Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah Review

Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah Review

Trader Joe’s is known for its novel food items that appeal to both the palate and the eyes. However, it’s not every day that you come across a dish that you can describe as ‘ebulliently electrifying,’ to borrow a phrase from Trader Joe’s themselves. Allow me to introduce you to Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah—an easy-to-cook, vibrant dish that is as much a feast for the senses as it is for the stomach.

Packaging and Preparation

First impressions are everything, and Trader Joe’s does a stellar job here. The packaging is clear, straightforward, and screams ‘fun’—right down to the quirky name. Inside you find a generous collection of shelled, tail-off shrimp coated in a savory-seasoned batter, along with an accompanying sweet and spicy sauce.

Cooking the Shrimp Boom Bah is a walk in the park, thanks to its remarkable ease of preparation. Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen or not, the simplicity of this dish caters to all. You can choose from a variety of cooking methods—oven, air fryer, or deep fryer—and in about 12 minutes, voila! Your shrimp are ready to be served.

I chose the regular oven method, just because I didn’t want to pull out the air fryer and I think I made a mistake. While the shrimp was tasty, it did not have a very pronounced crunch. In all honesty, I might even opt for a deep fry method on this. I think that would put it into the top tier of frozen food from Trader Joe’s. Otherwise, there wasn’t much crunch.

Taste Test

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: How does it taste?

When Trader Joe’s claims that every bite bursts with a ‘complementary combo of flavors and textures,’ they aren’t exaggerating. The shrimp themselves are tender and succulent and carry the seasoned batter quite well. The outer layer provides a decent crunch (an air fryer would be better here), offering a textural contrast to the soft shrimp within.

The batter isn’t overly thick, ensuring that the shrimp remains the star of the dish. My only complaint was that the batter kept sliding off the shrimp when I took a bite, but if you are more careful, you can probably avoid this.

Then comes the sauce—a beautiful alchemy of sweet and spicy notes that elevate the shrimp to the next level. I’ve tried the Shrimp Boom Bah both ways: tossing the shrimp in the sauce and using the sauce as a dipping side. Both methods work beautifully, but tossing offers a more unified flavor profile. The sauce brings a nuanced complexity that makes you question how a frozen food item can taste this good. The sauce if pretty hot, so if you don’t want it really hot, you might try something else as a dipping sauce.

Versatility

Another strong point of this product is its versatility. While it’s a knockout dish on its own, it can also be a team player. I’ve used the shrimp as a protein booster in a quick rice bowl, and even as the filling for lettuce wraps. The possibilities are endless. Whether as an appetizer or an entrée, the Shrimp Boom Bah doesn’t disappoint.

Value for Money

Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah is also wallet-friendly, giving you, as they put it, “more Boom for your buck.” At $8.99 there is a lot here for the money and the tastes. Considering the quality and the quantity of shrimp you get, along with the flavorful sauce, the price point is fairly good. It’s a luxury experience without the luxury price tag, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Final Thoughts on Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah

At $8.99 for a pound of shrimp (and batter and sauce). I would guess the actual weight of the shrimp to be around 8 ounces just guessing at how much breading and sauce there is. It’s not a bad deal if you want to throw out an appetizer real quick at a party and impress your guests. The name ‘Boom Bah’ isn’t just for show; it encapsulates the explosion of flavors and textures you experience with each bite. So if you find yourself wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s, don’t hesitate to throw a pack of Shrimp Boom Bah into your cart. It’s a culinary adventure you don’t want to miss.

I am going to give it a rating of 8 out of 10 Bells!

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

COOK FROM FROZEN

SAUCE: Open the sauce packet and pour the sauce into a saucepan. Heat on two until warmed through. Serve sauce on the side or toss shrimp in sauce after cooking and coat evenly.

CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack of the oven for 12 to 14 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook until internal temperature reaches 145°F and flesh is opaque.

DEEP FRY: Preheat oil in fryer to 350°F Fry shrimp for 2.5 to 3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F and flesh is opaque. Drain excess oil.

AIR FRYER: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F Place shrimp in a single layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook until internal temperature reaches 145°F and flesh is opaque.