While it’s widely known that Trader Joe’s might not cover all your grocery needs, you can always count on the popular neighborhood grocer to look out for your furry friends. No matter the time of year, alongside its long list of seasonal grocery finds, shoppers can always pick up a special treat for the dogs and cats in the family.
This week, while on the hunt for a seasonal treat of my own, I stumbled across a hearty year-round find that somehow had slipped under my radar. At just $5.99 for a four-ounce bag, Trader Joe’s Freeze-Dried Beef Meatballs for Dogs deliver the perfect mix of intriguing TJ’s discovery and guaranteed dog freakout at first sniff, so I knew I had to grab a bag. What I didn’t expect was that I was bringing home a new pantry staple.
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Freeze-Dried Beef Meatballs for Dogs, $5.99 at Trader Joe’s
Nathan Hutsenpiller
Trader Joe’s Freeze-Dried Beef Meatballs for Dogs are bite-sized, grain-free morsels made with 99-percent beef and beef liver, sourced right here in the USA. They’re lightly seasoned with salt, sage and rosemary, then gently freeze-dried to lock in their rich, meaty flavor. Packed with protein and perfectly portioned for snacking, these meatball-style treats are a savory bite your good boy or girl will go absolutely nuts for.
Why This Treat Makes the Cut
Right off the bat, what grabbed my attention with this TJ’s find was how full the four-ounce bag was. I also love that it’s resealable, making it perfect for doling out treats throughout the week while keeping the rest fresh for weeks on end. And at $5.99 per bag, it’s an easy spend—though at this point I wouldn’t mind purchasing them in bulk. (Hint, hint, Trader Joe’s.)
Another great perk of a freeze-dried snack like this is that it can be stored in the freezer for later. If your pup loves these meatballs as much as my little schnauzer did, it’s worth grabbing a few bags at a time and tossing some in the freezer for another day. While this is a year-round offering, Trader Joe’s specialty finds like this tend to sell out fast, and considering there are only four-ounce bags available, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
How to Serve Trader Joe’s Freeze-Dried Beef Meatballs for Dogs
Nathan Hutsenpiller
Whether you’re serving them up with kibble, using them for training purposes, or simply rewarding your pup for being such a good boy, these tasty little meatballs are perfect for the job. Each 10-calorie treat packs at least 31 percent crude protein and 30 percent crude fat, making them just as smart for training as they are for casual, between-meal snacking.
You can even crush and sprinkle them over your doggo’s dinner for a full-on Italian moment, a move my little guy used as an excuse to devour his entire bowl. Just the right size for a one-bite reward and made with no added fillers, binders or artificial extras, these treats are a perfect holiday pick-up for your furry friend. With a touch of vitamin E to keep them fresh, you can count on them to last for weeks after opening.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.