At Costco, the vast selection of prepared foods can be a real timesaver. But with so many options, it’s essential to know which dishes are crowd-pleasers and which ones might let you down.
We’ve tested a variety of offerings to bring you a detailed guide on what to buy and what to avoid. Read on!
Must Try – Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter $34.28 /pkg (est.)
Succulent salmon fillets generously topped with a flavorful basil pesto butter, perfect for an easy gourmet meal.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 330 per serving
Fat: 25g
Protein: 23g
Ingredients:
Atlantic salmon
Basil pesto
Butter
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Oven-bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes. Pair with wild rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Not Worth It – Kirkland Signature Lobster Bisque $0.42
This creamy lobster bisque is overly salty with disappointingly few lobster pieces.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 200 per serving
Fat: 14g
Sodium: 890mg
Ingredients:
Cream
Lobster base
Modified food starch
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Warm on the stove and consider adding fresh lobster chunks for a more satisfying meal.
Must Try – Butter Chicken and Naan $19.37
Tender pieces of chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce, served with soft, fluffy naan.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 370 per serving
Fat: 22g
Protein: 25g
Ingredients:
Chicken breast
Tomato puree
Cream
Naan bread
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Heat in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with basmati rice for a fuller meal.
Must Try – Tempura Shrimp Taco Kit $21.31 /pkg (est.)
Crispy tempura shrimp with a selection of fresh toppings and taco shells, making it a fun and easy meal.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 290 per serving
Fat: 15g
Protein: 12g
Ingredients:
Shrimp
Tempura batter
Corn tortillas
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Fry the shrimp as directed, assemble the tacos with the included toppings, and add a squeeze of lime for zest.
Must Try – Rotisserie Chicken $6.21
Juicy and tender rotisserie chicken with a perfectly seasoned crust, ready to eat.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 160 per serving
Fat: 7g
Protein: 22g
Ingredients:
Whole chicken
Seasoning blend
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Serve as is, or pull the meat for sandwiches, salads, or tacos.
Not Worth It – Tortellini Pasta Salad $6.83/Lb
Cheese-filled tortellini with a bland vegetable medley in a lackluster dressing.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 270 per serving
Fat: 14g
Sodium: 520mg
Ingredients:
Tortellini
Mixed vegetables
Italian dressing
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If purchased, enhance with fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and a more robust dressing.
Must Try – Chicken Street Tacos $19.94 /pkg (est.)
A ready-to-assemble taco kit with seasoned chicken, fresh toppings, and lime wedges for an authentic street taco experience.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 150 per serving
Fat: 5g
Protein: 12g
Ingredients:
Chicken thigh meat
Corn tortillas
Cilantro, onion, lime
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Warm the tortillas, assemble the tacos, and finish with a squeeze of lime for a zesty flavor.
Not Worth It – Mac and Cheese $16.28 /pkg (est.)
This mac and cheese is creamy but overly simplistic in flavor, lacking the depth that cheese lovers seek.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 300 per serving
Fat: 18g
Sodium: 670mg
Ingredients:
Pasta
Cheddar cheese sauce
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If purchased, consider adding some smoked paprika or crispy bacon to enhance the dish.
Must Try – Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes $19.94 /pkg (est.)
Classic comfort food with a moist, flavorful meatloaf and creamy mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 350 per serving
Fat: 17g
Protein: 23g
Ingredients:
Ground beef
Breadcrumbs
Mashed potatoes
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Heat in the oven for best results, and serve with green beans for a traditional meal.
Not Worth It – Shepherd’s Pie $24.59/1 Each
While hearty, the flavor is muted and the meat-gravy ratio is off, making for a dry experience.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 320 per serving
Fat: 18g
Protein: 16g
Ingredients:
Ground lamb
Mashed potatoes
Mixed vegetables
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If attempting to salvage, add extra gravy and a dash of Worcestershire sauce to moisten and enhance the flavor.
Must Try – Beef-Stuffed Bell Peppers $25.76 each (est.)
Vibrantly colored bell peppers filled to the brim with a savory beef and rice mixture, topped with melted cheese.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 270 per serving
Fat: 12g
Protein: 15g
Ingredients:
Bell peppers
Ground beef
Rice
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Serve with a side salad for a balanced meal.
Not Worth It – Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup $17.23 /pkg (est.)
While convenient, this soup lacks the homemade taste, with overcooked noodles and a thin broth.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 110 per serving
Fat: 4g
Sodium: 870mg
Ingredients:
Chicken broth
Rotisserie chicken
Carrots
Noodles
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Enhance by simmering with fresh herbs like thyme and additional vegetables.
Must Try – Beef Chili $19.89 /pkg (est.)
A hearty chili with a robust blend of spices, beans, and meat, perfect for a warming meal.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 280 per serving
Fat: 9g
Protein: 20g
Ingredients:
Ground beef
Kidney beans
Tomatoes
Chili spices
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Serve hot with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and chopped onions for a classic touch.
Not Worth It – Kirkland Signature Polenta with Roasted Vegetables $15.28/ 1 each
Although it sounds promising, the polenta is bland and the vegetables are often under-roasted.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 140 per serving
Fat: 5g
Sodium: 450mg
Ingredients:
Cornmeal
Zucchini
Peppers
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If you choose to try it, roasting additional vegetables and incorporating a robust sauce might help.
Must Try – Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef & Rice $21.80 /pkg (est.)
Flavorful and satisfying, these bell peppers are well-seasoned and perfectly cooked.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 270 per serving
Fat: 12g
Protein: 15g
Ingredients:
Bell peppers
Ground beef
Rice
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, ideal for a quick and nutritious meal.
Not Worth It – Milton’s Cauliflower Crust Pizza $17.03/35.6 oz
While the idea of a healthier pizza is appealing, the crust is soggy and lacks flavor.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 250 per serving
Fat: 14g
Sodium: 580mg
Ingredients:
Cauliflower crust
Tomato sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If you do try it, adding extra toppings and baking on a pizza stone might improve the texture.
Must Try – Yakisoba Stir Fry $18.27/9 Oz
A delightful mix of noodles, vegetables, and a savory sauce that comes together in minutes for a tasty Asian-inspired dish.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 310 per serving
Fat: 9g
Protein: 12g
Ingredients:
Yakisoba noodles
Mixed vegetables
Soy sauce-based seasoning
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Stir-fry with added shrimp or chicken for a more substantial meal.
Not Worth It – Chicken Alfredo $22.70 /pkg (est.)
The sauce is overly creamy and lacks the nuanced flavors of a true Alfredo, while the chicken is often dry.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 350 per serving
Fat: 22g
Protein: 18g
Ingredients:
Pasta
Alfredo sauce
Chicken breast
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If bought, enhance with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and a splash of white wine to improve the flavor profile.
Must Try – Pepperoni Pizza $17.90/19.5 Oz
With a crispy crust and a generous topping of pepperoni, this pizza is a crowd-pleaser that bakes up perfectly in the oven.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 310 per serving
Fat: 14g
Protein: 15g
Ingredients:
Pizza dough
Tomato sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Bake at 425°F until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
Not Worth It – Chicken Pot Pie $27.73 /pkg (est.)
This pot pie has a flaky crust, but the filling is often too runny and lacks sufficient chicken and vegetables.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 410 per serving
Fat: 22g
Sodium: 700mg
Ingredients:
Pie crust
Chicken breast
Cream
Vegetables
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If you choose this, adding extra veggies and seasoning during baking may help balance the flavors.
Must Try – Beef and Pork Meatball Sandwich with Marinara $0.39
Juicy meatballs made from beef and pork, smothered in a savory marinara sauce, tucked into a soft hoagie roll.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 460 per serving
Fat: 25g
Protein: 25g
Ingredients:
Beef and pork meatballs
Marinara sauce
Hoagie roll
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Heat in the oven for a few minutes until the bread is toasty and the sauce is bubbling, perfect for a hearty meal.
Not Worth It – Seasoned St. Louis-Style Ribs $52.53 /pkg (est.)
While these ribs come pre-seasoned, they often lack the tenderness expected and can be overly fatty.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 330 per serving
Fat: 25g
Protein: 20g
Ingredients:
Pork ribs
BBQ seasoning
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
If you still want to try these, slow-roasting and then finishing on the grill with extra BBQ sauce might improve their texture and flavor.
Must Try – Chicken Salad $7.45
Creamy and chunky chicken salad, perfectly seasoned with a blend of herbs, making it an ideal choice for sandwiches or light meals.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 210 per serving
Fat: 16g
Protein: 12g
Ingredients:
Cooked chicken
Mayonnaise
Celery
Seasoning blend
Prep/Serving Suggestion:
Serve on fresh croissants or over a bed of crisp lettuce for a refreshing meal.
Final Thoughts
This comprehensive guide should help you make the best choices on your next trip to Costco, ensuring that every meal is as satisfying as possible. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or something sweet, Costco’s prepared food section has something to suit every palate.
