The Garlic-Packed Vegan Dish Trader Joe's Shoppers Love
Trader Joe's is home to plenty of beloved frozen meals and meal shortcuts. Its easy and delicious sides, appetizers, and meal components have drummed up a cult following on social media, with no shortage of accounts dedicated to Trader Joe's hauls and products. Now shoppers have a new obsession: Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage.
This new frozen offering is exactly what it sounds like: Crispy cabbage pieces tossed with an abundance of garlic and a stir-fry sauce. As an easy alternative to takeout, it's no wonder this easy dish has taken the Trader Joe's community by storm. In addition, the dish is vegan and low in carbs, giving it a broad appeal by catering to various dietary restrictions. Thanks to its no-fuss preparation and tremendous versatility, vegans, and non-vegans have been raving about this product. Reading and hearing what shoppers have to say, it's easy to see what the fuss is all about.
Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage is a vegan take on Thai takeout
Like many of Trader Joe's' offerings, such as its sfogliatella pastry and Speculoos cookie butter, the Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage draws inspiration from an international dish. It is modeled after Galam Plee Pad Nam Pla, a popular Thai takeout dish consisting of stir-fried cabbage, garlic, and fish sauce. However, what differentiates Trader Joe's' take is that it is vegan. Rather than fish sauce, the cabbage is coated in a sauce made from yeast extract and kombu, a type of seaweed.
In addition to being vegan, the product is much more cost-effective than ordering Thai takeout, coming in at $3.49 per package. This makes it a much more affordable alternative on a busy evening when there's little time to cook. It can be kept vegan by serving it with tofu and rice or combined with several different types of meat or even fried eggs. The versatility of the dish and its suitability for dietary restrictions make it a popular choice for many shoppers, and its takeout-reminiscent flavor has likely contributed to its cult following.
A quick and versatile favorite
Though the Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage is more affordable than takeout, some argue it's a Trader Joe's mistake, costing much more than it would to make from scratch. As Redditors pointed out, one fresh cabbage yields much more than the size of the package, and one could easily make this dish themself to control the sodium content, which comes in at 27% of the recommended daily value per serving. While this is true, many others have noted that the dish is best used as a time-saving shortcut, as it can quickly be heated on the stovetop or microwave. As a flavorful meal addition that can be spread across several servings, the additional cost of buying the cabbage pre-made could be well worth saving time in the evening.
Stir Fried Garlicky Cabbage can be served as a side dish or incorporated into a stir-fry with meat or tofu and served over rice, as well as in other dishes such as soups or dumplings. With such a wide range of uses, this product is a great meal building block and well worth keeping on hand. Next time your dinner is lacking inspiration, try adding this favorite and see why it's won the hearts of Trader Joe's fans everywhere.