The Best Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods | Eater
"Renowned for a broad, affordable, and consistently good freezer selection, this grocery makes it possible to feed yourself entirely from frozen meals, sides, snacks, and desserts. Standouts include the Thai Vegetable Gyoza—stuffed with cabbage, chives, carrots, green onions, ginger, radishes, and other crunchy, flavorful fillings—that fans will travel for and stock up on in bulk; frozen gnocchi, praised as an endlessly adaptable “workhorse” that can be simmered in its sauce, dressed up, or roasted with vegetables; and a convenient tray-ready savory snack that bakes in about 30 minutes (filling the house with sweet, jammy onion and buttery, flaky pastry) and can be swapped onto a serving platter for entertaining. The frozen spanakopita balances salty cheeses like feta and mizithra with onions and leeks and keeps its phyllo flakiness from the freezer, while the kung pao tempura cauliflower arrives pre-coated with a sauce packet (or can be tossed in Buffalo or barbecue sauce after crisping in an air fryer or oven). The 5 Cheese Greek Spiral—made with Gouda, kasseri, kefalotyri, blue cheese, and a hard cheese blend—is versatile, enjoying sweet jam as a counterpoint, and the slender, full-length frozen green beans hold snap and flavor and make an elegant five-minute side when steamed with butter, garlic, and salt. Staff favorites and practical packaging (like included aluminum baking trays) make many of these items go-to solutions for quick dinners and last-minute entertaining." - Rebecca Flint Marx