Okay, let’s get real about Trader Joe’s Vegetable VEGETABLES. To be sure it has to be truly satisfying to be worth eating. And it has to be better than the veggies I make myself.
I’m definitely a creature of habit myself. My weekday eating habits are always very regimented. Breakfast is a smoothie, and that never changes. Lunch is a salad, you probably guessed it. Dinner is usually a bowl of seasonal vegetables.
I sometimes break the mold, like recently when I was making chicken. But most of the time, I cook by the book. This habit is why I tested TJ’s salads. I really needed to see which ones were good. Which salads were worth the freezer space I was using for them.
At the time, I thought my routine was a little too routine. What better way to change it up than to travel?
A two-week stay in Washington, D.C. was just the right amount of time. It was the perfect place to test these salads. So the plan for this trip was pretty simple. Stick to eating a green salad for lunch every day. For two weeks straight, I ate a different salad.
I thought I would get sick of eating them pretty quickly. But instead I actually got seriously hooked on many of these foods. I have to say though, I won’t be eating pre-made salads forever. This experiment gave me great ideas for cooking at home. But first, let’s talk about the salads that weren’t the best.
Coming in at number eight is the Classic Caesar Salad. Oh, Caesar, you’re a real gamble in these salads. It tastes like a coin toss. Maybe it’s my own fault that I didn’t expect much. A truly delicious pre-made Caesar is very rare.
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Personally, I have high standards for Caesar salad. Maybe unreasonably high, but that’s how I feel. It comes with a fresh dressing, preferably with a strong anchovy flavor, and it should be thick and creamy. Thick enough to completely coat each piece of lettuce, and you’re good to go.
For me, croutons aren’t just for looks, they need to make a loud crunching sound. You know that sound, that satisfying feeling of biting down. If I don’t hear that sound, I quickly lose interest.
There also has to be plenty of freshly shaved parmesan cheese here. Not the dusty stuff that’s so common in salads. Real cheese slices are required. Without those points, I would have given up on the whole salad.
TJ’s has this stuff, but it’s done incorrectly and you should totally skip this dish. Save that spot for one of the other salads in the store.
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Next on the list is definitely number seven. That would be their Mexicali Salad. reading the ingredient list made my eyes light up. Seriously, it sounds really exciting. Crunchy cabbage, nutty pumpkin seeds and corn are all in there.
It’s definitely a great texture and different flavor. Plus that creamy jalapeño sauce they were talking about. I’m still imagining how lively it will taste. The description made me very excited.
Unfortunately, the dish was too bland for me. The chicken was the main part, but I noticed that there was no seasoning at all. I was really hoping that the jalapenos would bring out the spice.
Slightly ahead of it is number six. This is the classic Greek salad they sell. My family has a strong Greek flavor, as you know. Our parties are always known for their delicious savory dishes. Because of this, Greek dishes are now our favorite.
In fact, Greek salads can vary depending on the chef making them. But my favorite is the main part inside. this version from Trader Joe’s comes pretty close for me. There are things in there that I really like to eat.
The olives were delicious, especially the Kalamata olives. They had that perfect savory flavor you’d expect. The cucumbers were crisp and refreshing. The red onions added a little heat.
So, what else is wrong with it, you may ask? Maybe I’m just too picky. When making Greek salads, I like big chunks of feta cheese. Not the crumbly kind you see everywhere else. The crumbled feta cheese gets spread all over the salad. Some people may prefer it that way.
But there’s nothing more delicious than a big chunk of feta on a fork. Ideally, it’s served next to juicy tomatoes. The large chunks of feta make it feel like the real star of the show. It’s still a good salad, though, but it’s missing that bit.
Coming in at number five is the Grilled White Chicken Chopped Salad. Now let’s talk about Israeli couscous, which is one of my favorite grains. But just so you know, it’s not technically couscous. It’s actually baked pasta shaped like little balls. It has a wonderful nutty flavor with a chewy texture. It has a delightful slightly chewy bite. It is a perfect accompaniment to vegetarian dishes. And it really shines in this salad.
Couscous usually feels like it’s just mixed in for bulk. But in this salad, it feels like the salad is made around it. It’s soft and flavorful in a way that you can’t get enough of.
The only bad thing about this salad was the dressing. You see, it’s just a sweet basil dressing. I really wish it had more of a peppery basil flavor. Maybe even a little bit of fennel. That’s what I think fresh basil dressing is all about.
Overall, the salad was still a good choice. It was satisfying to eat because of the delicious couscous. It made me feel good and stayed focused all afternoon.
Coming in at number four is the broccoli salad and kale salad they sell. This is the heartiest, most filling salad I’ve ever tried. Being filling doesn’t automatically make it #1 overall. But it does put it quickly among the top. I think it’s close to the coveted top three.
The texture of this salad is excellent. It has kale and crunchy seeds. It also had sweet dried cranberries in it which was nice. Just reading about this pairing makes me think it’s very tasty.
However, the chicken kept it from being high on the list. It feels like there is a pattern to all of these chicken salads. The chicken in this salad had no seasoning at all. And honestly, it was a little dry. It felt like a missed opportunity to savor the flavor. Even the sweet chili sauce couldn’t really fix that.
Third on the list is Avocado Ranch. Let’s discuss this powerful option now. First of all the bag is packed with so much that it feels like a win already. It’s twice the size of the other goodies. It’s filled with a variety of coleslaw that has a great flavor. The scallions and crunchy carrots add texture as well. This mixed salad is very satisfying with every bite.
You know the feeling of a crisp salad? This dish fits that feeling perfectly. The different textures of the vegetables form an amazing base here. But the real star of the show is the salsa, really.
The creamy avocado ranch dressing is ranch everything delicious with the richness of avocado. That extra layer takes the flavor to the next level. The salsa coats the veggies beautifully and smoothly at the same time. It balances out all the wonderful crunch. This is not just a little drizzle. It is truly deliciously creamy.
Plus, they added crunchy tortilla chips for extra texture. Putting these chips in the salad was a stroke of genius. They always provide a wonderful flavor boost.
I think it’s ideal for making a nutritious quick meal anytime. It’s also great as a simple side dish. Here, plant-based options keep things satisfying. Protein-rich cheese makes you feel full without being heavy. It will keep you from needing a mid-afternoon nap.
Second on the list is the Southwest Salad. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first; sometimes calling something “Southwestern” feels like an all-encompassing concept. It doesn’t always capture the unique flavors. Sometimes it can dilute the distinctive flavors one might expect.
I tried the previous version last year anyway. This new chopped salad made me try it again. I’m really glad I tried it. This version proved to be a big improvement over the others. The flavor of the cogita cheese was not overshadowed this time. The ratios of the salad dressing also made more sense. Allowing the flavor of the cheese to really show through is key. The crunchy element combines perfectly with the creamy one. Black beans, red onion and cabbage go together. The beans mainly add a soft earthiness.
This version gives the original Southwestern flavor. And sometimes it’s not enough. It’s so good, but it’s not quite there. Close to perfect, but maybe one note off. This puts it firmly in the runner-up spot. The perfect combination of flavor and texture quickly overcame the skepticism.
This version gives the original Southwestern flavor. And sometimes it’s not enough. It’s so good, but it’s not quite there. Close to perfect, but maybe one note off. This puts it firmly in the runner-up spot. The perfect combination of flavor and texture quickly overcame the skepticism.
It’s an amazing mixture of quinoa, carrots, cranberries, and chickpeas filled in. There’s also mozzarella, pumpkin seeds, and of course spinach. On paper, this sounds healthy, maybe too much so. The connotation calls it a surprisingly healthy mixture of ingredients. But they are absolutely surprisingly delicious. Nutrient density meets incredible flavor here.
Like Avocado Ranch, there’s a secret weapon here, a unique sauce. Miso adds a nice depth of saltiness and freshness.
It elevates spinach from a simple base and is more like a lesson in pairing simple ingredients. Seriously, don’t miss it, it will blow your taste buds away.
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This two-week salad tour is insightful. It’s even more delicious than expected. Start breaking the mold and finish the favorites. Knowing which salads are worth trying helps a lot. They offer convenience without sacrificing flavor or fun. The winners are always hiding in the freezer aisle. From Avocado Ranch to Southwest Smile.
Eventually, the stripped-down vegan super spinach stands out.Trader Joe’s is sure to find some winners. The simplest lunches can often be delightful.
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