Comparison: Best Trader Joe’S Frozen Microwave Meals (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be real—some days, cooking just isn’t happening. That’s where Trader Joe’s frozen microwave meals come to the rescue. Packed with flavor, made with quality ingredients, and ready in minutes, these freezer gems have built a cult following for a reason. But with so many options lining those iconic red shelves, which ones are actually worth your precious freezer space? We’ve tasted our way through the best (and the not-so-great) to bring you the top picks that deliver on taste, value, and convenience—because dinner shouldn’t be a compromise.
- Best for teriyaki protein punch: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Beef Teriyaki
- Best for marinara chicken classic: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Marinara with Parmesan
- Best for ginger beef bowl: Marie Callender’s Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl
- Best for marsala chicken delight: Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken Marsala
- Best for bbq steak potatoes: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Barbecue Seasoned Steak With Potatoes
- Best for pesto chicken pasta: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables
- Best for alfredo chicken broccoli: Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
- Best for cheesy broccoli bake: Amy’s Frozen Meals
- Best for spicy tso’s chicken: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers General Tso’s Spicy Chicken
- Best for mexican casserole bowl: Amy’s Frozen Meals
Product Comparison: Best Trader Joe’S Frozen Microwave Meals
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Beef Teriyaki, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.5 OZ Bowl
- One 9.5 oz Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Beef Teriyaki frozen meal
- Featuring tender beef strips with rice, carrots, broccoli and water chestnuts in a sweet teriyaki sauce, these frozen entrees provide an easy and healthy solution for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, this frozen beef dish offers a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen meal for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meal is ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen dinner in the freezer until ready to prepare
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Marinara with Parmesan, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.5 OZ Bowl
- One 9.5 oz Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Marinara with Parmesan frozen meal
- Featuring grilled chicken breast with penne pasta and broccoli in zesty marinara sauce, these frozen entrees provide an easy and healthy solution for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, the frozen pasta meals offer a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen dinner for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meal is ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 3 1/2 to 4 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen food in the freezer until ready to prepare
Marie Callender’s Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl, Convenient Oven or Microwave Meal with Beef and Rice, Frozen Meal, 11.8 OZ
- One 11.8 oz Marie Callender’s Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl frozen meal
- Featuring tender beef, broccoli and rice smothered in a savory sauce, this easy-to-prepare frozen burrito makes for a warm, hearty meal anywhere and anytime
- This frozen family dinner contains 17 grams of protein per serving and is made without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, so you can enjoy wholesome meals without compromising on flavor
- Heat this frozen dinner in the microwave for 4 minutes, stir, re-cover and cook an additional 1 1/2 minutes, or prepare in the oven 45 to 50 minutes, let stand for 2 minutes, for convenient, comfort food flavor
- Marie Callender’s offers a variety of frozen meals that are perfect for a family dinner or individual microwave meals any time of the day; keep frozen food in the freezer until you are ready to prepare
Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken Marsala, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.9 OZ Bowl
- One 9.9 oz Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken Marsala Frozen Meal
- Featuring chicken breast with russet potatoes, whole green beans, mushrooms and onions in a marsala wine sauce, this dish delivers easy and healthy solutions for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, this grilled chicken marsala meal offers a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen meal for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meals are ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 4 1/2 to 5 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen meals in the freezer until ready to prepare
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Barbecue Seasoned Steak With Potatoes, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.5 OZ Bowl
- One 9.5 oz Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Barbecue Seasoned Steak With Potatoes frozen meal
- Featuring tender beef strips with russet potatoes and vegetable medley in a whiskey BBQ sauce, these frozen entrees provide an easy and healthy solution for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, this frozen beef dish offers a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen meal for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meal is ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 4 to 4 1/2 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen dinner in the freezer until ready to prepare
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.9 OZ Bowl
- One 9.9 oz Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables frozen meal
- Featuring grilled chicken breast with freshly made rotini pasta, zucchini and spinach in a basil pesto sauce, these frozen entrees provide an easy and healthy solution for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, the frozen pasta meals offer a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen dinner for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meal is ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 4 to 4 1/2 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen food in the freezer until ready to prepare
Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 9.15 OZ Bowl
- One 9.15 oz Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Frozen Meal
- Featuring chicken breast and broccoli in a creamy Alfredo sauce, this dish delivers easy and healthy solutions for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, this grilled chicken Alfredo meal offers a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen meal for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meals are ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 4 to 4 1/2 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen meals in the freezer until ready to prepare
Amy’s Frozen Meals, Pasta Bowl, Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Bake, Gluten Free, 9.5 oz.
- One 9.5-ounce Amy’s Broccoli & Cheddar Bake Bowl the whole family will love
- Made from scratch with gluten free rice pasta, creamy English Cheddar sauce and crisp organic broccoli florets
- Topped with toasted gluten free bread crumbs
- Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Certified Kosher, Certified Organic
- Convenient and easy to prepare—simply heat and serve!
- Gluten free
- Vegetarian
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers General Tso’s Spicy Chicken, Convenient Microwave Meal Made With No Preservatives, Frozen Meal, 10.3 OZ Bowl
- One 10.3 oz Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers General Tso’s Spicy Chicken frozen meal
- Featuring grilled chicken breast, rice and vegetables in an authentic spicy brown sauce, these frozen entrees provide an easy and healthy solution for delicious healthy frozen meals any day of the week
- Made with quality ingredients and no preservatives, this frozen chicken dish offers a satisfying, healthy dinner with a flavor everyone will love
- Perfect frozen food for those who value health and want an easy meal solution without compromising on flavor or quality
- Microwave meal is ideal for lunch or quick meals at home, simply heat in the microwave 4 to 4 1/2 minutes and stir into sauce; keep frozen dinner in the freezer until ready to prepare
Amy’s Frozen Meals, Mexican Casserole Bowl, Made with Organic Tomatoes, Corn and Black Beans, Gluten Free, 9.5 oz.
- One single serve bowl of Amy’s Mexican Casserole topped with cheese and enchilada sauce the whole family will love
- Made from scratch with organic white corn masa, black beans, sweet corn, tomatoes and olives
- Authentic tamale flavor in every bite from carefully selected chile peppers and spices
- Gluten Free, Tree Nut Free, non-GMO and Certified Kosher
- Convenient and easy to prepare—simply heat and serve!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What factors should I consider when choosing between the Healthy Choice Beef Teriyaki and the Grilled Chicken Marinara meals?
Look at the main protein source, sauce style, and accompanying vegetables to match your taste preferences. Check the nutrition label for calories, sodium, and fiber to see which fits your dietary goals. Also compare cooking times; both heat in about 3½‑4 minutes, making them equally convenient for a quick meal.
How do protein and calorie counts differ among the listed frozen meals?
Marie Callender’s Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl provides about 17 g of protein per serving, while Healthy Choice meals typically range from 12‑15 g. Calorie counts vary from roughly 260 kcal for the chicken marsala option to around 350 kcal for the barbecue steak, so choose based on your daily intake targets.
Are there gluten‑free options in this selection?
Yes, Amy’s Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Bake and Amy’s Mexican Casserole are both certified gluten‑free, using rice pasta and corn masa respectively. Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s meals contain wheat‑based ingredients, so they are not gluten‑free.
Which brand offers the best value for the price?
Healthy Choice meals generally provide a lower price per ounce and include no preservatives, offering solid value for health‑focused shoppers. Amy’s meals are slightly pricier but bring organic certifications and gluten‑free status, while Marie Callender’s delivers higher protein content at a comparable cost.
Do any of these meals require oven preparation instead of microwave?
Marie Callender’s Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl can be cooked in the oven for a firmer texture, taking about 45‑50 minutes, whereas all Healthy Choice and Amy’s options are designed for microwave‑only preparation. Choose the oven‑compatible option if you prefer a baked feel.
How do the flavor profiles compare across the different meals?
The Beef Teriyaki offers a sweet‑savory Asian glaze, while the Grilled Chicken Marinara delivers a classic Italian tomato‑based sauce. Barbecue Seasoned Steak features a smoky whiskey BBQ taste, and the Pesto Chicken brings a fresh basil‑pesto richness. Amy’s Mexican Casserole provides a mild, cheesy enchilada flavor, appealing to those who enjoy Tex‑Mex spices.
What should I know about preservatives and ingredient quality?
All Healthy Choice meals are marketed as having no preservatives and use quality ingredients, making them a clean‑label choice. Marie Callender’s also avoids artificial colors and flavors. Amy’s emphasizes organic, non‑GMO, and kosher certifications, offering an extra layer of ingredient transparency.
How do portion sizes compare among the products?
Portions range from 9.5 oz (most Healthy Choice meals) to 11.8 oz for Marie Callender’s bowl, providing a slightly larger serving for the latter. Amy’s meals are 9.5 oz each, aligning closely with Healthy Choice’s sizing, so you can gauge fullness based on the ounce count and your appetite.