The Best Store-Bought Frozen Meal Bowl Comes From A Family-Owned Indian Food Brand

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Meal bowls are deliciously cohesive creations that allow you to appreciate each element separately. And when you don't have time to cook each element and assemble your bowl at home, frozen brands come to the rescue. We tasted nine different frozen meal bowls and ranked the meals according to overall flavor and the texture of each element. The meals encompassed a wide variety of different cuisines. And the best store-bought frozen meal bowl was Sukhi's Chicken Tikka Masala Curry Bowl.

Named for founder and chef Sukhi Singh, Sukhi's Gourmet Indian food is a family-owned brand out of San Francisco that's been serving deliciously authentic frozen Indian meals and sauces for over 30 years. And we can feel all the love and authenticity this family-owned company brings to the table with the chicken tikka masala bowl, featuring chicken tikka masala in a curry tomato sauce over turmeric rice. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, with an earthy flavor that stood out from the typical white basmati used in Indian cuisine. The chicken was tender, with a meaty texture and large, substantial chunks. But the star of the show was the curry tomato sauce with its balance of sweet and complex flavors and the aromatic profile characteristic of Indian food. The only thing to complain about was that we wished there were more of it to eat! If it didn't come in frozen packaging, we might confuse this delicious meal for our favorite Indian takeout spot.

Target customers were as impressed with Sukhi's chicken tikka masala curry bowl as we were. One customer gushed, "It's convenient, tasty, and easy to prepare a quick delicious meal ... The rice, despite being [microwaved], still [maintains] its chew." Other customers said it was their go-to work lunch as it heats up well and quickly in the microwave. It's true that Indian food is a great takeout and buffet option, as the flavors seem to meld together and get tastier the longer they sit, and, like stews and soups, reheat with even more developed tasting notes. Customers were also impressed by the quality of ingredients and nutritional value. One customer stated. "It has a good balance of protein and fiber, and most importantly it tastes delicious." To that effect, customers describe the sauce as "rich and aromatic with authentic Indian spices that deliver bold flavor without being overly spicy." Customers also point out that the bowl is gluten-free and made with natural, clean ingredients, for a balanced, authentic Indian meal that's hearty, filling, and healthy.

Chicken tikka masala is as classic as Indian food gets, and Sukhi's frozen bowl is takeout-quality. Sukhi's also offers other meals like butter chicken and coconut curry rice. However, if you want an even broader rotation of frozen Indian meals, you can check out Trader Joe's different frozen options. In fact, it has a restaurant-quality vegan tikka masala if you're looking for a plant-based option.