Vegan Trader Joe’s Meals for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

It’s no secret that Trader Joe’s is incredibly vegan-friendly. It’s got options for everyone, no matter their dietary restrictions, and better yet these options tend to be highly affordable.

In the past, we’ve told you about vegan options at Trader Joe’s as well as products that, in addition to being vegan, are whole food. This makes Trader Joe’s a great place to shop for all your meal prep, party planning, or dinner-cooking needs. However, sometimes you get home after a long day at work or school and just want to pop something in the microwave and be done with it. Luckily, Trader Joe’s has quick and satisfying plant-based meals covered, too. Below is a list of fifteen vegan Trader Joe’s meals that can be prepared or assembled in only a few minutes.

1. Vegan Tikka Masala

Trader Joe’s

Tikka masala is an Indian dish that’s usually made with chicken or paneer (cheese), but luckily, TJ’s also carries an entirely plant-based Vegan Tikka Masala! The “meat” is made from soy protein, and it’s bathed in a deliciously spiced tomato and coconut milk-based sauce. The dish comes with Basmati rice. Pop the whole thing in your oven or microwave and you’re good to go. If you don’t have access to a Trader Joe’s, try this Red Lentil Tikka Masala for a quick dinner!

2. Organic Vegetarian Chili

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Though the label says vegetarian, this canned Organic Vegetarian Chili is entirely vegan. Heat it up on the stove (or eat it out of the can while it’s cold, which we’ve definitely done on more than one occasion…) and you’ve got yourself a hearty, satisfying dinner. Make sure to serve this up with these gluten-free Sweet Potato and Sage Corn Muffins for lots of savory dipping!

3. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s Vegetable Spring Rolls, which you can find in the frozen section, are chock-full of delicious vegetables like edamame, kale, onions, and carrots, along with some tofu. And they are entirely vegan! There are five in a box, enough for an easy dinner during a busy week. Need a dipping sauce and fast? Try making this spicy Three-Ingredient Ssam Sauce!

4. Vegetable Pad Thai

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At a traditional Thai restaurant, it’s sometimes hard to come by vegan pad thai, as the dish can be prepared with fish sauce. But don’t fret about TJ’s Vegetable Pad Thai, since it is totally plant-based. Topping the rice noodles are tofu, veggies, bean sprouts, and sauce. Grab a box of this from the frozen section and dig in. Make this Homemade Sriracha to add extra spiciness on top!

5. Yellow Jackfruit Curry with Jasmine Rice

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Trader Joe’s just introduced this Yellow Jackfruit Curry with Jasmine Rice, showing yet again that its frozen aisle is a treasure trove for vegans. In addition to jackfruit, which makes for a delicious plant-based meat substitute, the curry has vegetables like eggplant and bell pepper, plus coconut milk and spices. Have a raw vegan in your life? Try out this Raw Jackfruit Curry!

6. Vegetable Masala Burger

Trader Joe’s

Grill these, put them on a frying pan, or just microwave them if you’re in a pinch. Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burgers, made with seven different kinds of vegetables as well as Indian spices, effortlessly merge Western and Eastern cuisine. A box comes with four patties, enough for a filling dinner or two. We even have a Chia Burger Bun that is gluten-free and so simple to make!

7. Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

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In the need for some quick Mexican food? Trader Joe’s can help with these Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas, made from corn tortillas. They’re filled with beans, corn, tofu, and zucchini, and are covered in a mild enchilada sauce. Heat them up from frozen in a microwave or toaster oven, and enjoy! If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s in your area, try these Refried Bean Enchiladas at home.

8. Fully Cooked Falafel

Trader Joe’s

The package advertises that you can “heat and eat” these Fully Cooked Falafel, and that’s all you really need to do. Add on some hummus (either homemade or from Trader Joe’s wide selection), and maybe a bit of pita, and your dinner is ready to go.

9. Sriracha Flavor Baked Tofu

Trader Joe’s

Though it’s easy to make your own baked tofu, it’s even quicker to grab this Sriracha Baked Tofu from Trader Joe’s or add it to your wrap, salad, or veggie bowl. Flavorful and spicy, this tofu comes cooked and ready to enjoy, so all you need to do is open up the package and enjoy.

10. Beef-less Ground Beef

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This soy-based Beef-less Ground Beef is good enough to eat by itself, but you can always cook up some pasta and marinara sauce to go with it, or sprinkle it over chips with some vegan Trader Joe’s mozzarella shreds. Buy Trader Joe’s taco seasoning mix and some taco shells, and you’ve got yourself a no-hassle taco night. Try out some of our Taco Recipes with these crumbles!

11. Japanese Style Fried Rice

Trader Joe’s

If you like fried rice (and who doesn’t?), you’re in luck, because Trader Joe’s has some Japanese Style Fried Rice ready to go. This rice is California-grown and flavored with soy sauce and mirin, a sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking. The dish comes with tofu strips and edamame. Heat it all up, top it with Gomashio: A Japanese Sesame Seed Condiment, and it makes for an indulgent dinner after a long day.

12. Chickenless Crispy Tenders

Trader Joe’s

There’s something about frozen chicken tenders that makes us all feel like a kid again. Made from soy protein, these breaded Chickenless Crispy Tenders are found in the frozen section and would go well with a bit of ketchup, vegan BBQ sauce, or mustard. Or just eat them fresh out of the oven. Add these to one of our 15 Most Delectable Vegan Wrap Recipes to add some veggies into your meal!

13. Thai Vegetable Gyoza

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These Thai Vegetable Gyoza dumplings cook right up in just a few minutes and are stuffed with a whole bunch of veggies, like mushrooms, green onions, and carrots, as well as ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Found in the frozen section, you can steam or fry these for a low-stress dinner. If you’re not near a Trader Joe’s try out our Tempeh and Kale Steamed Gyoza!

14. Steamed Lentils

Trader Joe’s

These Steamed Lentils are ready to go hot or cold, so you can toss them in a salad or microwave them and eat them right out of the bowl. Otherwise, toast up some bread to go with them, or pan-fry them with onions and mushrooms. The possibilities are endless! These are made specifically for Trader Joe’s by a small supplier in Normandy, France. Make sure to add these to your favorite Lentil Soups!

15. Bonus: Dessert!

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After a delicious and easy dinner, treat yourself to some vegan dessert at TJ’s. There’s no lack of options, but we recommend the coconut-milk based ice cream (either chocolate or strawberry), or this soy-based Cherry Chocolate Chip Non-Dairy Frozen dessert, pictured above. This elegant and creamy ice cream belongs with an equally fancy pairing. Try out one of our 15 Fancy Cupcakes That Are Ready to Party!

Feel like making your own dinner after all? No worries – download the Food Monster app for recipe ideas, cooking tips, and more. It’s available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Shutterstock