The Worst Trader Joe's Shrimp Find Is Not Worth The $6.99

When it comes to easy meals and last-minute dinner prep, Trader Joe's is usually a lifesaver. The fan-favorite grocery chain is known for its freezer and grab-and-go sections, which are packed with a delicious variety of appetizers, salads, and fast food dupes. There is also a range of proteins offered, including some delicious shrimp-filled dishes like fresh spring rolls and cooked scampi. Curious as to just how good all of the shrimp choices were, a Tasting Table expert set out to try 12 Trader Joe's shrimp products, ranking them from worst to best. 

There were some impressive contenders for the top spot but one lunchtime staple completely fell flat: the Fiesta Salad with Shrimp. With romaine lettuce, seasoned black beans, roasted corn kernels, crunchy tortilla strips, pico de gallo, and creamy poblano dressing, the Mexican-inspired, ready-to-eat salad seemed promising, but our tester was left wanting more — a lot more.

From the outside, it looked like the box was packed with beans, tomatoes, and corn and an adequate shrimp portion. Once the salad was mixed, however, the leafy greens overwhelmed the meager amount of toppings, leading to a bland flavor that didn't warrant even the relatively low $6.99 price tag.

The Fiesta Salad with Shrimp seems to be popular online, but our tester isn't the only person who was left disappointed. An Instagram user said, "The shrimp didn't have much flavor. The creamy poblano dressing was okay, but I definitely prefer the spicy southwest avocado dressing from the Southwestern Chopped Salad at TJ's ...There's a lot of good components that work well together in this salad, but it still felt like it was missing a little something." 

That being said, there are some customers who love the salad. A Reddit user wrote, "This one was definitely a hit." They added that they were such a fan of the poblano dressing that they "almost licked the bowl." On TikTok, another customer called it one of their favorite salads at Trader Joe's.

Perhaps the proportions in each box vary, but overall, we would recommend skipping the Fiesta Salad with Shrimp. Instead try out Trader Joe's classic Waldorf salad or grab the Southwest Salad or Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad, which were our top picks when we ranked 19 Trader Joe's pre-made salads. If your heart is really set on shrimp, you can always grab a bagged salad kit and add some frozen Trader Joe's shrimp. Our tester really enjoyed the Thai Shrimp Gyoza and the Gluten Free Breaded Shrimp. Here are our thoughts on nine Trader Joe's bagged salads if you're looking for inspiration.