15 Delicious Costco Meals That Are Cheaper Than Takeout
By Michelle Smith,
21 days ago
Don’t feel like cooking? Takeout can be a solid option if you have plenty of money to spare. Unfortunately, while takeout is convenient, it isn’t cheap.
Fortunately, you’re a Costco member. With a little advance planning, it’s not hard to stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry with affordable and delicious take-out substitutes.
Keep reading for 15 items to add to your list of Costco hacks for your next shopping trip to make meal time a bit easier.
Editor's note: prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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1. Del Real Foods Chicken In Red Sauce Tamales
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $21.59
Not that there’s anything wrong with microwavable frozen burritos, but if you’re craving something more filling and flavorful, chicken tamales might hit the spot.
These protein-rich tamales are wrapped in traditional corn husks by hand for maximum texture, form, and authenticity. They can serve as the centerpiece for a family meal or a quick mid-day snack.
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Courtesy of Costco Online price: $16.49
In America, ramen is considered a college-student staple that’s both cheap and fairly flavorless.
But dressing up some basic instant ramen with a soft-boiled egg, green onions, mushrooms, sprouts, and a dash of fish stock or soy sauce can turn a simple noodle bowl into a savory (and still affordable) meal.
3. Nongshim Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $19.79
If you like your instant ramen with a little more spice, Nongshim-brand Korean shin ramyun has a delicious beef-stock base and the perfect amount of authentic heat.
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4. Kellogg's Eggo Buttermilk Pancakes
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $14.99
In the mood to have breakfast for dinner?
Whipping up a quick batch of pancakes with a Costco-sized bag of Krusteez pancake mix is pretty fast and easy, but you can simplify dinner even further by popping some Eggo Pancakes in the toaster for a mess-free meal.
5. Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pies
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $15.99
The only thing better than a hearty chicken pot pie might be an individual hand pie that you can eat on the go.
Marie Callender’s mini pot pies are made of chicken, carrots, peas, and gravy inside a rich, buttery crust.
With 17 grams of protein per pie and several servings of vegetables, this meal helps you meet your health goals without ruining your financial goals.
6. Morning Star Farms Frozen Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $19.99
You could run to the nearest McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Burger King for a fast burger-based dinner, but why bother when you could grab a healthier black-bean veggie burger out of the freezer?
Along with being healthier, the Costco choice is also cheaper. The cost of each burger in this 12-pack comes to just $1.66 per item.
Costco Insider's Guide: 12 little clever ways to get more out of your Costco membership7. Bibigo Korean-Style Crunchy Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Sauce
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $16.29
Bibigo is a Korean-based company that produces authentic, flavor-packed Korean food and ships it all over the world.
Korean fried chicken is less greasy than American-style fried chicken, with a flakier, more delicate crust.
If you aren’t a fan of spicy dipping sauces, try the same product sold with a sweeter soy-garlic sauce instead.
8. Authentic Motor City Pizza Co. Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza, Double Pepperoni
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $14.79
Don’t wait around for Domino’s to deliver an overpriced pizza. Just preheat your oven and pop in two pepperoni pizzas instead.
If you’ve never had a Detroit-style pizza before, you’re in for a treat: Detroit’s trademark pizza comes square-shaped with a hefty layer of Wisconsin brick cheese on top of a chewy deep-dish crust.
9. Ajinomoto Yakisoba with Vegetables
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $16.79
You don’t have to slice and dice your own carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, beans, and peppers to create an authentic, flavorful yakisoba dinner.
These vegetarian stir-fried noodle bowls are fully cooked and ready to eat after just three minutes in the microwave.
Plus, unlike a home-cooked stir fry, they don’t leave behind any mess to clean up.
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Courtesy of Instacart In-store price: $4.99
Costco’s $5 rotisserie chicken is a favorite item for long-time fans.
Costco doesn’t necessarily turn a profit from its best-known deal, but the cheap chicken alone is such a customer draw that Costco isn’t likely to up the price (which has been consistent since 2009) anytime soon — if ever.
11. Idahoan Real Premium Mashed Potatoes
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $10.99
Turn your rotisserie chicken into a full meal by adding a hearty side of mashed potatoes.
No need to order from KFC. This three-pound box makes 65 servings of buttery mashed potatoes in just a few minutes flat.
12. Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $18.89
Kirkland Signature, Costco’s in-house brand, is well known for its quality. And in true Costco style, Kirkland Signature doesn’t trade that quality for quantity, instead bringing you both at budget-friendly prices.
The brand’s lasagna is a prime example: With four savory layers of real Italian sausage, 100% USDA Choice ground beef, and sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes, and heaps of mozzarella and ricotta cheese, this particular Kirkland Signature feast is hard to beat.
Costco Secrets: 7 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know13. Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $15.49
If lasagna isn’t your favorite, Kirkland Signature has a host of other hearty, affordable choices, starting with these chicken bakes.
As an American-style, calzone-adjacent treat, chicken bakes are pizza crusts stuffed with chicken, bacon, and cheese. Caesar salad dressing and green onions added some extra zing.
14. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $17.89
Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of mac and cheese? This low-effort meal requires only a splash of milk and a few tablespoons of butter to complete.
Bought in bulk from Costco, each box costs less than $1 apiece.
15. Azuma Gourmet Seaweed Salad
Courtesy of Costco Online price: $12.39
Whether you’re already familiar with seaweed salad or you’re looking to add an interesting new flavor to your rotating meal list, seaweed salad is a tasty choice.
Seaweed is packed with nutrients, and it’s also a prime example of umami, one of the five distinct tastes on the human flavor palate.
Salty, savory umami is found throughout most global cuisines, but until you’ve had seaweed with chili pepper, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, you’re missing out on an innovative twist on this fascinating flavor profile.
Bottom line
dennizn/Adobe All the Costco items on our list are available online, but there’s a good chance you can find them at your local Costco warehouse for an even cheaper in-store price.
Make sure to leave room on your Costco list (and in your budget) for in-person finds and spur-of-the-moment purchases. You might want to take your top credit card to earn cash back just in case.
You just might find your new favorite go-to meal with any trip, and with those Costco-sized packages, you’ll have enough convenient dinner options to remove take-out from your meal schedule for good.
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