HOWDY FRIENDS I hope you enjoyed watching this as much as I enjoyed making it! I tried SO MANY NEW DAMN THINGS. What's the next Trader Joes (or any other) ranking you'd like to see!
Eating ***Thai*** green curry "I love Indian food..." 😂 I love you Merle. That had me cackling and I've been sick and feeling like a sack of turds, so thank you ❤
@@jbeeee42 I'm still sick and your comment making this come up in my notifications once again sparked joy, so thanks haha. Idk why it tickled me so much. I giggled even more when she was talking about loving Pad Thai and eating it in Thailand, like, bruuuuuuhhhhh 😂😂😂 She's got me wondering if she's playing 4D chess and it was on purpose 'cause the extra stuff later makes the original comment even sillier. I'll never tire of the intentional or not Easter eggs in Merle's vids ❤️
Try sauteeing the mandarin chicken morsels in a pan with olive oil until golden and crispy on both sides, then pour the sauce in and cook it down until it's a bit more thick and caramelized!! That's the only way I've ever made them and they're my fav!!
Unrelated to the video itself but Merle has helped me sorta understand how to have an almost entirely plant based diet-- which has inadvertently also helped my mother who's in early stage pancreatic failure (she is okay-- she has to take special enzymes with meals to supplement what her pancreas cant do). And since I've learned so much from this channel and before when she was on Buzzfeed I've really been able to help my mom with her diet. Just wanted to say thank you 💜💜
Not even vegan myself but she actually makes me want to try more vegan foods. She’s not aggressive with it, feels like a really chill cousin who genuinely wants the best for you but isn’t going to pretend she’s better than you at the same time. 🤷♀️🥰
Merle, you are simply delightful. I’m a big Trader Joe’s fan but mainly cook all my own foods homemade. I’ve been vegan all my life and it’s wonderful to see young people embracing keeping our animals safe and eating healthier. Thank you for giving us the humor and delightful view points on the Vegan lifestyle.
I work at Trader Joe’s and we just tried the vegan fried fish fillets the other day while we were closing the store. My manager made fish tacos with them with our mango slaw and yuzu hot sauce 😋 it was super yummy!!! Edit: I see you hated it 🤣 but if you air fry them and put them in corn tortillas with crunchy salsa it definitely works better and I too loveeee the Thai green curry
What a great video! Trader Joe's is really stepping it up with the vegan food. The Penne Arrabbiata is my favorite!! Have you tried the Trader Joe’s Roasted Vegetable Tamale Pie? It is so delicious. :))
I agree on your ranking for the ravioli. I don't think I've ever cooked them without at least one coming apart. They're good served in a simple veggie broth (instead of a sauce) with some grated vegan parmesan. Thanks for all your UA-cam content.
Running for the Beef bulgogi .. and agreed on the grease on those bird nests! Wegmans has a hummus and veggie puff that tastes just as good but not as greasy. And those Chicken less Mandarin nuggets aren’t good. I like the Quorn ones but I can’t find them anywhere! Love the Grease references!
Definitely going to try the curry and beef bulgogi! The mandarin chicken is great when the sauce is warmed up! I throw them in the air fryer to cook and then transfer to a sauce pan and let the sauce get all thick and bubbly! My whole family loves them.
The veggie birds nest look like kakiage! I used to work at a macrobiotic retreat center and the food was Japanese-influenced. We had a chef who made THE BEST kakiage! We didn't get it often (its fried and this was at a "health" center lol), but it was by far the most popular dish!! Oh I wish I could taste Chef Alfred's kakiage again!!
i really like the vegan orange chikn, but you definitely gotta cook the morsels with the sauce in a pan for a little bit to get it all fully integrated. also, it's better with rice and scallions
Interesting video. Maybe you could do a video on all the things vegans do when cooking that aren't really needed. Like soaking flaxseed or using baking powder and baking soda together, pressing tofu, or proofing yeast. Basically all the unnecessary stuff. we do, checking to see if it makes any difference at all. Enjoying your channel.
Hi Merle, fun video! I cook the orange “chicken” in a sautée pan with either some oil, water, or veg stock, and the pieces stay moist. Ovens are way too drying. Trust yourself. Move the pasta arrabiata up to S! The Italians are famous for doing things simply, but fabulously!
This is the first video I've seen on your channel and I pretty much agree with all the final rankings so I feel like I can trust your opinion. Also I enjoy your sense of humor. Easy subscription!
Awesome video idea Merle!! I really enjoyed this 😊 thank you for sitting in your kitchen for at least 10 hours and editing probably the same amount of time. I see you!!
@@MerleONeal absolutely loved this content, went by so much faster than I would ever want to. You were an absolute blast to listen to. Hope you do add bukbang type content into your rotation! Sort of like how your older videos had you driving to try the KFC vegan nuggets, or in the more recent ones like the lab grown meat. I always find it so interesting to see what's out there for vegans, and how you as a vegan yourself likes said options.
The Arrabiata has been my go to for the last 3-4 years I add Garlic, Onion powder, and a big bowl of fresh spinach and pop on the microwave and stir as I go.....IT'S AMAZING......A WHOLE MEAL IN 4-5 MIN. 🤗🤗😍😍°
I like a lot of TJ's stuff, but I do get frustrated about how inconsistently they're stocked. I'm sure they have their reasons, but when I'm the reigning queen of having my favorites discontinued - whether from restaurants, or skin care, or even my fav flipping underwear, I'd like to be able to get what I came for a little more often. not that mystery shopping can't be fun and uncover hidden gems
Oh I feel you. I do research, try a bunch of things, land on my favorite, use it for two minutes...and find out it's been discontinued. Rinse and repeat. You may have to share your crown.😉😂
I appreciate that you show the ingredients/the back. That's exciting that their "fish" is gluten free as I found I have a gluten sensitivity so I'll still give it a try. Would love another one of these with other vegan trader joes items
Merle ~ I get several packages of the ravioli and layer it in a deep pan with sauce and vegan mozzarella. I call it ‘rasagne’ just need to add a smidge of water to your sauce and be sure those layers touch the ravioli layers. It’s bomb AF
Yes! I would love to see a ranking on vegan cream cheese. They can be pricey and then so disappointing. I am very much into the healthfulness of the food I eat. Just because it's vegan doesn't make it health food. At TJ's I mostly stick to the green curry bowl (almost 1x/week), the pad thai, and one other veggie & rice Indian bowl I didn't see in your video. Some cities offer different foods. Also a note about the pad thai; the last time I had this, it barely gave 2 tiny pieces of tofu in the entire meal! I'm vegan, gimme some tofu, damnit! I do like that these dishes are made in Thailand.
I'm not sure if the fact they are frozen and reheated makes them seem more greesy than they are but I looked at the nutrition facts and they are a lot lower in fat and calories than they "real thing" (like from a restaurant or recipe) for pretty much everything I'm pretty sure most of the "grease" is just water
Oh yay!! Finally a new ranking video!! I've been rewatching old ones lately to satisfy my cravings haha. So good to finally have a new one and to add to my arsenal! 🤣💖💖💖🥰 Love as always, can't wait for the next video! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your rankings! I honestly have yet to try half of these products... but I'll be sure to try the curry because I am sold! My #1 vegan Trader Joe's product is the Walnut Banana Bread... OH MY GOSH, it is divine! Please tell me you've tried it... if you haven't, I urge you to buy a loaf next time because I promise you Merle, your taste-buds will not regret it!
I keep that pasta in my freezer at all times for an easy quick meal. I add a big handful of spinach when it’s finished & turn off the heat and let it wilt. The sauce is good but I always add more spices. I do that with any store bought sauce. That’s just me. Tha Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio seasoning is a good addition.
Aaaaa ty I'm so happy for this video!! I've been wanting to try Trader Joes foods and I wasn't sure where to start, there's so many lol. I haven't had beef in years so I really wanted to try that vegan beef bulgogi.
With the dishes that I have tried from Trader Joe’s, I was pretty much spot on with your scores! I just want to say that I use the beef strips to make pepper steak & it was absolutely awesome!
I just tried that pizza for the first time last week and really liked it! I thought the same about the cheese and then looked at the box and realized its not melted there either so at least it wasnt false advertising. Ps. love seeing aria enjoying the food too
@@MerleONeal they used to sell the sauce on its own and I literally would eat it with grilled cheese the way one might have tomato soup but unfortunately it's been discontinued. I'm glad they at least still have it as a frozen item. :') In my heart it is definitely an S-rank item.
The 'Don't be a Libra! Don't be a Libra!' really got me bc I am also a Libra and super indecisive and always second guessing myself haha Oct 5th in the house! 💖 I've been considering trying the beefless bulgogi but wasn't sure if it was any good so tysm for the stellar review!
ok...i have some thoughts...i will refrain and simply say that i am very happy you enjoyed the bulgogi and i mostly do agree with your takes...cheers...ok, i lied...the rice bowl is fire and it's mad cheap, too...it's the best vegan frozen meal you can eat on the regular when you're trying to be healthy
I always cook the vegan orange chicken in a pan and then when you add the sauce it thickens and everything tastes better! I promise it's a lot better that way. You should also try the vegan Indian food.
They used to have these chickenless chicken tenders that I, a meat eater, was obsessed with in college. I don’t see them around anymore, but Google tells me they still exist. If you ever see them around, I highly recommend 😊
Also, I think the timing on the mandarin chicken is better for the whole bag. I have found the same thing with tater tots- if you make less you have to cook it a lot leas
I don't know if you saw it but it should be still available hopefully they don't take them off the shelves but the vegan Salmon dip is good its very good it has capers and it somewhat salty i love dipping crafkers into them
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is hands down my favorite food but it has to be prepared with care. I pan fry from frozen in olive oil with garlic and montreal seasoning (also s/p). I add them to a hot pan on medium and I don’t move them for about 6 minutes. Then I flip and I don’t move them for four. I keep doing that until they are browned and crispy on all sides. I sauté veg in a separate pan and combine after they’re done. No sauce. It’s a perfect vegan meal.
so glad you came to your senses on the mandarin chicken. i was shocked by that initial B ranking! my expectations had been high for that one when i tried it, but what a letdown. looking forward to trying the beefless bulgogi and the curry! thank you for eating all the things so i don’t have to 😅
they also have very good vegan Japanese fried rice n vegan gyoza....I think you low key missed out on some of their best ones. the frozen Indian food as well is v good.
My grandmother lived next to a Trader Joe’s, so my childhood revolved around it. I loved the mandarin orange chicken, actually obsessed. In 2017, they had supply chain issues and changed manufacturers for it… and the chicken is awful now!!! It used to taste like McDonald’s nuggets and were a family favorite.
Yaaasss!!! Ravioli, Ravioli GIVE ME THE FORMUOLI!!! (I am so addicted to TJ's vegan Ravioli) The Vegetable Biryani is AMAZING as well (another Indian dish) I always heat up a Naan bread seasoned with vegan butter and garlic to go with it!
I always grab multiple of the green curry and penne arrabbiata when I am at TJs. They are my favorite. I haven't had the beefless bulgogi or the ravioli but now I think I have to try them bc I think we have similar flavor tasters
I really wonder if i got a bad batch of the bulgogi because everyone says how amazing it is. I thought it had a really weird taste & very little flavor besides smokey.
Also P.S. nothing gives my more joy when people pronounce things correctly.. the fact you know who to pronunce gnocchi.. omz... Nothing gets me more rattled up when people pronunce it with a G. Omz. Major kudos to you, as always 🤣🤩🥰💖❤️.
Very helpful video!!! I go to trader joes for myself and family and some members are vegan and I try to look for tasty food for them to try out so this was a great help.
It’s criminal that they didn’t have the general tsos cauliflower when you went- you HAVE to try them, one of my all time favorites (even a hit with my non vegan friends)
Merle, do you have an airfryer? If not you neeeeeeeed to get one, they’re absolutely my favorite kitchen appliance! The mandarin chik’n is yummy cooked like 4 minutes without the sauce, then another 2-3 with. Great video!
ahh my favorite vegan frozen item at trader joe's is their veggie gyoza! i wonder why your store didn't have it. i also love the ravioli and the masala burgers. i like that the burgers are trying to taste like veggies and not like fake meat, sometimes that's what i really want out of a veggie burger and restaurants are ALL about the impossible meat haha
That pizza is on eof my favorite things at TJ's. I haven't tried that Bulgogi yet but now that I've seen it on multiple channels I'm gonna have to give it a try!
I recommend that you air fry the vegan bulgogi and then coat with a 50/50 mix of gochujang and sweet chili sauce. Let it cool for like five minutes and then add to whatever.
I haven't looked for it in awhile, but my favorite freezer meal from TJ's is the jackfruit curry. I wonder if it is still available? TJ's likes to discontinue things
my theory is that the birds nest and the masala burger were heavily inspired by pakoras and samosas respectively, hence the similar taste. Love the reviews merle!!
a freezer being full is totaly okey , even better less cold air needs to be produced and the frozen food will act as an isolator, just be sure not to open it to long. fridge needs a lot of cold air so better not to have it full. fridge feezer combo works the same.
One of the few things I miss since going vegan is ravioli, which I ate a ton of as a vegetarian. I'm always looking out for a vegan version and finally!! I can have it!! Thank you, Merle!! ❤
@@MerleONeal I'm excited!! I love your ranking videos, they're so helpful. I can't wait to try more vegan options when I go back to Disneyland. Thanks for the reply too! I feel special 🥰
Glad you ranked up bulgogi and thai green curry. I never want to go into TJs and have them say "sorry, thats been discontinued. It wasn't popular enough"😢😢
No no no that bulgogi was an F for sure!! The orange chicken belongs in the S category! Idk why it came out weird for you, it usually works well for me but I also like it crispy. The rest I think I agree though. I would not have moved the spring rolls down though. Also you could def do a whole video on Trader Joe's dips/sauces. They have so many!
HOWDY FRIENDS I hope you enjoyed watching this as much as I enjoyed making it! I tried SO MANY NEW DAMN THINGS. What's the next Trader Joes (or any other) ranking you'd like to see!
Merle, a video idea - all the leftovers from the ranking videos, challenge yourself to make a dish out of them. Something like Chopped! ❤
you do it
@@-zer8086 loool
I can just see the carnage now
@@MerleONeal and we’ll live for it
Eating ***Thai*** green curry
"I love Indian food..." 😂
I love you Merle. That had me cackling and I've been sick and feeling like a sack of turds, so thank you ❤
Hahaha I was like “did I hear that right, what did I miss” when she said Indian food
@@jbeeee42 I'm still sick and your comment making this come up in my notifications once again sparked joy, so thanks haha. Idk why it tickled me so much. I giggled even more when she was talking about loving Pad Thai and eating it in Thailand, like, bruuuuuuhhhhh 😂😂😂 She's got me wondering if she's playing 4D chess and it was on purpose 'cause the extra stuff later makes the original comment even sillier. I'll never tire of the intentional or not Easter eggs in Merle's vids ❤️
Came to the comments section just for this! 😂
Try sauteeing the mandarin chicken morsels in a pan with olive oil until golden and crispy on both sides, then pour the sauce in and cook it down until it's a bit more thick and caramelized!! That's the only way I've ever made them and they're my fav!!
Yes! This is how I like to cook them too!
Yes! I like them a lot and that is how a cook them too (tho I use veggie oil instead of olive oil but I’m sure olive oil is good too)
yes thats how i make them and I LOVE them. Merle you HAVE to retry them this way
I WANT MORE OF THAT BULGOGI! I love your ranking videos! Especially because I get to eat on those days hehe
You don't get to eat on other days? 😂
Unrelated to the video itself but Merle has helped me sorta understand how to have an almost entirely plant based diet-- which has inadvertently also helped my mother who's in early stage pancreatic failure (she is okay-- she has to take special enzymes with meals to supplement what her pancreas cant do). And since I've learned so much from this channel and before when she was on Buzzfeed I've really been able to help my mom with her diet. Just wanted to say thank you 💜💜
OOh my goodness
Not even vegan myself but she actually makes me want to try more vegan foods. She’s not aggressive with it, feels like a really chill cousin who genuinely wants the best for you but isn’t going to pretend she’s better than you at the same time. 🤷♀️🥰
Merle, you are simply delightful. I’m a big Trader Joe’s fan but mainly cook all my own foods homemade. I’ve been vegan all my life and it’s wonderful to see young people embracing keeping our animals safe and eating healthier. Thank you for giving us the humor and delightful view points on the Vegan lifestyle.
I work at Trader Joe’s and we just tried the vegan fried fish fillets the other day while we were closing the store. My manager made fish tacos with them with our mango slaw and yuzu hot sauce 😋 it was super yummy!!!
Edit: I see you hated it 🤣 but if you air fry them and put them in corn tortillas with crunchy salsa it definitely works better and I too loveeee the Thai green curry
oh that actually sounds so good
I dip ‘em in the vegan tzatziki 🤌🏻
I liked the vegan fish fillets I didn't even dip them into anything and I liked it
@jamesm47766 me too. I had mine with roasted potatoes and peas. I did add ketchup because I eat everything with ketchup but I loved them plain too
so many vegan things just don't crisp if you aren't using a pan or airfryer
I like Aria popping in and giving his opinion. Please include him mooooar! :)
So glad the ranking videos are back! They’re my favorite!
What a great video! Trader Joe's is really stepping it up with the vegan food. The Penne Arrabbiata is my favorite!! Have you tried the Trader Joe’s Roasted Vegetable Tamale Pie? It is so delicious. :))
THANK YOU the Penne Arrabbiata was SENSATIONAL I kinda regret not giving it an S
@@MerleONealit’s okay- we know it was an S in your heart 😍😂
Hope to see your thoughts on their Japanese Styled Fried Rice. We eat it by the bag full.
I think that is the one Vegan Bodega Cat loves
Ooh that one's great!
Love all of your videos!! I'm still not a vegan, but you give me vegan options to throw into my diet to try it out every once in a while 😊
I agree on your ranking for the ravioli. I don't think I've ever cooked them without at least one coming apart. They're good served in a simple veggie broth (instead of a sauce) with some grated vegan parmesan. Thanks for all your UA-cam content.
Running for the Beef bulgogi .. and agreed on the grease on those bird nests!
Wegmans has a hummus and veggie puff that tastes just as good but not as greasy. And those Chicken less Mandarin nuggets aren’t good. I like the Quorn ones but I can’t find them anywhere!
Love the Grease references!
Definitely going to try the curry and beef bulgogi! The mandarin chicken is great when the sauce is warmed up! I throw them in the air fryer to cook and then transfer to a sauce pan and let the sauce get all thick and bubbly! My whole family loves them.
yes you MUST try the curry and bulgogi
Never doubt the Trader Joe's frozen pastas in a bag! I have tried so many of them and they always turn out good. I love the frozen mushroom ravioli.
omg i want thatttt
@@MerleONeal It's "eat the whole bag yourself" good lol
Their frozen mushroom ravioli is not vegan. Their frozen mushroom medley however is incredible with pasta or as a pizza topping!
The veggie birds nest look like kakiage! I used to work at a macrobiotic retreat center and the food was Japanese-influenced. We had a chef who made THE BEST kakiage! We didn't get it often (its fried and this was at a "health" center lol), but it was by far the most popular dish!! Oh I wish I could taste Chef Alfred's kakiage again!!
Merle, please do more of these! The vegan tikka masala is my absolute favorite. It’s super saucy too, I add cauliflower and have it with naan 😋
I was sO SADDD they didn't have the tikka masala when I went
@@MerleONeal Next time for sure :)
Merle, as she's discussing Thai curry: "I love Indian food"😄
This was fun. I shop at TJ's a lot and enjoy the occasional vegan option in my week so this was super helpful. Thanks!
i really like the vegan orange chikn, but you definitely gotta cook the morsels with the sauce in a pan for a little bit to get it all fully integrated. also, it's better with rice and scallions
Hopefully you can get your hands on the Thai Veggie Gyosa. They’re really good! This was fun!💚🌱😋
Interesting video. Maybe you could do a video on all the things vegans do when cooking that aren't really needed. Like soaking flaxseed or using baking powder and baking soda together, pressing tofu, or proofing yeast. Basically all the unnecessary stuff. we do, checking to see if it makes any difference at all. Enjoying your channel.
An sir fryer is so handy with the oven foods. Have you tried the vegan tiki masala? So good! I agree with your assessment of the things i have tried.
Hi Merle, fun video! I cook the orange “chicken” in a sautée pan with either some oil, water, or veg stock, and the pieces stay moist. Ovens are way too drying.
Trust yourself. Move the pasta arrabiata up to S! The Italians are famous for doing things simply, but fabulously!
This is the first video I've seen on your channel and I pretty much agree with all the final rankings so I feel like I can trust your opinion. Also I enjoy your sense of humor. Easy subscription!
Awesome video idea Merle!! I really enjoyed this 😊 thank you for sitting in your kitchen for at least 10 hours and editing probably the same amount of time. I see you!!
Aw thanks for the love
Not American, never had access to Trader Joe, but have not anticipated a video as much as this one. Can't wait to watch.
I hope you enjoy!
@@MerleONeal absolutely loved this content, went by so much faster than I would ever want to. You were an absolute blast to listen to.
Hope you do add bukbang type content into your rotation! Sort of like how your older videos had you driving to try the KFC vegan nuggets, or in the more recent ones like the lab grown meat. I always find it so interesting to see what's out there for vegans, and how you as a vegan yourself likes said options.
Thank you for this! I've tried Trader Joe's plant-based food before and gotten burned. It's always helpful to hear what's worth my $.
The Arrabiata has been my go to for the last 3-4 years I add Garlic, Onion powder, and a big bowl of fresh spinach and pop on the microwave and stir as I go.....IT'S AMAZING......A WHOLE MEAL IN 4-5 MIN. 🤗🤗😍😍°
Surprised the vegan Tikka Masala wasn't on your list - that's the best one IMO. Great for sauce-lovers!
Yes, this is the BEST!
They didn't have it at my TJS :(
I like a lot of TJ's stuff, but I do get frustrated about how inconsistently they're stocked. I'm sure they have their reasons, but when I'm the reigning queen of having my favorites discontinued - whether from restaurants, or skin care, or even my fav flipping underwear, I'd like to be able to get what I came for a little more often. not that mystery shopping can't be fun and uncover hidden gems
Oh I feel you. I do research, try a bunch of things, land on my favorite, use it for two minutes...and find out it's been discontinued. Rinse and repeat. You may have to share your crown.😉😂
I appreciate that you show the ingredients/the back. That's exciting that their "fish" is gluten free as I found I have a gluten sensitivity so I'll still give it a try. Would love another one of these with other vegan trader joes items
Merle ~ I get several packages of the ravioli and layer it in a deep pan with sauce and vegan mozzarella. I call it ‘rasagne’ just need to add a smidge of water to your sauce and be sure those layers touch the ravioli layers.
It’s bomb AF
Brb, immediately adding this to next week's meal plan! 😍
you convinced me to buy the pizza and bulgogi, 2 things I normally wouldn't gravitate towards.
Yes! I would love to see a ranking on vegan cream cheese. They can be pricey and then so disappointing. I am very much into the healthfulness of the food I eat. Just because it's vegan doesn't make it health food. At TJ's I mostly stick to the green curry bowl (almost 1x/week), the pad thai, and one other veggie & rice Indian bowl I didn't see in your video. Some cities offer different foods. Also a note about the pad thai; the last time I had this, it barely gave 2 tiny pieces of tofu in the entire meal! I'm vegan, gimme some tofu, damnit! I do like that these dishes are made in Thailand.
I'm not sure if the fact they are frozen and reheated makes them seem more greesy than they are but I looked at the nutrition facts and they are a lot lower in fat and calories than they "real thing" (like from a restaurant or recipe) for pretty much everything
I'm pretty sure most of the "grease" is just water
Yay yay YAYYYYYYY!!!! Your videos make my day better Merle!!!!🥰💫
I'M SO GLAD
Oh yay!! Finally a new ranking video!! I've been rewatching old ones lately to satisfy my cravings haha. So good to finally have a new one and to add to my arsenal! 🤣💖💖💖🥰 Love as always, can't wait for the next video! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your rankings! I honestly have yet to try half of these products... but I'll be sure to try the curry because I am sold! My #1 vegan Trader Joe's product is the Walnut Banana Bread... OH MY GOSH, it is divine! Please tell me you've tried it... if you haven't, I urge you to buy a loaf next time because I promise you Merle, your taste-buds will not regret it!
There's at least 6 or 7 vegan desserts, including 4 or so ice cream things. That would be a good ranking.
I keep that pasta in my freezer at all times for an easy quick meal. I add a big handful of spinach when it’s finished & turn off the heat and let it wilt. The sauce is good but I always add more spices. I do that with any store bought sauce. That’s just me. Tha Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio seasoning is a good addition.
Aaaaa ty I'm so happy for this video!! I've been wanting to try Trader Joes foods and I wasn't sure where to start, there's so many lol. I haven't had beef in years so I really wanted to try that vegan beef bulgogi.
you MUST
The Japanese fried rice!! The tteokbokki!! The green onion pancakes!
One of my favorite go-to at Trader Joe's that you didn't cover is the Vegan Tikka Masala with cumin rice. 😋
they used to have these awesome quinoa burritos but they dont have them anymore i don’t think
With the dishes that I have tried from Trader Joe’s, I was pretty much spot on with your scores!
I just want to say that I use the beef strips to make pepper steak & it was absolutely awesome!
omg those beef strips are next level, that sounds amazing
U should do a collab with Kitchen and Jorn trying vegan stuff from Aldi’s or Target or some other big store
I just tried that pizza for the first time last week and really liked it! I thought the same about the cheese and then looked at the box and realized its not melted there either so at least it wasnt false advertising.
Ps. love seeing aria enjoying the food too
JARED - you're so true about the picture! TJ keepin it real. I just wish they put the arrabbiata sauce on the damn pizza
@@MerleONeal they used to sell the sauce on its own and I literally would eat it with grilled cheese the way one might have tomato soup but unfortunately it's been discontinued. I'm glad they at least still have it as a frozen item. :') In my heart it is definitely an S-rank item.
Love your channel - What makes it even better is watching someone who is genuine 🥂
Thank you for the love
The 'Don't be a Libra! Don't be a Libra!' really got me bc I am also a Libra and super indecisive and always second guessing myself haha Oct 5th in the house! 💖 I've been considering trying the beefless bulgogi but wasn't sure if it was any good so tysm for the stellar review!
Love this video Merle!! The Penne Arrabbiata, the pizza, and the raviolis are my fav!! And now I really want to try the green curry bowl!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed!! You musssst try
Love the ranking videos. I've tried all TJ vegan and so agree with your ratings. So much more for you to try - TJ's Vegan Tikka Masala is a favorite.
II keep hearing about this one!!!! I'm sad they didn't have it
ok...i have some thoughts...i will refrain and simply say that i am very happy you enjoyed the bulgogi and i mostly do agree with your takes...cheers...ok, i lied...the rice bowl is fire and it's mad cheap, too...it's the best vegan frozen meal you can eat on the regular when you're trying to be healthy
I always cook the vegan orange chicken in a pan and then when you add the sauce it thickens and everything tastes better! I promise it's a lot better that way. You should also try the vegan Indian food.
"I love Indian food"
THAI Green Curry: 👁👄👁
I know this is super trivial but the green curry is a Thai style curry not an Indian curry. I am an avid green curry fan though.
The green curry is indeed awesome - random bites are spicy because of the teeny tiny slivers of hot pepper
They used to have these chickenless chicken tenders that I, a meat eater, was obsessed with in college. I don’t see them around anymore, but Google tells me they still exist. If you ever see them around, I highly recommend 😊
Also, I think the timing on the mandarin chicken is better for the whole bag. I have found the same thing with tater tots- if you make less you have to cook it a lot leas
I've grown to love Merle 🥺
The vegan tika masala is so good thoooo
The mandarin morsels are super good! Love those!
I don't know if you saw it but it should be still available hopefully they don't take them off the shelves but the vegan Salmon dip is good its very good it has capers and it somewhat salty i love dipping crafkers into them
The cashew spinach ravioli I boil for 3 mins the most. and prefer it with a white wine garlic sauce
Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is hands down my favorite food but it has to be prepared with care. I pan fry from frozen in olive oil with garlic and montreal seasoning (also s/p). I add them to a hot pan on medium and I don’t move them for about 6 minutes. Then I flip and I don’t move them for four. I keep doing that until they are browned and crispy on all sides. I sauté veg in a separate pan and combine after they’re done. No sauce. It’s a perfect vegan meal.
Pan frying is absolutely the answer! Their package instructions are nonsense.
The Penne Arrabiata is one of my favorites!! I grab a bag almost every time I’m at TJ’s :)
Great video, super enjoyable and informative :)
so glad you came to your senses on the mandarin chicken. i was shocked by that initial B ranking! my expectations had been high for that one when i tried it, but what a letdown. looking forward to trying the beefless bulgogi and the curry! thank you for eating all the things so i don’t have to 😅
they also have very good vegan Japanese fried rice n vegan gyoza....I think you low key missed out on some of their best ones. the frozen Indian food as well is v good.
My grandmother lived next to a Trader Joe’s, so my childhood revolved around it. I loved the mandarin orange chicken, actually obsessed. In 2017, they had supply chain issues and changed manufacturers for it… and the chicken is awful now!!! It used to taste like McDonald’s nuggets and were a family favorite.
Yaaasss!!! Ravioli, Ravioli GIVE ME THE FORMUOLI!!!
(I am so addicted to TJ's vegan Ravioli)
The Vegetable Biryani is AMAZING as well (another Indian dish) I always heat up a Naan bread seasoned with vegan butter and garlic to go with it!
we love a spongebob reference - I'll have to keep my eye out for the biryani
I always grab multiple of the green curry and penne arrabbiata when I am at TJs. They are my favorite. I haven't had the beefless bulgogi or the ravioli but now I think I have to try them bc I think we have similar flavor tasters
OK thank you the Arrabbiata is about to be a staple of mine along with the pretty much everything else you mentioned
Bulgogi and fish are really good. I put fish in a roll with a little vegan tartar. It is only 2nd to the bulgogi
Indian food is my favorite and everything from Trader Joes has been amazing.
I really wonder if i got a bad batch of the bulgogi because everyone says how amazing it is. I thought it had a really weird taste & very little flavor besides smokey.
I love those ravioli! Definitely going to try the arrabiatta pasta next.
DO IT
Merle, what about ranking popular vegan recipes?
Since these vegan products have a very limited area of operation
Also P.S. nothing gives my more joy when people pronounce things correctly.. the fact you know who to pronunce gnocchi.. omz... Nothing gets me more rattled up when people pronunce it with a G. Omz. Major kudos to you, as always 🤣🤩🥰💖❤️.
Very helpful video!!! I go to trader joes for myself and family and some members are vegan and I try to look for tasty food for them to try out so this was a great help.
It’s criminal that they didn’t have the general tsos cauliflower when you went- you HAVE to try them, one of my all time favorites (even a hit with my non vegan friends)
Merle, do you have an airfryer? If not you neeeeeeeed to get one, they’re absolutely my favorite kitchen appliance!
The mandarin chik’n is yummy cooked like 4 minutes without the sauce, then another 2-3 with.
Great video!
ahh my favorite vegan frozen item at trader joe's is their veggie gyoza! i wonder why your store didn't have it. i also love the ravioli and the masala burgers. i like that the burgers are trying to taste like veggies and not like fake meat, sometimes that's what i really want out of a veggie burger and restaurants are ALL about the impossible meat haha
I need a part 2 😊
I do think we need another ep of this
I know you didn't like their fishless fillets, but that notwithstanding, I'd love to see a review of vegan fish & seafood alternatives.
I love the falafels, hope you can try them next time! 😋
I'm not a biiiig falafel girl but i'll try em if i see em!
I love the bottle of sliquid causally next to ari lol
That pizza is on eof my favorite things at TJ's. I haven't tried that Bulgogi yet but now that I've seen it on multiple channels I'm gonna have to give it a try!
I recommend that you air fry the vegan bulgogi and then coat with a 50/50 mix of gochujang and sweet chili sauce. Let it cool for like five minutes and then add to whatever.
ohhh this sounds so good
I haven't looked for it in awhile, but my favorite freezer meal from TJ's is the jackfruit curry. I wonder if it is still available? TJ's likes to discontinue things
I knowww i'm sad that I couldn't find a lot of things people requested but i'll keep my eyes peeled for that one!
Grease lighting got to me. I'm with you on all the ones that drip and drip oil.
my theory is that the birds nest and the masala burger were heavily inspired by pakoras and samosas respectively, hence the similar taste. Love the reviews merle!!
These are also so helpful. I thank you for your service. These videos should be like reimbursed as a volunteer project for Vegans United.
LMAO
I loved the final thoughts and the pasta drama xD
a freezer being full is totaly okey , even better less cold air needs to be produced and the frozen food will act as an isolator, just be sure not to open it to long. fridge needs a lot of cold air so better not to have it full. fridge feezer combo works the same.
One of the few things I miss since going vegan is ravioli, which I ate a ton of as a vegetarian. I'm always looking out for a vegan version and finally!! I can have it!! Thank you, Merle!! ❤
Aldi sometimes has vegan ones too! Saw ones at Costco once too 😂
@@ericafossee801 I always forget about Aldis! I'll have to look, thanks
YES you're going to love it
@@MerleONeal I'm excited!! I love your ranking videos, they're so helpful. I can't wait to try more vegan options when I go back to Disneyland. Thanks for the reply too! I feel special 🥰
Oh. Also. Yogurt ranking. Please and thank you. For plain Greek I'm nominating Kite Hill Greek Yogurt.
thanks for backing me up on the red lentil bolognese. i swear it's nearly inedible, i don't know why it's so popular
I was so surprised!
I feel the same about the pasta bolognese - I feel vindicated because my friends love it and I thought I was crazy for thinking it was bad
Glad you ranked up bulgogi and thai green curry. I never want to go into TJs and have them say "sorry, thats been discontinued. It wasn't popular enough"😢😢
No no no that bulgogi was an F for sure!! The orange chicken belongs in the S category! Idk why it came out weird for you, it usually works well for me but I also like it crispy. The rest I think I agree though. I would not have moved the spring rolls down though. Also you could def do a whole video on Trader Joe's dips/sauces. They have so many!