The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find So Good I Buy 6 at a Time
I never leave the store without them.
Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock
I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but here they are: Since making more of an intention to peek down the grocery aisles of every Dollar Tree I visit, I've discovered some quality staple products.
I buy my favorite freeze-dried fruit there (best deal ever), shelf-stable gnocchi, these handy rice packs, and much more. So I wasn't surprised that they also carry single-serving pouches of Bumble Bee Tuna for just $1.25. The ready-to-go, flavor-packed, protein-rich pouches are so convenient that I can't resist grabbing at least six every time I shop there.
Why I Love Bumble Bee Tuna Pouches
These aren't your average tuna pouches. For one thing, no prep is needed. Each pouch is packed with seasoned tuna that comes in a variety of mouthwatering flavors like chipotle, lemon and pepper, spicy Thai chili, lemon, sesame, and ginger, roasted garlic and herb, and jalapeño, among others.
A single serving package clocks in at around 15 grams of protein, making it perfect for a quick high-protein meal, a snack for my athlete husband, or a satisfying meal component. They're also MSC-certified (Marine Stewardship Council), meaning the tuna is sustainably sourced, which makes me feel good about what I'm buying.
Beyond the convenience of the tuna being seasoned and ready to eat, each pouch also comes with its own spork, which I don't often use but find a very thoughtful addition that makes them a proper grab-and-go option. (And if you’re trying to get your kid to eat more fish, the spork might make it feel fun after reading this book.)
Simply Recipes / Bumble Bee Foods
How My Family Eats Bumble Bee Tuna Pouches
I love how easily these pouches add tasty heft and sustenance to any grain, bagged salad, or slice of bread. Just yesterday, I tossed the black pepper and sea salt tuna onto a bagged salad for a quick lunch. For my daughter, who claims not to like fish, I served the roasted garlic and herb tuna with crackers for a post-soccer snack last week, and she and her brother devoured it!
On nights when cooking feels like a chore, I've found that the jalapeño flavor makes a decent tuna melt with minimal effort. The variety of flavors keeps things interesting. The lemon, sesame, and ginger tuna inspired an impromptu rice bowl my whole family loved. And I'll admit, I've eaten the spicy Thai chili tuna straight from the pouch when I needed something quick on a busy afternoon.
When I'm stumped about what to make for a meal, these pouches have been handy. The tear-open top means no can opener is needed, and the ability to eat straight from the pouch also has the advantage of little to no dishes needing washing. Though a fairly recent discovery, they've saved me several times from the dreaded "what's for lunch?" dilemma already. So next time you're at the Dollar Tree, do your future, unprepared, hungry self a favor and pick up a few for backup!
Read the original article on Simply Recipes.
