11 Banquet Frozen Meals, Ranked Worst to Best
Frozen meals are a lifesaver on busy nights when cooking from scratch just isn’t happening and takeout is too expensive. Banquet is one of the most budget-friendly frozen meal brands in the U.S., with many meals priced under $4. But are any of them actually worth buying? A Tasting Table reviewer, Samantha Maxwell, put 11 Banquet frozen meals to the test, and the results were mixed at best. While most of the meals were bland, a few stood out for their better flavour and texture. Here’s how they ranked, from worst to best.
How the Meals Were Tested
All 11 meals were bought from a Star Market grocery store and cooked in the microwave according to the package instructions. Each one was tasted while hot and judged mainly on flavour, with texture also playing a big role. Meals with bolder flavour and decent texture ranked higher, while bland, watery or rubbery options landed near the bottom.
Mega Bowls Chicken Fajita Bowl (Ranked Worst)
Price: $3.99
The Chicken Fajita Bowl came in last place. The biggest problem was its texture, which was so soupy that the reviewer compared it to canned soup, while the rice somehow stayed slightly hard. The chicken was bland and sparse, there were only a few vegetables, and the ranchero sauce had an artificial taste that made the whole bowl less appealing.
Sweet and Sour Chicken (Ranked 10th)
Price: $2.49
Although cheap, the Sweet and Sour Chicken was one of the most disappointing meals. The rice was both watery and undercooked, and despite peppers featuring on the box, only a few tiny pieces were found inside. The breaded chicken was bland, and the sauce, the only flavourful part, was too sweet and cloying for the reviewer’s taste.
Backyard BBQ Meal (Ranked 9th)
Price: $2.49
The Backyard BBQ Meal features a rib-shaped patty made from pork and chicken. Its texture felt rubbery and nothing like real ribs, though the barbecue sauce added a pleasant smoky flavour. The sides let it down, with flavourless sweet corn and watery mashed potatoes.
Spaghetti and Meatballs (Ranked 8th)
Price: $2.49
The Spaghetti and Meatballs came with very little pasta and a thin, watery sauce that lacked the rich, savoury flavour of a good tomato sauce. The meatballs were the highlight, with a decent texture and a reasonable portion, even if they weren’t especially flavourful.
Mega Bowls Dynamite Penne With Meatballs (Ranked 7th)
Price: $3.99
The Dynamite Penne with Meatballs looked tempting on the box, but the sauce turned out to be surprisingly bland and the pasta was soft and soggy. What lifted it up the list was its satisfying meatballs and a more generous portion of pasta than the spaghetti meal.
Mega Bowls Country Fried Chicken (Ranked 6th)
Price: $3.99
Inspired by KFC’s Famous Bowl, the Country Fried Chicken bowl layers mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, cheese and breaded chicken. It looked good, but the chicken pieces were watery and very bland. The gravy added some richness, but not enough to make the bowl a convincing KFC alternative.
Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese (Ranked 5th)
Price: $3.99
This was the best of the pasta dishes. The Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese offered a decent portion of cheesy pasta, though the cheese didn’t taste particularly high quality. The chicken was a little sparse and the Buffalo flavour was barely noticeable, but overall it was edible and less bland than expected.
Turkey Pot Pie (Ranked 4th)
Price: $1.79
One of the cheapest meals in the lineup, the Turkey Pot Pie impressed with a pleasant crust and gravy that held up against pricier frozen pot pies. However, the turkey was scarce and nearly flavourless, and there weren’t many vegetables. It’s a small but solid option for anyone on a tight budget.
Chicken and Broccoli Pot Pie (Ranked 3rd)
Price: $1.79
The Chicken and Broccoli Pot Pie was very similar to the turkey version, with the same crust and gravy. There was little noticeable broccoli, but the chicken was slightly more moist and flavourful than the turkey, earning it a higher spot.
Salisbury Steak Meal (Ranked 2nd)
Price: $2.49
The Salisbury Steak Meal was a pleasant surprise. While the “steak” is made from a mix of chicken, pork and beef, it had a savoury saltiness that made it more interesting than many other meals. The gravy was tasty, if a little thin, and the apple dessert was decent, though the sweet corn was a letdown.
Beef Pot Pie (Ranked Best)
Price: $1.79
Taking the top spot is the Beef Pot Pie. It doesn’t contain much meat or vegetables and is fairly small, so you may want a side salad to make it a full meal. But its rich, meaty and flavourful gravy stood out after so many bland options, and the crust was solid. At just $1.79, it was the tastiest Banquet meal in the test.
Banquet Frozen Meals Ranked at a Glance
| Rank | Banquet Meal | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beef Pot Pie | $1.79 | Rich, flavourful gravy and solid crust |
| 2 | Salisbury Steak Meal | $2.49 | Savoury meat and tasty gravy |
| 3 | Chicken and Broccoli Pot Pie | $1.79 | Good crust, slightly better meat than turkey |
| 4 | Turkey Pot Pie | $1.79 | Pleasant crust and gravy, little turkey |
| 5 | Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese | $3.99 | Best pasta dish, mild Buffalo flavour |
| 6 | Mega Bowls Country Fried Chicken | $3.99 | Looks good, bland chicken |
| 7 | Mega Bowls Dynamite Penne With Meatballs | $3.99 | Good meatballs, bland sauce |
| 8 | Spaghetti and Meatballs | $2.49 | Little pasta, watery sauce |
| 9 | Backyard BBQ Meal | $2.49 | Smoky sauce, rubbery patty |
| 10 | Sweet and Sour Chicken | $2.49 | Watery rice, overly sweet sauce |
| 11 | Mega Bowls Chicken Fajita Bowl | $3.99 | Soupy texture, artificial-tasting sauce |
Prices were found at Star Market at the time of the review and may vary by location.
Tips for Making Frozen Meals Taste Better
- Add fresh vegetables. Stir in steamed broccoli, spinach or peppers to boost nutrition and texture.
- Season it up. A pinch of salt, pepper, chilli flakes or fresh herbs can liven up bland meals.
- Top it off. Grated cheese, hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon can add extra flavour.
- Use the oven when possible. Pot pies especially get a crispier crust when baked rather than microwaved.
- Let it rest. Standing time after microwaving helps the food heat evenly and thicken slightly.
The Bottom Line
Banquet frozen meals are among the cheapest options in the freezer aisle, but most fell short on flavour and texture in this taste test. If you’re picking one up, the Beef Pot Pie and Salisbury Steak Meal were the best of the bunch, while the pot pies in general offered the best value. The Chicken Fajita Bowl and Sweet and Sour Chicken, on the other hand, are ones to skip.
FAQ
What is the best Banquet frozen meal?
In Tasting Table’s taste test, the Banquet Beef Pot Pie ranked best thanks to its rich, flavourful gravy and solid crust.
What is the worst Banquet frozen meal?
The Mega Bowls Chicken Fajita Bowl ranked last because of its soupy texture and artificial-tasting sauce.
How much do Banquet frozen meals cost?
In the test, Banquet pot pies cost $1.79, classic meals cost $2.49, and Mega Bowls cost $3.99. Prices vary by store and region.
How can I make Banquet frozen meals taste better?
Add fresh vegetables, extra seasoning, cheese or hot sauce, and bake pot pies in the oven for a crispier crust.
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