5 Trader Joe's Buys That Make Dinners at Home Way Cheaper Than Going Out
If you want to cut spending, dining out is often one of the first expenses to go.
Americans spend an average of $3,945 eating out, or about $329 per month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But this doesn’t mean you need to spend hours cooking from scratch every night.
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Trader Joe’s has plenty of affordable ingredients and ready-to-cook meals for a fraction of the cost of takeout or restaurant meals. Here are five Trader Joe’s buys that can help you save money on dinner.
Pizza Parlanno
Price: $5.49
Pizza is always an easy dinner. Just pop it into the oven and it’s good to go. The Trader Joe’s Pizza Parlanno is under $6, and, according to the chain, it’s also been a customer and crew member favorite for the past 15 years.
It has a stone-baked, wheat flour crust imported from Italy, and toppings include zesty tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, sweet roasted bell peppers and onions, Italian sausage crumbles and spicy uncured pepperoni. It also cooks in just about 10 minutes.
Beef Bulgogi
Price: $11.99
Beef Bulgogi, one of the most popular dishes in Korean cuisine, can cost $15 to $25 or more for one plate at a restaurant. In the freezer aisle at Trader Joe’s, you can find this thinly sliced beef bulgogi that’s been marinated in a blend of soy sauce, mirin and sesame oil. There’s also onion, garlic, apple, pear and pineapple juices. You can heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Price: $4.79
Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala was introduced in stores in 2009 and quickly became a favorite among customers and crew members, according to the brand. It’s also under $5 for this dinner tray. Tikka masala is a classic Indian dish with oven-roasted chicken served in a mild, tomato-based curry sauce. It also comes with cumin-flavored basmati rice. It heats up in under five minutes in the microwave.
Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion Ravioli
Price: $3.99
Ordering a pasta dish at a restaurant will cost a lot more than this Goat Cheese & Carmelized Onion Ravioli at Trader Joe’s. According to the brand, this is a little sweet and tart and was crafted by an expert pasta maker in Italy. It’s made with extra-thin sheets of pasta, stuffed with goat cheese and caramelized onions. Serve on its own, or add your favorite sauce. It takes less than five minutes to cook.
Fiesta Salad With Shrimp
Price: $6.99
Restaurant salads, especially those topped with shrimp, won’t be as affordable as this Fiesta Salad With Shrimp at Trader Joe’s. This is a ready-to-eat salad packed with shrimp, black beans, roasted corn, pico de gallo and tortilla strips with a poblano dressing.
It could serve as a light meal on its own, but it also works well as a side salad paired with grilled chicken, tacos or another Mexican-inspired dish. The store also recommends topping with sliced avocado, shredded cheese and your favorite hot sauce and salsa.
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Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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