12 Summer Meals Made Oh-So-Easy From Trader Joe’s

A chance to relax, more daylight, and warmer weather all mean that the summer season is full of opportunities to let loose and break away from your regularly scheduled life. And after a long day at the beach or pool, who wants to go home and cook? Not us! Thankfully, Trader Joe's has tons of dinner-lite options that are big on taste and little on prep and cooking. 

Here are some of our favorites. 

Images via Trader Joe's

Tacos Made Easy

Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BDvyyc9mTWL/

Combine oven roasted Traditional Carnitas and your favorite TJ's salsa for a just-add-a-taco-shell type of dinner.

Shake & No Bake

Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BAdsRl5shMD/

Everything is included in Trader Joe's A Complete Salad — kale greens, hemp seeds, dates, Parmesan cheese, almonds, and lemon vinaigrette. Just combine and eat. Pouring it in a bowl is totally optional.

It’s Not Delivery

My fave! ($3.99) #traderjoes #pizzamargherita #pizza

A photo posted by Trader Joe's (@traderjoesfood) on Nov 17, 2014 at 9:13am PST

Seeing that it's handmade and cooked in a wood burning oven, you’ll be just as satisfied with this Pizza Margherita as you would with your regular delivery.

A Rice Idea

($2.99) #traderjoes #japanese #friedrice #rice

A photo posted by Trader Joe's (@traderjoesfood) on Sep 15, 2014 at 12:07pm PDT

Full of tofu, edamame, and hijiki seaweed, this tasty Japanese-Style Fried Rice is a perfect side or even a meal on its own.

Say Cheese

Oh, hello dinner ❤️ . Photo @jeffreeyyy

A photo posted by traderjoeslist (@traderjoeslist) on Jun 7, 2016 at 5:14pm PDT

Think of it like the adult version of the kids' classic — this tasty Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese dinner option is seasoned with roasted chilies for a nice kick.

It’s Our Jam

How do you jam?

A photo posted by traderjoeslist (@traderjoeslist) on Mar 31, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

Forget turning on the oven in the summer heat. Spread some of this tasty Uncured Bacon Jam on toast and top with eggs for a no-fuss breakfast (or breakfast for dinner). 

Greens to Go

($4.49) #traderjoes #salad

A photo posted by Trader Joe's (@traderjoesfood) on Nov 5, 2014 at 11:21am PST

Pre-packaged salads in a variety of flavor combinations, like this Chopped Italian Style Salad, are a meal in and of themselves — but also make for a great side too.

Serious Sides

fall faves! Have you tried any of these? : @blonde2brunette

A photo posted by traderjoeslist (@traderjoeslist) on Nov 14, 2015 at 1:56pm PST

Serve up any of these side dishes, even as a main. It's a great way to get in some veggies and they taste fantastic — you might even forget they’re veggies.

Spuds to the Rescue

Demo time #traderjoes San Dimas CA #latkes W/ # unsweetened #applesauce #potatopancakes also good W/ #sourcream #traderjoesinsider

A photo posted by @traderjoesinsider on Apr 24, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT

Pair these Traditional Latkes (potato pancakes) with eggs and avocado for a breakfast-for-dinner type meal your family will love. 

Cauli(Flower) Power

I SPY NEW ITEM - #kungpao #tempura #cauliflower #flowers #vegetarian $4.99 NOTE: Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, clowns, zombie apocalypse, punctilious product developers... Contact our Crew for current price and availability. #traderjoesinsider #traderjoesinsider #Chinese #Chinesefood #dinner #appetizer #vegetarian#rice#steamrice

A photo posted by @traderjoesinsider on Apr 1, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

Save major money by skipping takeout! You won’t believe that this Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower is a veggie.

Patty Perfection

I SPY NEW ITEM - Our new Sweet Chili #VeggieBurgers bring a #Thai inspired approach to the frozen “burger.” Similar to how our Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers were invented through the inspiration of existing products (Tri-color Quinoa and Cowboy Caviar Salsa), our #Thai sweet Chili Veggie Burgers were directly inspired by our #SweetChiliSauce The #vegan #patties have a wonderful texture—a mixture of brown and black rice, soy protein, and wheat gluten. They are packed with eight different veggies: #carrots #potatoes #onion #waterchestnuts #broccoli #redpeppers #shiitakemushrooms and #edamame - Of course, each patty is seasoned with our spicy-sweet-garlicky #SweetChili Sauce, along with the likes of ginger, scallions, and sesame. The resulting flavor is just what you would hope for... a perfectly textured bite, leading to a profusion of Thai- infused tastes, distinct and distinguishable, but still harmonious. We’re selling each ten ounce package of four Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burgers for$3.69. Find them in our frozen case among our bounty of burgers. #traderjoesinsider #traderjoes NOTE: Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, clowns, zombie apocalypse, punctilious product developers... Contact our Crew for current price and availability.

A photo posted by @traderjoesinsider on Feb 9, 2016 at 7:06pm PST

TJ’s selection of veggie burgers comes in a variety of flavors — hello, Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burger. Take your pick whenever you’re looking for a meat-free main dish.

Slam Dunk Dessert

OMG OMG OMGESH! Was just takin a gander at traderjoes.com and this GEM was all over my screen. Found in the freezer section and $3.99 a bag! Trader Joes is definitely not supporting my clean eating resolution!!! ...but I still love 'em

A photo posted by traderjoeslist (@traderjoeslist) on Jan 12, 2016 at 11:01pm PST

These no-fry Mini Cinnamon Sugar Churros have a nice coat of sweetness but can also be paired with ice cream or Nutella too.