16 Healthy Trader Joe’s Fridge Picks for a Fresh Start in January

The new year is here, and your resolution is to eat healthier. If your fridge is filled with leftover cheese fries, pepperoni pizza, and a cupcake (or two), it’s time for a serious meal-planning refresh.

Don’t worry about stretching your already thin post-holiday budget to the breaking point just to eat a healthy diet. We’ve got you covered with the best Trader Joe’s hacks for finding nutritious and delicious deals. 

So go ahead and fill your cart with everything from veggie sushi rolls to pizza dough. At these prices, you can afford to restock your fridge with the freshest finds of the season.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $5.99

Pass on pricey takeout sushi and try TJ’s ready-made, fresh, refrigerated veggie rolls instead. Carrots, cukes, and avocados wrapped in seaweed and sticky rice — what could be better? Pair this healthy pick with a dollop of wasabi, a side of soy sauce, or a $3.99 bottle of Trader Joe’s ponzu.

Price: $3.99

No time to shop for everything that could go into an Asian-inspired salad? No problem. Just grab a 13.5-ounce bag of this ready-to-eat fridge find. The kit includes green and red cabbage, kale, carrots, sesame seeds, cashews, and a tangy sesame miso dressing.

Trader Joe’s shoppers praise this pick online. Redditor GREpicurean raves, “My current favorite TJ’s salad. I buy at least three bags a week.”

Price: $7.99

Spice up a salad, fajitas, sandwich, or pasta — or eat this chicken as your main meal. The ready-cooked strips have a subtly spicy, zesty citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with everything from leafy greens to couscous and quinoa.

Snag this 12-ounce pack for less than $7.99 right now. Whole Foods Market sells its store-brand plain grilled chicken for $6.99. Even though it’s $1 less, you’ll only get eight ounces of unseasoned strips.

Price: $3.29

Stock your fridge with fresh veggies. For $3.29, you can get a one-pound bag of trimmed and cleaned green beans. Steam the beans and serve them with rice pilaf, baked tofu, grilled chicken, or broiled fish. Now that’s a healthy meal.

Price: $2.99

These aren’t your typical carrots. While the root veggie tastes like the traditional variety, this bag includes (as the name implies) carrots in many different colors. You’ll get the usual orange carrots, along with purple/red, white, and yellow. Eat this organic option as-is, or chop the carrots and mix them into a salad, stew, or a vegan quinoa bowl.

Price: $4.99

Trader Joe’s prepared fridge foods are easy, affordable lunch, dinner, or side options. And this chickpea-packed, protein-rich salad is no exception.

What do shoppers think about this foodie find? Reddit user 261989 commented, “The cashier asked me if I’d tried it yet and told me it was her new personal favorite, so that was a good sign. I ended up putting it in another bowl so I could toss it together easier, added a little salt and pepper, and finished it off feeling full and satisfied but not in a way that you might need a nap after.”

Price: $4.49

Skip the same canned soup you always get and heat a bowl of this high-fiber refrigerated find. Lentils and ancient grains make this a healthy pick that’s popular with Trader Joe’s shoppers. Redditor BecaC80 wrote a glowing review, “I love that lentil soup so much, I could eat it weekly.”

Eat this soup solo or pair it with TJ’s Wheat Crisp Crackers ($2.49) or a gourmet grilled cheese made with Sliced Seedy Multigrain Bread ($3.49).

Price: $6.99

Save money on the cost of takeout with this Indian-inspired meal. Trader Joe’s mixes specially seasoned chicken with a rich tomato sauce and basmati rice. All you need to do is heat and eat this prepared pick. Add the retailer’s Tandoori Naan ($2.99) or serve this mouthwatering healthy meal with soup and s salad.

Price: $3.99

Tired of plain tofu? This flavorful pre-baked version has a spicy kick. Warm the sriracha tofu, slice it, and serve the soybean-rich selection with ramen, whole wheat udon noodles, stir-fried veggies, or a bed of greens.

Get the seven-ounce pack for $3.99. Whole Foods sells eight ounces of Hodo’s miso-favored tofu for $5.29.

Price: $2.99

Takeout and delivery foods are often high in fat and calories. If you’re craving Italian, swap out a restaurant meal for this healthier alternative. With 260 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and one gram of sugar per serving, the refrigerated pasta is a must-have pick for anyone who craves carbs.

Specialty brand Delallo sells an 8.8-ounce bag of its ricotta and spinach tortellini for $3.95, while ten ounces of Trader Joe’s tortellini costs $2.99.

Price: $3.49

Donuts, waffles, and croissants don’t fit your New Year’s resolution plan. Skip high-fat, empty-calorie breakfast foods and try these Unexpected Cheddar Cheese and Turkey Sausage egg white bites. Microwave the fluffy, creamy, perfectly seasoned “muffins” in 60 seconds.

Fans of this fridge food enjoy both the taste and the price. Known as a dupe for Starbucks’ Egg Bites, you’ll pay almost $2 less for this Trader Joe’s copycat.

Price: $5.49

Trade your typical high-calorie, preservative-filled snacks and sweets for this creamy, dreamy Greek yogurt. Eat it straight from the container or mix the yogurt with fresh fruit. You can also spoon it into cereal, layer it into a parfait, or use it to make a tangy dip.

Compare Trader Joe’s low $7.29 price for 32 ounces to $5.99 for the same size container of Fage plain Greek yogurt at Whole Foods Market.

Price: $2.99

Save money on the cost of healthy smoothies with this bottled blend. Bananas, mango, kiwi, apple juice, pineapple juice, and a mix of green foods give this nutritious drink a slightly sweet taste. Pop a bottle into your bag for a post-workout pick-me-up, or drink the chilled pick with your morning meal.

Price: $4.99 per pound

Are you trying to avoid greasy hamburgers? Switch out the usual ground chuck for this poultry product. Don’t assume that ground turkey is a more expensive option. This 90 percent lean blend is less than $5 per pound. One pound of Target’s Good and Gather 85/15 ground beef sells for $6.99.

Price: $1.69

You don’t have to give up pizza to eat a healthy diet. Instead of takeout, save calories and money with this ready-to-cook refrigerated dough. Stretch the dough, roll it, and add your favorite toppings. Try a traditional red sauce and mozzarella pie, or get creative and make a pesto, grilled chicken, and veggie pizza.

Price: $3.49

Use this cheese to top salads, soup, or sandwiches. The fat-free crumbles are also the perfect addition to Greek omelets, grilled chicken, or rice pilaf. Score a six-ounce tub for less than $3.50. A smaller four-ounce pack of Athenos Feta costs $3.99 at Target.

Start the new year off in a healthy way with these foodie finds. You don’t have to break the bank just to fill your fridge with nutritious, mouthwatering meals, sides, starters, and snacks. These top Trader Joe’s picks are bargain buys with flavors you’ll savor.

How can you make the most out of your next TJ’s shopping trip? Use the best cash back credit cards to earn points and perks on eligible grocery purchases this month.