Summer is so close we can almost taste it … and it tastes a lot like the flavorful, fun lineup of easy side dishes only Trader Joe’s can offer us. From heat-and-serve or prepared and refrigerated items to pastas and sauces that are easy to throw together, these cheap Trader Joe’s side dishes are must-buys.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Admittedly, you could get away with these stuffed poblano peppers being the main dish for a summer dinner, but they work as a side, too. We could see these as part of a Mexican-inspired backyard barbecue, with a spread of carne asada, chips and queso, fresh salsa … can you tell we’re feeling inspired? Each $7 pack of heat-and-serve poblano peppers costs $7.
Chopped Salad Blend
Salad kits might just be the quintessentially easy, cheap side dish for summer. Trader Joe’s is no slouch in the salad kit department, and the $3 chopped salad blend is particularly versatile — opt for a standard garden salad approach, add in some bacon and hard-boiled eggs for a Cobb, or opt for salami and mozzarella to tap an antipasto vibe. This should be in your refrigerator all summer if you’re looking for a cheap and easy go-to.
Roasted Green Vegetables
Is it ideal to harvest veggies from your garden or buy them at a farmer’s market in the summertime, opting for supreme freshness? Sure. But sometimes summer is just too busy to fuss with all of that, and that’s where Trader Joe’s roasted green vegetables come in handy. Kale, broccoli, shelled edamame, and brussels sprouts in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, and onion promise bold flavor; for only $5, we’re fully intrigued.
Sweet Chili Mango Complete Salad Kit
This $4 salad kit from Trader Joe’s teems with summer vibes, from the crunchy cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio to the bold flavors of the sweet chili dressing and dried mango. This, paired with kebabs on the grill, is 100% going into our summer dinner rotation.
Potato Salad
When it comes to summer side dishes, potato salad is at the top of the list. But let’s be real: Sometimes peeling, cutting, boiling potatoes, and then having to chill the salad for several hours before it even tastes good is just too much work for a busy summer night. Instead, for $5, you can get a pound of tater salad at TJ’s. Sold.
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Bruschetta Sauce
Listen, the easier the side dish, the better — and if it’s cheap, too, it’s a win all around. You can grab a baguette at just about any grocery store for $2 or less and pair it with Trader Joe’s bruschetta sauce (which costs $3.50). Full of flavor and as simple as it gets.
Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli
Summer brings certain flavors to mind, and lemon is one of the most prevalent. Trader Joe’s $4 ricotta and lemon zest ravioli begs to be topped with fresh arugula and shaved parmesan cheese with olive oil and garlic. This dish would be perfect alongside steak, chicken, or seafood.
Mediterranean Style Orzo Pasta Salad
Like the potato salad we mentioned earlier, pasta salad is also a stalwart summer side dish. There are endless iterations of pasta salad to explore, and Trader Joe’s has a $5 12-ounce container of Mediterranean-style orzo pasta salad, which would be the perfect companion for grilled chicken or salmon.
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Spicy Spuds
If you’re someone who likes a little spice on your plate, you can head to Trader Joe’s freezer aisles, where you’ll find a bag of Spicy Spuds for only $4.50. These work great as a quick, dinner-in-a-pinch side dish, or you can use them as the base of a breakfast and top them with eggs.
3 Cheese Spinach & Artichoke Pasta
Spinach artichoke dip in pasta form? That’s a yes from us. Alongside some grilled chicken and one of TJ’s salad kits we mentioned earlier, this $4 pasta is the ultimate addition to the perfect summer plate.
Sweet Ripe Plantains
For a carb side dish that’s not potatoes or rice, Trader Joe’s plantains are only $2.50 (found in the freezers), making them the perfect cheap addition to any meal. If you ask us, they work particularly well alongside Jerk chicken or beans and rice.
Sweet Corn, Burrata & Basil Ravioli
Another summer flavor brought to us by Trader Joe’s ravioli: sweet corn. This $4 ravioli is paired with burrata and basil inside, and the side dish possibilities are making our heads spin.
Seasoned Corn Ribs
TJ’s seasoned corn ribs are a stalwart in the store’s freezer aisle, but we grab them most often during the summer months. These are delicious as-is, but if you hit them with a little extra Tajin, some queso fresco or cotija, and fresh cilantro, they are out of this world.
Organic Lemon Torchietti Pasta
Trader Joe’s organic lemon pasta is imported from Italy, so you know it’s the real deal. We’ve tried this in Alfredo, but honestly, the best way to eat it is just with some butter, bright greens, and garlic. The flavors are so bright and perfect for summer.
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