As a medical student, it’s definitely a priority for me to eat healthy and in a budget-friendly way. However, I’ve ruled out cooking meals from scratch as an option because of 1. time constraints, and 2. the fact that I don’t have my own kitchen (thanks med school housing). This means that I’ve become great at putting together Trader Joe’s meals that don’t require anything other than a microwave. Ten of my favorites below!
Chicken Asada + Southwestern Salad ($4.22/serving)
- Chicken Asada: pre- cooked, sold in the refrigerated section ($3.40/serving)
- Salad: ready to assemble, sold in the refrigerated produce section ($.82/serving)
Healthy 8 Veggie Mix + Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken ($2.56/serving)
- Lemon pepper grilled chicken: pre-cooked, in the refrigerated section ($1.90/serving)
- Healthy 8 Vegie mix: sold in the refrigerated produce section ($.66/serving)
Baby Arugula, Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Balsamic Vinaigrette ($2.30/serving)
- Baby arugula: in the refrigerated section ($.80/serving)
- Cherry tomatoes: in the produce section ($.50/serving)
- Mozzarella: sold in oil, in the dairy section ($.75/serving)
- Balsamic vinaigrette: sold with the other dressings, not refrigerated ($.25/serving)
Hasselback Potatoes + Balsamic Rosemary Chicken ($3.32/serving)
- Potatoes: sold in the frozen section ($1.90/serving)
- Balsamic Rosemary Chicken: pre-cooked, sold in the refrigerated section ($1.42/serving)
Any of the frozen meals- e.g. Bibimbap Bowl, Fusilli Pasta, Butter Chicken ($2-$4/serving)
All sold in the frozen section
- Bibimbap Bowl ($3.49/serving), Fusilli Pasta ($1.99/serving), Panang Curry: ($2.79/serving)
Butternut Squash Soup + Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken ($2.65/serving)
- Premade soups: comes in a large carton, sold in non-refrigerated aisles ($.75/serving)
- Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken: pre-cooked, in the refrigerated section ($1.90/serving)
Meat Lasagna + Hasselback Potatoes ($4.20/serving)
- Lasagna: refrigerated section ($2.60/serving)
- Potatoes: frozen section ($1.60/serving)
Beef Brisket + Southwest Chipotle Salad ($2.98/serving)
- Brisket: refrigerated section ($2.16/serving)
- Salad: pre-made, refrigerated produce section ($.82/serving)
Chicken Parmesan + Healthy 8 Veggie Mix ($3.90)
- Chicken Parm: refrigerated section ($3.25/serving)
- Healthy 8 Veggie Mix: refrigerated produce section ($.66/serving)
Mediterranean Salad Kit + Balsamic Rosemary chicken ($2.56/serving)
- Salad kit: refrigerated produce section ($1.14/serving)
- Balsamic Rosemary Chicken: refrigerated section ($1.42/serving)
