12 Three-Ingredient Trader Joe's Meals I Swear By When I'm Not Sure What To Cook

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    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you know me, you know I'm kind of obsessed with Trader Joe's.

    The author holding a Trader Joe's bag after grocery shopping.
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    I'm always on the lookout for their newest products, I keep a running list of store tips and tricks, and I even (in pre-COVID times!) turned my 92-year-old grandma into a Trader Joe's convert.

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    Read more about that here.

    I've written before about some of my favorite three-ingredient TJ's meals, but I wanted to share the most recent ones I've been making for fall. Here are a handful of three-ingredient Trader Joe's dinners for when you want something easy, fast, and delicious.

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    All of these meals can be customizable, so if you're vegetarian or hate a certain ingredient, swap in something different! Also, each of these recipes makes more than one serving, so they're great for meal-prepping.

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    Frozen Vegetables + Miso Ginger Broth + Frozen Potstickers

    Stir fry vegetables, a carton of miso ginger soup, and frozen potstickers in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Cook the potstickers and vegetables according to package directions (but leave the sauce off of the mixed veggies) and heat up the soup. Combine everything and enjoy.

    • TJ's tip: Trader Joe's has tons of frozen dumplings like shrimp shumai, vegetable gyoza, and pork potstickers, so use your favorite. They also sell frozen shrimp tempura for something a bit different. I've also made this recipe using T.J's miso ramen cups.

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    Cauliflower Gnocchi + Broccoli (fresh or frozen) + Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce

    Frozen broccoli florets, cauliflower gnocchi, and a jar of autumnal harvest pasta sauce in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Cook the cauliflower gnocchi. I find that roasting it on a baking sheet or sautéing it in a little bit of olive oil is best — it makes the gnocchi crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Cook the broccoli and combine, then toss with the autumnal harvest sauce.

    • TJ's tip: Of course, you could use any T.J's frozen gnocchi if you don't love the cauliflower version. I especially love the sweet potato gnocchi. If you have Parmesan in your fridge, add a generous sprinkle.

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    Frozen Chicken Strips + Shredded Cabbage with Carrots + Peanut Udon Noodle Salad

    Peanut udon noodle salad, shredded cabbage, and frozen chicken breast strips in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Heat up the grilled chicken strips and toss them with the peanut udon noodle salad and some extra cabbage in a large bowl. Don't skimp on the peanut ginger dressing.

    • TJ's tip: I've made this recipe with shrimp, smoked salmon, and even tofu instead of chicken. Whatever protein you use, it always tastes delicious.

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    Pita Bread + Shawarma Chicken Thighs + Mediterranean Hummus

    Mediterranean style hummus, pita bread, and shawarma chicken thighs in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it Cook the chicken then toss it in the pita bread with plenty of hummus.

    • TJ's tip: You can really customize this recipe to fit your preferences. It tastes awesome with the shawarma chicken thighs, but it's equally as delicious with TJ's gyro slices or frozen falafel. I always love adding hummus, but you could opt for cucumber tzatziki, creamy cauliflower dip, romesco dip, etc...

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    Pasta (like farfalle) + Sausage (like spicy Italian chicken) + Frozen Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Farfalle, spicy chicken sausage, and creamy spinach and artichoke dip in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Boil your favorite pasta, heat up the spinach and artichoke dip, and cook the sausage. Combine everything in a big pot and enjoy.

    • TJ's tip: Soy chorizo also works great here if you're vegetarian.

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    Asian-Style Vegetable Stir-fry + Rice + Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

    Frozen brown rice, spicy pumpkin curry simmer sauce, and Asian style vegetable stir fry in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Heat up the rice, sauté the stir fry vegetables in a pan, then combine everything with the spicy pumpkin curry sauce and bring to a simmer.

    • TJ's tip: This is one of my favorite meatless meals because it's still filling and delicious, but you can always add a fourth ingredient for extra protein. Tofu, shrimp, salmon, stir-fry beef, or chicken works great.

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    Aloha Rolls + Pulled Pork + Coleslaw Kit

    Pulled pork, aloha rolls, and coleslaw kit in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Toast the aloha rolls, heat up the pulled pork according to package directions, and toss the coleslaw with the dressing. Assemble the pork and slaw on rolls and enjoy.

    • TJ's tip: I've also tried these sliders with Trader Joe's fish sticks and shrimp burgers, and it always tastes sooo good. So feel free to get creative!

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    Frozen Shrimp + Lemony Arugula Basil Salad + Mexican-Style Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese

    A bag of frozen roasted corn, frozen shrimp, and a lemony arugula salad kit in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Assemble the salad kit, thaw and cook the shrimp, and heat up the frozen roasted corn. Toss everything together in a big salad bowl and enjoy.

    • TJ's tip: For something a bit more indulgent, try using T.J's frozen coconut shrimp. You could also swap in carne asada, pre-cooked carnitas, or any protein you prefer.

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    Scallops (fresh or frozen) + Frozen Mushroom Risotto + Shredded Brussels Sprouts

    Mushroom risotto, fresh sea scallops, and shaved Brussels sprouts.
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    • How to make it: Heat up the risotto according to package directions then sauté the Brussels sprouts and combine.. Cook the scallops on the stovetop. I usually sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then pan-sear them in a little bit of butter or olive oil for about two minutes on each side. Plate the scallops on top of the Brussels and mushroom risotto.

    • TJ's tip: Trader Joe's fresh sea scallops are one of my go-tos. In my experience, they are great quality, taste super fresh, and they're more affordable than your usual sea scallops. For crispier scallops, coat them in a tiny bit of flour before searing.

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    Buffalo Ranch Salad Kit + Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts + Buffalo Chicken Dip

    Breaded chicken tenders, buffalo style chicken dip, and buffalo ranch chopped salad in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Heat up the breaded chicken tenders and cut them into btie-sized pieces. Add them to the buffalo ranch chopped salad (one of my favorite salad kits) with a scoop of the buffalo style chicken dip for more flavor.

    • TJ's tip: If you're buffalo'd out, nix the dip and go for blue cheese, chopped celery, or any of T.J's pre-made dips. You can always eat this buffalo chicken salad on a wrap or in a pita.

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    Rice + Cuban-Style Black Beans + Chicken Asada

    Chicken asada, canned Cuban style black beans, and frozen rice medley in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Cook each of the ingredients according to package directions and assemble in a big bowl.

    • TJ's tip: If you don't love black beans, try using refried beans or Trader Joe's pre-made Mexican-style corn and quinoa salad. Instead of on rice, you can also try this on a tortilla in taco or burrito form.

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    Tortillas + Battered Fish Nuggets + Southwestern Salad Kit

    Frozen fish nuggets, southwestern chopped salad kit, and corn tortillas in a shopping cart.
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    • How to make it: Heat up the fish nuggets, toss together the salad kit, and heat up some tortillas on the stove top or in the microwave. Assemble everything into tacos.

    • TJ's tip: I love the southwestern salad kit because it tastes like a slaw perfect for tacos. It has cotija cheese, tortilla strips, cabbage, cilantro, and a really delicious spicy avocado dressing. I often leave the dressing off the salad and then drizzle it on top of my tacos like a crema. Try making these tacos with your favorite like filling (think: coconut shrimp, pork belly, carnitas, skirt steak, or portobello mushrooms).

    1. What are your favorite easy dinners from Trader Joe's that only need a few ingredients? Share in the comments!