Trader Joe’s has always been known for its freezer section. Though fan favorites come and go, it seems like nothing has stood the test of time more than Trader Joe’s Indian food. With a surprising amount of variety, TJ’s makes it easy to put together an entire Indian spread for cheap. Don’t know where to start? From veggie biryani and butter chicken to garlic naan and lamb vindaloo, here are nine of the best Trader Joe’s Indian food options you can buy right now.
Related: Trader Joe’s Best Seasonal Items, According to Superfans
Channa Masala
Price: $2.99
Going with an extra “n” for whatever reason, Trader Joe’s throws a plant-based favorite into the mix. A classic chana masala consists of stewed chickpeas, layered with Indian cuisine stalwarts like clove, cumin, coriander, and cardamum. All the big “c”s.
Related: Don’t Buy These Frozen Foods Unless You’re Desperate
Vegan Tikka Masala
Price: $4.29
If you’re even slightly familiar with Indian food, you probably know tikka masala. The creamy, tomato-based curry is probably India’s most widely known dish. The bench of fans behind Trader Joe’s tikka masala curry is deep, so if you’re looking for a vegan lunch, you’ve found it. As for what the “meat” is? Great question. The ingredients just say “vegan meat substitute.” Some questions are better left un-asked.
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Butter Chicken
Price: $4.49
We’ve got another one of India’s popular curries right here. Murgh makhani, often called butter chicken, is like a sweeter, creamier tikka masala, and the Trader Joe’s butter chicken is a standout. I could probably eat two of these.
Lamb Vindaloo
Price: $4.99
This one’s a personal favorite. A vindaloo is generally the spiciest thing on the menu, made with lots of chilies and vinegar, and you’ll find a lot of people who agree that lamb is its perfect counterpart. It’s not as spicy as a classic vindaloo, but that’s OK. At the very least, it’s one of the only lamb options at Trader Joe’s.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
Price: $3.79Gotta have something fried! Veggie samosas are just that thing — especially when heated up in an air fryer — and are filled with potatoey goodness. Gotta. Have. Something. Fried.
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Paneer Tikka Masala
Price: $3.69
Don’t want meat, but still eat cheese? Look no further than paneer tikka masala, which substitutes chicken for Indian cheese. The paneer is smothered in your favorite curry sauce on rice. A perfect lunch for a beautiful $3.69.
Fiery Chicken Curry
Price: $4.49
This Indian dish features an ideal duo: spicy curry and turmeric rice. Spicier than even the lamb vindaloo, Trader Joe’s is really bringing some extra heat here.
Naan
Price: $2.69
What are you going to scoop up your remaining curry with? These naans, available in tandoori and garlic, heat up perfectly in the oven and are just waiting for you to build a little taco.
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Vegetable Biryani
Price: $2.99
How can you skip the vegetable biryani? This veggie-infused rice is exactly what belongs underneath your curries. Between this, all those meats, samosas, and naans, filling an entire dinner table with an Indian-style feast from Trader Joe’s is incredibly attainable.
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