5 TJ's Shortcuts for Yummy & Easy Meals

I love Trader Joe's because it just makes meal planning so easy. As a busy mom, employee and student, I don't always have a ton of time to make the meals I want, but TJ's has helped me create amazing and quick dishes using some clever hacks. Below are my tried and true TJ's shortcuts. Give them a try and prepare yourself for a very yummy and satisfying meal!

1. Beef Gyro with an Indian Twist

I love Greek food but it's really hard to make gyros at home. Luckily, TJ's sells gyro slices that can be microwaved in 30 seconds! The Naan only takes 1 minute in the oven and when you combine all of the ingredients below you have an amazing, homemade gyro sandwich!

TJ's Specific Ingredients: Gyro Slices, Naan, Greek Feta in Brine

Additional Ingredients: Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro, Tzatziki

2. Refreshing Fish Tacos

This dish is SO refreshing. First, the jicama wraps add a bright and crunchy wrap for the tacos. They are a wet texture though, so if this isn't your thing then buy a soft taco shell. However, these are SUPER low calorie, which is an added bonus. Mix a handful of the Cruciferous Crunch salad with the salsa verde as your slaw. Put it all together and you have an excellent and easy fish taco!

TJ's Specific Ingredients: Battered Halibut, Cruciferous Crunch Salad Mix, Jicama Wraps, Salsa Verde

Additional Ingredients (Optional): Tomato, Red Onion, Sour Cream, Lime (finish each taco with a lime squeeze)

3. Dressed Up Ramen

This is such a yummy and filling meal that takes 3 minutes. All you need to do is chop up your veggies and follow the instructions on the ramen packet. Once the packet tells you to add in the ramen, add in all of your vegetables and dumplings. I love to add sliced mushrooms and onion in addition to the bok choy. I have also added scallion, shrimp and egg in the past! It's really whatever you want, and it always elevates your simple ramen dish to a hearty meal!

TJ's Specific Ingredients: Baby Bok Choy, Thai Veggie Gyoza Dumplings

Additional Ingredients: Ramen Packet, Sliced Mushrooms, Sliced Yellow Onion, Cilantro (or other herb for garnish)

4. Healthy Gnocchi

Love gnocchi but not the calories? These cauliflower gnocchi are a fantastic healthy substitute. My favorite way to heat these up is surprisingly, in the microwave; however, I have heard that they are fantastic in an airfryer (I don't have one so I haven't been able to test it)! Once cooked, mix the gnocchi with this salty, cheesy pesto sauce and top with TJ's freshly shaved parm/romano/asiago cheese. You will not be disappointed.

TJ's Specific Ingredients: Cauliflower Gnocchi, Pesto alla Genovese Sauce, Shaved Parmesan, Romano & Asiago Cheese

Additional Ingredients: Not a pesto fan? Use any sauce you want!

5. Unexpected Chili

Similar to the dressed up ramen, I love to spice up my chili! My husband Danny always says that soup is not a meal, but I beg to differ with this recipe. Mix the green chiles and beef chili in a microwave safe bowl. Heat up the chili based on can instructions. Top with TJ's Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese. For those of you that haven't tried the Unexpected Cheddar before, you are missing out! It lives up to its name and it comes in shredded or block form. If you really want to go the extra mile, fry up an egg and let the yolk drip through the chili (this is my fave thing to do!) and sprinkle some crushed tortilla chips on top for texture.

TJ's Specific Ingredients: Canned Beef or Turkey Chili, Unexpected Cheddar Cheese

Additional Ingredients (Optional): Tortilla Strips/Chips, Fried Egg

Do you have any yummy Trader Joe's hacks? What are your go to TJ's meals? Leave in the comments below!