Cooking can be fun, creative, and therapeutic, but it does require energy. And, sometimes, all we want to do is head home, flop on the couch, put on our favorite show, and eat something tasty, without having to spend ages preparing it. Everyone has these days, and it’s okay to opt for the convenient meal option when you just need to relax. And that’s why we’re grateful for Trader Joe’s.
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Easy vegan meals at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is known for its extensive selection of easy pre-made meals, and vegans don’t have to miss out. The chain, which has more than 560 locations across the US, has plenty of animal-free options, including stir-fries, salads, noodles, pasta, and much more. Many are packed with nutritious ingredients, too, including vegetables, grains, and beans, which means you don’t have to miss out on healthy eating just because you’re feeling lazy.
20 vegan meals to grab from Trader Joe’s on lazy days
Next time you’re in the store, grab one of these 20 tasty vegan products and pop them in the fridge or freezer. A future tired you will be eternally grateful.
1Kimbap
Supplied by a kimbap expert in Korea, this vegan sushi-like dish combines sautéed greens, root vegetables, pickles, and braised tofu in sesame oil-seasoned rice and seaweed. It’s already delicious, but you can enhance the texture with a quick two-minute pan-fry on each side.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
2 Cauliflower Gnocchi
Crafted in Italy, these tasty cauliflower dumplings are vegan and gluten-free. Sauté for a crisp texture or boil or microwave for added tenderness, and then serve with vegan butter, sage, fresh basil, and your favorite vegan cheese.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
3 Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels
Made with soy, these vegan morsels honestly taste remarkably like chicken. Paired with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce, this flavorful Asian-inspired dish makes for an easy, protein-packed, meat-free meal. Serve with rice or noodles, depending on your preference.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
4 Korean Beefless Bulgogi
Serve this 100 percent vegan beefless bulgogi with jasmine rice, stir-fried veggies, or in a tortilla for an added flare of fusion. The texture is just like meat, and the sauce is a delicious mix of savory, sweet, and salty.
Find it here
5Steamed Vegetable Soup Dumplings
Recreate your own dim sum experience right at home with these steamy, brothy vegan soup dumplings. These chewy, aromatic morsels are stuffed with jackfruit, cabbage, ginger, spinach, carrot, and a signature hearty broth. Prepare in just minutes in your microwave or steam on your stovetop for a satiating dinner.
Trader Joe’s
6 Vegan Enchilada Casserole
Make this weeknight classic extra quick and easy with this Trader Joe’s pre-made version, which is packed with roasted veggies, vegan mozzarella, and vegan cheddar cheese. All you need to do is pop it in the oven or the microwave to heat up.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
7 Vegetable Spring Rolls
If you’ve already stocked up on Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels, these Vegetable Spring Rolls make a delicious, quick, and easy side dish. Alternatively, you can scoff a whole pack on its own with a generous helping of sweet chili sauce.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
8 Vegetable Pad Thai
This dish features rice noodles, scallions, and tofu in a slightly sweet and spicy tamarind sauce. It’s already packed with flavor, but if you need more, add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or a squeeze of fresh lime.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
9 Vegan Spinach & Cashew Ravioli
These sunflower-shaped raviolis feature sautéed spinach, creamy cashew cheese, and breadcrumbs. Boil for three to four minutes for an al dente texture, and then serve simply with olive oil and crushed red pepper, or toss in some of your favorite vegan pesto.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
10Jumeokbap
Made by a supplier based in Korea, Trader Joe’s jumeokbap deviates from the traditional round shape for a more pyramid-like form. Rice, plant-based bulgogi, and a medley of vegetables comprise this Korean-inspired dish. Enjoy it as a snack in between meals, as a satiating side, or as a light entrée.
Find it here
Trader Joe’s
11 Thai Vegetable Gyoza
Precooked for extra convenience (making them the perfect lazy meal), you can enjoy these tasty Thai gyozas steamed, pan-fried, microwaved, or in soup. It all depends on your energy levels.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
12Organic Vegetarian Chili
This hearty chili is packed with red beans, onions, bell peppers, garlic, jalapeños, and a blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and black pepper. It’s an easy, quick, satisfying meal choice for days when you’re in a rush, or you just can’t be bothered to cook.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
13Gluten Free Battered Plant-Based Fish Fillets
Enjoy all the flavors of fish and chips with minimal preparation. Simply pop these golden fish-less fillets, which are made from a base of king oyster mushrooms and jackfruit, into your oven or air fryer. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have crispy, flaky bites ready to enjoy with a side of chips or stuffed into tortillas for Taco Tuesday.
Find it here
Trader Joe’s
14 Peanut Udon Noodle Salad
This delicious noodle salad makes for an easy and quick vegan grab-and-go lunch, but if you’ve got a little more time on your hands, it would also taste great as a side dish with these tangy grilled king oyster mushroom skewers.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
15 Organic Baked Tofu Teriyaki Flavor
Boil up some rice or stir fry some veggies and serve them alongside this tasty organic baked tofu, which is packed with flavor thanks to the savory yet slightly sweet teriyaki marinade.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
16 Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry
With cauliflower crumbles, tamari sauce, and sesame oil, this Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry is convenient, tasty, and packed with nutrition. It’s quick to prepare, too. Just cook for six to seven minutes and add your favorite protein (we recommend tofu!) for a hearty, satisfying dish.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
17 Mango Blueberry Chia Bowl
Made with mango, passion fruit, and coconut cream, this chia pudding comes topped with blueberries and mango chunks for a delightful, nutritious breakfast. Simply thaw overnight for a quick and easy breakfast. But, if you forget to set it out, a quick pop in the microwave will do the trick.
Trader Joe’s
18Dolmas
Conveniently packed in a shelf-stable tin, these delicious dolmas are a ready-to-eat snack, starter, or main course. Enjoy them slightly warmed with a cool, creamy sauce like vegan tzatziki, for example.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
19Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles
Dinner comes together in a flash with these tender noodles. Simply cook your noodles in boiling water for four minutes, add a punch of flavor with the included Soy and Sesame Sauce packet, and customize your way with bok choy or tofu. Prefer a kick of heat? Reach for the Spicy Squiggly Knife Cut Noodles.
Find it here
Trader Joe’s
20Greek Chickpeas with Cumin and Parsley
Add a protein-packed topper to your favorite salad with these ready-to-eat, Greek-inspired chickpeas. These tender chickpeas come seasoned with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, parsley, cumin, garlic, and pepper for a flavor-packed addition to any meal.
Find it here
For more on Trader Joe’s, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
