Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Fried Rice Review

Well, well, well, if it isn’t Trader Joe’s Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice, the latest contender for the ‘most flavors in a freezer bag’ award. This little packet is like a mini United Nations of ingredients. You’ve got your international ensemble of vegetables – carrots, baby corn, and green peas, each vying for a spot on the flavor stage. And let’s talk about the heat, shall we? Those threads of Thai red chilis are not just for show, my friends; they’re like a culinary fireworks display in your mouth. Then, there’s the shrimp, so perfectly seasoned they might just do a little dance on your tongue. And holding this global summit together? The fried rice, of course, doing an impressive balancing act with all these distinct flavors. But the pièce de résistance of this frozen escapade? Its absurd simplicity. Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen or someone who can barely manage to use a microwave, this dish has got you covered. Pair it with Thai curries or chicken satay, add a splash of lime, and voilà, you’re practically a gourmet chef. Bon appétit, freezer aisle aficionados! Let’s dive into the review…

I often share on this blog my passion for Asian cuisine – I’m a true food enthusiast who delights in everything with an Asian twist. My childhood was marked by a unique experience: we lived in Thailand. It was during my early years, around the time I was in first grade, and we stayed there for a couple of years. My father had a position at the American Embassy, and the memories I cherish from that time as a little kid are unforgettable.

These experiences left an indelible impression on me, especially the food. Stepping into an Asian market in the U.S. often triggers a wave of nostalgia, reminding me of those days. My parents, both skilled in the culinary arts, frequently cooked Thai dishes they had picked up during our stay. Among those, Fried Rice stood out as a personal favorite, a dish that still holds a special place in my heart.

When I saw Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Fried Rice show up in the freezer section recently, I just had to grab a bag! This is a product of Thailand. I usually like it more when food items like this are made close to the source of the original recipe. It usually makes for a more authentic meal. I think the Thais are producing some very good frozen foods right now which are relatively easy to find at regular grocery stores.

As is typical with these freezer fried rice recipes, you have two options to prepare this, microwave or skillet. For some of the other kinds of fried rice that Trader Joe’s carries, I think it’s a tossup in terms of flavors whether you prepare it in the microwave or the skillet. This one on the other needs to be done in the skillet IMHO. It just needs that high heat of a wok or skillet with a touch of oil to give a slight crunch to the rice.

The reason why is that, unlike other frozen Fried rice, this one comes with a separate bag of shrimp. The shrimp is raw has been marinated and covered in a delicious Thai-flavored coating that begs to be sauteed before it’s integrated with the rest of the rice. Word of warning, you need to make sure the shrimp is cooked all the way through but that doesn’t take too long.

One word of warning, this is a step up on the heat scale from their normal hot foods. The Thai chefs didn’t hold back on this one! I eat a fair amount of Thai food in my little town east of Seattle. I think we have 3 Thai restaurants in a town of about 10,000. I’ve had all different levels of quality of Thai food and I have to say this fried rice is right up there with some of the better ones.

I loved the lime leaves and the tiny little hot peppers. Lots of fresh, bold flavors. My wife walked in when I was cooking it and she said it smelled just like a Thai restaurant! The only problem was that the rice had formed these clumps and cooking them was hard to thaw them out. I put the lid on the skillet to get the heat to penetrate those clumps to make them easier to break up but it took several more minutes to prepare.

This fried rice was the most delicious and perfect flavor out of all of Trader Joe’s selections. The basil tasted fresh and flavored the rice perfectly. The rice, itself, was moistly tender and fragrantly spiced with hints of lemongrass and coconut milk.

Each bag also included a generous portion of shrimp, which came out juicy and plump, and unlike most frozen seafood, exuded absolutely no fishy, stale after-taste.

With a minimal amount of work, I feasted on a fragrant, steaming bowl of Thai fried rice, which would be the closest thing to actually ordering off the menu at a restaurant. Bravo, Trader Joe’s! You nailed it…can’t figure out why anyone would give this dish negative reviews. I will be making a special trip to my local store to stock up and hoard as if for an upcoming apocalypse.

Final Thoughts

It says on the package that there are 4 servings, but really it’s barely two. If you are going to split this, you’ll need to add something else to complete it. Maybe some dumplings or spring rolls. You are going to need a beer or something to wash down the heat. Something light, like Josephbrau Pilsner or a nice Pinot Grigio.

I really liked this Thai Shrimp Fried Rice. I thought it was pretty authentic and easy to make. The only issue with it could be the heat for some and the lumps of rice that don’t affect the flavor but make it harder to make. With those issues, I am going to give this 8 out of 10 hot and spicy bells!

INGREDIENTS: RICE, SHRIMP (SHRIMP, SALT), PALM OIL, BABY CORN, ONION, GARLIC, BASIL LEAF, GREEN PEAS, SOY SAUCE (WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT, ALCOHOL, SUGAR, ACETATE, LACTIC ACID), CARROT, GINGER, RED THAI CHILI, SESAME OIL, GREEN ONION, VEGETABLE POWDER (ONION, CABBAGE, CARROT, SPRING ONION, MALTODEXTRIN, SALT), FRIED GARLIC, SALT, SUGAR, WHITE PEPPER, THAI LIME LEAF, MIRIN (GLUCOSE SYRUP, WATER, ALCOHOL, RICE, CORN SYRUP), RICE POWDER, SESAME SEEDS, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, XANTHAN GUM. CONTAINS SHRIMP, SOY, AND WHEAT.