Costco's 7 best freezer finds, according to chefs
Here's what the pros buy in bulk.
When shoppers rave about Costco deals, rotisserie chicken, prepared meals, and the food court hot dog usually get top billing. But when we polled professional chefs from coast to coast, they clued us in that some of the biggest steals and the most delicious staples are hiding out in the warehouse freezer.
You’re not alone if you’ve been a card-carrying member for decades, and are just realizing the gold mine tucked between the grains and the cleaning supplies.
"My parents were Costco members when I was growing up. I have only recently become a serious Costco shopper on my own," admits cookbook author Dina Deleasa Gonsar. "About two years ago, I really started appreciating the warehouse store," she adds—especially for the high-quality products the chef can buy in bulk and tuck away in her freezer for quick-fix meals and snacks.
Inspired by the robust and passionate conversation on Reddit about the best frozen meals at Costco, we asked the experts to dish about their best buys—meals, snacks, appetizers, single ingredients, or otherwise.
Our Panel of Costco-Shopping Chefs
- Ian Boden, owner and executive chef of Maude & the Bear in Staunton, Va.
- Dina Deleasa Gonsar, the Whippany, N.J.-based recipe developer behind Dish It Girl and the author of "At the Kitchen Sink"
- Tito Marino, executive chef of Indaco in Charleston, S.C.
- Rachel Riggs, the San Diego-based author of "In Good Health: Uncomplicated, Allergen-Aware Recipes for a Nourished Life"
The Top Freezer Items Professional Chefs Buy at Costco
Turns out, many chefs are seasoned Costco members, too. And while we already know what kitchen staples chefs stock up on at the warehouse, what about those jam-packed freezer aisles? Here's what the pros add to their carts.
Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
Don’t swim past the seafood section without grabbing a three-pound bag of frozen wild sockeye salmon, says cookbook author Rachel Riggs. She’s such a fan of this heart-healthy protein that she deems it "essential" in her kitchen. With eight six-ounce fillets per package, she has plenty to feast on this versatile, buttery fish for the month.
"Costco’s salmon prices are extremely fair, and the flash-frozen, vacuum-sealed fillets taste incredibly fresh," Riggs tells Allrecipes. "During the months when fresh salmon is out of season, October through April, my husband and I rely on these frozen fillets at least once a week to make salmon chowder, salmon patties, and salmon salads."
Real Good Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips
At work, Tito Marino, executive chef of the Italian bistro Indaco, serves his chicken roasted, paired with Parmesan grits, arrabbiata sauce, and wood-fired broccolini. At home, he’s not too proud to admit that he heats and eats Real Good Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips to enjoy himself and share with his wife and kids. Now that he mentions it, we’re already dreaming of doctoring these up with Rao’s Marinara and shredded mozzarella for mini chicken Parmesans.
"I’ve been a Costco member for as long as I can remember," Marino tells us, before confirming that he frequently snags a 12-serving bag of these breaded chicken tenders. "We’re not gluten-free, but they are more natural than other brands," he adds, pointing to the short ingredient list that includes chicken breast, chickpea flour, whey protein, paprika, garlic and onion powder, and grapeseed oil.
Uncrustables
Ian Boden, owner and executive chef of the tasting menu restaurant Maude & the Bear, concedes that his wife, Leslie, "is the real Costco expert in our house. She keeps the kitchen staff at Maude & the Bear stocked with the essentials, too."
Besides shelf-stable snacks, such as beef jerky, protein bars, and sour candies (Chefs, they are just like us!), Boden says his restaurant’s freezer is constantly stocked with a 24-pack of frozen Uncrustables—ready to defrost and devour.
"They’re the perfect between-service boost, with just enough sugar and protein to keep everyone going," Boden says. Good thing each package comes with a couple dozen so the staff has plenty to experiment with these chef-approved Uncrustables hacks.
Pasta Primo Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli
Making pasta from scratch can be a blast when you have the time and energy. But even Italian chefs have given us the green light to outsource by opting for a high-quality store-bought alternative.
Busy mom and recipe developer Dina Deleasa Gonsar says go big or go home by adding a 3.5-pound, 16-serving bag of Pasta Primo Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli to your cart. Stuffed with spinach to sneak in some extra fiber and calcium, "these cheesy ravioli keep well for school lunches and are great for busy nights where you are going from one place to another. Pack them in a Thermos and go," Gonsar suggests.
Her fondness for this Costco frozen food is nothing new. In fact, "I’ve actually loved these since college," Gonsar says. "They cook up within five minutes and are great with a simple garlic and oil sauce or marinara. I have also used them in a shortcut ravioli bake and have breaded and fried them up real quick for a great appetizer." (Save some for us please, Dina!)
Clovis Farms Organic Super Smoothie Morning Blend
Gonsar swears by another savvy mom trick to infuse some more nutrition into her kids’ menus: smoothie bowls. To offer a lot of variety—without having to stock several different bags or shell out a lot of cash—she purchases a six-serving bag or two of this frozen fruit blend.
Featuring antioxidant-rich strawberries, blueberries, bananas, mango, and kale—all picked and frozen at peak ripeness—Gonsar's family favorite comes pre-portioned in eight-ounce packs. Simply empty one into a blender, add one and a half cups of milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese, and you have a sweet and satisfying snack you can pour into a bowl, accessorize as desired, then spoon up.
Amylu Chicken
Any of Amylu’s chicken products get a gold star from Marino: "Whether it’s sausages, meatballs, or crumbles, we always have some in the freezer at home for a quick addition to dinner."
Choose your own flavor adventure based on the time of day, your cravings, or what you’re pairing the protein with, Marino suggests. Sizzle up a few Organic Maple Chicken Patties for breakfast, grill the Organic Caramelized Onion and Aged White Cheddar Chicken Burger for lunch, or pair Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs with stir-fried veggies for dinner. All of the above are available at Costco, with eight to 15 high-protein servings per pack.
Sabatasso’s Gluten-Free Four-Cheese Pizza
It’s not delivery or DiGiorno. It’s Costco’s best frozen pizza, if you ask Marino. We trust his opinion, since Marino and his staff sling six different styles of wood-fired pizza for diners.
"I make pizza every day at work, and am in no way shape or form gluten-free," Marino says. Still, "at home, we keep our freezer stocked to the gills with Sabatasso’s Gluten-Free Four-Cheese Pizza. They are just that dang good. My kids tear them up, and my wife and I do as well."
Earning bonus points for the fact that "they don’t have a ton of fillers in them," these two-pack pizzas start with a thin and crispy tapioca starch and rice flour crust and finish with a crushed tomato sauce and, despite name, five varieties of real cheese: mozzarella, Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan, and Romano. Each slice is tasty enough on its own, but is also a fantastic blank slate to dress up with a drizzle of pesto, a sprinkle of sautéed mushrooms or peppers, or some slices of your favorite pepperoni. (Psst..Costco sells a two-pound bag in the deli meat section!)
