It’s truly the greatest of tragedies that I wasn’t born to fabulous wealth. That said, had I been raised with a silver spoon, I never would’ve found so many elegant food dupes. Today, because I am in a particularly benevolent mood, I shall share the lobster food dupe courtesy of Trader Joe’s. That’s right, you’ll never again have to consider selling that Van Gogh you “borrowed” from the Louvre to afford a plate of lobster. Just head to your local Trader Joe’s for some Argentinian red shrimp.
Does Trader Joe’s Argentinian red shrimp taste like lobster?
TikTok is divided on whether or not Argentinian red shrimp actually tastes like lobster. In reality, if you’re looking for an exact replica of lobster, you won’t find that in Argentinian red shrimp. This type of shrimp is noted for its similarity to lobster, but keep in mind that the meat is more tender and provides a much sweeter taste. But if you poach it in some butter and throw it into a "lobster" roll or a seafood pasta dish, you won't be able to tell the difference.
What types of Argentinian red shrimp does Trader Joe’s offer?
Trader Joe’s offers two Argentinian red shrimp products: regular Raw Argentinian Red Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tail-off wild-caught) and pre-seasoned Argentinian Red Shrimp with Ginger Garlic Butter & Togarashi Style Seasoning (raw, wild-caught, peeled & deveined). Both are packaged raw and should be cooked before eating.
What’s the cost difference between lobster meat and Trader Joe’s Argentinian red shrimp?
The one-pound bag of Raw Argentinian Red Shrimp costs $11.99, while the pre-seasoned version clocks in at $7.99 for nine-ounces. When you consider that Fresh Maine Lobster often starts at $25 per pound (and that’s generous), Argentinian red shrimp is a sensational deal.
Recipes using Trader Joe’s Argentinian red shrimp
TikTok creators have tons of videos detailing the versatility of Argentinian red shrimp, and the Argentinian red shrimp pierogi made by @kbmamaa will definitely show up in my dreams tonight. But, if you’re not huge on TikTok, you can swap shrimp for lobster in any recipe that usually calls for lobster. We recommend a butter-poached “lobster” roll with a toasted bun.