At the moment, Trader Joe’s does not sell Impossible meat. However, you might still be able to buy the Impossible Chicken Nuggets in stores, as well as a wide range of other plant-based meat alternatives.
Below you will find out more about Trader Joe’s unique product selection and the plant-based protein products they offer.
What Is Trader Joe’s?
Trader Joe’s is an extremely popular chain of neighborhood grocery stores in the United States. It is well-known for its low prices and store brands.
About 80% of the items carried by Trader Joe’s are store-branded food and drinks free of artificial preservatives, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, and GMO ingredients.
Another reason why customers love Trader Joe’s is because it offers a unique shopping experience. For example, when you walk into the store, you are greeted by murals on the wall that show landmarks of the respective town. You will also hear the bell ring from time to time which is how the staff members communicate with each other.
Overall, Trader Joe’s managed to create a store environment that imparts adventure and humor, so no wonder many Americans love shopping there.
What Are Plant-Based Meat Alternatives?
There are quite a few reasons why there have recently been high growth rates in the plant-based meat segment. Environmental concerns, animal welfare, and the focus on personal health and well-being – all these factors combined have led to a rapid growth of the meat alternatives industry.
By the way, not only vegetarians and vegans choose to include plant-based meat into their diets. The product is often much lower in cholesterol than real meat, while still being relatively high in protein. It also typically contains more fiber.
The global plant-based meat market is projected to reach $33,3 billion by 2031, and, of course, all grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s, are trying to keep up with the trends.
More About Trader Joe’s Unique Product Selection
Of course, every Trader Joe’s has all the necessary everyday basics. But you’ll also be able to find plenty of unique and interesting products in the store. By the way, unlike a lot of other neighborhood stores, Trader Joe’s has a wide variety of kosher, vegan, and gluten-free products.
The chain is also known for regularly discontinuing its products. So, whenever you step foot into the store, you never know for sure what you’re going to see.
Trader Joe’s is constantly looking for new items all around the world, and the company is not afraid to experiment with different flavors.
Some of the most iconic foods include Mandarin Orange Chicken, Ube Purple Yam Flavored Ice Cream, and Plantain Croutons with Garlic and Sea Salt.
Does Trader Joe’s Have Impossible Meat?
At the moment, Trader Joe’s has only the Impossible Chicken Nuggets in stores.
A few years ago, the Impossible patties were available at Trader Joe’s at very affordable prices. But it looks like right now the chain is planning to focus on the development of its own line of plant-based products.
To check the current price and availability of Impossible Burger Patties, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Where to Find Impossible Meat at Trader Joe’s?
If you’re looking for plant-based meat at Trader Joe’s, you should immediately head to the refrigerated or frozen section.
Fun fact: a lot of the stores do not have vertical freezers with doors. Instead, they feature horizontal freezer bins with open tops, so that you never have to open a heavy door to inspect the products more carefully.
Pricing and Packaging of Impossible Meat at Trader Joe’s
Back in 2020, a 12-ounce package of Impossible beef was available at Trader Joe’s for only $7,99 which was cheaper than what you would have to pay if you ordered the plant-based meat directly from the Impossible website.
At one point, you could also find packs of 6 Impossible burger patties in stores.
But, as we have already mentioned, right now the only Impossible product that can be bought at Trader Joe’s is a pack of plant-based chicken nuggets for $6.99 (13.5 Oz).
Does Trader Joe’s Have Any Other Plant-Based Meat Alternatives?
Apart from the already-mentioned chicken nuggets, Trader Joe’s has plenty of plant-based protein products for you to choose from.
- Gluten Free Battered Plant-Based Fish Fillets $4.99
- Spicy Porkless Plant-Based Snack Rinds $2.99
- Buffalo Style Chickenless Wings $4.69
- Meatless Ground $3.99
- Turkeyless Ground $3.99
- Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast $6.99
- Chickenless Crispy Tenders $3.79
Do bear in mind that the prices may differ from one store to the other. You might also want to check Trader Joe’s website to find out if your local store still carries the items that you’re looking for.
FAQs
What Are the Ingredients in the Impossible Burger at Trader Joe’s?
The ingredient that gives the Impossible meat the meaty taste is heme. Other than that, the burger also includes soy protein concentrate, coconut and sunflower oil, potato protein, yeast extract, salt, water, etc.
The Impossible Chicken Nuggets that are now sold at Trader Joe’s consist of water, wheat flour, soy protein concentrate, soybean oil, sunflower oil, and other ingredients.
Is Impossible Meat That Is Sold at Trader Joe’s Heathy?
Plant-based beef and regular lean ground beef roughly have the same amount of calories and protein, but in order to create a meaty flavor and a red juicy center in the meatless alternative, the manufacturers were forced to add higher amounts of saturated fats and sodium.
The good news is that poultry-based alternatives contain less saturated fat.
Why Can’t You Eat Impossible Meat from Trader Joe’s Raw?
Though, in theory, you can eat plant-based meat raw, it is not recommended as the product simply won’t taste good.
Furthermore, even meat made out of plants might come with food safety risks as bacteria that cause foodborne illness can be found not only in real meat.
Final Thoughts
Right now, you might not be able to find a lot of products from Impossible Foods Inc. available in Trader Joe’s stores. But there are still plenty of plant-based meat alternatives for you to choose from.
So, the next time you decide to pay a visit to the lovely store, make sure to take an extra minute to explore all the meatless protein products that Trader Joe’s has (hint: you’ll find the majority of those in the freezers).