Trader Joe’s shoppers were disappointed recently when the grocery chain quietly discontinued their popular frozen Turkey Bolognese sauce. The pre-made tomato-based meat sauce was a quick and easy meal solution for many customers. Its discontinuation in early 2022 left pasta lovers searching for an adequate replacement.
What Was the Turkey Bolognese Sauce?
The Trader Joe’s Turkey Bolognese was part of their ‘Just the Sauce’ line of convenient pasta sauces It contained a mixture of ground turkey, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, white wine, olive oil, and Italian herbs and spices The sauce came frozen in a 24 oz plastic tub.
Shoppers loved that the sauce tasted fresh and homemade but took only minutes to prepare. It was an easy weeknight dinner option when paired with pasta. The turkey gave it a lighter feel than traditional beef Bolognese.
Why Was It Discontinued?
Trader Joe’s has not provided an official reason for discontinuing the Turkey Bolognese. However, fans speculate it may have been due to
- Supply chain issues interrupting availability of key ingredients
- Poor sales performance compared to other ‘Just the Sauce’ varieties
- The product not meeting Trader Joe’s high quality standards
- Issues with the supplier or manufacturer
Discontinuations are common at Trader Joe’s as they regularly cycle products in and out. However, the Turkey Bolognese seemed to have a dedicated fan base that was caught off guard by its abrupt removal.
How Did Customers React?
Devoted buyers of the Turkey Bolognese took to social media to express their disappointment. A thread on Reddit contained over 300 comments lamenting the loss. Instagram fan accounts also documented the news.
Many customers complained that the sauce was their ‘go-to’ for quick dinners and that nothing else compared. The sauce’s versatility with pasta, on pizza, in lasagna, etc. was frequently mentioned.
While some committed to stockpiling any remaining inventory, most resigned themselves to trying new options. The discontinuation seemed personal for some die-hard fans.
What’s the Best Replacement for Trader Joe’s Turkey Bolognese?
Finding a worthy alternative has proven a challenge for Turkey Bolognese devotees. Here are some of the top recommendations from shoppers:
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Trader Giotto’s Organic Marinara with Turkey Meatballs – Similar turkey flavor but contains chunks instead of ground meat.
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Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Sauce – Plant-based, spicy, tangy sauce for a unique twist.
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Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce – Well-balanced premium sauce with authentic Italian flavors.
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Target Good & Gather Bolognese Sauce – Budget-friendly option that mimics the Trader Joe’s taste.
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Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – High-quality authentic Italian marinara, but pricier.
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Making your own – Many suggest homemade as the only way to replicate the real thing.
How to Make Turkey Bolognese from Scratch
Recreating the flavors of Trader Joe’s Turkey Bolognese at home is doable with the right techniques:
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Use a mix of ground turkey and fatty pork for depth of flavor.
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Cook the meat low and slow until browned to prevent dryness.
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Include the classic ‘mirepoix’ veggies – carrots, celery, onion – for sweetness.
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Deglaze with wine to scrape up browned bits for rich sauce.
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Simmer at least 1 hour for thick, meaty sauce.
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Season with Italian herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
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Finish with cream or milk to balance acidity (optional).
Satisfying Your Pasta Cravings Without Turkey Bolognese
Although this beloved sauce is gone, the Trader Joe’s freezer section still offers many quick and tasty pasta dinner options such as:
- Cauliflower Gnocchi in Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Palak Paneer
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Shrimp Scampi
- Mac & Cheese Bites
- Vegetable Bird’s Nests
The search continues for the perfect substitute for the Turkey Bolognese magic. But in the meantime, these alternatives help fill the hand-crafted, homemade taste void left on Trader Joe’s shelves.
Goodbye (for now, at least) to pickle-flavored popcorn and turkey bolognese
Every season, Trader Joe’s adds new foods to its shelves, such as baked goods, frozen treats, snacks that you can pack, and meals that are already made. There are also seasonal treats that are only available for a short time but are still loved by many.
Unfortunately, constant variety also means frequent product discontinuations. Some items are taken off the shelves because they don’t sell well, and others are taken off because they have problems with the product. To keep you from getting sad on your next trip to TJs, Salon Food has put together a list of 6 items that will no longer be sold this summer, based on posts from loyal customers on social media.
This list adds to Salon Foods growing library of supermarket guides. If going back to school is on your mind, check out these six easy things to pack for lunch.
1. Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Despite being a fan-favorite in this years TJs Customer Choice Awards, the retailers rendition of Takis is being discontinued. The news first made rounds on Reddit, much to the disappointment of countless fans.
“Nooooooooooo I will cry,” wrote user u/kelseyxcx. “I asked a store associate and they said no and that they had them earlier that day but every store I go to its not there I even checked today.” Another user simply commented, “This is the worst news ever,” while a separate customer praised the tasted of these rolled snacks, saying, they are “better than Takis!”
According to some Trader Joe’s employees, the chips may be sold at some stores because the places where products are taken off the market vary by region.
“As a TJs crew member, I can tell you discontinued doesnt necessarily mean what it used to mean,” user u/radarluv explained. “Nowadays we find that a supplier that cant fulfill TJs order needs causes a product to go [discontinued] until a new provider can be found. Finding a new supplier, writing up new contracts, sourcing the materials and getting them to market can take a long long time. Sucks for all of us.”
2. Dark Russet Potato Chips
These crunchy, kettle-cooked chips are another fan-favorite item that has been removed from store shelves. The announcement was made by Trader Joes to be discontinued, an Instagram blogger who routinely highlights discontinued TJs items.
“Why?! I am crushed that @traderjoes would discontinue something that was so right!” wrote one user in the comments section. In the same vein, another user complained about the news, saying, “Im frustrated these have become a staple for me.”
3. Vegan Beet Hummus Rainbow Wrap
After almost four years in the market, TJs vegan wrap has left store shelves. Although the retailer hasnt confirmed the discontinuation, user u/babyyodaonline on Reddit shared the news this week.
“One of my favorite TJs product got discontinued!!! The vegan beet hummus rainbow wrap!” they wrote. “Im DEVASTATED. I went in today to grab one for my work lunch later this week and they were gone! I asked and apparently its discontinued.”
Another disappointed user, u/meowsqueak_, wrote, “Seriously! Its my primary source for buying healthyish prepared lunch options for my partner, and the past few times Ive been shopping Ive came back with almost nothing in the easy workday lunch dept. Where are the wraps, salad kits, anything?”
4. Organic Chia Bar
Loaded with almonds, cranberries and pumpkin seeds, these tasty energy bars are another product that has been discontinued. These bars are hailed as a life-saver and breakfast staple amongst many of the grocerys consumers.
“These and the berry granola balls were my favourite,” commented one mourning user on Instagram. Another user wrote a dramatic “Noooooooooo!” before stating that the bars “saved” them so many times.
5. Popcorn in a Pickle
This dill pickle-flavored snack was only sold during certain times of the year, but it was taken off the shelves for good in early June and won’t be coming back any time soon.
Fans of TJs popcorn in a pickle can try recreating them at home by sprinkling TJs new pickle seasoning on fresh popcorn. Or, per the Instagram page Trader Joes to be Discontinued, a similar tasting product can be picked up right now from Aldi.
6. “Just Sauce” Turkey Bolognese
This ragù sauce with ground turkey and tomatoes is great on pasta or bread (to make a Sloppy Joe). But sadly, it has also been discontinued and will no longer be available for purchase.
“My store in Reno, NV hasnt had it in a very long time,” wrote one user on Instagram. “They looked in the computer and told me about a month ago that it was discontinued.” Another user bashed the news as false, alleging that the sauce was still on the shelves of their local TJs. The majority of commenters, however, confirmed with their local crew members that the product is no longer available.
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Joy Saha is a staff writer at Salon. She writes about food news and trends and their intersection with culture. She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Not twirling my spaghetti in front of my Italian husband #shorts
FAQ
Does Trader Joe’s still sell turkey bolognese?
Does Bolognese have stock in it?
Does Trader Joe’s have Turkey Bolognese?
Then, one day while roaming the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe’s, something miraculous happened: I spotted a box which read “Just the Sauce: Turkey Bolognese.” I was understandably skeptical. After all, how could a frozen pasta sauce possibly compare to the real thing?
What happened to Turkey Bolognese?
“Just Sauce” Turkey Bolognese This tomato-based ragù sauce made with ground turkey is great on pasta or on bread (to make a Sloppy Joe). But sadly, it has also been discontinued and will no longer be available for purchase. “My store in Reno, NV hasn’t had it in a very long time,” wrote one user on Instagram.
Why was Turkey Bolognese discontinued?
It’s unclear what led to the product being discontinued, especially because so many shoppers routinely bought boxes of the bolognese for years. In April, Reddit user u/mrs_traderjoes posted a review, rating the Turkey Bolognese a ten out of ten: “This is a new staple in my life.
Did Trader Joe’s stop selling russet potato chips?
Dark Russet Potato Chips These crunchy, kettle-cooked chips are another fan-favorite item that has been removed from store shelves. The announcement was made by Trader Joe’s to be discontinued, an Instagram blogger who routinely highlights discontinued TJ’s items.
What happened to Trader Joe’s frozen pizza?
Out of all Trader Joe’s frozen pizzas, this was the favorite of many. But after months of speculation about spotty supply, @traderjoestobediscontinued, an Instagram fan account that tips off shoppers on the latest product announcements, confirmed the discontinuation in January. “Booo! This was the best pizza they have ever sold. How disappointing.
Does Trader Joe’s have seasonal food?
At the turn of each season, Trader Joe’s updates its inventory with new food items, from baked goods and frozen treats to packable snacks and ready-to-eat meals. There are also the occasional seasonal goodies, which are available for a limited time only but still beloved by many.