9 Healthy (and Tasty!) Frozen Foods You Can Find at Trader Joe’s

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’m obsessed with frozen food. I know, I know, frozen green beans aren’t quite as pretty as a fresh avocados. But man, when you’re busy (like, you know, every adult in America), it sure is nice to be able to pull some fail-safe dinners straight from the freezer.

That said, not all frozen food is create equal. There are frozen cheesy potato skins — and then there are frozen Brussels sprouts. To help you sort through the good from the not-so-good, we asked Philadelphia’s nutritionists and healthy-eating gurus to tell us what their favorite picks are from the Trader Joe’s freezer aisle. Here’s what they had to say.

Chili Lime Chicken Burgers

“I really dig the Chili Lime Chicken Burgers for a quick addition of protein (one patty contains 19 grams of protein) to any salad, sandwich or wrap when in a rush. The total fat is only 6 grams (2 grams of saturated fat!) and the sodium is acceptable coming in at 310mg per patty. One would think a frozen burger is flavorless but not this option. It’s made up of more than just chicken; it’s got onions, bell peppers, garlic, cilantro, salt, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. I top this burger with avocado and salsa to add even more flavor!” — Registered dietitian Theresa Shank of Philly Dietitian

Riced Cauliflower

“My favorite freezer aisle item is the cauliflower rice. I put it in stir-fries, of course, and in my scrambled eggs as well, but these days I find myself using it most often in smoothies. The riced cauliflower is not only a great fiber and vitamin C (especially important in the winter months, to fight those colds) boost, it also brings a creamy texture. For those who want to skip the banana, this is a way to cut down on the carbohydrates in the smoothie, while still getting the creaminess. Add some berries, and you won’t be able to detect the mild flavor, I promise!” — Registered dietitian Amy von Sydow Green 

Unsweetened Organic Açaí Purée Packets

“They give me the base to make my favorite breakfast or snack: açai bowls! And they’re great for smoothies on the go.” — Ivy Eliff of OnPoint Nutrition

Frozen Brown Rice

“Their frozen brown rice heats up in three minutes for a healthy carb with your meal!” — Registered dietitians Liz Smith and Melissa Bailey of Two Hungry Work Wives

Organic Superfood Pilaf

“For a quick side dish option, I like TJ’s Organic Superfood Pilaf. The Organic Superfood Pilaf has a mixture of RD-approved starches (quinoa and sweet potatoes) with kale and carrots, which in my opinion compliments any meal!” — Registered dietitian Theresa Shank of Philly Dietitian

Organic Frozen Pizza

“I absolutely love that I can get a frozen organic pizza from Trader Joes! It’s one of the only places that has a variety of organic pizza options including pesto pizza that come with tomatoes and broccoli, spinach/ricotta pizza, and there’s a Sicilian option that comes topped with peppers. Not the absolute best source of overall nutrition, but when compared to other frozen pizzas, its organic, made with wheat flower, higher in fiber, and has a pretty high protein content especially in comparison to other brands that have meat.” — Allyson Gregg of OnPoint Nutrition

Fire Roasted Peppers and Onion

“I love scrambling egg whites with the Fire Roasted Peppers and Onion blend in the mornings, or I add it to sauces for an extra serving of vegetables.” — Registered dietitian Theresa Shank of Philly Dietitian

Raw Seafood Blend

“The frozen raw seafood blend (mixture of squid, scallops, and shrimp) is a great price and another nice option for quick cooking lean protein to have on hand. And no creepy ingredients here!” — Registered dietitian Emily Pierce of OnPoint Nutrition

Very Cherry Berry Blend

“My favorite food from the freezer aisle is the mixed berries with cherries. I find that I can use these to make healthy desserts and smoothies, if I’m trying to avoid eating a less healthy dessert.” — Registered dietitian Sheena Pradhan of Nutritious Balance

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