Trader Joe's has 10 new prepared foods — and shoppers say they're worth ditching fast food for

Food & DiningForget fast food — Trader Joe’s has 10 new prepared meals that are cheaper and betterFind out which prepared foods from the grocer are worth every penny. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)Getty ImagesBy EmilyAnn Jackman | ejackman@pennlive.comIf you’re coming home after a long day of work and have no idea what to make for dinner — and you’re not part of Trader Joe’s cultlike following — the popular grocer has you covered. Rather than grabbing fast food for the umpteenth time, Trader Joe’s has an entire lineup of prepared foods that’s convenient for lunch or dinner. And with the chain’s ongoing drive to provide customers with additional unique options to explore, the lineup has only expanded this year. For those who might’ve missed the exciting additions so far including the chain’s best salads, sandwiches and other ready-made foods that have made their way to shelves since January, Tasting Table curated a roundup of Trader Joe’s newly prepared foods with overwhelmingly positive feedback from shoppers and reviewers on social media. Whether you want meat, pasta, vegetables, or even potatoes, Trader Joe’s has something for everyone.Stuffed Poblano Peppers The new Stuffed Poblano Peppers are halved peppers that are filled with brown rice, corn, white chicken meat, creamy cilantro sauce, and Monterey Jack cheese. The peppers heat up quickly in the microwave for 3 minutes or around 12 minutes if you choose to use an air fryer. As it turns out, reviewers are huge fans of the savory, spicy, and creamy elements, because the meal — which sells for $6.99 for a limited time — delivers carbohydrates, meat, and vegetables rolled into one dish. Chicken-Salad and Tuna-Salad Croissant SandwichesIt has earned rave reviews from shoppers and reviewers alike. The chicken salad is made up of celery, green onions, carrots, and mayonnaise, while the tuna salad features yellowfin tuna, celery, green onions, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Both variations are paired with a soft croissant. The sandwiches, which currently are priced at $4.49 each, have been a hit on social media since they landed on shelves. “These are delicious!” one Reddit user wrote. “Great price for a croissant sandwich too.”Parmesan Tapenade It’s a dip that eats like a meal. Unlike a regular olive tapenade, this tapenade is packed with Parmesan, garlic, jalapeños, Manzanilla olives, herbs, oil and red wine vinegar. After eating, expect a savory, cheesy, zesty, briny and slightly spicy taste. You can pair it with bread for dipping, pasta, sandwiches, sliced vegetables and more. The chain sells the 8-ounce tub for just $4.99. Seasoned and Shredded Rotisserie ChickenIf you’re looking for a savory rotisserie chicken to dig into, Trader Joe’s is trying its hand in the increasingly popular lane with its Seasoned and Shredded Rotisserie Chicken. The chicken, which sells for $8.99, gives some shoppers pause, as it is higher than rotisserie chickens at competing stores. The one-pound portion size is praised for being moist and well-seasoned. Smoked Steelhead TroutThe chain’s Smoked Steelhead Trout, which is produced sustainably in Norway, provides a welcome change to the typical fatty taste of traditional smoked salmon. In addition to its milder taste, it has a silky, sashimi-like texture and a smoky, salty flavor. “[It’s] better than typical nova/lox,” one Reddit user wrote. “Thick and not fishy.”Read on for more prepared meals that made the list.EmilyAnn Jackman is a trending reporter for Advance Local Media. She handles the top trending topics on social media, as well as breaking stories in food news, pop culture and entertainment news that goes viral...