Additional Coverage:
- I Ranked 9 Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners From Worst to Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide (parade.com)
As adults, the nightly question “What’s for dinner?” can become a tiresome routine.
Whether feeding just yourself or a bustling household, deciding on a meal each evening often feels like a chore. On those evenings when cooking feels like too much effort but you still want something satisfying, frozen meals offer a convenient solution-though their quality can vary widely.
Among the many frozen dinner brands that have come and gone, Hungry-Man has remained a familiar presence in freezer aisles nationwide. Curious about the brand’s enduring popularity, I decided to put several of their meals to the test.
Having grown up eating various frozen dinners but rarely indulging in them as an adult-especially since I cook frequently-I was intrigued to see how Hungry-Man’s offerings would hold up to my seasoned palate and how they compared to homemade fare.
To assist with the tasting, I enlisted my husband-my “resident hungry man”-to sample and rank nine different Hungry-Man meals. Here’s a breakdown of our experience.
What Are Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners?
Hungry-Man is a brand under the Conagra umbrella, which also owns names like Duncan Hines and Slim Jim. Their line includes a variety of frozen entrée options.
The brand describes its products as “flavor-packed freezer meals conveniently ready in minutes,” perfect for quick weeknight dinners or lunches. With a range of entrées and sides, Hungry-Man aims to satisfy diverse cravings.
Selecting the Meals
Hungry-Man offers two main meal lines:
- Hungry-Man Dinners: Quick and convenient, designed for microwave or oven preparation.
- Hungry-Man Selects: A premium line featuring choice ingredients, higher protein content, and homestyle flavors.
From their offerings (13 Dinners and 4 Selects), plus one additional item found locally, I chose eight Hungry-Man Dinners and one Selects meal to sample.
Testing Method
All meals were cooked using the microwave method, as it’s the most common preparation choice for convenience. I carefully followed each meal’s instructions, including peeling back plastic films and stirring when directed.
Notably, the brownies were removed partway through cooking per instructions to avoid overbaking. Each meal came with mashed potatoes, a vegetable side, and a sweet treat-either a brownie or an apple dessert. To avoid repetition, I’ll describe those components once here:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and buttery.
- Vegetables: Varied but generally a mix of green beans, corn, or mixed veggies.
- Desserts: Brownies were rich and chocolatey; apple desserts had a fruit-forward flavor with a pastry-like texture.
The Rankings: Nine Hungry-Man Meals from Least to Most Enjoyable
9. Hungry-Man Select Spicy Classic Fried Chicken
The mild spice on the dark meat chicken was overshadowed by dryness and tough texture, making it easier to eat with hands than a fork and knife. The mashed potatoes were smooth, but the veggies felt rubbery.
The apple dessert was reminiscent of a caramel apple empanada-pleasant but less preferred than the brownie.
8. Hungry-Man Beer Battered Chicken
The chicken patties had a texture similar to popcorn chicken but with less appealing breading flavor. The brownie was the highlight-soft with a rich chocolate taste akin to a Cosmic Brownie.
7. Hungry-Man Honey Bourbon Chicken
This meal’s chicken patties were overly moist, perhaps due to microwave cooking. The honey bourbon sauce added a welcome burst of flavor that helped elevate the dish.
6. Hungry-Man Boneless Pork Rib Shaped Patties
The barbecue sauce was the star, offering a sweet and mildly spicy glaze that enhanced the moist and hearty pork patties.
5. Hungry-Man Country Fried Chicken
The creamy gravy added a slight spice and richness, but the breaded chicken became soggy from sitting in gravy. Separating the gravy might improve texture.
4. Hungry-Man Southern Fried Popcorn Chicken
Bite-sized and well-seasoned, the popcorn chicken warmed nicely without drying out. It likely fares even better when oven-cooked.
3. Hungry-Man Smokin’ Backyard Barbeque
Featuring grilled chicken and pork patties in smoky chipotle barbecue sauce, this meal had good flavor and texture. Though not gourmet, the BBQ sauce and tender meats earned it a top spot.
2. Hungry-Man Homestyle Meatloaf
Soft and easy to cut, the meatloaf paired well with savory brown gravy. Note that uneven cooking-especially of the mashed potatoes beneath-requires careful stirring midway.
1. Hungry-Man Salisbury Steak
The standout meal featured tender Salisbury steak with mushroom and onion gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, and green beans. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a sauce that added satisfying flavor.
Both my husband and I agreed this was the best of the bunch and worth purchasing again.
Final Thoughts
While the microwave is convenient, I recommend using an oven whenever possible to avoid uneven heating, especially for meals with multiple components. Microwaving sometimes left mashed potatoes unevenly cooked and brownies with inconsistent textures.
Although I remain a fan of cooking my own meals, I recognize the appeal of Hungry-Man dinners for those pressed for time and in need of a quick, hearty option.
For anyone seeking a frozen dinner with a dependable flavor profile, the Salisbury Steak dinner is a solid choice.
Next up, we’ll continue exploring quick meal options to help make weeknight dinners easier and more enjoyable.