The esteemed Chef Samin Nosrat made headlines when she heaped praise on Costco’s Kirkland Signature Organic Olive Oil.
"It’s made in Italy and is super delicious and super inexpensive," she revealed on episode 54 of the Forever 35 Podcast. "It’s really clean of impurities and it tastes really good."
Nosrat added that it has consistently ranked highly in blind tastings. Talk about an endorsement!
That inspired us to reach out to professional chefs with years of experience to share their best Costco shopping hacks, starting with frozen foods.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
Rao's Eggplant Parmesan
Premade dinners sometimes aren’t well-executed, but Rao’s Eggplant Parmesan is a home run, according to Kevin Ashton, Culinary Advisor at Restaurantji.
“The parmesan has a delicious sauce and the eggplant is good and not overly crispy,” he revealed. “I always enjoy eating it because it tastes like real food.”
This time-saver frees you up for other pressing tasks you need to focus on during the hour it takes to cook. “It is an excellent option for a delicious meal and cleanup is minimal,” Ashton added.
Kirkland Signature Beef Meatballs
Kirkland Signature is known for being a great brand, and its beef meatballs are a shining example, says author and restaurant owner Chef Adonis Icalina.
“These aren’t your run-of-the-mill frozen meatballs,” he explained. “They're made from high-quality beef and seasoned just right, which gives them a rich, savory flavor.”
Icalina also appreciates their versatility and convenience. “Whether I’m using them for a classic spaghetti and meatballs, a hearty meatball sub, or even tossing them in a barbecue sauce for a party appetizer, they always hold their shape and flavor exceptionally well,” he continued.
Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
Nic Vanderbeeken, Executive Chef of Aperitif, can’t help but extol the virtues of Kirkland Signature’s Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon.
“Being wild-caught, the flavor is robust, with a rich, firm texture that holds up beautifully whether you’re grilling, baking, or searing it,” he explained.
“The product’s consistency and availability allow me to create dishes that reflect the same standards I uphold in my restaurant, even when I’m outside of the kitchen.”
Chef Icalina also swears by this Costco mainstay. "The freshness and quality of this salmon are impressive, especially given that it’s frozen," he shared.
"It’s a reliable, healthy option that provides a rich, flavorful protein source that’s easy to prepare and versatile in the kitchen."
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Bibigo Chicken and Cilantro Wontons
Everyone loves a good dumpling, and Chef Ashton is especially fond of Costco’s Bibigo Chicken and Cilantro Wontons.
“These are my favorite go-to options for a quick, delicious meal,” he revealed. “Toss them in a pan and finish with a little teriyaki sauce for the most delicious outcome.”
Ashton’s punch-up moves for this dish don’t stop there. “I love serving them with rice or vegetables,” he added. “You can also add other frozen foods, such as cauliflower rice and Kirkland Garlic Butter Shrimp, for a more fulfilling dinner.”
Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Berries
Everyone loves fresh, seasonal fruit, but Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Berries hold their own, says Ranveer Brar, Chef and Owner of Kashkan Restaurants.
“This product is highly treasured by a chef like me because of its quality and convenience,” he revealed. “The berries can be put to different uses even after being stored in a fridge.”
Brar uses these berries in both sweet and savory preparations. “They form part of different meal recipes like dessert smoothies and sauces or preserves,” he continued.
“Their organic nature acts as the icing on the cake since it fits well with my sustainability agenda, which demands the utilization of top-notch ingredients.”
Trending Stories
Kirkland Signature Cheese Ravioli
Kirkland Signature knocked it out of the park again with their Cheese Ravioli, per Chef Icalina.
“The ravioli are generously filled with a creamy cheese blend that offers a comforting, rich flavor in every bite,” he explained. “What I appreciate most is their texture; they're tender yet firm enough to hold up to various sauces.”
Icalina has excellent serving advice, too. “I usually serve them with a homemade marinara or a light sage butter sauce, and they taste like a restaurant-quality dish,” he added.
Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast Chunks
Comfort food for folks of all ages, Chef Ashton swears by Kirkland Signature’s Chicken Breast Chunks.
“I love chicken nuggets because they are always a great and quick dinner option to have on hand,” he shared. “You can cook the nuggets in an oven or air fryer.”
Ashton has good reason to endorse these nuggets in particular. “I don't trust chicken nuggets that are perfectly round and uniform in size,” he continued. “The 4-pound bag… contains different-sized nuggets with a nice light breading.”
Bottom line
It’s not just regular folks who appreciate Costco’s frozen food sections — it’s experienced chefs with global perspectives who understand the value of these ingredients.
Whether you’re using them as an ingredient or preparing an entire dinner, these products don’t disappoint.
You're sure to find inspiration in the rest of the warehouse, too, as Costco carries a wide variety of top-notch fresh, boxed, and canned foods to help you save money on groceries.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.