These Trader Joe's meatless meatballs were an impulse purchase for me over the summer and it's a good thing because otherwise there'd be no Faux Meat Friday reviews today. It rained all day yesterday with hurricane Sally bands hitting us, and there was no way I was going out to buy some faux meats to review. Luckily I unearthed these in the freezer, as they had found their way to the back. It's sad they ended up in the back, but I know they are still within the past six months new. Unearthed is probably far too dramatic of a term for this meatball exploration mission.
The rainy, dark, gloomy day also inspired my preparation choice on these: Swedish meatball style. I cooked the meatballs to package directions, which coincides well with the gravy recipe I used. The package directions are: place frozen meatballs in your favorite sauce or gravy. So I vegetarianized this Swedish meatball gravy recipe (no, I did not veganize it, figure that out yourself if you need it done that way) and simmered the meatballs in the gravy after it first simmered and thickened slightly. By the way, I used Edwards & Sons non-beef bouillon cubes to make the "beef" broth, and it worked like a charm, as always.
These turned out really great. If you've ever had the IKEA vegan Swedish meatballs, don't recoil. These are WAY better. One of the times we went to IKEA to shop for kitchen renovation supplies, we bought a few bags of their vegan meatballs and ended up tossing them after realizing how gross they are. This version however, will be making repeat appearances in this house. It should make appearances in your house too.
Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs
Brand: Trader Joe's
Meat Type: Beef
Taste: Savory, yet bland without any sauce component
Texture: Quite on point. Maybe a little softer and more yielding than real meatballs, but as Patrick put it "they are a load better than the veggie balls from IKEA". I agree with him wholeheartedly there. As I noted in the breakfast patties review, the warmer these are, the better, so get only a little at a time from the pot, and rewarm as needed.
Realisticness: 5/5
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)
It seems that being hot from the stove or oven is the key to more enjoyable meat alternatives. Heat is your friend when it comes to the most ideal faux meat textures.
Read about other meat alternatives that are worth spending your money on.
