Sophie Bennett
Trader Joe's, a popular grocery store, has received mixed reviews for its chicken products. While some customers rave about their chicken, others have expressed disappointment, describing the meat as chewy and gross. In particular, the All Natural Cooked Boneless Breasts of Chicken have been discontinued, which may be due to customer feedback. Additionally, Trader Joe's introduced a vegan version of its famous Mandarin Chicken, but it received criticism for being overly sweet and lacking flavor complexity compared to its original meat-based counterpart. The vegan option also requires more preparation time, which may be inconvenient for those seeking quick and easy meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for discontinuation | Trader Joe's All Natural Cooked Boneless Breasts of Chicken were discontinued possibly due to low sales |
| Customer reviews | Mixed reviews, with some customers complaining about the quality of the chicken and others praising it |
| Price | Premium price of $5/lb |
| Comparison to other products | Similar bone-in chicken available at Trader Joe's for a lower price ($1.99/lb) |
| Marinade options | Buttermilk, yogurt, TJ's Harissa |
| Accompaniments | Rice, noodles, fresh herbs, sliced green onions, sesame seeds |
| Prep work | Frying or sautéing required, which adds to prep time |
| Taste | Sweet, lacking complexity of flavor compared to the original |
| Shape | Unvarying, not appetizing-looking |
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What You'll Learn
Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken was overly sweet
Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken has received criticism for being overly sweet. The product is a vegan take on the brand's popular Mandarin orange chicken dish. However, the vegan version has been described as a "sugary disaster", with customers expressing disappointment over its excessive sweetness.
The original Mandarin orange chicken is well-known and loved for its juicy, crispy, and citrusy taste. However, the vegan version, which replaces chicken with plant-based alternatives, falls short of expectations. The issue seems to lie primarily with the sauce, which has been amped up in sweetness to compensate for the absence of chicken. The vegan sauce contains 15 grams of added sugar, compared to only six grams in the original. This high amount of sugar overwhelms the other flavors in the dish, masking the savouriness of the garlic and soy sauce, the spice from the ginger and red pepper, and the signature citrusy orange flavor.
The shape and texture of the vegan chicken pieces have also been criticized. They are described as having unappetizing, uniform shapes, and their preparation requires more time and effort than the original chicken version. Customers have suggested that frying the vegan pieces in a pan for about 8 minutes until golden and crispy improves their texture, but this adds to the overall prep time.
Some customers have opted to make their own vegan Mandarin chicken from scratch, finding it more satisfying and flavorful than the Trader Joe's version. By using a baked orange chicken recipe as a base, they can create a dish that meets their expectations without the excessive sweetness of the Trader Joe's product.
While Trader Joe's has stated that creating a vegan version of their popular Mandarin chicken involved a lot of "tinkering", customers feel that the issue lies not with the concept but with the execution. The sauce, which was already vegan, has been altered to the detriment of the dish's overall flavor profile. As a result, customers are left with a product that falls short of the brand's usual standards and their own expectations.
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The vegan version lacked the signature sauce
Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken has been criticized for lacking the signature sauce that characterizes the original version. The vegan sauce is overly sweet, with 15 grams of added sugar compared to the original's six grams. This excessive sweetness overwhelms the other flavors that should be present, such as the savoriness of garlic and soy sauce, the spice of ginger and red pepper, and the citrusy orange flavor.
The vegan version of the sauce lacks the complexity of its predecessor, and the shape of the chicken-less morsels is also unappetizing. The product also requires more preparation time than the original, as the morsels need to be fried in a pan for about eight minutes until golden and crispy, rather than simply being microwaved or oven-baked.
The high sugar content in the sauce is likely an attempt by Trader Joe's to make up for the absence of chicken in the dish. However, this has resulted in an overpowering sweetness that masks the other flavors that should be present in the signature sauce.
While the vegan version of the sauce is a disappointment, customers can opt to use a different sauce from another brand or create their own sauce at home. This, however, adds to the already significant prep time required for this frozen meal.
The shape of the vegan chicken morsels also differs from the original, and while there is not much that can be done to make them look more like chicken, adding fresh herbs, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds can improve their appearance. Overall, the vegan version of Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken has been a letdown for customers, especially due to the lack of the signature sauce that defines the dish.
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The vegan morsels were awkwardly shaped
Trader Joe's vegan mandarin chicken has been criticized for the shape of its morsels. The morsels have been described as "awkwardly shaped," with an "unvarying shape" that is not particularly appetizing in appearance. While the addition of fresh herbs, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds can enhance the dish's overall presentation and taste, it also adds to the preparation time. The shape of the vegan morsels has been a notable point of difference from the original chicken version, which had a more recognizable and appealing form.
The shape of the vegan morsels in the Trader Joe's mandarin chicken dish has been a topic of discussion among consumers. Some have expressed disappointment with the unappetizing and uniform appearance of the morsels, which differ significantly from the shape of traditional chicken pieces. This difference in shape is inherent to the vegan product and cannot be altered to resemble chicken more closely. However, consumers have found ways to enhance the dish's overall presentation and flavor.
One way to address the shape issue is to incorporate additional ingredients that complement the dish visually and taste-wise. Fresh herbs, sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds can add color, texture, and flavor to the dish. These additions create a more appealing and appetizing presentation. However, it is important to note that incorporating these extra ingredients also increases the preparation time required for the dish.
While the shape of the vegan morsels may not be ideal, consumers have found creative solutions to enhance their dining experience. By embracing the uniqueness of the dish and making adjustments to suit their preferences, individuals can still enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal. It is worth noting that the shape of the morsels does not affect the overall taste or nutritional value of the dish, and consumers can customize it according to their tastes and presentation preferences.
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The product required significant prep time
Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken has been criticized for its high sugar content and lack of flavor complexity compared to its original meat-based counterpart. The vegan version contains 15 grams of added sugar, almost triple the amount in the original recipe, resulting in an overpowering sweetness that masks the savory, spicy, and citrusy notes characteristic of orange chicken.
While the vegan option offers a plant-based alternative to the popular dish, it falls short in terms of taste and convenience. The chicken-less morsels require a specific cooking method, needing to be fried in a pan for about 8 minutes on both sides, demanding constant attention to prevent burning. This adds significantly to the prep time compared to the original version, which can be conveniently cooked in the oven or even microwaved.
The shape and texture of the vegan chicken pieces also differ from the original, with unvarying shapes that are less appetizing. While adding fresh herbs, green onions, and sesame seeds can enhance the dish's appearance, it further contributes to the already considerable preparation time.
The Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken presents a longer preparation process than its original version, requiring specific cooking methods and potential additions to improve its taste and presentation. These factors collectively contribute to a more time-intensive and less appealing option for consumers seeking a quick and flavorful meat alternative.
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The vegan chicken lacked the complexity of flavors
Trader Joe's Vegan Mandarin Chicken has been criticized for lacking the complexity of flavors that its original meat-based counterpart offers. The vegan version is said to be overly sweet, with the added sugar overpowering the other flavors in the dish. The sweetness masks the savoriness of the garlic and soy sauce, the spice from the ginger and red pepper, and the citrusy orange flavor that is characteristic of orange chicken.
The shape and texture of the vegan chicken morsels have also been noted as unappetizing. The morsels are described as having an unvarying, awkward shape that does not resemble chicken. While the addition of fresh herbs, green onions, and sesame seeds can enhance the dish's appearance, it also adds to the preparation time, which is already considerable for a frozen meal.
The cooking instructions for the vegan chicken differ from the original version, requiring frying on a pan for about 8 minutes on both sides until golden and crispy, rather than simply microwaving or baking. This additional preparation and cooking time may be a deterrent for those seeking a quick and convenient meal option.
The vegan Mandarin Chicken from Trader Joe's has left some customers disappointed, particularly those who had high expectations for a plant-based version of the brand's popular original dish. The lack of flavor complexity, overly sweet sauce, unappealing shape and texture, and the increased preparation and cooking time have been cited as areas for improvement.
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Frequently asked questions
Trader Joe's received complaints about the quality of its fake chicken, including that it was overly sweet, awkwardly shaped, and lacked flavor.
Customers expected the fake chicken to be juicy, crispy, and citrusy, like the original Mandarin Chicken.
The vegan sauce has 15 grams of added sugar, compared to 6 grams in the original, resulting in an overpowering sweetness that masks other flavors.
The fake chicken must be fried in a pan for about 8 minutes until golden and crispy, requiring constant attention, while the original can be cooked in the oven or microwave.
Yes, Trader Joe's has also discontinued its All-Natural Cooked Boneless Breasts of Chicken.
