News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

Chefs Share Their Favorite Costco Frozen Foods They Can’t Help but Indulge In

Chefs are turned in to Costco’s reputation for carrying high-quality ingredients.

costco wholesale store exterior
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

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 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% 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

Courtesy of Costco raos 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

Courtesy of Costco 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

Courtesy of Costco 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

Get Capital One Shopping now

Bibigo Chicken and Cilantro Wontons

Courtesy of Costco 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

Courtesy of Costco 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.”

Kirkland Signature Cheese Ravioli

Courtesy of Costco 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

Courtesy of Costco 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

carlesmiro/Adobe cook serving food

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

5.0
info

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 and Drawbacks
Card Details