Trader Joe’s Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels
Why It Scored This Way
Good overall nutrition gives this product clear value, though some processing or minor tradeoffs keep it from ranking higher.
- Protein
- Fiber
- Saturated Fat
- Sodium
Verdict
Trader Joe’s Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels are breaded, plant-based nuggets paired with a citrus-flavored sauce. Its main strength is a high protein count, while its main tradeoff is high sodium. Overall, it is a flavor-dense centerpiece for a quick plant-based dinner.
How to Use This
Suitable for regular use a few times per week within a balanced diet, especially as part of a complete meal. Pair it with steamed broccoli and brown rice for a complete stir-fry bowl.
Nutrition Overview
The label shows a strong combination of protein and fiber with very low saturated fat. However, the sodium levels are significant, reflecting the savory nature of the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 270 | Per serving |
| Total Fat | 8g | 10% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Sodium | 720mg | 31% |
| Total Carbs | 29g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g | 25% |
| Total Sugars | 15g | — |
| Protein | 20g | — |
Ingredient Analysis
The morsels are built from soy flour, textured wheat protein, and wheat gluten with a flour-based breading. The accompanying orange sauce adds sugar and soy sauce, while methyl cellulose and starches provide the structure needed for a frozen, formulated product.
Ingredients
WATER, ORANGE SAUCE (SUGAR, WATER, SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOYBEANS, SALT, ORGANIC ALCOHOL], ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, SALTED SAKE [WATER, RICE, SALT], CORNSTARCH, GARLIC PUREE [GARLIC, CITRIC ACID {ACIDIFIER}], GINGER PUREE [GINGER, CITRIC ACID {ACIDIFIER}], ORGANIC SOYBEAN OIL, NATURAL ORANGE FLAVOR, RED PEPPER), SOY FLOUR, TEXTURED WHEAT PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, WHEAT STARCH, SODIUM CARBONATE, MIXED TOCOPHEROLS), WHEAT GLUTEN, EXPELLER PRESSED CANOLA OIL, BREADING (WHEAT FLOUR, RICE FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, SPICE, LEAVENING [SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE]), METHYL CELLULOSE, NATURAL FLAVORS, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE.
