Trader Joe’s Tamales, Chicken and Chile


These Trader Joe’s tamales are found in the refrigerated section, and are made to be microwaved. The package comes with 4 tamales in it, and holds pretty good sized chicken and chile tamales. These may not be the most amazing and authentic tamales you have ever eaten, but I actually really like them. The masa and the tomatillos and mangoes and chicken are all stuffed into the tamale, and while the flavor may be somewhat of a mish mash of different things, it’s easy to make and it fills me up. You pop it in the microwave for no more than 2 minutes wrapped in a paper towel and you have delicious tamales that I sometimes eat just standing over my counter, burning my mouth as I inhale it while its still super hot………….

  • 290 calories per serving
  • Net Weight: 20 oz
  • Gluten free and made by Cedar Lane

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Tamales at Trader Joe’s


Trader Joe’s has carried a few different versions of tamales over the years, some frozen and some refrigerated. I know there was a green chile tamale that was discontinued for awhile. It can be hard to keep up with the different variations, but this one does not carry the Trader Joe’s label at all, instead it is sold in the original Cedar Lane packaging. What is everyone’s favorite Trader Joe’s tamales? Is there a frozen one that I should absolutely try, or a chicken or beef one that is by far the best? I feel like I should try making my own tamales at some point, but it seems like a good amount of work! Mexican food is always my go to cuisine for healthy but really good tasting food, and TJs always has a ton of different Mexican inspired products…..

Price: $6.99



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3 thoughts on “Trader Joe’s Tamales, Chicken and Chile

  1. I would not call these tamales authentic at all. Trader’s carried a better, more “authentic” before this one. Can’t remember the carrier, but it was better than this. Let’s face it authentic ones are unhealthy, made with lard and spices, thicker masa. This is thin, healthy, americanized version (which healthy is always welcome!), but for crying out loud, don’t refer to them as authentic. This tamale is flavorless. Chicken and beans – no! Do one or the other. I swear it’ll taste better if kept simple.

    1. I completely agree!! These were very disappointing and I really liked the other ones. Such a let down!

  2. This is the first time I tried these and though they are not authentic, the taste was pretty good. I wouldn’t say they are awful but they were tasteful. I would give it an 8/10.

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