One of the Biggest Grocery Store Chains Just Majorly Upgraded Its Selection of Frozen Meals

Kroger is coming out with a whole line of new frozen dinners, and it’s clear where their inspiration came from: the Trader Joe’s frozen aisle. 

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I’m starting a rumor. Kroger has a crush on Trader Joe. As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. I don’t blame them—Trader Joe is very crushable. He basically reinvented the frozen meal wheel. He gave us affordable, surprisingly delicious meals from global cuisines that average Americans couldn’t easily find at national grocery chains. And I bet he’s tall. Trader Joe has a tall aura. (As much as I personally love short kings, Kroger is not the type to date below six feet, let’s be real.) 

Anyways, Kroger wants in on the goods that Trader Joe’s have been showing off for years. Rightly so, I think. 

What are the new frozen meals coming to Kroger?

Kroger pulled from TJ’s fan-favorites to produce a pretty comprehensive line-up of Indian, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian frozen meals for their Private Selection label. Here’s the full list: 

• Ginger Shrimp Lo Mein
• Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry
• Chana Masala
• Beef Bulgogi
• Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
• Palak Paneer
• Lamb Vindaloo with Basmati Rice
• Beef Birria
• Mexican Street Corn
• Mole Chicken
• Green Chile Chicken
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Mandarin Orange Chicken
• Penne Arrabbiata
• Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina
• Cacio e Pepe
• Gnocchi with Vegan Ragout

Wow. That’s a lot of new products. Kroger must have really felt inspired. Do you think Kroger and Trader Joe’s will fall in love? 

I don’t, unfortunately. This feels like a one-sided crush from Kroger’s end. Kroger took one look at Trader Joe in a white sleeveless tank and said, “Good googly moogly. Someone break me off a piece of that.” But who knows. Maybe this could turn into, dare I say it, a literal Heated Rivalry? (Get it—they’re grocery store rivals, and you have to heat up frozen meals to cook them? Gosh, I’m good.) (Trader Joe’s is definitely Shane, and Kroger is definitely Ilya, and I will not be expanding on that any further.) 

The real test will be if these taste as good as TJ’s. I’m pretty skeptical! But I’m sure we’ll be trying some of them for ourselves here at Sporked, so stay tuned!