chicken with a flavorful sauce that everyone will enjoy.

Start by preparing chicken breast segments. Coat them in a light layer of oil and season with salt and pepper. Fry them until they’re golden brown.

Next, use Trader Joe’s General Tsao’s Sauce to add that signature flavor. Mix the cooked chicken with the sauce in a hot pan.

Serve it with steamed broccoli and rice for a complete meal. Enjoy the delicious mix of flavors!

Ingredients

• Chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Trader Joe’s General Tsao’s Sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Broccoli (optional)
• Jasmine rice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
3. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add General Tsao’s Sauce and stir well.
5. Serve with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice if desired.

8) Chimichurri Chicken with Spanish Rice

Chimichurri chicken with Spanish rice is a tasty and easy meal. You can make it using simple ingredients from Trader Joe’s. This dish features juicy chicken coated in flavorful chimichurri sauce, served alongside seasoned rice.

Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken in chimichurri sauce to coat it well. Then, grill or bake the chicken until it’s cooked through.

Serve your chimichurri chicken over a bed of Spanish rice for a complete meal. You might even want to add black beans or roasted corn for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken
• 3/4 cup chimichurri sauce
• Spanish rice
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Coat chicken with chimichurri sauce.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Serve over Spanish rice.

9) Two-Ingredient Roasted Chicken Thighs

This simple recipe makes delicious roasted chicken thighs using just two ingredients. You can use Trader Joe’s Zhoug for a burst of flavor. This spicy herb sauce pairs well with chicken and gives it a unique taste.

To prepare, you’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Coat them in Zhoug and let them marinate for a bit. The longer they sit, the more flavor they absorb.

Bake the chicken in the oven preheated to 400°F (204°C) for about 35-40 minutes, until cooked through. You’ll enjoy juicy, tender chicken with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup Trader Joe’s Zhoug

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. Coat the chicken thighs with Zhoug.
3. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Place the thighs on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes until cooked through.

10) Cauliflower Gnocchi

Cauliflower gnocchi is a tasty and fun option for dinner. It’s made mostly from cauliflower, making it a lower-carb choice.

You can cook it in various ways, such as pan frying, boiling, or baking. For a delicious treat, try pan frying the gnocchi.

Heat a little oil in the pan and add the gnocchi in a single layer. Cook until they are golden and crispy, which takes about 6 to 8 minutes.

You can also bake it. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), and bake for about 20 minutes. They turn out nice and crispy, making a perfect snack with marinara sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 package of Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Cooking Instructions

1. Choose your cooking method: pan fry or bake.
2. For pan frying, heat oil and add gnocchi to the pan.
3. For baking, preheat the oven, then spread gnocchi on a baking sheet.
4. Cook until golden brown.