Buzz
Trader Joe’s is a favorite among shoppers for its wide selection of essentials like fresh produce and pantry staples, as well as unique items that are hard to find anywhere else—all at affordable prices. The store is especially popular for its variety of ready-made foods, making it a goldmine for quick meal solutions. We've scoured TikTok for easy recipes that deliver convenience, flavor, and speed. If you’re not into complicated recipes with tons of ingredients and steps, keep reading for 12 lazy Trader Joe’s meals you can prepare in no time!
Trader Joe'sFlatbread Pizza
When you're feeling a bit lazy, like we all do sometimes, there's nothing more satisfying than pizza. Instead of ordering one, try making this easy recipe instead. It only requires seven simple ingredients, and it's super refreshing. Grab these Trader Joe’s products: Trader Giotto's Pizza Crust, Garlic Spread Dip, Fresh Mozzarella, and Trader Giotto's Balsamic Glaze. You'll also need some fresh toppings. The creator, @laurenbatschh, used tomato slices and arugula dressed in olive oil. Simply assemble your flatbread, then bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Pollo Asado Bowl
As her username suggests, @traderjoes5itemsorless is the expert when it comes to quick and simple Trader Joe’s meals. She’s even written a cookbook featuring TJ’s recipes you can prepare with just five ingredients. In this recipe, she shows how to make pollo asado bowls with just five ingredients in 15 minutes. The TJ’s Pollo Asado Autentico does most of the work, with its flavorful marinated chicken. The recipe creator pan-fries the chicken for about 5 minutes, while heating frozen roasted corn in another pan. After microwaving some frozen rice, you simply assemble the bowl with rice, chicken, corn, guacamole, and salsa.
Cauliflower Gnocchi and Chicken Sausage
As devoted fans of Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, we’re excited to share this four-ingredient recipe from @hannah__ford. Pop an entire bag of cauliflower gnocchi into the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for about 7 minutes. While the gnocchi crisps up, slice some Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage into bite-sized pieces. Cook the sausage in a skillet for a few minutes, then add the gnocchi once it's ready. Toss everything together with a jar of the popular Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce, and mix in some spinach for extra greens. Season with Italian seasoning and top with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, measured by your heart.
Wonton Soup
This 15-minute Trader Joe’s dinner by @taylercaffee has gained over a million views and is a favorite among food lovers. The recipe is super easy, as it doesn't require any chopping—simply add all the ingredients into a pot and let it cook through. You’ll need three items from Trader Joe’s: the Mushroom Miso Soup, Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons, and Asian Style Vegetables With Stir Fry Sauce. Some users have swapped the wontons for pork potstickers with great success, and others even tossed in a jar of Thai Style Yellow Curry Sauce for some extra heat. For a plant-based version, swap the wontons for gyoza potstickers.
Breaded Chicken and Arugula Salad
A salad kit combined with a quick protein is the secret to effortless lazy lunches and dinners. Luckily, Trader Joe’s offers a variety of these. TikTok creator @heidibove_ suggests using two popular TJ’s products for an easy yet delicious salad. You’ll need the Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit and the frozen Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts. For optimal results, air-fry the chicken for about 18 minutes, though if you're in a hurry, you can microwave or fry them in a fraction of that time. Since they’re pre-cooked, you only need to reheat them to your liking. Vegetarians can swap the chicken for Chickenless Crispy Tenders. Simply add the crispy chicken to the salad for a satisfying meal, or wrap it all up for a portable lunch.
Mac and Cheese With Hatch Chile
The Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar has been a favorite for years, and its popularity didn’t go unnoticed by Joe, who launched the spreadable version made with hatch chile. @kelseyoppenheim took it up a notch by adding it to cooked noodles, creating a creamy, spicy twist on classic mac and cheese. If you’re a fan of spice, you’ll need to act fast, as the hatch chile version is a limited-time offering. However, if you prefer something milder, the non-spicy spread is still a perfect substitute.
Tofu, Veggie, and Noodle Stir Fry
In just 10 minutes, you can whip up a fully vegan stir fry, making it the perfect choice for busy weeknights. All you need are three Trader Joe’s staples: Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles, Sriracha Flavored Baked Tofu, and Asian Style Vegetables With Stir Fry Sauce, each under $5. Start by boiling the noodles, then dice the pre-cooked tofu and heat the frozen veggies in a skillet. Once the noodles are ready, combine everything with the soy and sesame sauce packet from the noodles. If you love this recipe, @consciouschris has a whole playlist of plant-based, easy Trader Joe’s meals.
Atlantic Salmon With Lemon Herb Butter
New to cooking? The Trader Joe’s Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter, available in the frozen section, will become your go-to. Each package contains a single salmon filet topped with lemon herb butter, so there's no need to cut or season the fish yourself. The cooking directions offer several options, but @natashaslist recommends pan-frying the salmon, which only takes around six minutes. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before cooking. For a complete meal, pair it with one of Trader Joe’s salad kits or roasted asparagus.
Mediterranean Falafel Salad
Looking for a quick and easy salad with just a few Trader Joe's ingredients? Well, @brittanyyeh has got you covered. Start with a bag of the Organic Mediterranean Style Salad Kit and its included dressing in a large bowl for a hearty base. Add a few microwaved falafels for plant-based protein and a dollop of Roasted Garlic Hummus in the center. Top it off with some Crunchy Chili Onion for an extra punch of spice and texture. If you want, you can throw in some fresh veggies like chopped cucumber and grape tomatoes.
Egg Roll Bowl
TikTok creator @jzeats has a collection of easy Trader Joe’s meals, but her version of an egg roll in a bowl is a must-try. With just a few simple ingredients and one pan, it comes together effortlessly. Sauté green onion, garlic, and ginger, then add a pack of ground chicken and break it apart. Season with a splash of soy sauce, and toss in a bag of Organic Broccoli Slaw. Once cooked, sprinkle with Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend and serve over your choice of rice. For the easiest dinner, grab a box of frozen white or brown rice. Don’t forget to top it off with spicy mayo made from sriracha, mayo, and sesame oil. For extra flair, add seaweed snacks and a shake of Nori Komi Furikake Japanese Multi-Purpose Seasoning.
Pesto Chicken Bake With Burrata
Don't overlook the Trader Joe’s chicken products that are pre-seasoned. These items not only offer incredible flavor, but they also save you the time and effort of marinating the chicken yourself.
TikTok creator @gabbydella has a genius hack for easy meals using Trader Joe’s chicken products. For this Pesto Chicken Bake, simply place a package of TJ’s Pesto Chicken Breasts in an oven-safe dish, then top with a handful of Mini Pearl Grape Tomatoes, torn burrata, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, then switch to high broil for 5 minutes before taking it out. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts as @gabbydella does, or with a fresh side salad. (Yes, this dish technically takes longer than 15 minutes, but most of the work is done in no time.)
Papperdelle Pumpkin Alfredo
TikTok creator @jzeats has another winning recipe with this quick and delicious pasta dish. For this 15-minute recipe, start by cooking two Organic Papperdelle Pasta Nests in boiling water. Once cooked, drain and transfer to a bowl. Top with a few spoonfuls of TJ's Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce, a ball of creamy burrata, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. If you can’t find the Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce, any jarred pasta sauce from Trader Joe’s will work just as well.
