The 5 Best New Trader Joe’s Finds Under $5 This January

Kicking off a new year doesn’t have to be about going on a diet or eating healthier. Sometimes food goals can be about trying something new or saving money—both of which you can do with Trader Joe’s new products that are less than $5 this month. The frozen aisle is the most exciting part of TJ’s right now, with four of these recommendations being budget-friendly ways to either create or stretch a meal with a store-bought shortcut. 

Here are the new products we aren't leaving Trader Joe's without this month.

1. Baingan Bharta (Roasted Eggplant Curry), $3.49

The latest Indian-inspired frozen dish at TJ’s is an incredibly flavorful North Indian eggplant curry with a smoky edge. It was around briefly more than a decade ago, but has made a triumphant—and fiery—return! The eggplant is fire-roasted and mashed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, plenty of spices (including turmeric and fenugreek), and a gentle fresh heat from green chiles. It pairs great with garlic naan, basmati rice, and a dollop of toum (TJ’s Garlic Spread-Dip) or whole milk Greek yogurt.

2. Spicy Peanutty Noodle Bowl with Chicken, $3.49 

This is Trader Joe's version of dan dan noodles, a Szechuan dish that combines chewy noodles tender minced chicken (subbing in for the typical ground pork in dan dan), veggies (bok choy, onions, and carrots), and an umami-rich, ginger-heavy peanut sauce. It takes about five minutes in the microwave, meaning you can solve hanger ASAP with a satisfying bowl of noods.

3. Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste, $4.99

This vanilla is anything but “vanilla”—it’s so exciting, we’ll treat it more like gold. We already love TJ’s classic vanilla bean paste, but it's only available seasonly. So, we are thankful for a new version—which according to the store’s website is made by a “supplier in Mauritius with 100 percent Bourbon Vanilla Beans” that are “grown in one of the designated Bourbon islands within the Indian Ocean.” The distinct sweet, well-rounded vanilla flavor will come through more than your standard extract (using a 1:1 ratio of extract to paste) and you’ll get those little bean seed flecks studding anything you make.

4. Tofu Sheets, $2.99

Yuba talkin’ to me? Yuba is the traditional name for the tofu “skin” that forms on the top of freshly made soy milk, and it's mild like tofu and takes on any flavors you pair it with. TJ’s tofu sheets come frozen, so make sure to either microwave in the pouch (the box says for 2 ½ minutes) or just run them under warm water to thaw, separate, and use them—they’ll break otherwise!—but they don’t require cooking. They can be cut into strips for gluten-free and vegan “noodles” (that will have a distinctively chewy and firm texture that is al dente-adjacent), curries (they’re already in the Vegan Thai Green Curry from TJ’s!), soups, stir-fries, and more. You can even wrap them around veggies or protein for instant fresh spring rolls.

5. Chicken, Lentil & Caramelized Onion Pilaf, $4.49

This affordable new hearty dish can be a side or an entree. Inspired by Adas Polo, a traditional Persian rice dish, this frozen pilaf is packed with basmati rice, green lentils, caramelized onion, dark meat chicken, and raisins and dates for sweetness and texture. It’s a light dish with bold and luscious flavors: saffron, cinnamon, and cumin that’ll warm you from the inside out. It can be microwaved or cooked in a skillet on the stovetop in minutes, and can be used for the base of a bowl with greens, an egg, and some Greek yogurt and fresh herbs. Or even rolled into an unconventional burrito or wrap with more chicken, your favorite vegetables, and hummus.