15 Worst Frozen Trader Joe's Meals to Avoid

Trader Joe’s is known for their delicious and convenient frozen meals, and many shoppers consider them one of the best Trader Joe’s hacks, but they aren’t all gems. Just like some have thousands of fans, others inspire universal distaste due to their poor flavor or texture.

To help make the most of your next shopping trip, we’ve found 15 frozen options at Trader Joe’s you shouldn’t waste your money on.

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

Price: $3.99

While Cacio e Pepe Ravioli is regularly a slightly sweet, cheesy dish, the one sold at Trader Joe’s is said to be watered down a little too much, making the noodles bland while the sauce runs off of them.

The noodles don’t have their expected structure or flavor, so count this out of your “must-try” list.

Price: $4.29

The new Spaghetti Carbonara completely misses the mark. This time, not for texture, as it seems to often go with frozen noodles, but for flavor, or lack thereof.

Shoppers describe the entree as “literally tasteless.” This one is a definite pass.

Price: $3.49

The Vegetable Pad Thai at Trader Joe’s isn’t known for its flavor. The frozen meal is high in sodium content, but you can hardly tell.

The amount of bean sprouts in the package also has the internet on edge, as they account for almost 50% of its contents.

Price: $4.49

The pink sauce is actually several unappetizing-looking pellets inside the box of this frozen meal.

Once you drop them into the mix, it turns to a more macaroni and cheese-style yellow. There seems to be more sauce than noodles, so feel free to add your own pasta if you want to feel full.

Price: $7.99

Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s missed the mark with their take on birria. While microwaving it from frozen is an option, it doesn’t do it any justice.

You have to defrost it in the refrigerator for an entire day before cooking to get the right texture, and many say it’s still too soupy and far less flavorful than other birria.

Price: $5.49

While the beef in this Korean-inspired dish is flavorful, it’s also tough and chewy. The rice doesn’t seem to cook correctly whether you microwave the dish or throw it on the stovetop, and ends up sticking to pretty much any surface it touches.

If the meat were more tender or there was a crisp to the bite, this would feel more like the classic dish.

Price: $3.99

The Mac & Cheese Bites are something everyone keeps an inquisitive eye on. In theory, a ball of cheese and noodles with a crispy shell sounds decadent. But frozen? There is a sogginess that even an air fryer can’t remedy.

Price: $4.49

At this price point, customers expect more chicken cutlets or dark meat. The chicken is on the dryer side, and there’s way more sauce than chicken, so you may want to consider adding meat to this frozen meal.

Watch how you cook the rice, as people who tried the oven method found it to be watery.

Price: $4.99

Much like their brothers, the Mac & Cheese Bites, the Breaded Cheddar Cheese Curds do not bode well reheated from frozen.

Stick to enjoying this fun fried snack when you can grab it at a bar, drive-thru, or fair.

Price: $5.49

Anything with mango should be a sure shot when it comes to flavor, but even with the sweetness of the mango chutney, Trader Joe’s aficionados warn that the chicken is soft, and may not be all thigh meat.

Price: $2.99

Finding quick and inexpensive japchae isn’t always an option. While this can be a good stand-in, traditional Korean sweet potato glass noodles are better fresh, and some complain that this option lacks flavor.

Price: $4.99

While the internet does seem divided on these simple reheat options, the consistency is not what you’d expect for traditional meatballs.

They’re neither plump nor juicy, so meatballs are better purchased elsewhere.

Price: $3.49

At just $3.49, this traditionally delicious Vietnamese soup sounds like a steal, but the Trader Joe’s version is nothing to write home about.

It doesn’t taste near anything like traditional pho and seems to be particularly bland in general.

Price: $4.99

These burritos are supposed to have the flavors of roasted poblano chiles, cilantro, dried garlic, and onion along with the steak.

While the beef is tender and well-seasoned, this burrito just tastes like a big hunk of meat and a tortilla instead of a medley of flavors.

Price: $2.99

While historically, the internet tends to rip apart the Cauliflower Gnocchi for its texture and taste, it seems to be having a redemption story arc.

There are now updated cooking guidelines on the packaging to avoid disaster, but reviews are still mixed at best.

With over 535 stores to shop from, Trader Joe’s can be convenient and affordable option for groceries as long as you’re actually going to eat — and like — what you get.

Just be sure to save money shopping by checking out reviews before you go so you don’t end up with a dud you’ll end up tossing out.