Costco Fans on Reddit Swear by These 10 Shortcut Ingredients for Quick, Delicious Meals

Let’s be honest, no one loves deciding what to have for dinner every night, but the daily decision is slightly easier if you are smart about your grocery haul and buy items that will simplify your life on those hectic weeknights. For example, why buy a litany of fresh vegetables when you can purchase a frozen veggie blend that’s pre-cut and cooks in minutes, ready to be added to stir-fries, grain bowls, and more?  

And when shopping for foods that will make your life easier, what better place to go than Costco? The big-box store is known for stocking useful, delicious food products at reasonable prices, making it easy to prepare everything from smoothies to chicken tacos and loaded baked potatoes. So, before your next Costco trip, check out our list of shortcut ingredients you should stock up on for quick, tasty meals.

Summer Fresh Tuscan Bean Salad

Add plenty of protein, fiber, and more nutrients to your meals with this hearty Summer Fresh Tuscan Bean Salad. Made with barley, navy beans, chickpeas, bell peppers, onions, and pesto, shoppers love to pair this with a protein source for an easy, balanced meal. “We literally JUST had this for dinner, with a Costco rotisserie chicken on the side,” one Reddit user shared. “These beans are a definite ‘get-again’. I regret only buying one container!” This zesty bean salad can also be added to plain pasta to make a flavorful pasta salad, or combined with your grain of choice to create a healthy, homemade grain bowl.

Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken

Why cook chicken from scratch when you can pick up a package of Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken at Costco? While not everyone is a fan of this item, those who like it love using it as part of a larger, easy meal. Some use it as a taco filling with other fixings such as sour cream, avocado chunks, and shredded cheese, while others opt to make a sandwich with it. “We usually pair this with those little square ciabatta rolls from the bakery to make chicken sandwiches,” one Reddit user noted. Another added: “We love this in our house. We put it in the InstantPot with rice and it comes out perfect every time.”

Del Real Barbacoa

Costco shoppers can’t get enough of this “restaurant-quality” barbacoa, which is basically shredded, slow-cooked beef seasoned with paprika, chili pepper, and more. Use this heat-and-eat beef as a filling for tacos, quesadillas, or burritos, or add it to stews or sandwiches. 

Kirkland Signature Beef Chili

This protein-packed chili is delicious on its own, but if you’re tired of eating the chili night after night, you can also use it to enhance other meals throughout the week. According to Reddit, Costco shoppers love to add a few heaping spoonfuls of this chili to a baked potato, use it as the base of a taco salad, or mix it into mac and cheese for some filling chili mac and cheese. 

Kirkland Signature Chicken Tortilla Soup

For a really easy meal you can prep at home in minutes, opt for this Kirkland Signature Chicken Tortilla Soup. Shoppers love it and, according to Reddit, you can add whatever you like to it to stretch it out and help it last for several days. “I add the Soules grilled chicken, hot sauce, and some avocado to it,” one Reddit user shared. Others throw in more beans, some rice, or even a spoonful of protein-rich Greek yogurt.

Seeds of Change, Organic Quinoa and Brown Rice with Garlic Packets

This garlic-forward quinoa and brown rice combo isn’t just healthy and delicious, it’s also a meal prep MVP because it’s versatile and ready-to-eat in under two minutes. Not surprisingly, Reddit users agree. “Use one as a base and add whatever Costco tomato sauce looks good and either ground turkey or sliced sausages. Top with Parmesan cheese,” one shared. “Sometimes I do half a rice packet and Pura Vida roasted vegetables to change it up.” These quinoa and brown rice packets can also be used as a side for grilled chicken or salmon, or added to homemade stuffed peppers for a fiber boost.

Rotisserie Chicken

Aside from being scrumptious and always affordable, Costco’s lauded rotisserie chickens are a meal prep must. There are pretty much endless ways to use the juicy meat—tacos, chicken salad, sandwiches, etc.—and you can even use the bones to make chicken broth. “If you portion out the rotisserie chicken right, you get about 7 servings,” shared a thrifty Reddit user. “Two legs, each breast can be split in half for four pieces, and then I can usually pick the whole body clean for another serving.”

Tattooed Chef Sheet Pan Vegetables

Since you can cook the Tattooed Chef Sheet Pan Vegetables right out of the bag (no oil or seasonings required!) it’s no surprise that Reddit users love to use ‘em for meal prep. Made with a mix of pre-seasoned Brussels sprouts, sweet potato chunks, broccoli florets, and red onion and zucchini pieces, these veggies shine when served alongside just about any protein. “These in the oven with some sliced chicken apple sausage—easiest weeknight dinner that doesn’t require thawing or planning,” declared one Reddit user. Others add these veggies to salads, grain bowls, or stir-fries.

Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend

Not only is the Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend a favorite of chefs and dedicated Costco shoppers who swear it’s worth the freezer space, it’s also a meal prep star. Per Reddit users, this flavorful berry blend is versatile, “cost-effective,” and great for those who make smoothies often. The berries also shine when added to smoothie bowls, overnight oats, and chia seed pudding. 

Tyson Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast Strips

On days when Costco has run out of rotisserie chickens (it happens!) and you need some meal prep essentials, opt for Tyson Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast Strips instead. “[Costco’s] huge bag of frozen Tyson rotisserie chicken strips are a great deal and [have an] excellent taste,” according to a Reddit user. “A few in the air fryer with any salad kit in a tortilla, and it’s the easiest wrap ever!”