Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice
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Vegetable Fried Rice
Frozen fried rice may sound like an oxymoron, but it is actually a brilliant time saver. Because of this convenience and its deliciousness, our Vegetable Fried Rice is a mainstay for many. It’s packed with vegetables, including carrots, edamame, corn, green peas, leeks, and red bell pepper. Seasoned with soy sauce, rice wine, as well as some sugar, onions, seaweed, salt, and sesame oil – the medley offers rich, rounded flavor.
Because the rice has already been cooked, it requires only a simple heating. A couple minutes in the microwave returns fluffy, tender grains, while a handful of minutes in a frying pan or wok (over medium heat) browns the grains and gives them a craveable crispness. Delicious on its own, Vegetable Fried Rice is also a welcoming base for more veggies, fried tofu, TJ’s Mandarin Orange Chicken or TJ’s Mildly Sweet & Spicy Beef and Broccoli.
How much does Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice cost?
I paid $2.29 for this bag of frozen rice in December 2018. It’s hard to argue with the price, even the cheapest Chinese restaurant usually starts at $6-$8 for fried rice. Check out their chicken fried rice here too.
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice
Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve ever had much luck with pre-prepared frozen fried rice. It just doesn’t seem to be a dish that translates all that well to the freezer. Most varieties I’ve tried end up bitty, mushy or flavorless.
I’d much rather enjoy a wok-fresh restaurant version – even a fairly mediocre one at that – over the frozen stuff. Failing that, it’s pretty easy to cook up a decent fried rice, provided you have leftover rice of course. If both of those options are off the table, the frozen stuff promises a quick standby alternative.
Suffices to say, I didn’t go into this product expecting much. Indeed, I’d usually skip past such a product except the Trader Joe’s reliable name, and decent price (see below) drew me in.
And to be honest, I wasn’t too disappointed in this rendition. It’s no match for the real deal, but it still isn’t a half bad rice dish in its own right. Unlike frozen fried rice variations I’ve tested, the rice cooks up to an enjoyable texture – not too mushy and not too grainy.
There’s a decent mix of corn, peas, edamame, bell peppers and other veggies, again, all of which cook up to a pleasing texture. The rice obviously has some soy powered flavoring layered on. It adds a fun umami element to proceedings.
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice – what’s in the bag?
Here’s the rice, out of the bag, still frozen. As you can see the grains have that slightly extra processed quality, presumably the seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 bag Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1/2 Yellow Onion roughly chopped
- 5-10 oz Shredded Cabbage
- 1 cup Chopped Baby Corn
- 1/2 tsp Ginger Paste
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
- Onion Powder (to taste)
- Garlic Powder (or Fresh) (to taste)
- Diced Green Onion
- Chow Mein Noodles
Instructions
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Heat vegetable oil on stove, according to package instructions.
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Add roughly chopped onion and shredded cabbage; stir and saute over medium heat.
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When onions and cabbage become limp, add bag of vegetable fried rice, along with cut baby corn. Stir occasionally.
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In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger paste, onion powder (to taste), and garlic/garlic powder. Stir sauce well.
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About a minute before the rice has finished cooking, add sauce mixture to pan and stir well, coating rice and vegetables. Allow to simmer for approx. 1 minute.
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Serve as is or add diced green onion and chow mein/rice noodles.
Recipe Notes
*You can add other vegetables also. If adding bell pepper, add at the same time you saute the onion and cabbage.
**You can taste the Asian ginger sauce prior to adding to the rice and alter the measurements to your preference.
***You can add chicken, serve alongside chicken, or prepare the fried rice as a meal on its own.
NUTRITION
- Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups (159g) frozen
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Amount per Serving My Daily Value
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Calories 230 Kcal14%
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Total Fat2.5g4%
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Saturated Fat0g0%
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Trans Fat0g0%
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Cholester ol0mg0%
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Sodium 510 mg 22%
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Potassium190mg4%
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Total Carbohydrate45g19%
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Dietary Fiber3g12%
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Sugars3g4%
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Added Sugars1.5g6%
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Protein6g12%
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Calcium0mg0%
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Iron1.08mg6%
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Vitamin D0mcg0%
HOW TO DRESS UP TRADER JOE’S FRIED RICE & ASIAN GINGER SAUCE- SIMPLE RECIPE HACK
Trader Joe’s carries other frozen fried rice varieties (I’ve heard great things about the chicken), but, they all contain egg, which I don’t eat. So, in our house, we stick to the veggie and while we haven’t, it’s totally conducive to adding your own protein, if you choose. One of my favorite things about the TJ’s fried rice is the edamame. It doesn’t have a ton, and you can add more, but it’s such a fun part of the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice:
Is Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice precooked?
Yes, this rice is precooked and only needs a couple of minutes in the microwave in order to be heated through
How much is Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice?
This product costs $2.99
Is Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice any good?
As frozen quick serve fried rice goes, this is one of the best examples I’ve tasted. The dish is still far from the real deal, and you’ll get much better results making your own. That said, the price is good and the convenience is even better with this item.
Two easy Trader Joe’s dinners that get me through the holidays
Ah, the holiday craziness is upon us: Searching for the right gift, hosting family and friends (SO. MANY. MEALS.) and balancing the school concerts, parties, events and more. Believe me, I love it, but by the end of a school or workday, the last thing many of us want to do is cook.
But alas, the kids and I still need to eat. And all the gift-giving is maxing out budgets. So instead of reaching for the takeout menu, opt for these two easy Trader Joe’s dinners that I make on repeat during the holiday season. They’re both minimal prep, take advantage of store-bought shortcuts, and best of all, my family and I actually look forward to eating them every week!
Easy Fried Rice – chicken or vegetarian
Trader Joe’s has a great vegetable fried rice option right in the freezer section. It’s packed with veggies and literally cooks in minutes. It’s also a great base for any type of protein – cooked chicken, tofu, shrimp or what I often do – two beaten eggs tossed in.
Personally, I make a quick sauce which I’ve included below. But I also love TJ’s bottled Soyaki Sauce if you’re really needing the shortcut.
To make:
- Cook two bags of frozen Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice according to package instructions – which is about 5 minutes of cooking time. I do this in two pans so I can easily stir all the rice and mix-ins (or you could use a really large wok). I think this also prevents the rice from becoming too soft.
- Once rice is warmed through, lower heat and add chopped, cooked chicken (or beaten egg) to each. Divide the dressing between each pan and gently combine until everything is warmed/cooked through.
- Garnish with cilantro and scallions if desired.
Dressing:
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp fish sauce
1-2 teaspoons grated ginger. I’ve used ground ginger in a pinch although fresh really is better.
About 2 tbsp toasted sesame seed oil
Juice of 1 lime
Sriracha, for the grown-ups, if desired.
Spinach Tortellini with Arugula and Toasted Walnuts
Start with Trader Joe’s fresh spinach tortellini – found in the refrigerator section, not the dried stuff. For the greens, I usually toss in a handful of arugula or spinach. But if you’re kids won’t go for that, there is spinach inside the tortellini so rest assured your veggie is covered.
The toasted walnuts and shaved parmesan are musts for me, but again, you could garnish the nuts on whoever likes them or change up the type.
To make:
- Cook 1 – 2 bags Trader Joe’s fresh Spinach Tortellini according to package instructions. (I find that 1 package only feeds myself and two children.) While pasta is cooking, toast ½ cup or more walnuts. Chop slightly once cooled.
- Before draining, reserve 1 mugful of the pasta cooking water.
- Place drained pasta back into the pot; add two tablespoons butter and/or olive oil, salt, pepper and a little bit of the pasta water, until it looks like a thin sauce. Olive oil and salt are to taste.
- Toss in a big handful of arugula and the toasted, chopped walnuts. Serve in bowls and garnish with shavings of parmesan cheese.
These easy Trader Joe’s dinners are clearly adaptable. Both are wonderful canvases for whatever your family enjoys most. Especially when Thanksgiving is over and there is no way you can have another bite of turkey.
