There are a lot of things Trader Joe’s is known for, such as having chipper employees and small parking lots. And, of course, it has a big reputation for having aisles and aisles of unique products. The chain’s frozen foods section in particular is where you’ll score some of its most iconic items—the Mandarin Orange Chicken, Cauliflower Gnocchi, and Mini Ice Cream Cones are long-time customer favorites and freezer staples. Stocked with basics and innovative products alike, the freezer aisle is one of the busier sections of the store.
Still, not everything in the Trader Joe’s frozen section is a slam dunk. The beloved chain can’t win ‘em all, and some items are simply not worth picking up when there are better options available. Here are some of the Trader Joe’s frozen foods that aren’t for everyone.
Potato Pancakes
When we tried frozen appetizers from Trader Joe’s ourselves, these Potato Pancakes were our least favorite of the bunch. We felt the name “potato pancake” was misleading—the potato flavor took a back seat to the onion, which came off very strong. The texture was a bit squishy too. You may enjoy these if you’re an onion lover, but none of our five testers would repurchase.
Mini Chicken Tacos
The Trader Joe’s mini tacos come in both chicken and beef, and both have left shoppers (including myself) disappointed. The tacos themselves don’t look like what’s pictured on the box—the corn tortillas are crispy, but they’re close to empty. You don’t get a lot of filling, and if you open up the shell, the presentation could use some work. These don’t satisfy the eyes or taste buds. If you’re in the mood for some tacos, the beef birria tacos are a safer choice.
Chicken Cheese & Green Chile Pupusa
Pupusas are an El Salvadorian food often likened to tamales or quesadillas. Corn masa dough is stuffed with various fillings, and in the case of these frozen pupusas from Trader Joe’s, they’re filled with chicken, cheese, and green chiles. They sound promising, but in actuality, they’re on the dry side and have very little filling, so each bite is mainly dough. If you try these, you may need lots of salsa to doctor them up.
Panzeroiti Pizza Bites
Trader Joe’s has great deals on frozen pizzas, and many of them are well loved by customers. If you like extra sauce, you’ll want to skip these pizza bites. The breading is good, but the inside is practically hollow. You can smell herbs and cheese, but you can’t see them—just a very thin layer of marinara sauce. Kids may enjoy these, but for a snack or appetizer, these likely won’t satisfy your pizza cravings.
Chicken Taquitos
You’ll find a few varieties of taquitos in the Trader Joe’s frozen section, but the reviews are mixed. Some shoppers love to serve them with salsa, while others find them nearly inedible. On the plus side, the package contains a lot of taquitos. On the down side, the tortillas have been likened to cardboard, and the chicken filling has been compared to paste. Yikes. You’ll have to decide for yourself, but it’s a coin toss.
Mashed Potatoes
We have nothing against this classic side dish, but the Trader Joe’s Mashed Potatoes leave much to be desired. Despite their convenience—no need to peel, chop, and boil potatoes—these frozen spuds some help in the flavor department. If you do make these, be prepared to add milk, butter, and salt to jazz them up. On their own, they’re lacking flavor.
Opt for the frozen roasted potatoes with peppers and onions instead. There’s more going on with the different flavors and textures, and they crisp up beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Vegetable Pad Thai
If you’re big on texture, you may not enjoy this frozen meal—even though some people rave about it. Flavor-wise, the Vegetable Pad Thai gets decent reviews. People tend to agree that it tastes good and has a hint of spice. Texturally, however, the clumpy noodles are a dead giveaway that this comes from the freezer.
For your noodle fix, try the Squiggly Knife-Cut Noodles instead. The end result is closer to what you’d get in a restaurant—no soggy or clumpy noodles.
Japchae Korean Glass Noodles & Vegetable Stir Fry
Japchae is a Korean dish known for its transparent noodles, which are usually made from sweet potato starch. This frozen noodle dish is the reverse of the Vegetable Pad Thai—the texture is good, but it’s bland. A splash of soy sauce could save this dish, but if you want something you can heat and eat without any additional steps, this may not be for you. Though not a noodle dish, the Kimbap is far more appetizing, and a much better homage to Korean food.
Vegan Tikka Masala
Trader Joe’s is generous with its offerings for people with allergies and dietary restrictions. However, they don’t all knock it out of the park. The frozen Vegan Tikka Masala is surprisingly oily, and the vegan protein chunks try their best but don’t actually replicate chicken in terms of taste or texture. The Chicken Tikka Masala is better, though vegans and vegetarians may be disappointed to hear this.
Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an extremely versatile cruciferous veggie, but even when you crisp up the outside, the inside may be mushy. This is the case with the TJ’s Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower, which you can find in the frozen aisle. If you air fry it, you may be impressed with the crispy exterior and generous amount of kung pao sauce, but once you bite into it, the center is unexpectedly soft.
