5 Trader Joe’s Frozen Dinners Worth Stocking Up On for Winter
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Winter meal planning can be beyond exhausting. By the time you get home from work, the last thing you want to do is stand in the kitchen chopping vegetables and wait for something to cook. But ordering takeout every night gets expensive fast.
Trader Joe’s frozen section solves this problem with dinners that actually taste good and won’t drain your budget. These aren’t your average TV dinners. They’re restaurant-inspired meals that heat up in minutes and cost less than $5 each.
Here are five frozen dinners worth stocking your freezer with before winter really hits.
Korean Japchae Fried Rice
- Price: $3.99
This is one of the more interesting frozen meals at Trader Joe’s. It combines white rice with glass noodles (sweet potato noodles from traditional japchae), vegetables and a savory sesame soy sauce mix.Â
The texture holds up surprisingly well for a frozen rice dish, and the flavor is balanced with umami, sesame and a touch of sweetness. Because it’s more complex than plain fried rice, it works as a meal on its own without needing much else.Â
Roti With Thai Red Curry
- Price: $4.49
Each box comes with three flaky flatbreads and a packet of coconut milk-based red curry with green eggplant, cabbage and potatoes. The curry paste contains traditional Thai seasonings like lemongrass, bird’s eye chiles and galangal, giving it authentic spicy flavor.
Warm the roti on a skillet or in the air fryer, heat the curry packet and you’re done. Tear off pieces of the bread and scoop up the curry or pour it over the top. It’s filling enough for dinner and pairs well with a cold beer.
Steamed Vegetable Soup Dumplings
- Price: $3.49
These dumplings are filled with jackfruit, carrot, cabbage, spinach and ginger, plus a hearty broth made with agar-agar instead of gelatin to keep them vegan. They’re inspired by Chinese xiao long bao and heat up in minutes in the microwave or steamer.
The soup inside gets extremely hot, so serve them in a deep spoon. Puncture the top carefully, let the soup cool and then slurp. Add some soy sauce and chili onion crunch for extra flavor.
Tteok Bok Ki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
- Price: $3.99
This dish has royal origins. It started as Korean court cuisine in the 19th century and evolved into the spicy, gochujang-covered street food version we know today.
Each package includes bite-sized rice cakes and a packet of fiery red pepper sauce. The rice cakes have a chewy, almost mochi-like texture. You can boil them traditionally and simmer with the sauce or make them extra crispy by pan-frying or air-frying first. Bonus: The bold, peppery heat pairs well with an ice-cold beer and makes you feel like it’s summer again!
Japanese Fried Rice
- Price: $3.99
This is delectable fried rice that heats up easily in a pan and delivers major flavor thanks to sesame seeds and nori flakes. It’s one of the most underrated items in the whole store — a true treasure chest of umami goodness!
Throw in some scrambled eggs, tofu, the addictive beefless bulgogi or leftover chicken to make it more substantial. It’s economical and goes with almost anything. Keep a bag or two in the freezer for nights when you need a quick side dish or base for a stir-fry.
Bonus: Bubble Waffles for Dessert
- Price: $4.49
These aren’t dinner, but they’re one of the best (and most unique!) frozen desserts Trader Joe’s has released in a long time. Bubble waffles are fun, warm and indulgent. When prepared right, they’re crispy on the outside with a soft interior. Yum!
Editor’s note: Pricing is accurate as of Dec. 8, 2025. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
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