The $3.50 Trader Joe’s Salad Kit I Eat Twice a Week (at Least)

published Jun 18, 2024
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Trader Joe's grocery store produce aisle
Credit: Elliott Cowand Jr

If I have to do any work to eat a salad, I won’t eat it. It’s simply not going to happen. I have the utmost respect for those who toss together salads at home with 10 meticulously chopped ingredients. But to get my five a day, I opt for a salad kit. 

When I first tried Trader Joe’s Broccoli & Kale Slaw, I was grabbing one of each type of salad kit at the store as a way to jump headfirst into trying to eat more vegetables. There wasn’t anything about it that particularly stood out to me. In fact, I had a feeling it might end up being my least favorite salad in my cart. 

Over the next week, I did some taste testing. One had a watery vinaigrette, one wasn’t as flavorful as I’d like, and one didn’t hold up in the fridge for more than two days (in its unopened packaging). But the Broccoli & Kale Slaw kit had none of those issues. 

Credit: Lee Musho

What’s So Great About the Trader Joe’s Broccoli & Kale Slaw?

The kit comes with four main components. Inside the bag is a hefty amount of shredded broccoli, kale, and radicchio, as well as three plastic packets of toppings: in one, roasted sunflower seeds and slivered almonds; in another, a mix of dried sour cherries and blueberries; and finally, a packet of creamy, slightly sweet, tarragon-scented vinaigrette. All that’s left to do is open and toss it together. 

At first bite, the salad is light, cool, and crunchy. Once you really dig in, it begins to feel more substantial and nuanced. There’s a really satisfying chew to it, and the sweetness deepens as you bite through the dried fruit, which is then followed by the earthy nuttiness of the nuts and the greens. Unlike other slaws, it’s not bogged down by cloying mayo. It still feels fresh and light. 

Credit: Lee Musho

What’s the Best Way to Serve the Trader Joe’s Broccoli & Kale Slaw?

I bring this salad into the office for lunch more days than not. I just throw the bag into my work tote, pop it in the fridge when I get there, and assemble it before devouring it promptly at noon. (You can even eat it right out of the bag.) While I could add protein — Trader Joe’s sells pre-cooked chicken breast, which makes it super easy — I’ve found that it doesn’t need it. Thanks to the fiber (3 grams, or 11% of the daily value), it fills me up, unlike any other salad I’ve had. Plus, when was the last time you spent $3.50 on an office lunch?

Credit: Lee Musho

At home, I’ll toss it together in one big mixing bowl. It easily serves two with some added protein, but it’d be great as a quick hack for summer entertaining. I picture it as a barbecue side alongside hamburgers or steak, as it’s more like a vegetable side than a flimsy salad. 

It holds its own and stays crunchy for some time after tossing it together. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleasing flavor that’s easy to like. It’s not bitter or tart — it’s a fresh blend of savory and sweet. 

It also lasts in the fridge for up to a week (in its packaging), thanks to the heartiness of the kale and broccoli — veggies that hold their own much better than lettuce. The only downside I can see is the amount of packaging. 

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Broccoli & Kale Slaw, $3.50 for 11 ounces

What Trader Joe’s product is always in your cart? Tell us about it in the comments below.