10 Delicious Trader Joe's Meal Hacks to Make Dinner Easy

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How can you hack a delicious homemade meal in minutes without resorting to a frozen entree? We asked our editors to share their tips for fast, easy, and tasty dinners thrown together with a handful of Trader Joe's products, so you can become an even savvier cook on busy weeknights. With a combination of fresh and prepped ingredients from the affordable grocery brand, we've come up with some pretty ideal dinners that can easily be thrown together after work. From spruced-up soup to cheap chopped salad and spicy taco bowls, these ideas will inspire you to skip the takeout.

Trader Joe's Hack: Better-Than-Takeout Indian
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Better-Than-Takeout Indian

"I add the curry sauce to chicken plus one can of its coconut milk. Once cooked, I shred up the chicken, add cooked potatoes, and then put it over rice, and it tastes better than takeout." — Shannon Vestal Robson

Trader Joe's Hack: Done-Up Soup
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Done-Up Soup

"The Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets make the perfect croutons, and they don't get soggy. Also, when the soup is warming up, I add in some garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar — crispy herbs would be good, too!" — Jae Payne

Trader Joe's Hack: Cheap Chopped Salad
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Cheap Chopped Salad

"Grab a bag of mixed greens, a can of tuna packed in olive oil, a sack of baby potatoes, jars of kalamata olives and cornichons, and a bottle of vinaigrette for a tasty, healthy, cheap, and quick dinner." — Angela Elias

Trader Joe's Hack: Zucchini Bolognese
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Zucchini Bolognese

"With a hand-held spiralizer, you can quickly make your own zucchini noodles while you heat up the bolognese. Top it off with red pepper flakes and shredded parmesan for a yummy, carb-free dinner." — AE

Trader Joe's Hack: "Greek" Salad on the Fly
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: "Greek" Salad on the Fly

"Use balela beans as a great topping to a salad (along with the dressing in the container) with just romaine, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Amazingly tasty salad in a pinch." — Lauren Hendrickson

Trader Joe's Hack: Soup For Any Season
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Soup For Any Season

"I have to stop myself from cooking this butternut squash soup more than once a week. Use chicken broth, diced butternut squash, a can of coconut milk, a jar of harissa (instead of curry paste), a tube of ginger purée, onions, garlic, and frozen naan." — AE

Trader Joe's Hack: 5-Minute Dinner
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: 5-Minute Dinner

"I like to sauté Trader Joe's cauliflower rice in olive oil and garlic, add a can of black beans, and top a bowl of the mixture with TJ's shredded Mexican cheese, a fried egg, and hot sauce! Protein-packed dinner on the cheap." — Erin Cullum

Trader Joe's Hack: Charcuterie For One
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Charcuterie For One

"I love putting together this easy plate when I don't feel like cooking. The only preparation required is cooking some asparagus over the stove top with olive oil. The rest I throw onto a large board or plate: prosciutto, asparagus, slices of french baguette, EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and marinated mozzarella balls." — Nicole Yi

Trader Joe's Hack: The Best Lentil Salad You've Ever Had
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: The Best Lentil Salad You've Ever Had

"This is a tasty side that's perfect for bringing to a potluck with a bag of pita chips or piling on top of its frozen naan bread. Dump a package of steamed lentils, feta cheese, and a few spoonfuls of TJ's jarred buschetta mix and combine in a bowl. You can also add cherry tomatoes and a bag of arugula." — AE

Trader Joe's Hack: Spicy Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Trader Joe's Hack: Spicy Taco Salad

"Hatch chili salsa mixed with a little yogurt and olive oil makes a perfect salad dressing for a taco salad." — LH