Costco offers a wide array of prepared foods, making meal planning convenient for many. However, not all items are created equal. Here’s a comprehensive review of 23 Costco prepared foods, highlighting the hits you shouldn’t miss and the misses you might want to avoid.
The Hits: 12 Must-Try Costco Prepared Foods
1. Rotisserie Chicken $4.99 for 3 lbs
A Costco classic, this juicy and tender chicken is a versatile meal staple that’s ready to eat.
Nutrition Facts per 3 oz serving:
Calories: 140
Protein: 19g
Total Fat: 7g
Sodium: 460mg
Ingredients:
Whole chicken
Water
Seasoning salt, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, potato dextrin, carrageenan, sugar, dextrose, spice extractives
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Serve as-is, shred for salads, or use in soups and casseroles.
2. Chicken Street Tacos $16.99 for 3 lbs
This meal kit includes everything you need for taco night: seasoned chicken, tortillas, cheese, slaw, salsa, and crema.
Nutrition Facts per taco:
Calories: 150
Protein: 10g
Total Fat: 6g
Sodium: 350mg
Ingredients:
Seasoned chicken breast
Corn tortillas
Shredded cheese blend
Cabbage slaw
Salsa
Cilantro lime crema
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Assemble and heat for an easy, flavorful dinner.
3. Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes $16.99 for 2.5 lbs
This comfort-food classic features seasoned meatloaf paired with creamy mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 350
Protein: 20g
Total Fat: 15g
Sodium: 800mg
Ingredients:
Ground beef
Breadcrumbs
Eggs
Onions
Ketchup
Mashed potatoes potatoes, butter, cream, salt
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake in the oven until heated through and serve.
4. Chicken Salad $10.99 for 2 lbs
Made with Costco’s rotisserie chicken, this salad is a flavorful, no-cook option for lunch or dinner.
Nutrition Facts per 1/2 cup serving:
Calories: 250
Protein: 14g
Total Fat: 20g
Sodium: 450mg
Ingredients:
Rotisserie chicken
Mayonnaise
Celery
Onions
Spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Serve on bread, crackers, or fresh greens.
5. Tempura Shrimp Taco Kit $17.99 for 3 lbs
Includes crispy shrimp, tortillas, and toppings for assembling gourmet tacos at home.
Nutrition Facts per taco:
Calories: 180
Protein: 9g
Total Fat: 8g
Sodium: 400mg
Ingredients:
Tempura shrimp
Flour tortillas
Cabbage slaw
Sweet chili sauce
Lime wedges
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Heat shrimp and assemble tacos for a quick meal.
6. Stuffed Bell Peppers $19.99 for 6 peppers
These peppers are stuffed with ground beef, rice, and spices for a hearty meal.
Nutrition Facts per pepper:
Calories: 290
Protein: 15g
Total Fat: 9g
Sodium: 600mg
Ingredients:
Bell peppers
Ground beef
Cooked rice
Tomato sauce
Onions
Spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake in the oven and serve with a side salad.
7. Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter $29.99 for 2 lbs
Oven-ready salmon filets with rich pesto butter for a gourmet touch.
Nutrition Facts per 4 oz serving:
Calories: 320
Protein: 25g
Total Fat: 22g
Sodium: 200mg
Ingredients:
Atlantic salmon
Basil pesto basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil
Butter
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake until cooked through and pair with roasted veggies.
8. Chicken Enchilada Bake $14.99 for 3 lbs
This lasagna-style casserole features enchilada sauce, chicken, and cheese.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 300
Protein: 20g
Total Fat: 12g
Sodium: 700mg
Ingredients:
Shredded chicken
Corn tortillas
Enchilada sauce
Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
Onions
Spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake until bubbly and serve with a side of guacamole.
9. Mac and Cheese $9.99 for 4 lbs
This ultra-creamy dish is perfect for cheese lovers.
Nutrition Facts per 1 cup serving:
Calories: 290
Protein: 11g
Total Fat: 15g
Sodium: 600mg
Ingredients:
Elbow macaroni
Cheddar cheese
Milk
Butter
Flour
Spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake until golden or mix in bacon for extra flavor.
10. Shepherd’s Pie $15.99 for 4 lbs
This hearty dish combines ground beef, veggies, and mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 350
Protein: 18g
Total Fat: 16g
Sodium: 750mg
Ingredients:
Ground beef
Mashed potatoes
Carrots
Peas
Onions
Gravy
Spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake until golden and serve warm.
11. Beef Chili $12.99 for 2.5 lbs
A hearty chili with tender beef, beans, and robust spices.
Nutrition Facts per 1 cup serving:
Calories: 280
Protein: 18g
Total Fat: 12g
Sodium: 800mg
12. Chicken Pot Pie $18.99 for 5 lbs
A flaky crust encases tender chicken, veggies, and creamy sauce, perfect for a cozy, comforting meal.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 400
Protein: 25g
Total Fat: 22g
Sodium: 850mg
Ingredients:
Chicken, peas, carrots, celery
Cream, butter, flour
Puff pastry
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake until golden brown and serve warm with a fresh side salad.
The Misses: 11 Costco Prepared Foods to Skip
While Costco offers many high-quality prepared foods, not every item is a winner. Here are the 11 misses to avoid, along with why they fell short.
1. Tortellini Pasta Salad $7.99 for 2 lbs
Criticized for overcooked pasta and an overly greasy, under-seasoned dressing.
Nutrition Facts per 1/2 cup serving:
Calories: 250
Protein: 7g
Total Fat: 12g
Sodium: 600mg
Ingredients:
Tortellini, olive oil, garlic
Bell peppers, parsley
Why to Avoid:
The dressing is greasy, and the tortellini tends to be mushy and lacks fresh flavors.
2. Mac and Cheese Rich Version
While one version is a hit, this excessively rich and greasy iteration misses the mark.
Nutrition Facts per 1 cup serving:
Calories: 380
Protein: 10g
Total Fat: 18g
Sodium: 900mg
Ingredients:
Cheddar cheese, heavy cream
Butter, spices
Why to Avoid:
Overwhelmingly rich and lacking balance in flavor.
3. Potato Salad $8.99 for 3 lbs
Considered disappointing with recent recipe changes.
Nutrition Facts per 1/2 cup serving:
Calories: 190
Protein: 2g
Total Fat: 10g
Sodium: 500mg
Ingredients:
Potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard
Onions, parsley
Why to Avoid:
Lacks the fresh flavor and texture expected from a good potato salad.
4. Prepared Sandwiches and Wraps $12.99 for 6-pack
Low-quality ingredients lead to bland and uninspired flavors.
Nutrition Facts per wrap:
Calories: 300
Protein: 12g
Total Fat: 15g
Sodium: 850mg
Ingredients:
Turkey, lettuce, tortillas
Cheese, mayonnaise
Why to Avoid:
Often dry with minimal flavor, these wraps are underwhelming.
5. Kirkland Smoked Pulled Pork $14.99 for 2 lbs
Disliked for its unpleasant taste and rubbery texture.
Nutrition Facts per 4 oz serving:
Calories: 210
Protein: 18g
Total Fat: 14g
Sodium: 750mg
Ingredients:
Pork, smoke flavoring
BBQ spices
Why to Avoid:
The smoky flavor tastes artificial, and the meat often lacks tenderness.
6. Chicken Alfredo $16.99 for 3 lbs
Criticized for being bland and under-sauced.
Nutrition Facts per 1 cup serving:
Calories: 350
Protein: 20g
Total Fat: 14g
Sodium: 800mg
Ingredients:
Grilled chicken, Alfredo sauce
Pasta, Parmesan cheese
Why to Avoid:
The sauce is thin, and the dish lacks seasoning and richness.
7. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls $15.99 for 2 lbs
Noted for a lack of flavor and an unappealing texture.
Nutrition Facts per roll:
Calories: 180
Protein: 10g
Total Fat: 8g
Sodium: 650mg
Ingredients:
Cabbage, ground beef, rice
Tomato sauce, spices
Why to Avoid:
The rolls are bland, and the texture of the cabbage is soggy.
8. Quiche $10.99 for 2-pack
Soggy crust and bland filling make this a disappointing breakfast option.
Nutrition Facts per slice:
Calories: 250
Protein: 8g
Total Fat: 15g
Sodium: 450mg
Ingredients:
Eggs, cream, cheese
Pie crust, spinach
Why to Avoid:
The crust doesn’t hold up, and the filling is under-seasoned.
9. Chicken Caesar Salad $12.99 for 2 lbs
Wilted lettuce and lackluster dressing make this salad a pass.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 200
Protein: 15g
Total Fat: 10g
Sodium: 650mg
Ingredients:
Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken
Caesar dressing, Parmesan
Why to Avoid:
The lettuce is often not fresh, and the dressing lacks bold Caesar flavor.
10. Shrimp Cocktail $14.99 for 2 lbs
Noted for bland flavor and questionable freshness.
Nutrition Facts per 4 oz serving:
Calories: 120
Protein: 20g
Total Fat: 1g
Sodium: 700mg
Ingredients:
Shrimp, cocktail sauce
Why to Avoid:
The shrimp can be rubbery, and the cocktail sauce lacks zest.
11. Chicken Pot Pie Salty Version
While some love it, others find it overly salty with an overly thick crust.
Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 450
Protein: 22g
Total Fat: 24g
Sodium: 950mg
Ingredients:
Chicken, vegetables
Puff pastry, cream, butter
Why to Avoid:
The saltiness can overpower the other flavors, making it less enjoyable.
Conclusion
Costco’s prepared foods offer something for everyone, but not every option is a home run. With this guide, you can confidently stock up on the hits and avoid the misses, ensuring your meals are convenient, delicious, and worth every penny. Happy shopping!
