I Grilled 8 Different Marinated Meats From Trader Joe's, And There's One That Seriously Stood Out (And Another I'd Never Buy Again)

I typically love pollo asado and was probably most excited for this one overall. So, I was surprised by how plain and watery it tasted, especially compared to the stronger marinades in the lineup. TJ’s pollo lovers in the crowd...did I just get a bad batch, or is it always this bland? I did have the leftovers the next day as simple tacos with salsa, guac, and shredded cheese, and it was tasty that way. But on its own, this one ranked lowest for me.

This was good, just a little too soft in texture. I’d definitely like it more sliced into a wrap or sandwich than set out as part of a spread. As my leftovers experiment, I’m planning to add it to a tortilla with chopped artichoke hearts, maybe a little Parm shavings, and some extra pesto.

This ranked lower because of grilling logistics, not flavor. The meat fell out of the package in tiny pieces, which made it frustrating to cook. It slipped through the grill grates and onto the bottom of the grill, and we quickly realized this was not one to place directly over the grates. In fairness to Trader Joe’s, the label very clearly says “diced” — we just somehow missed that detail while shopping. Interestingly, once we tried those pieces that had dropped, they were actually really good. In a grill basket or cast-iron skillet, this would probably climb the ranking. If you’re after a stress-free BBQ, though, make sure to cook it in one of those or something similar.

These were really tasty hot off the grill. The rosemary was flavorful, the acidity and sweetness were balanced, and they were forgiving to cook (and hard to overdo). But I will say that after sitting for a bit, they lost points, as the texture became softer and a little disintegrated. In addition, for a summer gathering, we both agreed that the balsamic flavor might not appeal to everyone, as it started to taste slightly metallic once cooled.

This one wasn’t a standout straight off the grill. At first, I found it to be a little too subtle in flavor, maybe even a bit bland. But we returned to it a few times and thought it would be really good in a cold pasta salad with feta, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. I could see buying this one and the pesto chicken together, and grilling them both for easy weekly lunch meal prep.

This one really grew on us. It started a bit lower in the ranking, but made its way higher as we continued to sample it. It tastes like classic teriyaki-style Korean barbecue beef, and importantly, it still tastes really good once cooled, which matters at a barbecue when people are hanging out and eating throughout the day. I could see this being delicious in rice bowls with kimchi or even in a bánh mì-inspired sandwich.

This one felt the most like something we’d actually marinate ourselves at home. It was aromatic and flavorful and tasted pure. It also cooked beautifully and is probably one we’d buy again, especially on nights when we’re looking for a shortcut.

This was easily our winner overall. It had a great texture, a thick marinade, beautiful color, and a deeply seasoned flavor. It felt complete straight out of the package, and we didn’t feel it was missing anything. Even after revisiting bites of the different meats, this stayed our favorite. 

It’s delicious on its own, but I’m interested in trying the crowned winner in some more creative ways, too: warm pita with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, and red onion; rice bowls with hummus and pickled onions; a Mediterranean-style platter with dips and grilled vegetables; or a shawarma wrap with feta, herbs, and yogurt drizzle.