Indian Food at Trader Joe’s That’s Better (And Cheaper) Than Takeout

If you’re a fan of Indian food, you’ve likely dabbled into which products you can nab for cheap at the grocery store. 

Trader Joe’s has a decent selection of popular products, from naan breads to frozen options — and getting your Indian food from the grocery chain instead of your local take-out spot can be a smart way to save money.

Here are some of the top Indian-inspired products at Trader Joe’s — and how much you can expect to pay for them.

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

Price: $4.49

It’s a butter chicken bowl, but much easier (and much cheaper than the $15 you could spend for a similar dish at your local takeout spot). 

Trader Joe’s frozen butter chicken dish includes meat smothered in a delectable curry sauce made of crushed tomatoes, cream, onions, garlic, ginger, and butter and laid on top of a bed of Basmati rice. It’s a perfect, quick weeknight meal.

Price: $4.49

For under $5 and just a few minutes in the microwave, Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala works as lunch or dinner.

The frozen meal packs in cumin-flavored basmati rice and chunks of white meat in a delicious sauce — and is much cheaper than the $20 or so you may have to pay for takeout.

Price: 3.99

They may not be as fresh as the samosas you pick up at your local Indian takeout joint, but you really can’t beat the price of Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas. These flaky triangles are packed with tender and slightly spicy veggies like peas, carrots, potatoes, and lentils.

Price: $2.29

If you prefer to try your hand at cooking up your own Indian-inspired dishes, Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce is a great addition to the pantry. 

Not only is it very affordable for an 8.8-ounce tube, but the sauce is made up of a veggie base (onion, tomato paste, ground seeds) and flavored with a delicious mix of seasonings and spices like garlic and tamarind.

Price: $3.49

While it’s true you can probably get naan from your local Indian takeout spot for around $5, Trader Joe’s may have the better bargain with their Traditional Indian Style Flatbreads.

The light, airy breads can be eaten right from the package or warmed for a few minutes in the oven and can be enjoyed alone or alongside soups, stews, or TJ’s other Indian meal options.

Price: $3.49

Another excellent frozen option with an unbeatable price, TJ’s Baingan Bharta combines roasted eggplant with delicious flavorings and seasonings like onion, garlic, and turmeric. It packs a decent spice level. 

Eat it alongside some of the store’s naan or basmati rice for an excellent dinner option that’s much cheaper than the $15 or so you’d pay for takeout.

Price: $3.99

Trader Joe’s also has Indian Style Flatbread made with fragrant and delicious garlic. This pack of six pieces of bread, which can also be eaten alone or paired with an array of Indian and non-Indian dishes, is slightly more expensive at $3.99 a package.

Price: $2.99

You could be looking at a price tag pushing $20 for Biryani from your local takeout spot. Granted, there’s probably a lot more to eat than what can be packed into TJ’s fast, frozen option, but you really can’t beat that $2.99 price tag.

Trader Joe’s version is vegetarian and includes “kofta” or dumplings along with rice, veggies, raisins, and sliced cashews.

Price: $4.29

Trader Joe’s gets pretty serious about their seasonal flavorings — and in the fall, they even offer Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas. 

They’re a tiny bit pricier than TJ’s veggie samosas — likely because in addition to the golden flakey crust and delicious spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder, these samosas also have chunks of pumpkin and paneer cheese.

Price: $3.99

For those who cook at home or aspire to, basmati rice is the base you’re going to want to have for many of your saucy, Indian-inspired dishes. Trader Joe’s sells a bargain two-pound bag of the textured, long-grain rice for just $3.99.

Price: $3.49

If you can’t get enough of Trader Joe’s naan bread, you’ll be happy to know it also comes in cracker form. Each cracker is delightfully seasoned with garlic, parsley, and sea salt — and it’s got that naan taste you love, plus a little crunch.

You can also get the organic crackers without the added garlic flavor.

Price: 2.99

Trader Joe’s also makes a frozen version of its Tandoori Naan, which comes in a pack of four and can be stored in the freezer for when you get a craving for the traditional East Indian flatbread in the future. The naan goes great with TJ’s many frozen Indian-inspired meal options.

Price: $2.99

It may have Sri Lankan in the name (and it may be shipped from a source in the country), but Trader Joe’s mango chutney makes for an excellent addition to many of the store’s Indian-inspired favorites — from curries to samosas.

Keeping track of Trader Joe’s sales and promotions is a great way to save on groceries, and perusing their internationally-inspired options can help you avoid splurging on takeout when you have a specific craving. 

Just keep in mind that many of these meal portions are small — so it may be worth picking up a pack of naan or two to fill up.