The $1.79 Trader Joe’s Find So Good I Buy 2 at a Time

This Trader Joe’s find is my go-to ingredient when I’m craving a satisfying, protein-packed meal that’s also vegetarian. It’s affordable and so easy to cook.

Outside view of a Trader Joe's store — Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock

Tofu is a staple in my diet. Though it’s famously vegetarian, it shares qualities with chicken, not in taste but in convenience. It’s high in protein, there are a ton of ways to cook it, and it can take on any flavor you put on it. That’s why I always buy two or three packages of organic firm tofu when I shop at Trader Joe’s.

A package of Trader Joe's organic firm tofu — Simply Recipes / Trader Joe's

Why I Love Trader Joe’s Organic Firm Tofu

Tofu has a mild flavor, so when someone tells me they don’t like it, I always wonder if it’s because they haven’t had it prepared properly. Since this tofu is firm, it’s perfect for making satisfyingly crispy tofu paired with a delicious sauce. And at only $1.79 for 16 ounces, TJ’s tofu is significantly cheaper than some stores where it can cost upwards of $3 or even $4. The price is simply unbeatable.

How I Prepare Trader Joe's Firm Tofu

As someone who cooks tofu regularly, I’ve found a foolproof method for making crispy tofu. When I find a tofu recipe I like, I’ll use this technique, then add the crispy tofu to the sauce I have simmering on the stove. This allows the sauce to stick to the tofu.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Drain the tofu, set it on a cutting board, and wrap the block of tofu with several layers of paper towels.
Press for 30 minutes to remove excess water. I do this by placing a baking pan on top of the tofu and then a heavy pot on top of the pan.
Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, spread out onto the prepared baking pan, and drizzle with oil.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the tofu reaches your desired level of crispiness.

I like making soy-ginger tofu or honey-Sriracha tofu served over a bed of rice and steamed vegetables. However, I’ll also mix things up based on what I have on hand. This could mean using spring mix instead of steamed vegetables, pasta instead of rice, or adding avocado or cashews on top. To make things even easier, I recommend taking advantage of store-bought sauces, like Trader Joe’s Soyaki, and instant rice. With a base of crispy tofu, you can’t go wrong.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}