Trader Joe's: home of the cookie butter. And the cookie butter ice cream. And cookie butter cheesecake. While you could easily make a lunch out of those three products, it might leave you feeling less than spectacular. Which is why I've rounded up a bunch of healthy Trader Joe's lunch options to get you through your day.
Quick, budget-friendly, and darn scrumptious. Whether you're looking for things to keep in your pantry, fridge, or freezer, TJ's has got you covered. So add some of these to your grocery list and to your lunch rotation to mix things up a bit. Your taste buds and your wallet will be happy you did.
1. Trader Joe's Mega Crunch Salad with a BITE
This is a great salad to have on hand for a to-go lunch. It's a yummy mix of romaine, crunchy jicama, finely chopped broccoli, radishes, carrots, and beans, topped with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds for added texture and flavor.
Quinoa adds some protein and filling-power, and the tangy cilantro-lime dressing that comes with it is out of this world. Pair with some fruit or a granola bar, and consider lunch done.
2. Trader Joe's Lentil Soup with Ancient Grains
This soup packs 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per cup, and the combination of veggies, legumes, and whole grains makes it a nutritious and filling choice. It's a bit high on the salt side, so if you're watching your sodium intake, go for some less salty sides, like fresh fruit or chopped veggies.
3. Super Spinach Salad
Here is another yummy prepared salad option. This little salad tub is packed with spinach, edamame, grape tomatoes, quinoa, dried cranberries, shredded carrots, and a carrot-miso-ginger dressing. It's called super for a reason.
4. Trader Joe's Single Serving Oatmeal in a Cup
If you're like me and like to eat breakfast for lunch sometimes, this single serving oatmeal is a great way to go. With a modest amount of sugar, 6 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of protein per cup, these are a great shelf-stable option to keep on hand. Microwave in the cup, add fruit, nut butter, and whatever else you'd like, and you're good to go.
5. Trader Joe's Beans, Greens, and Grains (Frozen)
These nicely spiced chickpeas, kale, and a tomato stew over couscous make for a filling, cheap, and not-too-shabby frozen entree to have on-hand.
6. Trader Joe's Organic Superfood Pilaf (Frozen)
This frozen blend of sweet potatoes, quinoa, carrots, and kale, is a great thing to keep on hand for quick lunches. Zip a bowl in the microwave and toss some chickpeas or a fried egg on top, and you've got yourself a filling veggie and whole-grain packed meal.
7. Trader Joe's Balela Salad
This is a hearty lettuce-free salad made from chickpeas, black beans, and tomatoes. Legumes are some of the healthiest foods out there, and this salad packs in not one, but two. It's delicious on top of a bed of greens, or with some whole-grain bread or naan.
8. Trader Joe's Greens & Seeds Salad
A yummy pre-packaged option with butternut squash, feta, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate, and balsamic dressing, this salad offers a variety of produce, each with different flavors and textures. Add some whole grain crackers or a roll, and you've got a balanced, satisfying lunch
9. Trader Joe's Shrimp Stir-fry (Frozen)
This stir-fry is packed with veggies, protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, and can be microwaved in minutes. It's a bit low in calories for a lunch, though, so try garnishing with some cashews or peanuts for healthy fat and staying power.
10. Trader Joe's Mildy Spiced Organic Vegetable Burritos (Frozen)
Packed with organic black beans, corn, and tomatoes, these burritos are perfect for when you want something filling and comforting for lunch.
With 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, a solid amount of iron, and less sodium than most frozen burritos (still quite a bit though), each one of these 320-calorie burritos is a great start to a meal, especially if you round it out with some fresh fruit or chopped veggies.
11. Trader Joe's Super Burrito
This burrito can be found in the refrigerated section near the prepared salads and sandwiches, and it's definitely worth seeking out. A blend of red and white quinoa, sweet potatoes, kale, and warm spices is tucked inside a doughy tortilla. Pair with some fresh fruit and you've got a delicious meal.
12. Trader Joe's Organic Split Pea Soup
Peas are an excellent source of folate, fiber, and protein. A yummy, healthy, filling soup for a cold and rainy day. Or any day, for that matter.
13. Trader Joe's Spring Rolls
These spring rolls make a great lunch when you're craving something fresh and different. Also available with shrimp instead of tofu, the rolls are packed with crunchy veggies, contain a solid amount of protein, and come with a delicious peanut dipping sauce, which adds some healthy fats to the entree.
14. Trader Joe's Honey Glazed Miso Salmon Salad
Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids, which are awesome for brain and heart health. This salad also has some veggies and almonds for fiber, and some doughy lo mein noodles. Perfect for when you want carbs + protein + veggies.
15. Trader Joe's Chana Masala (Frozen)
Craving Indian Food? This frozen dish is warm and flavorful with 12 grams each of protein and fiber. It pairs well with a package of pre-cooked Trader Joe's brown rice for some whole grain goodness.
16. Trader Joe's Melodious Blend
Another healthy gem in the frozen section, this is a mix of chickpeas, red and green lentils, and tomatoes in olive oil. Ready in minutes, this mix is a great warm and filling option with a whopping 12 grams of plant-based protein and 11 grams of fiber per cup
17. Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch with a Dr. Praegar Veggie Burger
Are you one of those people who likes a bunch of texture and flavor in your salad? Then this mix is perfect for you and serves as a quick jumpstart for a healthy lunch.
Toss in some beans, Trader Joe's pre-cooked Steamed Lentils or your favorite protein (I love it with a Dr. Praegar's Veggie Burger), add a little dressing, and lunch is done.
18. Trader Joe's Pre-cut Mixed Vegetables + a tub of Hummus or Guacamole
I used to work at Trader Joe's, and sometimes I would just grab this for lunch if I was feeling snacky. Fiber-filled, good-for-you veggies and healthy fats FTW. Grab some Trader Joe's whole-wheat naan and have a dipping party for lunch.
19. Trader Joe's Persimmon Salad
This salad is just plain exciting. Tangy persimmon, crunchy yet delicate butter lettuce, kale, pomegranates, almonds, and tangy goat cheese are all packed together for your lunchtime convenience. On its own, this salad is a little low in calories for lunch, so grab a granola bar or some trail mix to round out the meal.
#SpoonTip: This is a seasonal salad in fall/winter.
20. Trader Joe's Frozen Tamales
Craving hearty Mexican food for lunch but not in the mood to feel like a blob after? These frozen tamales are perfect. Classic Mexican flavors like green chilies, bell peppers, and warm spices are tucked inside masa (corn flour) dough. Corn is a whole grain, and these tamales are a not-too-heavy way to satisfy a comfort-food craving in a flash.
21. Trader Joe's Pre-cooked Brown Rice and Quinoa (Frozen)
These are perfect for quick lunches. In just three minutes, you have perfectly cooked rice, which makes it easy to throw together a healthy lunch. Just add some greens and a veggie burger, or some of their pre-made Indian food, or even use it to bulk up a soup.
22. Trader Joe's Organic Chili
Warm this up and pair with some whole-grain bread and a healthy comforting lunch is minutes away.
23. Trader Joe's Sriracha Tuna Salad
Tuna is a great source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Toss this on a salad, pair with some whole grain crackers and veggies, or use to make an epic sandwich.
Do yourself a favor and grab some of these healthy lunch options next time you're at Trader Joe's. Setting yourself up with healthy lunch options will not only ensure you have wise choices on hand, it'll also save you major cash (because $12 salads add up fast).