We Tried The Infamous Trader Joe's Viral Frozen Pizza

Frozen pizza isn't exactly new territory — most of us have tossed a box into our carts at one point or another, whether out of convenience or just late-night hunger. Every so often, though, one particular pie seems to rise above the rest and earn a devoted following. That's exactly what's happened with Trader Joe's Uncured Pepperoni Pizza, a humble-looking option that's managed to spark outsized buzz online.

Trader Joe's is, of course, no stranger to cult favorites. The chain has built its reputation on freezer-aisle gems that taste better than they should for the price. From cauliflower gnocchi to dark chocolate peanut butter cups, fans love to debate which product is worthy of the hype. Still, when it comes to pizza, it's harder to win people over. That's why this particular frozen pizza has caught our attention. On paper, it's simple: wood-fired style crust, tangy tomato sauce, melted cheese, and plenty of uncured pepperoni. In practice, it's a weeknight dinner shortcut that has TikTok creators all over it. Affordable and easy to make, it's the latest reminder of how Trader Joe's manages to turn everyday foods into internet-famous must-trys.

So, could this viral pie really live up to its reputation? Naturally, I had to find out.

Like most of Trader Joe's freezer staples, the Uncured Pepperoni Pizza won't break the bank. At around $5.99 per pizza (prices may vary by location), it lands well below the cost of delivery and even cheaper than many competing frozen "wood-fired" style pies. It's a single pizza, but the generous size makes it easy to split between two people for a quick dinner or stretch further with a side salad.

Nutritionally, this isn't a "light" option, but what frozen pizza is? A serving clocks in at roughly 310 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 16 grams of protein — a balance that feels hearty without being too heavy. The sodium runs high (as is typical for frozen pizza), so it may not be an everyday meal for the health-conscious but rather a treat every once in a while. Still, for those looking for a comfort-food fix that delivers both flavor and value, it's a strong contender.

When cooked, the crust crisps up perfectly, but it is a crust heavy pizza. Since I'm not a huge fan of crust, this was a bit of a turn off — especially since the sides of the crust caused grease to pool in the center. One bright spot for me was the delicate balance struck with the tomato sauce and variety of cheeses. There's a subtle sweetness to the tomato sauce that might not be to people's liking, should they want a sauce that's herbier or tangier, but I quite enjoyed it. When combined with the cheese blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmigiano Reggiano, it created a perfect bite — one that reminded me of slices you get from brick ovens. 

Up front, I'll say that I'm not always a huge fan of pepperoni on pizza, given how greasy it can make things. However, these slices added just the right amount of salt and savoriness. Something that I didn't love was the distinct flimsiness in the center of the pizza, even after cooking at the appropriate temperature and time. Whether that's due to the pepperoni or excessive amounts of cheese, I couldn't say, but it's certainly something to watch out for.

There are reviews online that have very few kind things to say about this pizza, but that's likely because it seems to be a re-release of a previous cult favorite. As with anything, changes are not always welcome and plenty of fans had critical things to share. If you have no original recipe to compare it to, however, this is a solid pizza choice.

Overall, the Trader Joe's Uncured Pepperoni Pizza delivered more than I expected from a frozen pizza. While the crust leaned heavier than I'd have liked — and the center lacked a bit of structure — the combination of subtly sweet tomato sauce and quality cheese blend made it an enjoyable option. I can see why it built such a loyal following, even if some fans remain skeptical about changes from the original version.

For me, this isn't an everyday freezer staple, but it's one I'd happily grab again if I want something quick that feels like a step up from the usual frozen aisle suspects. Much like other Trader Joe's cult favorites, it's not perfect, but it has enough character — and enough flavor — to earn its spot in the rotation. If you're curious whether the hype is warranted, this is one of those cases where it's worth seeing for yourself.