Last Updated on April 5, 2025 by clubtraderjoes
Oh, the things we do for our children’s education! When my teenage son announced he was going vegan for two weeks as a biology experiment, I thought, “Perfect timing for me to test more Trader Joe’s vegan options!” (You’ve probably gathered I’m not on a 100% plant-based diet from my reviews, but I’ll try anything TJ’s sells for you lovely readers!)
Our shopping cart adventure began with high hopes when my son spotted Trader Joe’s Vegan Orange Chicken-less morsels? (I’m sorry, but what the hell are “morsels”!?!?). “If this tastes anything like the real orange chicken, I’m set for two weeks,” he declared with teenage optimism. Challenge accepted, kiddo!
First impression: This bag is tiny! The entire package contains about 500 calories—barely enough to satisfy my growing boy if eaten alone. Pro tip for busy moms: pair with rice and veggies for a complete meal that won’t break the bank.
The preparation experience was… interesting. These little soy nuggets (yes, soy-based for my gluten-free friends!) arrived surprisingly oily, foreshadowing their oven-crisped future. The sauce packet appeared suspiciously similar to its meat counterpart, though notably runnier.
For those juggling work emails while cooking, beware: the mid-bake flip is trickier than expected! Several nuggets staged a rebellion by firmly attaching themselves to my baking sheet. The survivors, however, achieved a rather attractive golden-brown exterior.
But alas, appearances can be deceiving! The aroma hinted more at “cooked vegetables” than anything remotely chicken-like. Texture-wise, imagine biting into something simultaneously rubbery AND crunchy—an impressive feat, though not necessarily a delicious one. The flavor profile? Let’s just say “cardboard dipped in overly sweet orange sauce” won’t be trending on TikTok anytime soon.
My son’s verdict sealed this product’s fate. One bite and he declared, “Mom, this vegan thing might be harder than I thought.” For those committed to plant-based eating, I’d recommend working with real tofu instead—I’ve had much better success with it in stir-fries!
Price: $3.79/9.25 Oz
For my kosher and vegan friends looking for convenient options, I wish I had better news. Save your hard-earned dollars for another TJ’s adventure, as this one earns my rarely-bestowed 1 Star rating.
Next week: back to products I can actually recommend with a straight face! Until then, may your Trader Joe’s receipts be short and your wine glasses full!
INGREDIENTS:
SOY FLAKES, ORANGE SAUCE (SUGAR, WATER, SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT, ALCOHOL], ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CARAMELIZED SUGAR, SAKE [WATER, RICE, SALT], CORNSTARCH, GARLIC PUREE [GARLIC, CITRIC ACID], GINGER PUREE [GINGER, CITRIC ACID], SOYBEAN OIL, RED PEPPER), WATER, EXPELLER PRESSED CANOLA OIL, BREADING (WHEAT FLOUR, RICE FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, SPICE, LEAVENING [SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE]), NATURAL FLAVORS, METHYL CELLULOSE, POTATO STARCH.
CONTAINS SOY, WHEAT.
NUTRITION FACTS:
about 2 servings per container | Serving size 1/2 bag with sauce (131g) | Amount per serving: Calories 250
Total Fat 8g (10% DV), Saturated Fat 0.5g (3% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 670mg (29% DV), Total Carbohydrate 35g (13% DV), Dietary Fiber 0g (0% DV), Total Sugars 16g—Includes 15g Added Sugars (30% DV), Protein 16g, Vitamin D (0% DV), Calcium (8% DV), Iron (15% DV), Potassium (15% DV).
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
