“How, exactly, has Trader Joe’s made a vegan version of a classically pescatarian dish like poke?”, you may be asking. The answer revolves around something of a textural magic trick. If you’ve never partaken of poke before, it’s a traditional Hawaiian treat made with raw, cut-up fish, marinated in a variety of sauces and seasonings. As it turns out, roasted beets have a remarkably similar texture to sashimi-grade tuna, especially when marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil—firm, yet delicate. So, that’s how Trader Joe’s Vegan Poke evokes the tender, toothsome texture and superbly saucy flavors of poke, while still maintaining an entirely plant-based ingredient deck.

Each batch of Trader Joe’s Vegan Poke comes ready to eat, right out of the package, no heating required. In fact, we’d strongly suggest eating it chilled, as you would traditional poke. We also strongly suggest serving it over a bed of rice or mixed greens for an effortless entrée (we especially like it as a quick lunch option.) That said, it also makes a great side dish or appetizer ingredient, too—Vegan Poke nachos, anyone?