The New $2.29 Trader Joe's Find So Good I Buy 6 at a Time

This Trader Joe's find is a smart shelf-stable weeknight dinner shortcut that contains real ingredients and is also naturally vegan.

Sep 18, 2024 - 16:00
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The New $2.29 Trader Joe's Find So Good I Buy 6 at a Time
Ground level view of the front of a Trader Joe's storefront
Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Though I might cook for a living, I come home tired and hungry just like everybody else. But after a day of chopping and sautéing, I would rather turn to a well-appointed pantry than order pizza. That’s why I always keep budget-friendly Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce stocked.

I only eat delicious food, and I read ingredient lists. This tikka masala sauce passes the test, with the kind of nuanced, complex spicing that would take me too much time to make on a weeknight, and no off, canned flavors.

The first ingredient after onion is watermelon seed, and believe it or not, that’s what makes it creamy. Melon seeds are part of a traditional seed mix called char magaz, which consists of watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, and pumpkin seeds. The seed mixture is eaten as a snack, or pureed with water and used to thicken sauces—as watermelon seeds are in this sauce. It’s valued for a nutty, mild flavor and nutrients, and seen as a budget alternative to cashews.

Front view of a package of Trader Joe's Tikka Masala Curry Sauce
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

How I Make Dinner with Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce

The package instructions say to sauté 12 to 14 ounces of a protein, then add the sauce and simmer, to serve two. I’ve used a packet with a can of drained beans and thrown in whatever veggies I have on hand. I give it a splash of lemon juice to freshen it up and a sprinkle of hot sauce.

If I want to stretch it a little, a few dollops of full-fat yogurt or canned tomatoes work well. The sauce is vegan as is, but you can stir in a little of your favorite chicken stock, if you want a more chicken-y flavor.

Other Ways I Like to Use Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce

Don’t limit yourself to just a bowl of curry. There are lots of other great ways to use this sauce:

  • Try it tossed with pasta, stirred into soup, or drizzled over everything from tacos to roasted vegetables.
  • I like to throw naan or pre-baked pizza crust on a sheet pan, spread it with sauce, maybe sprinkle it with some leftover chicken, top it with crumbled goat cheese or feta, and bake it for a quick flatbread.
  • Or make nachos by spreading tortilla chips on a large dinner plate, drizzling them with 1/2 cup of sauce, sprinkling the top with beans and cheese, and microwaving it for 2 minutes.
  • For a light meal, stir the tikka masala sauce into Greek yogurt to taste and serve it as a dip or spread it onto sandwiches.

Keep a few packets of Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Sauce on hand and you’re always halfway to dinner!