Buy: Garlic peppercorn pork tenderloin
This flavorful pork tenderloin is pre-seasoned with a delightful blend of garlic and zesty peppercorns in a well-balanced marinade. You can easily grill or roast it straight from the package, which saves a lot of time and is a key reason it often graces my family’s dinner table. The marinade also makes cooking more forgiving, helping the pork stay tender and preventing it from drying out, even if you accidentally cook it a bit too long. Since the tenderloin leans towards the saltier side, it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread in a sandwich or alongside roasted potatoes to create a balanced meal.
Additionally, the packages are generally larger than standard pork tenderloins, making them ideal for families or for those who enjoy leftovers. While Trader Joe's meat portions may be slightly smaller than those at stores like Costco, the pre-seasoned pork tenderloin is still ample for a satisfying meal with several sides.
Avoid: Pork or chicken sausage
If you're considering adding sausage to your meal, it's advisable to purchase a comparable option from the deli or prepared foods section. The pork and chicken sausages available in the meat department typically cost around $6.50 per pound, whereas the deli's chicken sausages are a few dollars less, priced at approximately $4.30 for 12 ounces. Despite being slightly cheaper, the deli sausages are equally tasty, and they come precooked, which means you can prepare them more quickly.
The all-natural casing on these sausages can be somewhat tough, so be prepared for some chewing if you're not careful during cooking. Keeping the heat low and cooking them slowly can help make the casing easier to handle, but it might also hinder your ability to achieve those desirable charred grill marks that enhance flavor. Overall, while these sausages are decent, the precooked options from the deli are much simpler to prepare and more economical.
Buy: Beef stew meat
If you're in search of delicious meat that can be prepared quickly, Trader Joe's stew beef is an excellent choice to add to your cart. This option significantly reduces prep time since the stew meat is already cut into bite-sized pieces. They are large enough to achieve a nice sear but small enough to cook rapidly and meld with other flavors, making it perfect for beef stew, which is (not surprisingly) my favorite recipe for this cut of meat.
In addition to being a budget-friendly meat choice, it also meets high-quality standards set by Trader Joe's. The cattle used for Trader Joe's stew beef are raised without antibiotics or hormones. They enjoy access to more spacious environments rather than being confined to feedlots — a significant advantage if you want to support ethical animal welfare practices. The stew beef serves as a great alternative to similarly-sized beef sirloin tips, which tend to be a few dollars more per pound.
Avoid: Carne asada
I usually enjoy the pre-seasoned and marinated meats from Trader Joe's, but the carne asada autentica didn't quite hit the mark for me. It was overly salty, lacked the citrusy zing I prefer in carne asada, and had a subtle garlic presence. While it's convenient that it's prepped, which saves cooking time, the flavor fell short of my expectations.
You can create your own seasoning to tailor the flavor and spice level to your liking, and adding more lime and orange juice can really enhance the citrus notes. Great carne asada relies more on the cooking technique than on a specific spice mix, so it's often better to choose your preferred cut and prepare it yourself. Overall, the taste was rather unremarkable, and any time I saved in preparation was spent enhancing the meat with additional sauces and ingredients after grilling.
Buy: Flank steak
The tasty flank steak is among the top steak selections at Trader Joe's, offering great value and quality. It is classified as USDA Choice, the highest grade available at Trader Joe's, and one of the few cuts that receive this honor. This designation from the United States Department of Agriculture indicates that the meat has a moderate level of marbling, which enhances flavor and helps keep the meat tender and juicy. The USDA Choice rating strikes a good balance between price and quality, making it a worthwhile option to consider while shopping.
Additionally, flank steak is one of the larger cuts, making it perfect for preparing a complete meal with the possibility of leftovers for lunch. I enjoy meal prepping and cooking in larger quantities that I can repurpose in various dishes, so this cut is ideal for me. Its versatility ensures that you can utilize the entire piece, maximizing your budget and minimizing food waste. My favorite way to prepare flank steak is by stuffing it, as it elevates the flavor, looks impressive, and is relatively simple to make. Flank steak tacos are also a fantastic option for using up any leftover meat for lunch or dinner the following day.
Avoid: Rib eye steak
Despite the appealing marbling, I found the rib eye from Trader Joe's to be somewhat disappointing. It turned out to be just average, and I really missed the opportunity to chat with a butcher about the steak's origin, cooking tips, and other helpful insights for preparing meat. While the store offers these sizable steaks at a reasonable price, I believe the cost savings don't compensate for the inability to have them trimmed or custom cut. The primary reason I steer clear of most steaks at Trader Joe's is that you can't select the specific cut you want from a large meat display.
For recipes where steak is just one of several ingredients, this approach works fine, and the prices are quite reasonable. However, if you're in search of a high-quality steak for grilling, it's usually a better choice to visit a butcher for superior options and expert advice.
Buy: Chicken thighs
Chicken thighs are my go-to choice when I want to make the most of my family's budget while still incorporating protein into our meals. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they also tend to be more tender and juicy compared to regular chicken breasts. The higher fat content in chicken thighs helps them retain moisture during cooking. As dark meat, they offer a richer flavor than white meat chicken breasts, making them perfect for bold spice blends and enhancing savory dishes.
At Trader Joe's, boneless chicken thighs are priced around $5 per pound, while bone-in thighs are even more affordable at $2 per pound. If you choose the bone-in option, you can save the bones to create a delicious broth after enjoying the meat. They also come with skin, and you can use a boiling water technique to achieve perfectly crispy chicken skin that pairs wonderfully with the succulent meat inside.
Avoid: Chicken tenders
At approximately $6 per pound, this is the priciest conventional chicken option in the Trader Joe's meat section due to the extensive preparation it undergoes. Chicken tenders are sliced from chicken breasts into smaller, more manageable pieces that cook more quickly. However, this additional preparation makes it tempting to opt for a less expensive alternative. You can purchase a chicken breast for a lower price and easily cut it into tenders yourself in just a few seconds, allowing you to save money without a significant investment of time or effort.
In addition to the relatively simple preparation you're avoiding, these tenders tend to be quite thin and are more prone to drying out during cooking. It may be wiser to choose a different cut that offers greater versatility. That said, if you're determined to have chicken tenders (or something similar), check out the Trader Joe's freezer section for other options, such as crispy chicken nuggets.
Buy: Ground beef
Ground beef is a versatile essential in my kitchen, offering high quality at an affordable price of about $7.50 per pound. Trader Joe's provides a 96/4 blend, which is leaner, as well as a 90/10 blend that contains a bit more fat for enhanced flavor. The meat is sourced without antibiotics or hormones, which justifies the slightly higher cost compared to other grocery stores. Some Trader Joe's locations sell ground beef in vacuum-sealed small packages, while others have it in larger vacuum-sealed trays with a clear plastic seal on top.
This beef is perfectly ground for making burgers, but it also shines in dishes like spaghetti sauce and shepherd's pie. While Trader Joe's ground beef is slightly coarser than what you might find elsewhere, I appreciate that texture. Choosing beef that is too finely ground is a common mistake that can affect the texture, particularly in recipes like chili or meat sauce.
Avoid: Ground turkey
Ground turkey is often promoted as a healthier, leaner substitute for ground beef, but don’t expect the same depth of flavor when you choose this option. I prefer it for certain dishes, like turkey and sweet potato meatloaf, but it requires a significant amount of moisture to achieve the juiciness and savoriness of ground beef.
Priced at approximately $4.50 per pound, Trader Joe's ground turkey is a bit more affordable than comparable ground beef. It is available in a 93/7 blend, which actually contains more fat than the leanest ground beef found in the same section. If you're aiming for a leaner ground meat option, I suggest opting for the 96/4 ground beef instead. There is also a 99/1 blend of ground turkey, but it is so lean that it lacks the texture and flavor needed to mimic richer ground beef. While it can be a good choice for maximizing lean protein, it’s generally better to avoid this option if you’re looking for taste.
Buy: Whole chicken
Picking up a whole chicken is my go-to method for crafting delicious homemade chicken soup, and it's definitely worth making a special trip when my family starts to feel under the weather. Using a whole chicken allows you to utilize the bones for a flavorful broth, and the price is fantastic. At Trader Joe's, a young whole chicken is just $2 per pound, usually totaling under $10 for the entire bird. I suggest roasting the chicken, shredding the breast and thigh meat to add to the soup, and then simmering the carcass with spices to create a rich, savory broth. Since it's a smaller bird, it's more affordable and fits perfectly in a standard Dutch oven or kettle. You can also use a slow cooker to let the flavors of the soup meld together throughout the day.
In the meat section, you'll find both conventional and organic options side by side, so be sure to check the labeling on the chicken to ensure you choose the right one. The organic whole chicken is a few dollars more, but it still offers great value.
Avoid: Boneless pork chops
The bone-in pork chops from Trader Joe's are exceptional, so it's best to avoid the boneless variety, which tends to dry out quickly. While boneless pork chops may be easy to cook and eat, they are also more prone to overcooking, resulting in a tough, chewy dish that lacks flavor. Choosing a bone-in cut is essential for achieving a juicy and flavorful pork chop with minimal preparation. Simply add your marinade or spice rub, place it on the grill, and monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer. The bone helps retain moisture and allows the meat to cook more slowly, enhancing its flavor. Additionally, boneless pork chops are sold in prepackaged sets of two or three, so you can't choose the specific cuts you want.
Trader Joe's also offers marinated pork options that surpass the plain cuts. As previously mentioned, the garlic peppercorn pork tenderloin is one of my top recommendations from Trader Joe's, and I suggest it every time over the boneless pork chops.
Buy: Organic chicken drumsticks
I usually hesitate to spend on organic products due to their higher prices, but Trader Joe's stands out among competitors for its affordability, particularly in the meat section. They offer a variety of options, including smaller packages that make organic choices more budget-friendly. For about $3 per pound, the organic free-range chicken drumsticks are an excellent option for those looking to steer clear of conventional meat without overspending. They are ideal for frying, but you can also marinate them and grill for deliciously juicy chicken.
Trader Joe's frequently provides serving suggestions on their product labels, website, or in their promotional Fearless Flyer. The recommended Kansas City barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with the bone-in, skin-on drumsticks. Choosing skin-on chicken drumsticks allows for extra crispiness while savoring the juicy dark meat.
Avoid: Organic chicken breasts
When you have the incredibly flavorful organic chicken drumsticks available, it’s hard to understand why anyone would choose the organic chicken breasts, which are pricier and less enjoyable. This cut is the least exciting, primarily due to its bland white meat and absence of bone. While it may be simpler to cook, it’s not what I would suggest if you’re seeking the best flavor and texture. If you’re willing to pay more for organic, opt for the cut that delivers superior results.
These chicken breasts are also likely to dry out since they are cut so thin. Priced at around $8 per pound, they are quite expensive compared to regular chicken and other organic options at Trader Joe's. A typical pack of chicken costs about $10, making it one of the costliest ways to obtain this lean protein from Trader Joe's.
How I decided which Trader Joe's meats to recommend and skip
I often visit Trader Joe's for their excellent variety of premade and pre-seasoned products, which makes it easy and quick to prepare meals, especially when it comes to meat. When considering which meat options to repurchase on future trips, price and quality are significant factors for me.
The size of the items also plays a role in my decision-making; I look for options that can feed an entire family while avoiding those that are too small to justify the purchase. Trader Joe's doesn't offer as extensive a selection as some other mainstream grocery stores, so I don't shop there weekly. For me, a must-have meat item needs to stand out by being delicious, cost-effective, or simplifying the cooking process. Some of my all-time favorites, which I actively seek out, excel in all three areas. Conversely, I tend to pass on items that have better alternatives available at other stores or even within Trader Joe's itself.
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