I’m a Food Writer—Here Are 7 Costco Freezer Finds I Can’t Live Without

I’ve shopped at Costco for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my family made monthly trips for the bulk deals. I was less concerned with cost then, and more interested in waiting in line for free samples on Sunday afternoons.

I eagerly tried whatever was being featured that week. I was not picky—whatever it was, I had an open mind and an empty stomach. In many ways, I credit Costco for helping me become an adventurous eater.

Over the years, my love for Costco has made its way into my food writing. I'm especially loyal to the $4.99 rotisserie chicken and, of course, the frozen food section.

At this point, I’ve practically memorized every aisle and freezer door. It’s like a mental game of spot-the-difference, tracking which items have stayed and which have been replaced. While some frozen finds come and go, these are the evergreen staples I keep stocked in my freezer, along with how I use them to make cooking at home a little easier.

1. Kirkland Signature Italian-Style Beef Meatballs

Rolling homemade meatballs into perfect spheres, searing them on all sides, and simmering in a Sunday sauce takes time—and mental energy. Kirkland Signature meatballs, which come in a six-pound bag for $24.87, are fully cooked, already seasoned, and ready to heat up whenever pasta night happens.

I also like to break them up and use them as a shortcut for cooked ground beef in other recipes, like quick weeknight sauces and stuffed peppers.

2. Kirkland Stir-Fry Vegetable Blend

This is my go-to shortcut for weeknight stir-fries. The hefty resealable bag ($12.43) makes it easy to portion out what I need, and it saves me from tracking down a long list of vegetables. Inside the bag, you'll find onions, red bell peppers, mushrooms, orange and yellow carrots, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, and broccoli. If I were to shop for all these individually, it’d take a chunk of time and fridge space. With this mix, dinner’s halfway done before I even start cooking.

3. Ling Ling Potstickers

These dumplings have been a family staple for as long as I can remember. They’re individually frozen, which means I can make just a few or a full tray. In the rare case that they do clump, I boil them, and they will taste just as good. I’ve also pan-fried, steamed, and air-fried them, and they come out great every time.

My favorite method is pan-searing the dumplings in a circle, then adding a cornstarch or flour slurry to create a crispy, lacy skirt for crunch and color. I usually pair them with a homemade dipping sauce of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, cilantro, and a touch of sugar.

If Ling Ling sells out, I’ll go for Bibigo mandu. You can also cook them however you like, steaming, pan-frying, and deep-frying, but with Korean flavors.

4. Kirkland Signature Thin-Sliced Chicken Breasts, Boneless Skinless

If I miss the rotisserie chicken cutoff at Costco (you know the 6 p.m. drill), this 10-pound freezer find ($32.90) is the next best thing. The chicken breasts are lightly seasoned, fully cooked, and endlessly versatile. They save me from the mess of prepping raw chicken and give me a head start on lunch or dinner. I usually add a few slices to my salad and call it a day, no cooking required.

I must confess, I sometimes choose Kirkland’s signature thin-sliced chicken breasts over the prep chaos involved in butchering that rotisserie chicken!

5. Pasta Prima Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli

Even though I love to cook, there are days when I want a frozen meal that I can put my own spin on. These ravioli ($14.29) are perfect for that. If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll layer them with red sauce and mozzarella in a lasagna-style bake. Other times, I’ll keep it simple with a brown butter drizzle, a crack of pepper, and freshly grated cheese.

6. Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizza

Every loyal Costco member knows the food court pizza is legendary. Dare I say iconic? This frozen version ($14.67) lets you bring a slice of that experience home. The crust is thin yet bread-y enough to hold the sauce and cheese without getting soggy.

While it may not beat the fresh slice at the warehouse, it’s a solid freezer staple. I like to load it up with leftover odds and ends from the week—half an onion, extra scallions, stray bell peppers, or even leftover rotisserie chicken.

7. Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend

Fresh berries are delicious, but they bruise, mold, and spoil fast, especially raspberries and blackberries. This 4-pound frozen berry blend ($13.30) solves that problem. I keep it on hand for yogurt-based smoothies and love that it adds natural sweetness (and fiber) without extra sugar. Zero waste, no stress.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}