- Trader Joe’s frozen Tandoori Naan is as tasty as naan that you’d get in a restaurant.
- It takes just minutes to prepare in a frying pan, an air fryer, the oven or a toaster.
- Try it in pizzas, sandwiches, as a side, or to scoop up hummus and dips.
About a decade ago, I moved from an area with multiple Trader Joe’s stores within a 15-minute drive to a home where a TJ’s run required an hour-and-a-half car ride each way. A few months ago, a Trader Joe’s opened up closer to where I live, but it’s still 45 minutes away. The distance has, sadly, made Trader Joe’s shopping trips way more infrequent. So, when I do go to TJ’s, there’s a list of products I regularly stock up on.
Sure, there are canned items, like chickpeas and corn, that I grab to keep my pantry stocked between shopping trips. But before I head to Trader Joe’s, there’s one frozen item I always make plenty of room for in my freezer, and that’s their Tandoori Naan.
Most of the time, I lean on healthy bread options like whole-wheat or sourdough. But as someone whose favorite cuisine is Indian food, having this easy-to-grab naan in my freezer is a total game-changer. What’s more, it’s just as delicious as naan straight from a restaurant and can be used for so much more than just dipping into curries.
Why I Stock Up on Trader Joe’s Tandoori Naan
Trader Joe’s. Getty Images. EatingWell design.
It’s Restaurant-Quality Naan
I’ve long been a fan of Indian cuisine. A good chicken tikka masala or saag paneer works for anything from a celebratory birthday dinner to a comforting meal to cheer me up on a bad day. But it’s not just the smooth, creamy curries that make Indian food so delicious. There’s a lot to be said for the sides, like basmati rice and naan bread.
A perfectly prepared piece of naan is buttery and crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle. And this frozen version from Trader Joe’s tastes just as good as any naan I’ve ordered at an Indian restaurant or made myself.
It’s a Cinch to Prepare
This bread takes very little effort to heat it through and serve it up— much less than some of my family’s other preferred dinnertime breads, like garlic breadsticks heated in the air fryer or canned biscuits baked in the oven.
My favorite way to heat it from frozen is to melt a small amount of butter in a frying pan, then add the naan and heat each piece for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until it’s thawed, warmed and crisp. But if you’re trying to avoid butter, butter-flavor cooking spray or even a bit of water would work just as well.
It’s Budget-Friendly
One 12-ounce bag of Trader Joe’s frozen Tandoori Naan costs about $3. Each bag contains four pieces of naan, each about the size of a piece of pita bread. For my family of four, that means each of us gets a tasty piece of naan to enjoy for less than a dollar apiece. At such a low price, it’s one of my favorite foods to stock up on and keep in the freezer.
It Works with Many Different Meals
There are so many ways that I incorporate Trader Joe’s Tandoori Naan into my weekly meal planning. Yes, I often buy their Indian simmer sauce and serve the naan heated alongside a curry and some rice. But I’ve also made mini protein- and veggie-topped pizzas using the naan as a crust. This has become a family favorite, since everyone can choose their own toppings and make their own personal-size pizza.
The naan also makes great sandwiches. I’ve served everything from a turkey club to a gyro on the bread. Along with a hearty soup for dipping, it makes a filling meal for my family on nights when we don’t have a lot of time to cook. I’ve also sliced the naan into small squares and topped each with dip on a charcuterie board or served sliced naan with a platter of hummus and vegetables for dipping. If there’s a recipe you use bread in, you can sub in this naan instead, and it’ll add crisp, buttery flavors to any meal.
It’s Extremely Convenient
On busy weeknights when I’m rushing to get dinner on the table, it’s a huge relief to know there’s a bag of naan waiting for me in the freezer. These flatbreads aren’t just convenient, they’re quick. While I like to heat them in a pan, they also only take minutes to warm through and crisp up in the oven, an air fryer or the toaster.
This frozen bread is truly the ultimate dinner hack. Not only does it taste amazing and go from frozen to thawed fast, it works in almost any kind of recipe. Plus, it’s easy to store in the freezer right up until you need it to step in and save dinnertime.
The Bottom Line
The next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, be sure to head to the frozen foods section and grab a bag (or two!) of their Tandoori Naan. Then, see what you’re able to do with it in your own kitchen. It tastes as good as any naan you’ll find in a restaurant and takes just minutes to prepare. Plus, it only costs about $3 per four-serving bag. While you’re in the freezer aisle, grab some TJ’s dishes that perfectly complement this delicious naan, like their frozen Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice or Kale & Cashew Pesto (which, by the way, makes a great sandwich topping). Or scout the store for cheeses, sauces, veggies and proteins to use for toppings for a family make-your-own-naan-pizza night. No matter how you like to use it, once you try this bread, it’s bound to become one of your favorites, too.
