Let’s skewer the facts, shall we? Whether spelled Kababs, Kabobs, or Kebabs, the concept of ‘meat on a stick’ is humanity’s original fast food, no app required! Will these Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern Kebabs bring that primal satisfaction to your dinner table faster than you can say ‘What’s for dinner?’ Let’s find out if these are perfect for busy moms juggling soccer practice and board meetings and if these offer a budget-friendly culinary vacation without the passport. Travel with me to the middle east!
Trader Joe’s has been sneaking global flavors into American grocery carts since before your Instagram food influencers made it cool! Their Middle Eastern offerings are like culinary tourists who decided to stay permanently in your freezer. While mainstream supermarkets are still playing it safe with taco kits and jarred pasta sauce, TJ’s is out here introducing suburban meal planners to flavors that would make their grandmothers say ‘what in tarnation?’ These Middle Eastern delights are particularly genius for busy professionals (think: ‘exotic’ dinner in less time than it takes to check your email), budget-conscious foodies (‘world travel’ for under $5!), and those navigating the kosher, gluten-free, or vegan lifestyle who thought exciting flavors were off the menu. Talk about a revelation faster than you can say ‘where’s the hummus?
I’ve had my fair share of traditional Middle Eastern styled Kebabs. Both in restaurants and at friends home cooking. They were always grilled and it’s the basis for a larger meal with sauces and side dishes and some type of flat bread like a pita to serve them with.
First, let me say there are a million variations on making Kebabs, but I think what Trader Joe’s is trying to replicate is the Persian (Iranian) version called Kabab koobideh. Traditionally made with a mix of beef and lamb, although not always. Sometimes 100% beef and sometimes 100%. It depends on where you are from. Trader Joe’s version is 100% ground beef. You would traditionally serve them with grilled tomatoes and peppers and some rice. Some people might eat them with a pita and a sauce.
When you pull these out of the bag, they look like rectangular hamburgers, and that’s because that’s basically what they are. When these are made by hand, the ground meats are mixed with herbs and spices and then formed onto long metal skewers and grilled over coals, and served hot. It’s pretty basic food, but it’s one of those things that are more about technique and quality of ingredients since the ingredient list is pretty simple
You can see what they looked like (below) after I cooked them. I opted for the Microwave because I was in a rush for lunch. Like I said before, rectangular hamburgers for all you Americans. You can see some herbs and other goodness flecked within the Kebabs giving them a decent amount of flavor. I ate these plain for this review so I could taste them directly without the influence of a sauce or other flavors. Maybe that’s a mistake and they are like hamburgers. Sometimes you can barely taste the meat for all the condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, cheese, onions, etc). But from the few times I have had authentic Kebabs, these were a pale imitation of the real deal.
What is my Rating on Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern style Kebabs
Listen, I’m feeling as conflicted as a mom trying to choose between sleep and ‘me time.’ On one hand, bravo to Trader Joe’s for bringing these Middle Eastern Kebabs to our culinary landscape that’s about as diverse as a 1950s country club! On the other hand, these were just… meh. Think of them as that hamburger your neighbor brings to the cookout with a sprinkle of garlic powder and calls it “gourmet”. Your kids will devour them faster than they lose their matching socks, which is something! And apparently, if you’re Persian, these might transport you straight to your grandmother’s kitchen. Who am I to argue with authenticity? Despite my mixed feelings, these skewered delights still score a respectable 7 stars out of 10 on the “worth-sacrificing-precious-freezer-space” scale!
How to Make Trader Joe’s Kebabs
My 2 cents on this is that just putting them in the microwave will probably be the worst way to make them, but since they are pre-cooked, by far the fastest. The best way would be to throw them on the grill to get some grilled flavors but again, they are pre-cooked so cooking time should be short so as not to dry them out. Here is what Trader Joe’s recommends:
HEAT FROM FROZEN
CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 350°E. Place kebabs
on a baking tray. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until kebabs are
heated through.
GRILL: Preheat grill to medium- low approximately 200-250 °F)*
Place kebabs on grill over direct heat Flip every 5 minutes to prevent
burning for a total of 20 minutes or until Kebabs are heated through.
AIR FRYER: Place kebabs in a single layer in air fryer basket.
Heat at 350°F. for 5 to 6 minutes or until kebabs are heated through.
MICROWAVE (1200 watt): Microwave heat times may vary!
depending on oven wattage. Cover individual kebabs with a damp
paper towel, and heat on high for I minute or until kebabs are
heated through.
What are the Ingredients of Trader Joe’s Kebabs?
INGREDIENTS: GROUND BEEF, ONIONS, EGGS
(EGGS, CITRIC ACID [TO MAINTAIN COLOR]), BREAD-
CRUMBS (UNBLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT,
YEAST), PARSLEY, SALT, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER,
SEASONING (ALLSPICE, BLACK PEPPER, CORIANDER,
(LOVES, CUMIN, NUTMEG, SPICES), BLACK PEPPER.
CONTAINS EGG, WHEAT.
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