The Ultimate Guide to Trader Joe’s Turkey Sausage Fried Rice

Trader Joe’s turkey sausage fried rice has become a cult favorite seasonal item that people wait all year round for. This unique spin on classic fried rice captures all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one easy delicious package. As soon as it hits TJ’s shelves every November shoppers start stocking up on this limited-edition side dish.

In this article, we’ll explore why Trader Joe’s turkey sausage fried rice is so beloved, break down exactly what’s in it, and share tips for making the most of this seasonal treat. Whether you’re a TJ’s superfan or have never stepped foot in one of their stores, read on to learn all about this iconic Thanksgiving-inspired meal

A Beloved Seasonal Treat

Trader Joe’s is known for its constantly rotating cast of unique and creative seasonal items. These products have gained a frenzied cult following, with shoppers obsessed with trying out the latest pumpkin, peppermint, or eggnog-flavored creation.

Among these seasonal superstars, TJ’s turkey sausage fried rice stands out as a perennial favorite. Every year when it hits shelves, diehard fans stock up, clearing whole freezers full of the stuff to last them all the way through winter.

So what exactly makes this product so special? For starters, it’s only available for a limited time, which lends it an air of novelty and exclusivity. It also captures the flavors of Thanksgiving in one easy-to-prepare dish, appealing to those looking to enjoy turkey dinner any time of year. But most of all, it just tastes amazing – the perfect medley of nostalgic holiday flavors in a fresh, convenient form.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly is in this iconic seasonal side.

Inside Trader Joe’s Turkey Sausage Fried Rice

Trader Joe’s has found the perfect balance of flavors in their famous turkey sausage fried rice. It delivers the satisfying savoriness of sausage and rice, with lots of festive vegetable mix-ins. Here’s what you can expect in each flavor-packed bite:

• Turkey Sausage: Crumbled spicy turkey sausage provides the protein backbone. The seasoning blend gives it a breakfast sausage taste.

• Rice: A combination of white and wild rice gives you fluffy texture and whole grain nutrition.

• Classic Stuffing Flavors: Onions, celery, cubed bread, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and sage call to mind Thanksgiving stuffing.

• Harvest Vegetables: Corn, green beans, carrots, and peas add pops of color, crunch, and extra veggies.

• Fried Onions: Crispy fried onions on top provide irresistible oniony crunch.

With minimal effort, you get the experience of enjoying stuffing, turkey, vegetables, and crispy onions all in one dish. It’s everything you love about Thanksgiving, transformed into easy fried rice.

Tips for Enjoying TJ’s Turkey Sausage Fried Rice

Trader Joe’s turkey sausage fried rice is delicious just heated up and served on its own. But there are lots of ways to remix it to create a next-level meal:

• Add an egg: Frying or poaching an egg and placing it on top turns this into a complete and hearty meal. The runny yolk takes it to the next level.

• Mix in more veggies: Bulk it up by stirring in extra frozen vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or Brussel sprouts.

• Top with cranberry sauce: A dollop of cranberry sauce adds a burst of tart sweetness.

• Drizzle with gravy: Turkey or vegetarian gravy gives you that full turkey dinner effect.

• Make it loaded: Top with bacon bits, shredded cheese, avocado, hot sauce, or anything else you love to load up fried rice with.

• Eat for breakfast: A scoop of this protein-packed fried rice plus an egg makes a savory and satisfying breakfast.

• Meal prep: Make a big batch on Sunday to reheat for quick lunches and dinners all week long.

You really can’t go wrong with Trader Joe’s turkey sausage fried rice. It’s endlessly adaptable to suit your tastes and mood.

Other Versions to Try

The runaway success of the original turkey sausage fried rice has inspired some spin-off versions at Trader Joe’s:

• Stuffing Fried Rice: All the flavors of stuffing transformed into fried rice, without the turkey sausage.

• Butternut Squash Fried Rice: With cubed butternut squash, sage, cranberries, and pepitas for a seasonal fall twist.

• Risotto Style Fried Rice: Creamy parmesan risotto flavor in fried rice form, with peas and mushrooms.

While the classic remains a perennial favorite, these variations provide more options for enjoying the creative flavor combinations that Trader Joe’s does so well.

Recreate It at Home

If you just can’t get enough of this Thanksgiving-inspired fried rice, the good news is that you can easily recreate something similar at home.

Start by sautéing diced onion, celery, cubed bread, and sage to achieve that stuffing flavor. Then add diced turkey sausage and cook until browned. Mix in white and wild rice, vegetables of choice, and seasonings like rosemary, thyme, parsley, and sage. Top with crispy fried onions and you’ve got yourself homestyle turkey sausage fried rice anytime.

While it may not fully satisfy your craving for the real deal, making your own version allows you to customize flavors to your taste and enjoy this festive concept all year round.

The Bottom Line

Trader Joe’s has struck gold with their insanely popular seasonal turkey sausage fried rice. It brilliantly transforms Thanksgiving dinner into easy, on-the-go rice bowl form. Fans eagerly anticipate its arrival every November and stock up to fuel them through the holidays and beyond.

This beloved item has become a tradition for good reason – it delivers comforting, nostalgic holiday flavors in one flavor-packed meal. So next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, be sure to grab a bag (or three) of this seasonal sensation. Your tastebuds will thank you.