The 62 Most Popular Trader Joe's Frozen Foods, Ranked From Worst To Best

    If you ask me, the winner is clear.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    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 the most popular Trader Joe's frozen foods, ranked.

    62. Beef Pho Soup

    Beef Pho Soup
    Hannah Loewentheil

    Sorry, Trader Joe's. You know I adore you, but this was a completely flavorless attempt at a delicious Vietnamese dish.

    61. Honey Walnut Shrimp

    A bag of Trader Joe's honey walnut shrimp.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    60. Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns

    A box of Trader Joe's Philly cheesesteak bao buns.
    Trader Joe's / Via traderjoes.com

    This cross-cultural combination definitely has potential, but this version didn't work for me.

    59. Chicken Chile Verde Burrito

    Packages of frozen chicken chile verde burritos from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    58. Pizza Margherita

    A box of frozen Margherita pizza from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    57. Chicken Pot Pie

    A frozen package of chicken pot pie from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    Bland in flavor and rather unpleasant in texture, you should probably skip this IMO.

    56. Organic Açai Bowl

    55. Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry

    A bag of frozen riced cauliflower stir-fry from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    54. Spinach and Cauliflower Lasagna

    53. Mexican Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese

    A bag of Mexican-style roasted corn with Cotija cheese from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    52. Vegetable Pad Thai

    A box of frozen vegetable pad Thai from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    51. Shakshuka Starter

    Shakshuka Starter
    Hannah Loewentheil

    Don't get me wrong, it's tasty, but it's basically a jar of spiced tomato sauce in frozen form. 

    50. Jackfruit Cakes

    A box of vegan jackfruit cakes from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    49. Seafood Paella

    A bag of frozen seafood paella from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    48. Cheese-Filled Fiochetti With Pink Sauce

    A bag of frozen fiocchetti in pink sauce from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    47. Mac and Cheese Bites

    A box of mac and cheese bites from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    46. Frozen Falafel Balls

    A bag of frozen falafel balls from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    45. Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

    Boxes of creamy spinach and artichoke dip from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    44. Vegetable Fried Rice

    A bag of frozen vegetable fried rice from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    43. Chocolate Lava Gnocchi

    42. Chicken and Mushroom Pelmeni

    A bag of frozen chicken and mushroom pelmeni from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    These Russian-style dumplings are interesting, but they're very small and much of the flavor disappears after boiling.

    41. Vegan Thai Green Curry

    Vegan Thai Green Curry
    Hannah Loewentheil

    It's not quite as good as Thai takeout, but it will certainly satisfy your craving for curry on a lazy night.

    40. Tempura Shrimp With Soy Dipping Sauce

    A box of Trader Joe's shrimp tempura.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    39. Cauliflower Gnocchi

    A bag of frozen cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    38. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

    A box of sublime ice cream sandwiches from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    37. Cauliflower Tempura

    A bag of frozen kung pao tempura cauliflower from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    36. Mini Chicken Tacos

    Boxes of frozen mini chicken tacos from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    Serve this finger food with some salsa and TJ's pre-made guac and you've got an instant fiesta.

    35. Scallion Pancakes (Pa Jeon)

    A bag of frozen Trader Joe's scallion pancakes.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    34. Big Soft Pretzels

    A bag of Trader Joe's big soft pretzels.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    33. Tofu Scramble With Soy Chorizo

    Tofu Scramble With Soy Chorizo
    Hannah Loewentheil

    Look, this isn't going to change your life, but if you're looking for a plant-based breakfast in a hurry, it's a good bet.

    32. Battered Fish Nuggets

    A box of Trader Joe's battered fish nuggets with a bag of slaw and tortillas in a cart.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    31. Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup

    A box of Trader Joe's frozen chicken and vegetable wonton soup.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    30. Shrimp Seafood Burgers

    A box of Trader Joe's shrimp burgers.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    29. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

    Boxes of Trader Joe's frozen butternut squash mac & cheese.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    28. Chicken Chilaquiles Rojo

    A bag of frozen chilaquiles rojos from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    27. Potato Pancakes

    A box of frozen potato pancake latkes from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    26. Cheese Pizza With a Cauliflower Crust

    A box of frozen cheese pizza with cauliflower crust from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    25. Stacked Eggplant Parmesan

    A box of frozen stacked eggplant parmesan from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    24. Outside-In Stuffed Gnocchi

    A bag of frozen stuffed outside-in gnocchi.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    23. Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas

    Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas
    Hannah Loewentheil

    Pro tip: Pop these into the air fryer. You won't regret it.

    22. Gone Bananas

    A box of frozen Gone Bananas from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

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

    21. Garlic Naan

    A bag of frozen garlic naan from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    At $2 per bag, you'll never find my freezer without this.

    20. Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars

    19. Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs

    A package of Korean style beef short ribs from Trader Joe's,
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    18. Brazillian-Style Cheese Bread

    A package of Trader Joe's frozen Brazilian cheese bread.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    I almost screamed out loud when I first spotted these at my local TJ'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.

    17. Palak Paneer

    Trader Joe's Palak Paneer.
    u/Bullwinkles_progeny / Via reddit.com

    If I could only choose one frozen Indian entree, it would be #8, but this is another solid option.

    16. Roasted Garlic and Pesto Pizza with Deep Fried Crust

    15. Channa Masala

    A box of Trader Joe's channa masala.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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.

    14. Cookie Butter Ice Cream

    A carton of cookie butter ice cream from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    One word: speculoos.

    13. Truffle Creamed Filled Gnocchi

    Truffle Creamed Filled Gnocchi
    Hannah Loewentheil

    If you're a fan of truffle like I am, these flavor-packed gnocchi will be a serious treat.

    12. Sweet Thai Chili Veggie Burgers

    A box of Thai sweet chili veggie burgers from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    A box of Trader Joe's hatch chile mac & cheese.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    Bags of Trader Joe's frozen pork gyoza potstickers.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    You might be overwhelmed as you browse the numerous dumpling options at your local TJ's I'll save you the guesswork: just grab one of these babies — the pork and chicken versions are equally good.

    9. Mochi

    A box of green tea mochi from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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 box of Trader Joe's frozen tikka masala.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    A box of frozen pork and ginger steamed soup dumplings from Trader Joe's,
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    Two boxes of 4 chocolate croissants from Trader Joe's frozen aisle.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    A frozen burrata, prosciutto, and arugula flatbread from Trader Joe's
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    A box of frozen pastry pups from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    Several boxes of Hold the Cone ice cream cones in various flavors from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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

    A bag of frozen mandarin orange chicken from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    If you know, you know.

    1. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

    A bag of frozen cacio e pepe from Trader Joe's.
    Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

    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. 🍷

    What are your favorite (or least favorite) TJ's frozen items? Share in the comments!