FYI - Trader Joe's Chicken shawarma thighs are tasty

[vi edit]

https://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/4114

Bought some of this the other day on a whim. Cooked it in a cast iron skillet on stove. My wife had to force me away from it as I was slicing so that I didn't eat the whole thing right there. This stuff isn't exactly shawarma but it's freaking delicious either way. A little tzatziki and some seasoned rice. Omm nom nom. Pretty cheap too. $6.50 for 4 meals worth of chicken.

 

[zinfamous]

damn I need me some shawarma

 

[daveybrat]

Is it just one formed piece or smaller pieces?

 

[GagHalfrunt]

$4.49 a pound for chicken thighs and easily obtained spices. Trader Joe's occupies a coveted spot in the market, supermarket for suckers.

It would take literally 30 seconds to duplicate that for $1 a pound using ingredients most people already have on hand.

 

[zinfamous]

$4.49 a pound for chicken thighs and easily obtained spices. Trader Joe's occupies a coveted spot in the market, supermarket for suckers.

It would take literally 30 seconds to duplicate that for $1 a pound using ingredients most people already have on hand.

This is also true. TJ's has always been one of those places that, if nearby and usually walkable, I tend to go regularly because of cheap milk, bananas, yogurt and a couple of other things (like beer), but I never miss them if I have to drive out of town or just too far through city traffic to get there (plus the madness of navigating a TJ parking lot) and easily don't even think of going for years at a time.

Some of their fresh prepped stuff is usually pretty good, but always overpriced for what it is. I think their frozen meals are a better value, but still a wee bit pricey in the end. The meat prices are usually pretty good, though, but isn't always the best quality. The one thing I will say about their meat, is that it is the only grocery where you can dependably find a proper Tri Tip cut anywhere in the country (basically, if you aren't on the west coast). Whenever I go to a non-CA butcher and they offer "Tri Tip," it is usually just a ~1lb point cut. Blasphemy!

 

[Ns1]

$4.49 a pound for chicken thighs and easily obtained spices. Trader Joe's occupies a coveted spot in the market, supermarket for suckers.

It would take literally 30 seconds to duplicate that for $1 a pound using ingredients most people already have on hand.

I would argue that most people do not have this selection of spice that isn't half expired

onion, garlic, sea salt, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and parsley

 

[vi edit]

Is it just one formed piece or smaller pieces?

Several pieces. 2-3 larger chunks and a couple smaller ones.

 

[vi edit]

I would argue that most people do not have this selection of spice that isn't half expired

This is the correct answer.

 

[vi edit]

And as far as costs go, $1.60 a serving for pre-seasoned and ready to cook meat isn't making my wallet weep much. They are also fully trimmed. No bone or gristle. You aren't paying for inedible pieces that add to the "per pound" cost.

 

[Sunburn74]

The chicken swarma is fantastic. I've had it like 4 times. Very easy to make and goes to another level if you finish it with like 7 mins under the broiler.

Also if you've never had the lemon spatchcock chicken you are missing out. It's better than most restaurants chicken honestly and super easy to make.

https://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/3188

 

[Mayne]

I live Scarborough, Toronto. shawarma everywhere

 

[zinfamous]

I would argue that most people do not have this selection of spice that isn't half expired

I regularly keep all of that stuff, my friend. I actually happen to have about 4 lbs of whole coriander seed in my larder (mistakes were made in ordering...)

 

[zinfamous]

And as far as costs go, $1.60 a serving for pre-seasoned and ready to cook meat isn't making my wallet weep much. They are also fully trimmed. No bone or gristle. You aren't paying for inedible pieces that add to the "per pound" cost.

yeah, that's true. The cheapest I find chicken thighs, are whole at Aldi for ~$0.90/lb. skinless and boneless are typically $1.50- $2.30/lb at most places in the area. Kinda tough to beat that for prepped and seasoned food. As much as I like doing the prep work and seasoning, I don't like doing it every fricking night.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Did i hear chicken shawarma ?
Slurp...
I am salivating.
I think i am going to make this weekend some buns with chicken shawarma with lettuce, sliced onions, sliced tomato and fresh made garlic sauce...
Chicken kebab is also great. Yums.

Indeed, with rice and some vegetables it is also very good.
I do that sometimes as well. Great taste and flavour.

 

[Ns1]

I regularly keep all of that stuff, my friend. I actually happen to have about 4 lbs of whole coriander seed in my larder (mistakes were made in ordering...)

"most people"

 

[ImpulsE69]

$4.49 a pound for chicken thighs and easily obtained spices. Trader Joe's occupies a coveted spot in the market, supermarket for suckers.

It would take literally 30 seconds to duplicate that for $1 a pound using ingredients most people already have on hand.

Having made this from scratch numerous times. You are wrong. Unless you're buying 50lb bulk and making it months ahead of time. Also some of these spices I can't get around here and have to order in bulk anyway.

And yes, Trader Joe's premade is pretty good. I don't like it quite as well as my own, but it is a good standin if you don't want to fuss with it.

 

[snoopy7548]

This is also true. TJ's has always been one of those places that, if nearby and usually walkable, I tend to go regularly because of cheap milk, bananas, yogurt and a couple of other things (like beer), but I never miss them if I have to drive out of town or just too far through city traffic to get there (plus the madness of navigating a TJ parking lot) and easily don't even think of going for years at a time.

Some of their fresh prepped stuff is usually pretty good, but always overpriced for what it is. I think their frozen meals are a better value, but still a wee bit pricey in the end. The meat prices are usually pretty good, though, but isn't always the best quality. The one thing I will say about their meat, is that it is the only grocery where you can dependably find a proper Tri Tip cut anywhere in the country (basically, if you aren't on the west coast). Whenever I go to a non-CA butcher and they offer "Tri Tip," it is usually just a ~1lb point cut. Blasphemy!

Their peanut butter-filled pretzels are freaking awesome and pretty cheap. I love using their semi-sweet chocolate chunks in homemade cookies.

 

[Kaido]

3 things I love from TJ's:

1. Frozen mini croissants. Take them out, let them thaw & rise overnight, then bake them. Best croissants I've ever had.

2. Sweetened dried mango. Not the plain, not the chili. The kind with added sugar. Amazingly good.

3. Cocoa batons. Same idea as Pirouette/Pirouline rolled wafer sticks, but all-chocolate & super delicious.

 

[ultimatebob]

Those TJ chocolate covered almonds are da bomb, yo.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I love the damn candied ginger cookies.

 

[Perknose]

I would argue that most people do not have this selection of spice that isn't half expired

$4.49 a pound for chicken thighs and easily obtained spices. Trader Joe's occupies a coveted spot in the market, supermarket for suckers.

It would take literally 30 seconds to duplicate that for $1 a pound using ingredients most people already have on hand.

I would argue that most people do not have this selection of spice that isn't half expired

^^^ Not just this, but furthering Gag's argument, you could build your own Trader Joes with some easily sourced construction materials and the help of a few sturdy friends.

Arguments like his are always easily made, but miss the damn point of convenience. We are all busy, important people with important, busy lives. Everyone knows this.

Plus, as a master chef of legendary proportions, it is nevertheless my experience that taking the same purported ingredients and instantly trying to exactly duplicate the efforts of a restaurant or, say, this shawarma from TJ's . . . somehow . . . does not always meet with exquisite success.

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to instantly create my own competing website forum to ATOT.

 

[SMOGZINN]

^^^ Not just this, but furthering Gag's argument, you could build your own Trader Joes with some easily sourced construction materials and the help of a few sturdy friends.

Arguments like his are always easily made, but miss the damn point of convenience. We are all busy, important people with important, busy lives. Everyone knows this.

Plus, as a master chef of legendary proportions, it is nevertheless my experience that taking the same purported ingredients and instantly trying to exactly duplicate the efforts of a restaurant or, say, this shawarma from TJ's . . . somehow . . . does not always meet with exquisite success.

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to instantly create my own competing website forum to ATOT.

I could have probably written this post myself for less time then it took me to read yours!

 

[William Gaatjes]

All you need is ready to go herbs if you have good but unseasoned chicken meat.

It is not perfect, but it works.

 

[Ns1]

well I just bought a package yesterday, let's see what all the fuss is about...

 

[MrSquished]

I have access to the best schwarma this side of the atlantic ocean. Listen, I can hook you guys up.