Stir fry is one of my absolute favorite quick and easy meals. The sizzle of the ingredients in the wok, the blast of heat from the chilies and ginger, the rainbow of crunchy veggies – what’s not to love? But as much as I adore a good stir fry, I’ve often found myself unsatisfied after inhaling a huge bowlful. With all that oil, salt, and sauces, my stomach is full but so are the calories and sodium.
Lately I’ve been searching for a healthier alternative that still satisfies my cravings. And I’m happy to report that I’ve found an excellent option at my local Trader Joe’s Their shrimp stir fry with gourmet pepper seasoning packs tons of flavor into a light, veggie-loaded meal Keep reading for my full review of nutrition facts, taste, price, and more!
An Overview of Trader Joe’s Shrimp Stir Fry
Trader Joe’s is well known for their constantly rotating selection of unique frozen foods Their shrimp stir fry is one of my new favorites from the frozen section Here’s a quick rundown of the product
- Packaged frozen meal
- 10 ounces total
- Contains shrimp and a medley of vegetables
- Flavored with a gourmet pepper seasoning
- Needs to be cooked on the stovetop, not the microwave
The stir fry comes in a plastic pouch that you stick in boiling water to thaw, then empty into a pan to cook up. Super convenient for quick weeknight meals!
Nutrition Facts: Low Calorie but Still Satisfying
My favorite thing about Trader Joe’s shrimp stir fry is the stellar nutrition profile. Here are the main facts:
- 175 calories per container
- 1.3 grams total fat
- 50 mg cholesterol
- Decent amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C
As you can see, this is a very light meal calorie-wise with minimal fat. 175 calories is a dream come true for a satisfying stir fry loaded with shrimp and crisp veggies. It’s amazing how they pack so much volume and nutrition into such a low calorie count.
The cholesterol is moderately high at 50 mg (17% daily value), which makes sense given the shrimp. But for comparison, a beef or chicken stir fry could easily have double the cholesterol. Overall the nutrition facts get a big thumbs up!
My Review of the Taste
Of course, nutrition is only half the story. A meal could be perfectly healthy but taste like cardboard. I’m thrilled to say this stir fry delivers on flavor just as much as nutrition!
The gourmet pepper seasoning provides a subtle heat along with smoky, savory notes. It seasons the shrimp and veggies perfectly without overpowering their natural flavors. Each bite is a treat for the taste buds.
The vegetables taste very fresh, with a satisfying crunch. The stir fry contains a fun mix including water chestnuts, peppers, baby corn, mushrooms, carrots, and bok choy. I love the variety of textures. The plump shrimp are cooked just right and pop with briny sweetness.
Everything comes together wonderfully in an ultra savory sauce. It glazes each component with a lovely caramelized flavor without feeling heavy or greasy. Overall, Trader Joe’s nailed it on delivering maximum taste with minimum calories.
Cost Breakdown and Final Verdict
Trader Joe’s shrimp stir fry costs $4.99 for the 10 ounce pouch. That’s in line with other high quality single-serve frozen entrees. I consider it very fairly priced given the large servings of shrimp and veggies along with the awesome nutrition stats.
It’s an excellent value compared to takeout, costing a fraction of a restaurant stir fry with likely double the calories and sodium. For the price, convenience, and nutrition, Trader Joe’s shrimp stir fry is a total winner in my book!
Cooking Tips and Serving Suggestion
Trader Joe’s provides basic instructions for cooking their shrimp stir fry in an oil-coated pan on the stovetop. But I have a few tips for maximizing the flavor:
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Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan before cooking. Let them become fragrant before adding the stir fry.
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Use sesame oil or peanut oil for extra authenticity.
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Splash in a bit of soy sauce and rice vinegar at the end for a punch of umami.
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Serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa instead of white rice to increase nutrition.
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Garnish with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, and a squirt of sriracha if you like an extra kick.
With these tweaks, an already tasty meal becomes restaurant-quality delicious! It’s the perfect way to recreate your favorite takeout stir fry at home with a fraction of the calories and 10 times the nutrition.
The Bottom Line
Trader Joe’s has impressed me once again with their frozen shrimp stir fry. It offers a guilt-free way to enjoy a traditionally indulgent meal, packed with nutritious vegetables, lean protein, and bold Asian flavors. The excellent nutrition stats, reasonable price, and convenience factor make it a regular staple in my freezer.
If you also love stir fry but want to lighten it up, I can’t recommend this product enough. It lets you indulge your cravings and nourish your body all at once. Next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, be sure to grab a bag and fire up the wok soon after! Your taste buds and waistline will thank you.
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