The New $4.29 Trader Joe’s Find I’m Keeping in the Fridge From Now On

We all know that certain foods have seasons—like tomatoes in the summer and pumpkins in the fall—but I have a theory that there are more seasonal foods than we acknowledge. For example, later in the winter, for me, is unofficial Buffalo season. (I'm talking about the tangy, spicy, and buttery flavor profile here.)

Something about the chill in the air and the hum of a football game in the background makes me crave that combo of cayenne pepper and vinegar-based hot sauce mellowed out with a little butter, and I want it on everything from wings to pizza to dip. So, I was pretty stoked when I discovered a new product at Trader Joe’s just in time for Buffalo season kickoff: Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs.

How I Serve These Packaged Meatballs

These packaged Buffalo-style meatballs are already cooked; they just need to be heated through in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. In addition to the Buffalo seasoning, they're also blended with Monterey Jack cheese, which helps maintain moisture so they don't dry out. The 12-ounce package is enough to serve four and costs $4.29.

I like keeping a pack of these meatballs on-hand for a quick, protein-packed lunch, served on a roll with a little ranch dressing. They’re reminiscent of a boneless Buffalo wing, so they would also be great for dipping at a game-day gathering or tailgate, along with celery and carrots.

However, my current favorite way to serve them is as part of a wedge-type salad, loaded with crisp iceberg lettuce, chopped tomatoes and red onions, and blue cheese dressing. It’s a dinner-worthy plate that comes together quickly with only a few ingredients—something I need a lot of this time of year.

How I Make My Buffalo Chicken Meatball Wedge Salad

For my Buffalo Chicken Meatball Wedge Salad, you’ll need to grab a pack of these meatballs, a head of iceberg lettuce, a couple of handfuls of grape tomatoes, half of a small red onion, store-bought blue cheese or ranch dressing, and optional blue cheese crumbles. (Good news: All of these items are available at Trader Joe’s!)

You can swap or add different mix-ins, if you'd like—chopped celery, cucumbers, or bell peppers would all work well here. Since I know the debate between ranch and blue cheese rages on (I don’t pick sides!), I’ve made this a choose-your-own dressing experience, but if you go the blue cheese route, consider adding some blue cheese crumbles and crushed TJ’s Cashel Blue Cheese Irish Potato Chips, too.

Prepare the meatballs according to the package directions (I prefer the oven method, which only takes about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, remove the core from the iceberg lettuce and cut it into four wedges, and slice up the tomatoes and onion. Top the wedges with the dressing of your choice, and add tomatoes, onion, crumbled blue cheese, and potato chips. Finally, dig in—Buffalo season has arrived.

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