10 Quick and Easy Trader Joe’s Meal for Weeknight Dinners

Mandarin Orange Chicken $4.99/22 Oz

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken served in a bowl with brown rice and sliced green onions

Prepare the Mandarin Orange Chicken according to the package instructions: bake the chicken pieces in the oven until crispy and heated through, then toss them in the provided Mandarin orange sauce to coat evenly. Cook a pot of rice—white, brown, or jasmine as preferred—according to package instructions. Serve the saucy Mandarin Orange Chicken over the cooked rice, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

Sea Scallops $17.99/16 Oz

Trader Joe's Sea Scallops; pan fried in cast iron skillet and on two plates with asparagus spears and lemon butter sauce; white wine and flowers complete the date night vibe

Trader Joe’s wild-caught Sea Scallops from Hokkaido, Japan, known for their umami-rich and sweet flavor, can be quickly thawed and cooked in less than 10 minutes using Trader Joe’s Clarified Butter (Ghee) for searing and creating a simple pan sauce. These scallops, with no additives and frozen soon after harvest, offer a rich and romantic dinner option that is both quick and delicious, with an overnight refrigeration option for thawing.

Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon $5.99/4 Oz

Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon

Create a bagel sandwich: Spread cream cheese on both halves of a toasted everything bagel, then layer slices of Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon, thin slices of red onion, capers, and fresh dill on one half. Top with the other half of the bagel to make a flavorful and satisfying sandwich. Assemble a salad: Toss mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion in a bowl. Drizzle with a lemon-dill vinaigrette, then top the salad with pieces of the Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal.

Beef Birria $7.99/16 Oz

Trader Joe's Beef Birria prepared as tacos; several on a platter and one on a plate; with chopped onions, cilantro and lime wedges

Prepare Quesabirria tacos by dipping corn tortillas in the savory broth, frying them, then topping with tender Trader Joe’s Beef Birria, shredded mozzarella, chopped onions, and cilantro before folding and frying until crispy and the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve the tacos with the spiced broth, using it as a flavorful dip to enhance the rich, complex flavors of the meat and melted cheese.

Orzo Italian Pasta $0.99/1 Lb

Trader Joe's Orzo Italian Pasta, used in recipe for 'Cacio e Peppe Orzotto with Butternut Squash and sage'; prepared in pan, with fried sage leaves garnish

Chicken Cheese & Green Chile Pupusas $4.79/12 Oz

Trader Joe's Chicken, Cheese & Green Chile Pupusas in a serving tray with side of pickled cabbage slaw, cilantro and lime wedges; some on two plates in the background

Trader Joe’s Chicken, Cheese & Green Chile Pupusas, filled with a mix of chicken, mozzarella cheese, and roasted Hatch chiles, offer a comforting and savory handheld snack easily prepared on the stovetop or in an air fryer. Enhance the Pupusas by topping them with curtido, a tangy cabbage slaw, to add a light, bright, and subtly spicy dimension to the dish.

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Trader Joe's Artichoke Bread Pudding

Prepare the base: Cut Trader Joe’s Artichoke Bread Pudding into cubes and place them in a greased baking dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, salt, and pepper to create a custard mixture, then pour this over the bread pudding cubes, ensuring they are well-coated. Bake and serve: Sprinkle grated cheese (such as Parmesan or Gruyère) and chopped herbs (like parsley or thyme) on top, then bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. Serve warm as a hearty side dish or a main course.

Dairy Free Shredded Spicy Mexican Style Blend Cheese Alternative $3.99/7.05 Oz

Trader Joe's Dairy Free Shredded Spicy Mexican Style Blend Cheese Alternative; shown on top of tostadas filled with soyrizo, pico de gallo and avocado slices

Fry corn tortillas in hot oil to make crispy tostadas, then grill sliced avocados seasoned with salt on a medium-high grill or grill pan until they show grill marks and soften. Cook soy chorizo in a skillet until it reaches 165°F, then assemble the tostadas by layering them with the cooked chorizo, Trader Joe’s Dairy Free Shredded Spicy Mexican Style Blend, grilled avocado slices, and your favorite salsa.

Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage $6.49/1 Lb

Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Chicekn Sausage used in recipe for Farro with Chicken Sausage; served in a cast iron skillet and two plates, dried farro, apples and sage leaves on surface

Sauté Trader Joe’s Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage until browned, then remove and cook diced apples and onion in the same pan until tender; reintroduce the sausage along with cooked farro to the pan, heating through. Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper, then serve the hearty grain bowl sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese, creating a warm and filling dish ideal for meals and leftovers.

Riced Cauliflower $2.69/16 Oz

Trader Joe's Riced Cauliflower; used in recipe with grated parmesan, garlic, parsley and lemon wedge garnish

Sauté finely chopped garlic in olive oil until softened, then add Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower to the skillet, covering and cooking until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Finish by stirring in lemon juice, fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve as a flavorful, grain-free side dish or base for a meal with grilled salmon or roast chicken.

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