As a longtime Trader Joe’s shopper and pasta enthusiast I was deeply saddened to learn recently that one of my all-time favorite products has been discontinued – the Turkey Bolognese sauce. This delicious ready-made pasta topper had been a staple in my kitchen for years adding quick flavor and protein to weeknight dinners. But alas, it is no more.
Trader Joe’s quietly removed the Turkey Bolognese from stores in early 2023, with the first signs of its disappearance being empty shelves where the sauce once lived. While an official reason for its discontinuation hasn’t been given, speculation online points to supply chain issues making key ingredients hard to source.
Whatever the reason, this discontinuation hits hard for Trader Joe’s devotees like myself who depended on the sauce to add convenience to busy routines. The Turkey Bolognese was beloved for its versatility – it could be tossed with pasta, used as a hearty pizza topping or even served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Its flavor profile of tender ground turkey, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and Italian seasonings made it familiar yet unique.
In fact, in a recent poll conducted on the Trader Joe’s subreddit, the Turkey Bolognese earned the title of most missed discontinued food with a whopping 45% of votes. Comments from disappointed shoppers demonstrate just how beloved this product was:
“This was my favorite TJ’s item of all time. I am legitimately so sad it’s gone.”
“My favorite quick weeknight meal. I stocked up on a few extra jars last month but I’m almost out.”
“Of all the things they could discontinue, why this?? Bring back the Turkey Bolognese!”
As a fellow fanmourning the loss of this sauce, I took it upon myself to try to recreate it at home. Through much trial and error, I’ve come up with a recipe that I think captures the flavors I loved so much. Here it is for anyone else feeling the Turkey Bolognese void:
Homemade Turkey Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1⁄4 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1⁄2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1⁄4 cup heavy cream or half and half (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add grated carrot and cook another 2 minutes.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper.
- Bring sauce to a simmer and cook 15-20 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in cream or half and half (if using).
- Serve over pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
While this homemade version satisfies my cravings, I still mourn the loss of the ready-made convenience of Trader Joe’s Turkey Bolognese sauce. It saddens me to think this dependable pantry staple has likely been relegated to the discontinued foods graveyard, never to return to shelves again.
I can only hope that one day, Trader Joe’s might resuscitate this fan favorite sauce. But until then, I’ll be sticking to my homemade version to get my Turkey Bolognese fix. If you were also a fan of this discontinued gem, I’d highly recommend giving my recipe a try. It’s the next best thing to the jarred version we all miss so dearly.
Here’s hoping we’ll meet again one day, Trader Joe’s Turkey Bolognese. You’ll always have a place in my pasta-loving heart.
Goodbye (for now, at least) to pickle-flavored popcorn and turkey bolognese
At the turn of each season, Trader Joes updates its inventory with new food items, from baked goods and frozen treats to packable snacks and ready-to-eat meals. There are also the occasional seasonal goodies, which are available for a limited time only but still beloved by many.
Unfortunately, constant variety also means frequent product discontinuations. Some items are booted off of shelves because they dont sell well, while others are removed due to product complications. To save you from heartbreak during your next TJs run, Salon Food rounded up 6 products that have been discontinued this summer, according to postings from devoted shoppers on social media.
This list adds to Salon Foods growing library of supermarket guides. If the return to school is top of mind, check out the 6 best items for easy school lunches.
1. Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Despite being a fan-favorite in this years TJs Customer Choice Awards, the retailers rendition of Takis is being discontinued. The news first made rounds on Reddit, much to the disappointment of countless fans.
“Nooooooooooo I will cry,” wrote user u/kelseyxcx. “I asked a store associate and they said no and that they had them earlier that day but every store I go to its not there I even checked today.” Another user simply commented, “This is the worst news ever,” while a separate customer praised the tasted of these rolled snacks, saying, they are “better than Takis!”
Per a few Trader Joes crew members, the chips may be available at select stores as product discontinuation oftentimes varies by region.
“As a TJs crew member, I can tell you discontinued doesnt necessarily mean what it used to mean,” user u/radarluv explained. “Nowadays we find that a supplier that cant fulfill TJs order needs causes a product to go [discontinued] until a new provider can be found. Finding a new supplier, writing up new contracts, sourcing the materials and getting them to market can take a long long time. Sucks for all of us.”
2. Dark Russet Potato Chips
These crunchy, kettle-cooked chips are another fan-favorite item that has been removed from store shelves. The announcement was made by Trader Joes to be discontinued, an Instagram blogger who routinely highlights discontinued TJs items.
“Why?! I am crushed that @traderjoes would discontinue something that was so right!” wrote one user in the comments section. In the same vein, another user complained about the news, saying, “Im frustrated these have become a staple for me.”
3. Vegan Beet Hummus Rainbow Wrap
After almost four years in the market, TJs vegan wrap has left store shelves. Although the retailer hasnt confirmed the discontinuation, user u/babyyodaonline on Reddit shared the news this week.
“One of my favorite TJs product got discontinued!!! The vegan beet hummus rainbow wrap!” they wrote. “Im DEVASTATED. I went in today to grab one for my work lunch later this week and they were gone! I asked and apparently its discontinued.”
Another disappointed user, u/meowsqueak_, wrote, “Seriously! Its my primary source for buying healthyish prepared lunch options for my partner, and the past few times Ive been shopping Ive came back with almost nothing in the easy workday lunch dept. Where are the wraps, salad kits, anything?”
4. Organic Chia Bar
Loaded with almonds, cranberries and pumpkin seeds, these tasty energy bars are another product that has been discontinued. These bars are hailed as a life-saver and breakfast staple amongst many of the grocerys consumers.
“These and the berry granola balls were my favourite,” commented one mourning user on Instagram. Another user wrote a dramatic “Noooooooooo!” before stating that the bars “saved” them so many times.
5. Popcorn in a Pickle
Although this dill pickle-flavored snack was offered only as a seasonal item, it was knocked off of shelves for good in early June and will not be returning anytime soon.
Fans of TJs popcorn in a pickle can try recreating them at home by sprinkling TJs new pickle seasoning on fresh popcorn. Or, per the Instagram page Trader Joes to be Discontinued, a similar tasting product can be picked up right now from Aldi.
6. “Just Sauce” Turkey Bolognese
This tomato-based ragù sauce made with ground turkey is great on pasta or on bread (to make a Sloppy Joe). But sadly, it has also been discontinued and will no longer be available for purchase.
“My store in Reno, NV hasnt had it in a very long time,” wrote one user on Instagram. “They looked in the computer and told me about a month ago that it was discontinued.” Another user bashed the news as false, alleging that the sauce was still on the shelves of their local TJs. The majority of commenters, however, confirmed with their local crew members that the product is no longer available.
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Joy Saha is a staff writer at Salon. She writes about food news and trends and their intersection with culture. She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Trader Joe’s on Weight Watchers with Recipe Ideas.
FAQ
How to know if a Trader Joe’s item is discontinued?
Why do Trader Joe’s discontinue products?
How many calories in a turkey Bolognese sauce?
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Serving Size:
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1 Meal (12 ounces)
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Calories:
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410
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Fats:
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10g
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Carbs:
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48g
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Protein:
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30g
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