Ah, Costco. The place where you discover a thousand items you never realized you needed until you wandered through its massive, warehouse-style aisles. Although patio furniture and enormous 4K televisions are appealing, it’s the food that usually draws us in. Costco’s large-box approach is a well-known way to save money, particularly in the grocery section, where everything fromfresh produce to canned goodsis available in large amounts forfewer than you would spend at your local grocery store. However, there’s only one location to check if you want to save both time and a little extra money: The Costco prepared foods section.
Also referred to as the deli, Costco’s prepared food area offers a variety of meal-prep options, including take-and-bake meals and DIY meal kits. Although the large retail store has several delicious offerings, not every item from the deli is worth trying. Some dishes are simply not appealing, even to the most devoted Costco fans. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend time and money testing each product individually. We looked online for feedback from Costco enthusiasts and also tried many of them ourselves to experience the good, the bad, and the greasy. Before your next Costco trip, remember these eight prepared foods to purchase and seven to skip.
Read more: We Tested 7 Rotisserie Chickens From Grocery Stores And Rated Them From Least To Most Preferred
Buy: Rotisserie Chicken
You can’t discuss Costco without bringing up its highly popular rotisserie chicken. Consistently moist and tender, the chicken is seasoned with just the right amount of savory taste to please both finicky eaters and food enthusiasts. Each bird weighs a substantial three pounds (including bones), making them ideal for feeding a group of three or four people. At just$4.99, this chicken is resistant to inflationweeknight dinner, particularly when combined with one of the deli’s pre-made salads.
The deli produces these golden brown birds throughout the day, but there is a method to make sure you’re selecting theabsolute freshest rotisserie chicken. As you walk through the aisles, stay alert for the sound of a bell. When the bell rings, that’s when a new group of chickens is placed on display for your shopping enjoyment. However, don’t worry if you miss that sound — the chickens are never kept in place for more than two hours before they are replaced, as required by USDA guidelines.
Avoid: Tortellini Pasta Salad
What might go wrong with a pasta salad filled with stuffed pasta, cured meats, olives, and mozzarella pearls? Quite a bit, it seems. Although the concept of an antipasti-style salad featuring cheese-stuffed pasta is promising, there’s something not quite right with Costco’s version.
First, the pasta appeared slightly overdone, resulting in a soft texture that wasn’t enjoyable to eat. The overall taste was also somewhat underwhelming. Rather than the vibrant flavors typical of traditional Italian cooking or the lively tang of an Olive Garden-style Italian dressing, this dressing came across as dull, and there was an excessive amount of it. The overly dressed salad felt oily, particularly with the large pieces of cured meat and mozzarella included. The dish would have benefited from some vegetables or fresh herbs to balance out the richness, which might explain why Costco added some sliced black olives — a clear mistake among several poor choices.
In conclusion, this writer who loves carbs agrees with the majority.Costco customers who simply can’t tolerateThis large-sized pasta salad. At the $5.49 per pound cost and with the Costco brand, we’d anticipate a little more flavor.
Purchase: Chicken Street Taco Kit
Taco Tuesday just became much simpler. Costco’s chicken street taco meal kit provides everything needed for a weeknight dinner in a single, easy-to-carry package that offers great value for those watching their budget. Although pre-cooked meat can sometimes be unpredictable, this specific taco kit impressed this Costco customer with its generous serving of tender chicken seasoned with a mix of smoky and mildly spicy flavors. Alongside the flavorful chicken, the kit includes corn tortillas, shredded cheese, shredded cabbage slaw, zesty salsa, and lime cilantro crema — a perfect combination that lets you create your ideal taco without any extra work.
No, let’s discuss value. For about $15 per package ($5.49 per pound), you receive everything needed to make 12 street-style tacos that can easily feed a family or offer several meal-prep portions for one person. It’s like enjoying a taste of your favorite food truck right in your own kitchen, but with ample space and without the expensive cost. All you need to do is heat, put together, and enjoy.
Avoid: Mac And Cheese
It seems there is indeed such a thing as excessive cheese. The majority of Costco customers believe that the store’s mac and cheese is overly rich and oily, yet somehow lacking in flavor. Although a blend of cheeses adds a more refined taste to this traditional comfort dish, the absence of simple salt and pepper is noticeable.
It seems the cause of the complaints about the bland taste might be due to a shortcut used in Costco’s recipe. While traditional mac and cheese recipes involve making a bechamel sauce and then melting other cheeses into it, Costco’s version is said to use pre-made Alfredo sauce as the foundation. If this pre-made sauce isn’t properly seasoned, the deli staff may not realize they need to add extra seasoning to enhance the flavor. Although this is just our assumption, the disappointing outcome stays the same. Considering how much work is needed to improve Costco’s mac and cheese, we’d prefer to make it ourselves.
Purchase: Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Sauce
Generous servings, traditional taste, and little effort required? Costco’s well-known meatloaf and mashed potatoes deliver everything you want in a dinner that will satisfy even the most difficult eaters. Juicy meatloaf is covered in a sauce rich in ketchup, which goes great with smooth, buttery mashed potatoes. It’s like a warm embrace for your senses — and your budget. At only $3.99 per pound of meat and potatoes, this classic comfort food offers excellent value.
The key to Costo’s beloved meatloaf is surprisingly straightforward. As reported by a Costco employee viaReddit, the meatloaf is made from scratch each day using freshly ground beef, onion, and a special mix of seasonings, just as grandma used to prepare. The delicious outcome speaks for itself, andshoppers believe that Costco’s meatloaf is a successA convenient option for nights when you don’t feel like preparing a meal, this dish can be placed straight into the oven while you relax for a moment. In almost no time (actually around an hour), dinner is ready. However, the greatest advantage is that if you eat directly from the tray, there’s no cleaning required.
Avoid: Shepherd’s Pie
Costco’s shepherd’s pie isn’t quite up to par. The main issue lies in the texture, as numerous customers have complained about the dry potato layer, overly cooked vegetables, and soggy meat mixture. The flavor also falls short, with some reviewers noting an unusual sweetness in the filling.
Apart from flavor and consistency, another reason this dish doesn’t always win over Costco’s regulars is the incorrect name. Although the pastry is listed as “shepherd’s pie,” it is in fact a cottage pie, a subtle distinction that creates a significant debate among enthusiasts. The maindifference between a shepherd’s pie and a cottage pieIs the meat used. The first one includes lamb, whereas the second one is made with beef, similar to Costco’s so-called “shepherd’s pie.”
A dish with a different name, this meal falls short in every aspect, particularly in terms of flavor. This shepherd’s pie fails to meet expectations, making your taste buds yearn for greater depth of flavor, more texture, and more of everything. Therefore, although it may be a practical option for feeding a group, we would choose to skip this one and opt for Costco’s more dependable ready-made meals.
Purchase: Stuffed Bell Peppers Featuring Ground Beef and Rice
It can be challenging to find a budget-friendly and somewhat healthy heat-and-eat dinner at the store that isn’t just a salad, but Costco has a solution with its beef-stuffed bell peppers. These large, appealing peppers are loaded with flavorful beef and rice, covered in a thick tomato sauce and melted cheese, offering a burst of taste in every bite. Simply place them in the oven or microwave to heat up, and dinner is ready. Priced at $4.99 per pound (under $1 per serving), these protein-rich peppers essentially provide a complete meal for the whole family for the same cost as aa pound of Costco ground beef.
But here’s the real surprise — they have a homemade flavor. The tastes are exactly right, the consistencies are ideal, and the nourishing dish is as soothing as a hug from your grandmother. Indeed, they taste as if she could have made them herself.
Avoid: Bacon Cheddar Burger Preparation Kit
Costco’s pre-made meal kits are usually popular with customers, but the company’s newest effort in this area appears to have fallen flat. After launching thebacon cheddar burger kitsavailable in stores earlier this year, Costco customers onRedditwere quick to highlight the item’s early shortcomings. First, users mentioned the uselessness of a build-your-own-burger kit that lacks buns. They also observed the noticeably dry consistency of the pre-cooked patties, expressing that they would prefer purchasing frozen burgers and cooking them on their own. The last straw for this kit? The vegetables already look limp before even coming into contact with a hot burger patty.
Although we haven’t tested this bacon cheddar burger kit personally, and we definitely advise people to develop their own views, we tend to agree with these dissatisfied customers in avoiding this buy. Priced at $6.49 per pound, this kit isn’t the most cost-effective choice available. If you’re looking for a ready-to-cook beef option, we suggest opting for the meatloaf and mashed potatoes or the beef-filled bell peppers instead.
Buy: Beef Chili
Costco’s popular container of beef chiliGenerated quite a lot of online discussion when it came back to stores in late 2023. As with any classic American debate, enthusiastic Costco customers headed to the comments section to discuss whether beans should be included in a product called “chili.” While some shoppers don’t mind having beans in the mix, some dedicated chili lovers were not happy, with one reviewer calling the product “bean soup with cheese.”
Whether you believe chili should include beans or not (this version does), most critics agree that this large container is worth trying. In addition to the controversial kidney and pinto beans, the rich soup features seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Costco’s flavorful, smoky chili is worth adding to your weekly meals due to its unexpected depth of taste and affordable price of only $3.49 per pound for a roughly four-pound container. As an extra benefit, it also freezes well.
Avoid: Wraps
Convenience lunches such as wraps can be great time-savers for those who want to plan their meals but are short on time. However, Costco’s ready-made wraps often don’t impress most customers. If not eaten immediately (or at the very least within a day of buying), these thoughtfully made wraps usually become a soggy, flavorless pile.
The brand’s classic turkey pinwheels appear to be the worst offenders — their compact size might play a role — whereas the wraps using Costco’s popular rotisserie chicken, such as the Southwest chicken wrap, generally perform a bit better. Although there are some standout options, the majority of people feel that the cost does not reflect the quality.
Although there are a few wraps that are worth purchasing for a quick meal, these are the rare exceptions. Even if the wraps are highly praised for their taste, they usually don’t stay fresh in the refrigerator for more than a day before becoming soft and unappetizing. It’s better to avoid the pre-made options and instead buy the basic ingredients for wraps available at Costco.
Purchase: Enchilada Casserole with Rotisserie Chicken
We’ve previously praised Costco’s rotisserie chicken. Now picture that tender chicken, stripped, torn apart, and covered in a smoky enchilada sauce, wrapped in tortillas along with pinto beans, and topped with melted cheese, plus a vibrant mix of chopped bell peppers for extra flair. Stick it in the oven, and you’ve got a winning meal for the week.
But what’s most appealing about Costco’s enchilada bake? This generous casserole can feed about six to eight people — especially when paired with a pre-made salad kit or a side of rice. That translates to a budget-friendly $4 (or less) per serving of delicious, gooey comfort. Even if you’re only feeding one or two people, the leftovers make for a tempting lunch. Similar to a homemade casserole, the flavors of this smoky, cheesy, chicken-filled dish become even more flavorful after sitting in the fridge for a day or two. It’s a great choice all around.
Avoid: Gyro Kit
This contentious viewpoint might provoke some reactions, butCostco’s gyro meal kitis chosen for the skip list for several reasons. First, there is a split among fans regarding the quality of the kit’s components. Many appreciate the quantity and range of vegetables included with the other gyro essentials, whereas others have noted that the lettuce and tomato were wilted and overly moist. Some reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the meat, stating it was dry, not sufficiently seasoned, and tended to shrink when cooked, meaning a meal kit advertised to serve a family of five or six actually only provided enough for two or three people. However, the main issue raised was the unimpressive tzatziki sauce.
In general, the reviews were only moderately positive, with many readers noting that the gyro kit was acceptable in a hurry or sufficient for a fast meal — not exactly glowing feedback. And at $6.49 per pound, it’s wiser to simply get takeout from your local Greek restaurant.
Purchase: Yakisoba Chicken Stir Fry Kit
While certain devoted Costco enthusiasts were doubtful about the pre-cooked, darker meat chicken in thisyakisoba stir-fry meal kit, most were fascinated by the generous serving of fresh vegetables included on the side. The overall opinion is that this dish is a great choice for a weeknight meal. The recipe is simple to make with little effort (it can be assembled in roughly 10 minutes) and has the flavor of restaurant food without the extra grease.
The primary issue (or observation, to be precise) is that although the kit includes two large containers of sauce, the dish only needs one. Some reviewers mentioned that using both portions of sauce made the dish too wet and excessively salty. One method to reduce the saltiness inCostco’s yakisoba stir-fry kitWithout compromising taste, you can dilute one of the sauce containers with lime juice. You’ll experience a more tangy flavor and a smoother coverage of sauce without worrying about soggy noodles.
Avoid: Chicken Alfredo
Although chicken Alfredo can be tasty, Costco’s version serves as a disappointing example of prioritizing quantity over quality. A single container of Costco’s chicken Alfredo contains roughly four pounds of food, but this dish falls short in every aspect. The sauce is oily and tasteless, the pasta is overly cooked, and the chicken has an unexpected rubbery texture, as though it has been reheated too many times. Some customers have even described the taste as “chemical.”
Similar to Costco’s mac and cheese, some customers claim the meal can be improved with some adjustments, but it’s not worth the work when you can prepare a homemade version using Kirkland’s well-known rotisserie chicken in less time. While it’s an affordable choice at roughly $3 per serving, when comparing convenience to quality, Costco’s chicken Alfredo falls short. Spare your palate the hassle and create something superior at home.
Buy: Pepperoni Pizza
Massive pepperoni pizza pieces are already aCostco food court favoriteTheir generous amount of pepperoni and affordable $2 cost are great, but did you know you can buy a whole, freshly made pie to take home for less than what you’d pay at your local delivery place? Available for an amazing $9.95 per 12-slice pie, Costco’s pepperoni pizza is an obvious choice when you need a fast meal for your group. Naturally, you can also get a plain cheese pizza, but for the same price, adding extra toppings makes sense!
To benefit from the lesser-known food court trick only needs a small amount of preparation. To guarantee the freshest pizza, you should either call in advance or place your order before you begin shopping. This way, you’ll receive a freshly baked pie that’s prepared and waiting for you — no meal preparation necessary.
Buy: Beef and Pork Meatball Sandwich with Marinara Sauce
Step aside dull deli sandwich —Costco’s meatball sandwich with beef and porkMarinara has made an appearance. This is the sub that Joey Tribbiani would dream about, a massive creation weighing between two and a half to three pounds, loaded with six to eight meatballs the size of golf balls, placed between the same number of provolone slices, all on a full loaf of bread similar to ciabatta. Priced at approximately $15 each, this giant meatball sub can feed four people, making it one of the top choices for Costco’s ready-to-eat options for a gathering — or a family with big appetites.
Although the beef and pork meatball sandwich with marinara (carefully prepared with additional sauce for dipping) is a striking dish, it can easily be ruined by various pre-made mistakes. Fortunately, Costco customers have tested this sub and achieved some delicious outcomes. Several reviewers suggestedheating the meatball sandwichbaked in the oven for optimal taste, crispy bread, and melted layers of creamy cheese. Paired with a dip in the provided marinara sauce, it’s a perfect combination in sandwich paradise.
Some Reddit users have expressed surprise at the cost, arguing that you can prepare a similar sandwich for a lower price at home. Although this may be accurate, there’s no substitute for the convenience of a ready-made sandwich, particularly when you’re considering Costco meals for a group. Given its generous portion and ease of use, Costco’s beef and pork meatball sandwich is definitely worth trying.
Avoid: Chicken Pot Pie
When it comes to holiday hosting, Costco’s extravagant chicken pot pie could appear as a convenient choice, but it falls short in many ways. Although it contains rotisserie chicken, veggies, and a creamy sauce, the end result isn’t particularly satisfying. For $3.99 per pound on more than five pounds of average food, you’re paying for volume rather than quality — and although it may serve a large group, it doesn’t ensure their satisfaction.
Similar to many of Costco’s deli offerings, the chicken pot pie generates a significant amount of discussion — and not in a positive manner. It’s a dish that divides people, with a surprising number of individuals strongly disliking it. Commenters on Reddit often criticize it for being either excessively salty or entirely tasteless. Although a few devoted fans eagerly anticipate its yearly appearance, the majority of people are left questioning why it continues to be offered.
One of the most touted “advantages” is the large quantity of shredded chicken, with more than a pound included in every pie. However, the volume doesn’t compensate for the quality, and the abundance of chicken can become heavy and dry after just a few bites. Even with all the promotion, the pie’s long 90-minute baking time can be annoying, making it feel like an unnecessary complication for a meal that’s meant to be simple. The end result? A crust that could be flaky if you’re fortunate, a rich but oily center, and a dense dish that doesn’t live up to the cozy flavors it claims to offer.
Purchase: Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter
A popular choice among Costco customers, the store’s salmon Milano with basil pesto butter is one of the simplest and most nutritious dinners in the deli. Three seasoned salmon fillets, each covered with a generous portion of herb-infused butter, are enclosed in an aluminum container for convenient cooking and cleaning. Simply place it in the oven for 20 minutes and serve it with a salad for a quick and wholesome meal.
Costco enthusiasts appreciate the dish for its ease, taste, and quality, describing the salmon as “moist, light, and flaky.” The serving size is also substantial, offering almost two pounds of salmon divided into three fillets for a high-protein meal. The only drawback is the price. Although $11.99 per pound may appear expensive for a piece of fish and some herbed butter, keep in mind the cost of salmon at your local grocery store’s seafood section. The price is probably similar (or even lower) and you won’t need to choose which seasonings or marinades to enhance your fish.
A great choice for a cozy dinner party or an unexpected gathering, salmon Milano topped with basil pesto butter makes an excellent ready-to-eat option from the Costco deli. Pair it with roasted veggies or rice and a good bottle of wine, and you’re all set! A stunning meal with very little work involved.
Avoid: Butter Chicken Alongside Naan Bread
Costco regularly introduces new ready-to-eat meals for its large group of devoted customers, but not every new offering becomes a success — a clear example being the company’s latest butter chicken and naan. Feedback on this Costco meal kit has been lackluster, with many shoppers showing dissatisfaction. Although the $5.99 per pound cost might appear attractive, particularly given Costco’s usual affordable pricing, many believe it doesn’t deliver the expected value when compared to takeout options. Some Reddit users mention that it’s only slightly less expensive than getting butter chicken from a restaurant, but the quality is significantly lower.
One of the major problems people encounter with this dish is the uneven quality of the chicken. Some have reported that the meat turns out dry or tough, which contrasts with the usual softness expected in butter chicken. The sauce, which is meant to be the star of any butter chicken meal, also falls short. Many say it is too thin, diluted, and lacks the deep, flavorful profile that makes a great butter chicken. Without a thick, flavorful sauce to bring all the elements together, the dish feels unfinished and disappointing.
The preparation instructions also confused many reviewers. Suggesting a 45-minute cooking time for a pre-made dish appears unreasonable, and when I attempted it, it led to dry, overdone chicken and charred naan. Considering the feedback about the chicken, sauce, and overall taste, this meal might be best avoided.
Buy: Tempura Shrimp Taco Kit
Costco has always made taco night simple with its popular chicken street taco kit, but the retailer recently raised the bar on Taco Tuesday with a new fusion option. Costco’s tempura shrimp taco kits come with perfectly fried shrimp and all the ingredients needed to prepare 12 delicious and refreshing tacos. Priced at $5.99 per pound (approximately $16-$17 per package), the kit contains everything you need for a tasty and hassle-free weeknight dinner: 12 small corn tortillas, 12 pieces of crunchy tempura shrimp, fresh pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, a large container of cilantro lime crema, and a few lime wedges to add extra flavor.
The tempura shrimp taco kit is becoming a favorite among Costco customers, receiving enthusiastic reviews such as “incredibly delicious” and “the best thing Costco has introduced in a while” — impressive feedback from the brand’s notoriously difficult-to-please shoppers. The favorable comments highlight both the quality and amount of the pico de gallo as key reasons to purchase, along with how simple it is to restore the shrimp tempura to a golden, crispy texture. The trick to achieving that perfect crispiness is a brief time in an air fryer. Place them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about eight minutes, and they’ll be perfectly golden and crunchy. Warm the tortillas in a pan before assembling your taco for added flavor.
Avoid: Well-seasoned St. Louis-style ribs
Costco’s St. Louis-style ribs have garnered a range of opinions, and unfortunately, several are not favorable. A common issue is the high level of fat in the ribs, with some customers noting that a large part of what you pay for isn’t actually edible. Priced at $3.49 per pound, the cost seems reasonable, but when considering that this is typically a meal for a group, you might end up spending nearly $30 for approximately seven pounds of ribs. That sounds appealing! However, the ribs may include a lot of weight, much of it fat, making it difficult to feel satisfied with the value, even at this price. To make matters worse, many reviewers found the seasoning to be excessively salty and otherwise unremarkable.
Another frequent problem is the inadequate cooking instructions provided with the ribs. Many customers have noted that adhering to the packaging guidelines can lead to overcooked, dry, or inconsistently heated ribs. As a result, buyers often have to invest additional time to determine the optimal cooking method or face the possibility of an unsatisfactory dish.
In the end, for a large, fatty cut of meat that needs some trial and error to cook properly, Costco’s St. Louis-style ribs just don’t make sense. It’s wiser to purchase Costco’s reasonably priced regular ribs and season them yourself with some of the top-quality seasoning.Kirkland-brand spicesavailable in the large retail store’s fully stocked shelves.
Purchase: Chicken Salad Prepared Using Rotisserie Chicken
A common item in my home, Costco’s chicken salad offers great value for feeding a group or preparing meals for the week. The container holds almost three pounds of chicken salad, which is made from Costco’s popular rotisserie chicken, chopped celery, and a zesty, creamy, well-seasoned dressing that combines all the flavors perfectly. Priced around $17 per container, this generous portion is an excellent deal. It provides enough chicken salad for a full week of lunches, whether you’re making sandwiches, wraps, or enjoying it as a snack with crackers or vegetables.
If you’re organizing a group event, Costco’s chicken salad is a great ready-to-eat option for your party. Stop by the bakery and pick up a package of croissants, and you’ll have an effortless tray of chicken salad sandwiches that’s perfect for baby showers, brunches, or relaxed gatherings. It also goes well with bagels, making it adaptable for a breakfast menu.
The taste is often commended for its perfect balance, offering the ideal level of crunch from the celery and a zesty, smooth dressing that doesn’t feel too rich. No matter if you’re preparing for a gathering or just restocking for the week, Costco’s chicken salad is a practical, popular choice that’s tough to surpass.
Methodology
So how did we determine which Costco ready-made foods to buy and which to avoid? As big fans of Costco’s prepared meals, we combined our own experiences with online reviews to create this list of the good, the bad, and the average. First, we evaluated the taste and consistency of each dish. After all, if it’s not pleasant to eat, why buy it? Then, we examined the value. How much food do you receive for the cost? And more importantly for simple budgeting, what is the price per serving?
Besides taste and price, we also considered how versatile the meal kits were. Although we enjoy leftovers, it can become monotonous to eat the same meal every day. Meal kits that let you personalize your dish with minimal effort received additional points — but only if they maintained good flavor.
Read the original article on Tasting Table.
