Trader Joe's Chiles Rellenos con Queso are frozen poblano peppers stuffed with gooey cheese, lightly battered, and paired with a tangy red tomato sauce packet. They feel like a mini indulgence that delivers nostalgia and flavor-great for when you want something exciting from the freezer without all the mess.
What's in the box
Each box includes two individually wrapped stuffed peppers and one pouch of red sauce. The sauce is tomato-based with a little onion and mild spice-not fiery, but enough to cut through the richness of the cheese. You'll want to heat it separately and pour it over the rellenos once they're done cooking.
How to cook them
Steer clear of the microwave if you're chasing crispiness-air fryer or oven all the way. I cook mine in the air fryer at about 350°F for 15 minutes (flipping half-way), which gives a light and crunchy exterior while keeping the cheesy inside fabulously melty. While they cook, I heat the red sauce in a small pan and pour it over the rellenos before serving.
Taste and texture
The first bite hits you with that warm, nutty poblano pepper, followed by creamy cheese-soft, stretchy, and satisfying. The batter is lightly crispy, not greasy, giving it a restaurant-like vibe. The red tomato sauce adds tang and brightness, but there isn't a ton of it. If you like your rellenos really saucy, you'll probably wish for more.
Quick seasoning hack
Once the relleno is hot and crisp, drizzle it with a squeeze of lime juice and sprinkle on some crumbled queso fresco. Add the heated red sauce on top, then finish with guacamole or pico de gallo on the side. Suddenly, it feels like something plated at a restaurant.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Deliciously melty, cheesy interior with tender poblano flavor
- Crispy exterior when air-fried or oven-baked
- Comes with a tangy red sauce packet for extra flavor
- Convenient and freezer-ready
Cons:
- Only one sauce packet for both peppers-can feel skimpy
- Can be greasy depending on batch
- Poblano flavor is mild-pepper taste is subtle
My experience
I planned a quick dinner one night and pulled a box of these off the shelf. Slid them into the air fryer, simmered the red sauce on the stove, and in under 20 minutes I had a plate that looked way fancier than the effort involved. I added sour cream and cilantro on top, and it turned into one of those freezer meals that actually felt special.
Compare to my local taqueria
At my local taqueria, chiles rellenos are bigger, swimming in plenty of rich red sauce, and come with rice and beans. Trader Joe's version doesn't bring the same amount of sauce or portion size-it's lighter, smaller, and more of a snack. Still, when you crisp the peppers properly and use all the red sauce, the flavors come surprisingly close to the real thing.
Similar products
If you're into Mexican-inspired freezer wins, check out:
- Trader Joe's Taquitos
- Trader Joe's Chicken Burritos
- Trader Joe's Spanish Rice
Final thoughts
Trader Joe's Chiles Rellenos con Queso are a smart, flavorful shortcut when you want something comforting and cheesy but low-effort. The red sauce ties everything together, but you may want to add more of your own if you like your rellenos saucy. I'd give them 8 out of 10-solid, tasty, and most of all, fun to eat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆
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