Trader Joe's Cuban Style Citrus Garlic Bowl

The freezer aisle is always one of my favorite places to look around whenever I visit Trader Joe’s. The grocer, which is a cousin to Aldi, stocks a variety of single-serving meals in its freezer section. These meals go beyond simple frozen pizzas or chicken pot pies, although TJ’s carries those, too. Some of my favorites include the paneer tikka masala and Thai green curry.

During a recent Trader Joe’s run, I decided to try a Cuban style bowl for lunch. The package describes this as juicy chicken thighs with seasoned rice, black beans, and plantains in a zesty citrus and garlic sauce.

We buy products for review using our own funds. I paid $3.99 for an 11-ounce Trader Joe’s Cuban Style Citrus Garlic Bowl at my local Trader Joe’s in 2025. That comes out to about 36 cents per ounce.

If you’re looking out for allergens, the black beans in this dish may contain traces of soy and wheat.

This does have some sodium and carbs, and it does not have a great carbs-to-fiber ratio. One bowl has 400 calories, 18 grams of total fat (23% DV), 2 grams of saturated fat (10% DV), 540 mg of sodium (23% DV), 44 grams of total carbohydrates (16% DV), 1 gram of dietary fiber (4% DV), 13 grams of total sugars, 3 grams of added sugars (6% DV), and 16 grams of protein.

Trader Joe's Cuban Style Citrus Garlic Bowl — Nutrition facts and ingredients. (Click to enlarge.)

The box has directions for heating this in a microwave or a conventional oven.

To microwave, remove the outer package and pierce the film. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes or until heated through. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes before serving.

To bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the outer packaging and pierce the film. Place the bowl on a baking sheet on the center rack in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the film and stir, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Trader Joe's Cuban Style Citrus Garlic Bowl 3 — Ready to serve after microwaving.

I microwaved this for a quick lunch after a morning spent running errands. It hit the spot. I tend to like bowl meals that have a lot of different components, including protein, grains, veggies, and interesting seasonings. This fits that bill. It has plenty of chicken, and the plantains add unique texture and flavor. Overall, this was delicious.

The Verdict:

Trader Joe’s Cuban Style Citrus Garlic Bowl features chicken thighs, rice, black beans, plantains, and a flavorful citrus and garlic sauce. This is a winner in our opinion. If you’re looking for an easy lunch or dinner for one, give this a try.