Trader Joe's Beef-less and Chicken-less Strips

[danakscully64]

Anyone try them yet? I bought them both for $2.99 each (I believe). They're vegan, ready in 2 minutes, and pretty darn good. I've only tried the chicken-less kind so far, but I'm sure the beef-less are just as good. They're similar to the Morningstar Farms Meal Staters, but not as rubber-like. Give them a try! I'll post a picture of the boxes soon. They're in the refridgerated section, with the tofu and other meatless items.

[karenlovessnow]

sounds interesting...I'll have to check my TJ's and see if they have them.

[danakscully64]

Hope you like them! :)

[Rani]

I saw these the other day and was curious about them. I figured they were like the Morningstar Farms meal starters, which I do like. I didn't buy any but maybe I'll pick up a package next time. I can't remember how much the MSF stuff costs but how does the TJs version compare?

On another note, is anyone else upset that the tofu at TJs is now $1.49 per package when it used to be $0.99? That's quite a markup! Is this a sign of the times? :-(

[danakscully64]

I honestly didn't care for the MF ones, but I like these because they're not rubbery. They were, I believe, $2.99 compared to $5 at my local grocery stores

Yeah, I noticed that prices have been raised. On the eggs too (not for me, for my dog). They went from 99 cents to $1.19 last year and now they're at $1.49. I don't think Trader Joe's would raise their prices unless their own cost went up. At least the tofu is still cheaper than meat :D

[KellyBon]

I've had both of them and I thought they were pretty good! I've made tacos with both of them and enchiladas with the chicken ones. DH put it in a salad and liked it.

[SuperChicken]

I tried the chickenless and I liked them much better than Morningstar. They were less rubbery and didn't have an aftertaste, like I think Morningstar does.

The tofu at my TJ only went up to $1.29. It's still the cheapest tofu around for me!

[danakscully64]

TJ is the best place to get most grocery items! (at least out of the ones they carry... they're great)

[Mojo]

The checkout clerk commented that the strips have been selling well.

By itself, I didn't think much of the chicken-less strips. It tasted like seitan, and I'm not a fan of that particular taste.

But it was much better after I added a packet of fajita seasoning and water and cooked that down. I served it in a tortilla with veganaise and tomato, and it tasted great. I'm going to try the other one tomorrow.

[abroadinSacto]

We tried them both this week (they were new in our TJ's, too). I think they are OK and they are cheap - cheap enough that they are worth buying rather than making. The biggest trade-off for me is the packaging waste.

[Bonoluvr]

I am going to look for this! We like the MS farms here........I was actually just writing out my TJ's list! thanks for posting this!

[~Wonder]

I tried the chicken ones and thought they tasted like hotdogs, and not in a good way. I won't be buying them again. Does anyone notice that these types of strips are always much more tender than the animal equivalent? I'd prefer a firmer texture.

[danakscully64]

I liked the texture of these. They definately need to be added to something, not eaten alone. I added these to stir-fry and liked the combination of flavors. I made a chicken-less strip sandwich too with veganaise and it was yummy :) The texture is pretty close to real meat.

[abroadinSacto]

I tried the chicken ones and thought they tasted like hotdogs, and not in a good way. I won't be buying them again. Does anyone notice that these types of strips are always much more tender than the animal equivalent? I'd prefer a firmer texture.

They're the first I've tried of this sort of thing, but yeah, they are softer.

[Beachbnny]

I got some of the beef-less ones last week at TJ's. I'd never been and a friend of mine and I drove an hour to get to one. I just don't know what to do with them since I've not had stuff like this in so long. Plus, I can't make stir-fries... I know, that's bad.

The only thing I think, every single time I see them in my freezer, is that I want to make some kind of "cheese" sauce thing, carmelize some onions, grill some green peppers and put them on a hoagie bun :o

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.

[abroadinSacto]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.

I wonder if this means it'll be one of those items they discontinue after 6 months of mad popularity....

[danakscully64]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.

Are MF products made in Canada? That's where it says the strips are made on the box. I wondered if they were at first, but I thought MF products were made in the US. TJ puts their labels on a lot of products that aren't theirs, including Amy's brand. I think the strips are better when they're not frozen because it's so easy to overcook them when thawing.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

According to the people at Kellogs/MSF, they're manufactured several places, both in the US and in Canada. It's interesting because the ones at my Trader Joes (Washington State) are labelled from a plant in California - and Danakscully, you live in California, if I'm remembering, and yet you said yours are from Canada? I see that so often. Makes no sense to have stuff shipped all over the country like that!!

[delicious]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.

And Silk makes Whole Foods 365 soymilk, too.

[Beachbnny]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.

Really? I hate those... dang it. Well now I'll have to figure out what to do with them. The MSF one's are sponge-like and kinda stringy and taste weird. So if these are the exact same ones, that sux. But thank you so much for the heads up :)

[Rani]

Yeah they are spongy but I did like the taste.

Not much you can do about the texture but if you aren't crazy about the taste maybe you could smother it in some sort of sauce. Or you could spice them up and have them in tacos or burritos.

[Beachbnny]

I'll probably sauce them up and fry em or something and throw them in a quick lunch meal. I definitely wouldn't ruin tacos or burritos with them lol :). What really sux is that I can get the MSF ones for about 1$ less than what I paid for these at TJ's.

But on the upside, I've loooved everything else we got on that shopping trip. :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Seriously, fry them (just don't over-brown, then they have a funky taste) and they will firm up a lot. Smother in BBQ sauce and they are OK.

Yeah, don't write them off though, I haven't done a side-by-side test, it appears some people here felt they were a little different, and it's entirely possible they changed the formula slightly to manufactur for TJ's, since it may be specifically patented for MSF. Usually when they make a product for another company they might change it ever-so-slightly just to get past around that whole "patented super-secret-recipe" deal....

[Vegans Eat]

This is a funny thread because the Trader Joes strips ARE the same thing as the MSF ones. (Thats how TJ's keeps it's prices low, by having the same manufacturers make a product directly for them instead instead of selling another company's product and having to raise their prices to cover costs.)

I called MSF and asked.


That IS really funny!

I definitely need to buy them from TJ now because I actually enjoy morningstar farm strips and that is a very decent price. I save so much money at TJ, I can't believe how cheap the hummus is there! 1.79 per tub vs the 4.59 I was paying!