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, chuck 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 stores across the US, has plenty of animal-free options, including stir-fries, salads, noodles, pasta, and much, 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. Next time you’re in the store, grab one of these 22 tasty vegan products and pop them in the fridge or freezer. A future tired you will be eternally grateful.
22 vegan meals to grab from Trader Joe’s on lazy days
1 Kimbap
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.
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Trader Joe’s
3 Vegan Poke
Ready-to-eat, this chilled dish captures all the flavor and texture of traditional poke, without using any animal ingredients at all. Enjoy it over rice or mixed greens for an effortless and tasty lunch or dinner.
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Trader Joe’s
4 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.
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Trader Joe’s
5 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.
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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.
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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.
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Trader Joe’s
8 Yellow Jackfruit Curry With Jasmine Rice
In this delicious curry, meaty jackfruit is combined with a creamy house-made coconut milk-based yellow curry sauce. Served with fragrant jasmine rice, it’s easy, nutritious, and packed with flavor.
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9 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.
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10 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.
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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.
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12 Organic 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.
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Trader Joe’s
13 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.
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Trader Joe’s
14 Vegan Italian Bolognese Ravioli
Filled with a rich, Bolognese-style tomato sauce, with added mushrooms and lentils, this vegan ravioli dish is hearty and nutritious, making it ideal for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
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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.
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Trader Joe’s
16 Vegan Pasta Bolognese Bowl
Convenient and frozen, this tasty protein-packed bolognese bowl features red lentil pasta topped with a flavorful ragu of tomato, carrot, onion, garlic, mushrooms, and wheat protein. It’s quick to prepare in the microwave, making it a hassle-free dinner or lunch option.
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Trader Joe’s
17 Tofu Scramble with Soy Chorizo
Seasoned tofu is combined with smoky, spicy soy-based chorizo, chopped peppers, onions, and vegan cheddar-style shreds in this savory breakfast bowl. It’s packed with flavor, protein, and tastes great with extra hot sauce.
FIND IT HERE
Trader Joe’s
18 Pulled Jackfruit in Smoky BBQ Sauce
Smoky, spicy BBQ sauce is the perfect accompaniment for pulled meaty jackfruit. And the best part? It can be heated up super quick in the microwave or the stovetop. Serve with bread, baked potato, rice, or pasta for a tasty, filling, easy meal.
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Trader Joe’s
19 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.
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20 Vegan Chickpea Masala Salad
This salad is a unique, flavorful blend of chickpeas, masala spices, and assorted pickled veggies like cauliflower, carrots, and onions. It’s ideal for sandwiches, dips, or as a side dish, but you can also just grab a spoon and enjoy it as-is.
FIND IT HERE
21 Quinoa Stuffed Dolmas
Conveniently packed in a shelf-stable tin, these delicious quinoa-stuffed 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.
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Trader Joe’s
22 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.
For more on Trader Joe’s, read:
Charlotte is a writer and editor 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.
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