How many times have you wanted to just order takeout instead of cooking something on a busy weeknight? Probably more than a few. Rather than stress over preparing a meal from scratch, why not rely on some of the best Trader Joe’s frozen food? These meals, snacks, and sides are quick, simple, and easy on the wallet. Best of all, there’s something for everyone, even your pickiest eaters. (Check our top Trader Joe’s food for picky eaters, too!)
Trader Joe’s Frozen Kimbap
These newcomers took the freezer case by storm and were often on backorder, much to the chagrin of TJ’s shoppers. They pack an umami punch and are great to have on hand for quick lunches.
Mac and Cheese Bites
It's the best of both worlds with Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese bites: bite-size bites of cheesy goodness and a crispy crust. With seven types of cheese that include Cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, Gouda, Cream Cheese, Monterey Jack, and Pecorino Romano for good measure, the whole family will meet their dairy quota for the day, all while enjoying the updated panko-style breading.
Beef Bulgogi
This is one pound of seasoned beef, and you’ll love serving it up with some rice (see below) and potstickers.
Trader Joe’s Frozen Rice
You can have jasmine or brown rice on the table in three minutes with these microwaveable packets in the frozen section. They have literally saved so many dinners.
Hash Browns
These hash browns have addicting properties so consider yourself warned. We love them on weekends when you want something to go with your scrambled eggs.
Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
While these aren’t a meal per se (though no judgment if you disagree), we had to include them in this list of favorites. You won’t want to share these with the kids so find a safe spot for them behind the broccoli. They are that good.
Vegetable Fried Rice
This quickly cooks up in minutes on your stove and it’s as close to Chinese take-out as you could hope for.
Beef Birria
If you are craving those dippable tiny tacos that you see at all the taco stands, this is a great product to keep on hand. It packs a flavor punch and is great for Mexican rice bowls or burritos.
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
You’ll love having this dip in your freezer for last-minute visitors or it also works well baked with gnocchi and cherry tomatoes for an easy, cheesy dinner.
Spizzico di Pizza
Forget Bagel Bites, these tiny pizzas will please any picky eater. We guarantee it.
Dutch Griddle Cakes
These are a relatively new release and we love them as a quick option for school mornings. They are flavored with maple syrup (think McGriddle) so you don’t even need to add any messy syrup on top. Pop a sausage patty in between for an on-the-go option.
Potato Pancakes
These latkes are delicious any time of year and heat easily in your oven so you don’t have to worry about frying them.
Gyoza Pot Stickers
This bag of potstickers is your future dinner in a flash. We prefer tossing them in with a bag of frozen vegetables and some of Trader Joe's Gyoza sauce for the perfect one-pot dinner. You can also simmer them in some broth to warm you up on a cold night.
Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this quiche—packed with Swiss cheese, spinach, and two kinds of mushrooms—just hit freezer shelves straight from France. The sweet flower shape of its real butter and wheat flour crust is pretty darling, too. Your tot can don the corresponding aluminum pan as a hat for some entertainment while this dish cooks—it needs 30 minutes in the oven. You’ll find it right next to their Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese and Quiche Lorraine mainstays.
Mini Beef Tacos
If the Shopkins sensation is any indication, kids absolutely love tiny things—so give mini foods a try. These tacos come in beef or chicken varieties and are also easy to load up with nutritious goodness like fresh tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, or Trader Joe’s reduced-guilt chunky guacamole!
We all have those nights when dinner needs to be fast and fun. Thankfully, our cries have been heard with this spin on the perennial kid favorite—the hot dog, but in a mini form. The kids will love watching these pups “puff” up in the oven. Then try widening culinary palates with a variety of dipping options, from ketchup to garlic aioli.
Gluten-Free Cheese Pizza
Food allergies are more common than ever these days it seems, and thankfully so are food options that everyone can enjoy, like this classic cheese pizza with a nutritious cauliflower crust. But the kids don’t have to be gluten-free to absolutely love this version of pizza night. It even made the list of 50 of the best Trader Joe’s products in store history.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
Trader Joe’s doesn’t rest on its food laurels. These vegetable samosas are chock full of peas, carrots, potatoes, lentils, onions, and Indian spices. So, yes, these do have a bit of a kick, perfect for kids who aren’t afraid to spice things up. These also pair deliciously with their Mango Ginger Chutney and other ready-to-heat side dishes.
Just when you think there isn’t anything to make for dinner, you'll remember there are meatballs in the freezer and a bag of pasta or a cup of rice ready to boil. With a stash of these minis on hand, it’s also easy to heat up a portion for a side of protein whenever a little diner needs it. Pair it with Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki for an easy dinner sensation. Toothpicks always make fun mealtime props for kids, too.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
Considering this is THE most popular Trader Joe’s frozen food item for the last several years, chances are you may already know and love this freezer favorite. You fortify it with broccoli, peas, and green peppers. Vegetarians and vegans can also rejoice because Chicken-Less Mandarin Orange Morsels are back in the freezer aisle as well.
Chocolate Croissants
Breakfast anyone? These flaky croissants will have you feeling major French vibes, with just the perfect amount of chocolate. Put out the night before to rise overnight, then toss in the oven before enjoying on the go. There's even an almond version if you prefer.
Gone Berry Crazy!
Trader Joe's
Don’t forget about dessert! How do strawberry halves drenched in dark chocolate sound? These sweet treats are brand new and already a chilly craze for summer days. The best part may be that you can eat them straight from the freezer.
North county folks, the day has arrived—The Shake Shack, located in The Beacon La Costa, is now open for business. Rumors about the modern-day “roadside” burger stand, known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and flat-top Vienna beef dogs opening its fifth San Diego location in Carlsbad, surfaced last year. Burger connoisseurs, young and old, have been anxiously waiting for its grand opening ever since.“We’re thrilled to finally open our doors at The Beacon,” said Andrew McCaughan, Chief Development Officer at Shake Shack. “Our newest Carlsbad Shack is beautifully designed and we’re so excited to finally welcome in the community to dine with us.”
Shake Shack
The La Costa location offers a walk-up window, which gives guests the ability to pre-order via the Shack app and pick up their food from the exterior of the shack. Whether you choose to take out or dine in, we recommend trying the Shroom Burger—the delicious option proves that a "veggie" burger can be the star of the show! The mushroom is breaded, fried, and full of cheese, and can easily be a family favorite.
Shake Shack
Expect to see all the classics on the menu, including the ShackBurger®, Chick'n Shack, crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes. In addition, The Carlsbad Shack will serve up a SoCal regional burger, the Roadside Double featuring a double Swiss cheeseburger with Dijon mustard and onions simmered in beer. Shack-canned Wine, Shackmeister Ale, and local beers are also available Seasonal burgers and drinks will hit the menu in the coming weeks.
Shake Shack is committed to being part of a larger mission to Stand for Something Good® and donated a dollar for every burger sold on opening day to Kids for Peace. Kids for Peace is a California-based global nonprofit that provides a platform for youth to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship and global friendships.
The Beacon will ultimately offer a collection of restaurants, shops, and lifestyle concepts curated to celebrate the North County Coastal community. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is soon to open, joining other local favorites like Lofty Coffe Co. and La Costa Wine Co.
Turkey and mashed potatoes are great, but no Thanksgiving meal is complete without stuffing. There are so many different stuffing recipes out there, from slow-cooker varieties to vegan and gluten-free options, and we’ve rounded up our favorites below. These drool-worthy recipes might just steal the show at your holiday dinner.
Think outside the turkey! Not only are these stuffing muffins kid-size, but they’re also vegan and gluten-free. Add a scoop of mashed potatoes on top and you’re all set for a can’t-miss combo. Get the recipe from The Colorful Kitchen.
Fox Valley Foodie is sure to be a winner, with its indulgent cheese topping and hearty mushroom filling. And it’s super easy to make, too, with the help of a boxed stuffing mix. To get the recipe, click here.
This delish dish from Life Made Sweeter combines butternut squash, cornbread, cranberries, sweet potatoes and more into a stuffing of epic flavors. Bonus points: it uses the slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it. Click here to grab the recipe.
Plant-based eaters don’t have to miss out on the feast thanks to this tasty stuffing recipe from Raepublic. It’s made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, making it a win for your shopping list. Click here to grab the recipe.
With this stuffing from A Spicy Perspective, the magic word is “bundt.” That’s right, with your handy bundt pan, you can actually make a stuffing sculpture that’s fit for any Thanksgiving dinner table! Get the recipe by clicking here.
We’re all for any Thanksgiving recipe that involves the slow cooker. This top-notch stuffing from Damn Delicious cooks in the crockpot and uses delish Hawaiian sweet bread. We dare you to eat just one spoonful. Click here to get the recipe.
Ready for a Hollywood-worthy stuffing? This yummy dish is adapted from Marilyn Monroe’s own recipe. To read more about how it was found, check out The New York Times’ article for the full low-down.
Your kids may be wary of the chard but with chunks of French bread and juicy sausage swarming around the fresh green, they won’t be able to resist this unique recipe. Get the details by clicking here.
This timeless recipe from Savory Sweet Life is a traditional masterpiece because of its beautiful simplicity. It's perfect for your really picky eaters as the three main ingredients are bread, onions and celery. To snag the recipe, click here.
This tasty stuffing has a creamy texture and comes to us from Little B Cooks. It’s a great recipe for your kids to get involved in because it’s simple–just four ingredients! Find out how it's made by clicking here.
If you like your stuffing more crispy, check out this cranberry pistachio stuffing from Season with Spice. This dish is full of crispy bites of bacon and toasted bread chunks, plus an added pistachio crunch. Click here to get the recipe.
Thank goodness for Weelicious, where you can find all kinds of recipes (like this apple sausage stuffing) designed around pleasing little bitty taste buds. You’ll like it, too, because the prep time is minimal. To grab the details, click here.
Looking to add some seafood flair to your family feast? Try this New England style stuffing from A Taste with Koko. It’s packed with sausage and oysters, for extra rich and out-of-the-box flavor. Get the recipe by clicking here.
A hit recipe from The Diva Dish, this cornbread stuffing combines lots of fresh herbs, homemade cornbread and several other kid-friendly flavors into one tasty package. Snag the recipe by clicking here.
If you or a family member has gluten restrictions, check out this stuffing option from Marla Meridith. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, vegan and satisfying for carnivores, too. Click here to get the recipe.
What’s more fun than playing with a fresh batch of LEGO bricks? How about playing with a friend? (Because let’s be honest, you need some peace and quiet this summer.)
LEGO has just announced a brand new experience that brings together your fave video game brothers for some two-player fun. LEGO Mario and brand new LEGO Luigi are the ultimate duo for social play and using your imagination as you craft new brick adventures! Keep scrolling to see how.
Kids can embark on two-player adventures when they connect LEGO Mario and LEGO Luigi via Bluetooth, then perform coordinated actions like jumping, working together and walking. Collect coins, share rewards, defeat goombas and race to the finish line!
LEGO Luigi ($59.99) joins the popular LEGO Super Mario lineup of sets and is available in a starter course that has everything you need to get started. Not only is LUIGI finally get his own building set, but LEGO is adding plenty more products that will take your Mario World to the next level.
LEGO is adding four new Expansion Sets, two new Power-Up Packs and ten new Character Packs. All the sets can be used in solo play, connected to an existing set and for two-player fun.
Starting today, you can already pre-order Bowser’s Airship Expansion Set ($99.99), which can be crafted in both flying and course mode and will put the Mario Bros. to the test. Additional products coming soon include:
71394 Character Packs – Series 3 (10 collectible Character Packs, including Galoomba, Parachute Bob-omb, Crowber, Boo, Amp, Torpedo Ted, Bony Beetle, 1-Up Mushroom, Scuttlebug and Swoop) ($4.99 )
The remaining sets are all coming Aug. 1, with the Luigi Start Course and Browser’s Airship available for pre-order now. Head to lego.com to place your order!
Veganuary may have officially begun and ended in January but our search for egg and dairy-free recipes is never-ending. Our top-rated vegan bloggers have shared 50 recipes including their favorite and their followers’ favorite. From chicken fried cauliflower to glazed donuts, these recipes will cover your cooking and baking year-round. To see all the recipes, go to the Spokin App where you can filter by allergies, categories, and bloggers.
Spokin is a modern platform and app connecting people managing food allergies to resources including food, restaurants, hotels and more. Users have personalized experiences based on allergies & location. With 55,000+ reviews across 79 countries, Spokin helps the allergy community share and connect. The Spokin iOS app is free on iTunes.
New year, new winter menu. Starbucks just launched their new offerings to help customers kick off 2021 feeling their best. Starting today, customers can enjoy the new Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew, Pistachio Latte, Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites, and Earth Cake Pop as well as celebrate the return of the Honey Almondmilk Flat White and Red Velvet Loaf.
Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew
Cold coffee and cold beverages continue to be a hot trend at Starbucks. This non-dairy beverage is made with slow-steeped Starbucks Cold Brew, combined with honey and then topped with almondmilk for a creamy finish.
Pistachio Latte
Sweet flavors of pistachio pairs with Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk and then finished with a salted brown buttery topping for a cozy beverage crafted to comfort. The Pistachio Latte can also be ordered as a blended beverage or iced.
Honey Almondmilk Flat White
This flat white pairs almondmilk and Starbucks Blonde espresso with honey, making a perfect amount of creamy, nutty sweetness. Customers looking for more non-dairy milk choices will be happy to know that this tasty treat is part of Starbucks permanent menu.
Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites
These new egg bites feature delicious chopped kale and portabella mushrooms delicately folded into cage-free eggs with Monterey Jack cheese and cooked using the French “sous vide” technique. Joining the menu permanently, this delightful high-protein breakfast has 15 grams of protein and is under 250 calories.
Earth Cake Pop
Rich chocolate cake, dipped in a blue chocolaty icing and finished with green and white sprinkles to resemble the earth, a globe of goodness.
Red Velvet Loaf
Delicious vanilla cake swirled with classic red velvet cake and topped with a white chocolaty icing—a sweet spot of red velvety-yum.
Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffee
If you are looking for new ways to enjoy your Starbucks from home, there are a few new Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffees to discover this winter. These exceptional coffees have been hand-selected from family farms around the world and are roasted daily at Starbucks Reserve Roasteries.
Starbucks Reserve Guatemala Huehuetenango is rich and elegant with notes of candied orange, dark chocolate, and graham cracker.
Starbucks Reserve Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu features delicate floral aromas and sparkling acidity with raspberry and tangerine notes.
Customers can use the Starbucks app to find a store near them that carries the Starbucks Reserve whole bean coffees.
The holidays are all about enjoying plenty of seasonal treats, but not everything comes packed with sugar. If you’re into the more savory side of life, you’ll love Archie McPhee’s collection of weird candy canes.
With ten flavors to choose from, you can enjoy the salty seasonings of unique offerings that include ham, ketchup, clam and pizza. Oh, but there’s more! Keep scrolling to see them all.
Kale
Ketchup
Mac & Cheese
Mushroom
Bacon
Pickle
Clam
Pizza
Ham
Pho
You can shop the entire collection at Archie McPhee, where each box is $6.50 and comes with six candy canes each.
Summer has arrived and with it the perfect excuse to forgo cranking up the oven and beat the heat with a family dinner you didn’t have to cook. If you’re looking for a little inspiration on where to dine, Grubhub has revealed the top dining trends of the year so far.
Grubhub’s report titled State of the Plate uses data collected from more than half a million orders placed on an average day through its platform to determine the trendiest dining options. So what did the report find?
photo: Shahrzad Warkentin
One clear choice is maintaining a steady rise in popularity: vegan and vegetarian dining. According to the report, vegan-friendly ordering has risen by 25% so far in 2019, with orders for the Impossible Burger increasing by 82 percent.
The following cities were the top spots in the country for ordering vegan:
Los Angeles, CA
Brooklyn, NY
Portland, OR
Las Vegas, NV
Rochester, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Detroit, MI
San Diego, CA
The Impossible Burger also topped the lists of favorites by region in both the West and Midwest.
The most popular dishes to order vary by season, with heartier comfort foods like mushroom stroganoff and empanadas trending in the winter, and lighter options, like cauliflower bites and mixed berry acai bowls growing in the spring. Grubhub predicts that the summer trends will include barbecue pork buns, truffle parm fries and quinoa and arugula salad.
Whether you think they’re cool or creepy, today’s the day to embrace those tiny bearded men and go big or go gnome. Don’t know how? Scroll down to try one of these 15 fun and silly activities to get you in the gnome state of mind.
Seattle kids will take their outdoor play any day of the week, even if the wet stuff is falling from the sky. If you’re looking for a good excuse to venture outside and burn off the crazies, grab your rain jackets and head over to the newly opened Lake Sammamish State Park playground at Sunset Beach. This imaginative, sprawling new play area is chock-full of interactive activities for kids of all ages and abilities, making it well worth the drive to the Eastside.
A Play Area Designed for Everyone
Expansive and creatively designed, this 10,000 square-foot unique play area has a little something for everyone. Designed for ages 2 to 12 (but all are welcome to play), the rubberized ground cover makes for safer running and tumbling and the wide walkways, wheelchair-accessible picnic benches and flat location make it accessible to everyone.
The whimsical, coal mining town theme delights visitors with its oversized mushroom cottage, hidden woodland creatures, mining town cubbies and cabins, and even a painted stream that runs through the playground complete with leaping salmon. Psst… be sure to look for the giant blue heron at the entrance of the playground—it serves as a playful reference to the park’s heron rookery, even spraying water with the press of a button during warmer months!
A Place for Climbers
A range of climbing pieces will delight small hands and feet and a towering 17-foot tall geodesic climbing dome will challenge the bravest of climbers. Various small and medium-sized slides also dot the playground, along with a netted carousel and bright interactive displays where curious minds can learn all about mushroom types or hear animal sounds.
Swings Designed for Two!
Beyond your basic swing set (it has those too), the park features two mommy-and-me-swings, where adults can sit and pump while facing their tiny tots—so much more fun than just standing and pushing little swingers back and forth—and an accessible saucer-style swing.
Calling All Thrill Seekers!
If you’ve got a little daredevil, the other side of the play area boasts a cool challenge course where kids can tackle a variety of nets, twisted ladders and wacky log steps. There’s also a fun zip line where kids (and parents!) can race the width of the play area by starting on a raised platform, with a gradual incline, and zooming over the “stream” with a dock bridge in the middle for safe departure.
Good to Know
1. The playground includes ample seating for caregivers and parents.
2. A large bathroom and changing facility is located at the Sunset Beach bathhouse, just a short walk away.
3. While the newly redesigned beach and water access is still underway, we understand the spray water feature is likely to be reinstalled come warmer weather, so stay tuned for even more activities coming to this fun new playground.
4. The playground likely won’t see much shade in the hotter months, so plan to bring your own.
5. Since this playground is located at a state park, a Discover Pass or paid parking permit is required. The cost is $10 for the day or $30 for a year-long pass good at any state park. Psst… go for the yearly pass. Believe us, the Littles will want to come back to this park again!
6. There’s a lot to do at Lake Sammamish State Park, so plan to make a day of it by walking the trails, hitting the smaller play area near Tibbets field and packing a lunch to enjoy by the lake.
7. Gilman Village is just a five-minute drive away and the perfect spot for a post playdate snack.
7. The new playground is located in the south area of the park at Sunset Beach, which is the second major left off the main road when you enter from N.W. Sammamish Rd. to the south.