Is Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Good? A Dietitian’s Review
Here is a Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend Review from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master’s in Nutrition. My review might surprise you!
In this review, I discuss versatility, taste, nutrition, and more!
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What is Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend?
Before I jump into the Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend Review, let’s review what the product is!
The Harvest Blend at Trader Joe’s, also called Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend contains the different grains of Israeli couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa.
This product comes in a 16oz bag and can be found in the pasta and grain aisle in Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Product Scorecard
I scored Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend across five categories and allotted points from 0 to 10. The scores below reflect the rating for each category.
Overall Score: 8.25/10
- Meal Variety: 10/10
- Nutrition: 7/10
- Ease of preparation: 8/10
- Taste: 8/10
+PRO
You can do so much with this grain mix. It is a fantastic ingredient to add to meals and recipes.
Dinner ready in under 30 minutes
12g of protein (37% calories coming from protein, for a grain mix this is great!)
320 calories or ½ cup dry mix
xCON
Only 4g fiber – this is a con light. 4g is pretty good but it could be better
Needs additional protein sources, veggies, and flavorings for this to be a balanced meal.
Available on Amazon However, you have to buy a pack of three and it is more expensive than purchasing in store.
Applications of Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend
Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend is excellent in a variety of dishes.
Some of my favorites include:
- As a side dish
- Added to a Harvest Grains Salad or grain bowls – check out one of my latest recipes, perfect for a last-minute meal, the Greek Salad Inspired Harvest Grains Bowl.
- Sprinkled over a tossed garden salad
- Tossed into soups
- Stuffed into veggies
It is a great product for when you don’t know what to have for dinner and you don’t have much time.
A Dietitian’s Nutrition Analysis
I wish this product had more quinoa or legumes. So, to bump up the fiber and protein, I add more quinoa and some lentils into my mix!
Incorporate the Harvest Grains Mix with your favorite combination of veggies and some protein for a balanced meal, such as goat cheese, pine nuts, chicken, fish, or tofu.
Ease Of Cooking
A Harvest Blend dinner can be ready in under 30 minutes.
The directions say to bring water or chicken stock (you could also use vegetable stock, or vegetable broth) or to a boil then stir in the Harvest blend with one tablespoon of butter (avocado, coconut, or olive oil work well too).
Then bring the mixture back to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer, covered for 10 minutes. Please note, that cooking times may vary slightly from stove to stove.
You can eat this immediately or make a batch in advance for some meal prep! This recipe tastes just as good served the next day.
Taste of Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipes
This product makes so many different delicious recipes. I love the varieties of textures, sizes, and shapes of the grains included. However, alone Harvest Grains Blend does not have tons of flavor.
This product requires you to add your seasoning because they are not included in the package. However, this makes this product super versatile.
You can add so many seasoning combinations from garlic and herb (minced garlic with fresh parsley, dried oregano, and thyme) to lemon pepper (lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper) to olive rosemary (olive slices, red pepper flakes, and as the grain mix cooks include a spring of fresh rosemary to infuse the mixture.
Who is this product suitable for?
I recommend this product as an easy weeknight meal staple. It brings fiber and protein to the mix and pairs well with many varieties of foods.
It is excellent for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians alike!
Please note, that this product is not gluten-free.
The Bottom Line
The next time you are strolling the isles at Trader Joe’s consider picking up a bag of their Harvest Blend.
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Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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