Name: Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe For Easy Meals
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (about 160 g) Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend; 2 cups (about 480 ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth; 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus a little extra for finishing); ½ medium onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt and pepper, to taste; Fresh herbs for garnish: parsley, thyme or basil (choose one or mix); Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar for brightness

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What I like about the Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe is that it teaches balance — how to combine different grains for a dish that feels complete.

As a chef, I look for texture and timing, and this blend nails both. The couscous and orzo cook quickly, the garbanzo beans stay firm, and the quinoa ties it all together.

Cooked in broth with onions, garlic, and olive oil, it turns into a perfect grain pilaf that’s as good on its own as it is next to roasted vegetables or grilled meat. Once you learn the base technique, you can create countless flavor combinations from it.

What Is Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend?

The Harvest Blend (also called the Harvest Grains or Harvest Grain Blend) from Trader Joe’s is a dried mix of grains and beans: Israeli-style couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa. It’s sold in a 16-oz bag and is found in the pasta/grain aisle.

What makes it useful is the texture variety—and the fact that it cooks relatively quickly, making it great for a side dish or as the base for a full meal in bowl form.

Simple Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe At Home

Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe — a grain-based side dish or meal featuring that Harvest Blend from Trader Joe’s, cooked in broth with garlic and herbs and served warm or as leftovers later.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: ~5 minutes
Cook Time: ~15–20 minutes
Total Time: ~20–25 minutes
Cuisine: American / casual home kitchen
Course: Side dish or main dish (when turned into a grain bowl)
Yield: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: Approx. 250-300 (varies with broth and oil)

Ingredients

1 cup (about 160 g) Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend
2 cups (about 480 ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 tablespoon olive oil (plus a little extra for finishing)
½ medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh herbs for garnish: parsley, thyme or basil (choose one or mix)
Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar for brightness

Ingredient Notes & Substitutes

The Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend is the core. If you don’t have it, you could mix orzo + red quinoa + baby garbanzo beans + Israeli couscous, though using the exact bag gives the easiest result.
Broth gives extra flavour: using chicken broth (if you’re not vegetarian) makes the dish richer; vegetable broth keeps it lighter.
Olive oil adds smoothness; if you prefer butter, you could use a tablespoon of butter instead.

Onions and garlic build flavour—don’t skip them unless you’re very short on time.
Fresh herbs at the end lift the dish visually and flavour-wise.
For variation: you can stir in cooked chicken, roasted vegetables, or have the dish cold as a grain salad.

Trader Joe's Harvest Blend — **CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON**

Instructions

Prepare your pan. Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and the olive oil. Stir for about 2–3 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Add garlic. Add the minced garlic and continue stirring for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant—but don’t let it brown too much.
Add broth and bring to a boil. Pour in the 2 cups of broth, and increase heat to bring it to a gentle boil.

Add the Harvest Blend. Once the liquid is boiling, stir in the 1 cup of Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend. Give it a quick stir to distribute everything.
Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 12–15 minutes, or until the grains have absorbed the liquid and are tender. (If you peek and it still seems watery at 12 minutes, continue for another 2–3 minutes.)
Fluff and season. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover and fluff the grains with a fork. Taste and add salt & pepper as needed. If desired, stir in a little more olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Add fresh herbs and serve. Transfer to a serving dish or dinner plates, sprinkle the fresh chopped herbs (parsley, thyme, or basil) on top. If you’re turning it into a grain bowl, arrange your additional toppings now (see next section).

Pairing & Serving Suggestions

As a side dish, serve this Harvest Blend with grilled chicken, salmon or roasted veggies. The grains soak up flavour and provide a nice counterpoint to protein-rich mains.
As a grain bowl, transform it by topping with: cooked chicken (or chickpeas for a vegetarian version), roasted sweet potato or zucchini, fresh greens (spinach or kale), a vinaigrette or tahini dressing, and maybe a handful of nuts or seeds for crunch.

If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge and reheat gently: add a splash of broth and warm in the microwave or on the stove until hot. The flavours settle nicely after a bit of time.
Garnish with a sprinkle of feta or goat cheese, or add a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side for creamy contrast.
For beverages: something crisp and light, like a chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon, complements the dish well.

My Personal Touch & Expert Tips

I make this in one pan, which means fewer dishes and less cleanup—big win for me after a busy day.
When I first tried the Harvest Blend, I noticed it has different textures in one bag: the softer orzo and couscous, the slightly firmer garbanzo beans and quinoa. That texture mix surprised me in a good way.
If you cook it strictly according to package directions, check slightly early—because my stove runs a bit hot and I don’t want it sticking to the bottom. Stir once or twice during simmering.

To lock in flavour: use broth instead of water, and at the end, a little fresh herb or lemon juice goes a long way. It lifts the dish from “just grains” to “deliberate dish.”
If you plan to use leftovers, I prefer cooking at full strength, then when reheating add a few tablespoons of broth so it doesn’t dry out.
For variation: swap out fresh herbs for chopped basil or even mint if serving with Mediterranean-style toppings.

When serving children or picky eaters: I skip the herbs at first and serve plain, then let them mix in herbs themselves if they like. It gives control and builds interest.
For a vegetarian meal: after the grains are cooked, stir in a drained can of garbanzo beans (yes, the bag already has baby garbanzos but extra beans reinforce it) and roasted veggies; season with smoked paprika for a gentle twist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I Cook The Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend In Water Instead Of Broth?

Yes, you can use water, but using broth gives more flavour to the dish. The base bag has minimal seasoning so the cooking liquid makes a big difference.

How Do I Reheat Leftovers So They Stay Moist?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. When reheating, add a splash (2–3 tbsp) of broth or water and warm on low heat, stirring occasionally so the grains don’t dry out or stick.

Can I Make This Dish Gluten-Free?

The Harvest Blend includes orzo and couscous (which contain gluten), so it is not gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free alternative, use red quinoa plus other gluten-free grains or beans instead.

What’s The Best Ratio Of Liquid To Grains For This Mix?

I find about 2 cups of broth for 1 cup of the dried blend works well (as I used above). Some sources suggest similar amounts like in step-by-step guides. The Addy Bean

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked dish. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat with added broth so it regains moisture.

Thanks for hanging out with me here in the kitchen of “Naznin’s Kitchen.” I hope you give this Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe a try and find it as flexible, forgiving, and satisfying as I do. Whether you serve it as a warm side dish or turn it into a full grain bowl with your favorite toppings, it’s sure to become a pantry staple in your home.

If you enjoy Trader Joe’s recipes like this one, you might also love my Yellow Curry Trader Joe’s Recipe or my Trader Joe’s Curry Chicken Salad Recipe—both are flavorful, easy options for busy days.

Drop me a note and let me know how you served your Harvest Blend—what add-ins you used, what herbs you picked, and if you came up with your own twist. I’d love to hear it. Happy cooking, and here’s to good food and simple meals done well!