9 Trader Joe's Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight

The quirky chain strikes again.

Trader Joe’s may seem like a small store compared to larger chains, but don’t let its quaint size fool you—inside those nautical-themed walls is a wealth of quick and easy meals just waiting to be made. Some are mostly done for you, such as the best-selling Mandarin Orange Chicken, while others get you started. 

From the coveted frozen section to pantry staples and beyond, the popular chain is a one-stop shop for all the ingredients you need to make dinner. When you can’t decide what to make for dinner, a quick stroll down the TJ’s aisles will get your creative culinary juices flowing. If you’re not sure what to whip up, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’ve rounded up nine delicious Trader Joe’s dinner ideas you can make with items from the beloved chain.

Related: 7 Trader Joe's Condiments That Should Be Grocery List Staples

Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Tacos

TikTok user @eatwitherika brings us this 20-minute dinner recipe using ingredients from Trader Joe’s. It’s got everything you need, from satiating protein to crunchy veggies and creamy sauces. Plus, it’s a good example of how to incorporate foods inspired by the Mediterranean diet into your everyday life.

The main ingredient is pre-cooked chicken meatballs—reheat ‘em in a pan with some Traditional Tunisian Harissa for a quick, flavorful protein source. To assemble the tacos, spread a layer of creamy Mediterranean Style Hummus on whole wheat tortillas. Add veggies like cucumber, tomato, purple cabbage, and red onion for fiber and color. Finally, a drizzle of the Vegan Tzatziki Dip over the cooked chicken meatballs brightens up the whole dish.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Yes, Trader Joe’s does sell frozen chicken tikka masala—and it’s a top seller. But when you want to flex your culinary muscle, try this 4-ingredient recipe from @lainiecooks on TikTok. You’ll only need to pick up some boneless skinless chicken, plain Greek yogurt, frozen white rice, and two packets of the Tikka Masala Curry Sauce.

The steps to make this recipe couldn’t be simpler. First, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Transfer the chunks of chicken to a mixing bowl, and add the container of yogurt to tenderize the meat. Pop the bowl into the fridge to marinate for at least 10-20 minutes. When the time’s up, cook the chicken in a pan until it’s brown. Lower the heat, add the two sauce packets, and let everything simmer. While it simmers, heat up your rice in the microwave. Assemble your plate, and garnish with cilantro for a delicious, easy dinner that gives off takeout vibes.

Grilled Salmon Salad

While Trader Joe’s has an entire section of pre-made salads and DIY salad kits, TikTok creator @violet.cooks is bringing grilled salads back. The base of the salad is a large bed of spinach and romaine lettuce, to which you’ll add a ton of veggies. You can basically chop up your favorite veggies, but the recipe creator uses cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and avocado. You can also add fresh herbs, like dill. 

For protein and smoky flavor, grill a salmon filet for about 15 minutes, or until it’s cooked through. If grilling isn’t an option, you can pivot and use an air fryer instead.

The dressing is a simple concoction of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic salt seasoning, and fresh dill. 

Add everything to a large mixing bowl and aggressively mix all the ingredients together so the salmon filet gets broken up. And since a salad isn’t complete without some cheese, add half a block of crumbled feta cheese to the mix, and serve.

Sausage and Baby Broccoli Pasta

A tall order, but TikTok’s @meganmeyeohmeye calls this Trader Joe’s recipe the “perfect pasta.” You’ll need a few essentials: orecchiette pasta, hot Italian sausage, baby broccoli, Parmesan cheese, lemon, garlic, and olive oil.

You know the drill—get a pot of salted water boiling. While the pasta cooks, heat up your sausage in a pan with some olive oil. Once it’s brown, season with garlic and red chili flakes. The creator adds a splash of white wine to the cooked sausage, but that’s totally optional. Once the pasta is ready, add it to the pan with the sausage along with a tablespoon of butter. To sneak in some greens, cook your baby broccoli in the hot pasta for just a couple of minutes until it’s bright green. Then, transfer it to the sausage-pasta mixture. Toss everything together and add lemon zest, lemon juice, and a generous helping of Parmesan cheese.

Related: 4 Things You’ll Never See at Trader Joe’s, According to the CEO

Chicken Wonton Soup

When you’re not sure what to make for dinner, it’s a good time to try that viral recipe you’ve been eyeing. The Trader Joe’s viral Chicken Wonton Soup is a good one to start with because it only calls for a few ingredients and comes together in minutes. There are a few variations out there, but the version created by @kelseysfoodreviews is one to check out.

You only need to prep two ingredients to make this soup—chop up some zucchini and green onions. Sauté them in a pot for a couple of minutes, and then add a bag of the Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons. Cover and let the mixture cook down for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dump a container of the Miso Ginger Broth, cover, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. At this point, everything should be cooked through and combined, so it’s time to add some spice. The grand finale of this dinner recipe is a few spoonfuls of the fan-favorite Crunchy Chili Onion—measure this according to your spice tolerance. Ladle into a bowl and enjoy this warming dinner.

Carne Asada and Southwest Salad

The endless array of done-for-you meal staples is one of the many perks of shopping at Trader Joe’s. On nights when you don’t want to cook, the already-marinated meats save the evening. TikTok user @audreymadstowe praises the delicious flavor and juicy texture of the iconic Carne Asada Autentica, which Trader Joe’s kindly trimmed, cut, and seasoned for you. She says you can put the meat on some tortillas and serve it alongside the Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit. Both require minimal effort but go hard on the flavor.

While the recipe creator cooks the meat in a slow cooker, you can just heat it up in a skillet to get dinner on the table stat.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Tacos are arguably the most satisfying dinner, and there’s a ton of different ways to make them, so you never get bored. Follow this shrimp taco recipe created by @kalenainthekitchen for nights when you want something that hits the spot without requiring a million steps.

First, the prep. Roughly chop a tomato and some cilantro. Make your bang bang sauce by mixing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. In a pan with some olive oil, heat up a package of the Gluten Free Breaded Shrimp. Once warmed through, add the cooked shrimp to the bang bang sauce mixture.

To warm tortillas, add a layer of coleslaw, tomatoes, and a few pieces of the bang bang shrimp covered in sauce. Garnish with cilantro, and serve with a side of white rice, which the original creator seasoned with olive oil, lime juice, salt, and cilantro.

Gnocchi and Sausage

The best dinners are the ones that only call for a few ingredients, so this recipe from @wifeapprovedeats on TikTok is our kinda meal. On your next Trader Joe’s run, pick up a bag of frozen gnocchi, Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, and baby spinach. The creator uses sweet potato gnocchi, but the fan-favorite cauliflower gnocchi will work perfectly, too.

Start by chopping the sausage into bite-sized pieces and heat them in a pan with some olive oil. Once they’re golden brown, remove them and add the gnocchi into the same pan with a splash of water. Cook for about 6-10 minutes, or until the center of the gnocchi is warm, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked sausage and some handfuls of spinach, and voila! Dinner is served. To elevate the meal, the creator sprinkles some Parmesan cheese and pairs the main with a side of Caesar salad and corn on the cob. Fortunately, Trader Joe’s sells those, too.

Related: 10 Underrated Trader Joe's Items to Add to Your Grocery List ASAP

Beef Roast, Mashed Potatoes, and Carrots

Trader Joe’s is known for making cheap, easy meals come to life, but celebrity chef and TikTok creator @cheflovely reminds us that elegant dinners can be easy, too. Save this recipe for your next date night at home, or when you want to romanticize your evenings.

To start, roast the Braised Beef Roast for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the meat cooks, peel and dice two russet potatoes. Transfer them to a pot with some salt and garlic, and bring the whole thing to a boil for about 20 minutes. During the last 7 minutes, add a package of the Les Petites Carrots of Many Colors.

When the veggies are done boiling, separate the carrots from the potatoes. Add the carrots to a mixing bowl and season them with plenty of butter and salt. To make the mashed potatoes, process them through a potato ricer and mix with a simple but heavenly combo of heavy cream, butter, and salt. Plate up your meal and garnish with some parsley for a dinner that looks straight out of a movie.

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