These Costco lunch options are affordable and accessible to make!
Are you an avid Costco shopper? If not, you’ve been missing out on a world of savings and convenience! For many households, Costco has been the undisputed favorite superstore for years, and for very good reason. They’re absolutely fantastic for purchasing all your essential household staples like high-efficiency laundry detergent, multi-packs of paper towels, seemingly endless boxes of garbage bags, cases of bottled water, whole-bean coffee, and gallons of milk and eggs. The value proposition is simply undeniable when you have a family to support or just appreciate a well-stocked pantry.
It’s also where you can stock up on “bottomless” snack supplies for growing kids and hungry adults alike: those big boxes of chocolate-chip granola bars that disappear in a week, endless bags of gourmet potato chips, vats of Goldfish crackers that seem to replenish themselves, and all those delicious, buttery cookies from the bakery section. Shopping for snacks at Costco means you’re almost always prepared for an impromptu playdate, a movie night, or just a sudden craving.
The wholesale retailer is well-known for offering significantly lower prices when you buy in bulk, which makes it a great place to find dishes you can prep ahead or pack for work or school, right? This strategy is key for anyone trying to save time and money during the hectic workweek. Instead of spending a fortune on takeout or eating another sad desk salad, a little planning with Costco products can completely transform your midday meal. The challenge, however, is knowing which items offer the best combination of taste, value, and convenience.
On that note, The Price Makers has decided to do a little digging, and we’ve compiled a list of the 11 best Costco lunch options the warehouse club has to offer. We’ve sifted through member favorites and viral sensations to bring you a curated guide to making your lunch break something to look forward to. Continue reading to get inspiration for your next shopping list and revolutionize your lunchtime routine!
Lasagna
The Kirkland frozen meat lasagna might be the best deal in the entire store, and that’s saying a lot. It comes in a two-pack, with each tray being substantial enough for a full family meal. At roughly $10 for one of these hefty trays, it can comfortably feed a whole bunch of hungry kiddos and grown-ups, making the cost-per-serving incredibly low. It’s a true lifesaver for busy weeknights or when you need a hearty, pre-made meal.
Just be sure to leave plenty of time to pop this baby in the oven from frozen, as it needs a good while to cook through and get that perfect bubbly, golden-brown cheese crust. Once it’s ready, serve it with some Kirkland garlic bread (another fantastic value!) and a simple green or Caesar salad kit, which you can also find in the produce section. This Costco lunch option transforms into a legit feast with minimal effort, and you won’t be disappointed or hungry. You can also bake one tray and freeze the other, or portion out the cooked lasagna into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
Tasty Bite Organic Madras Lentils
The best part about the Tasty Bite Organic Madras Lentils, another popular lunch option at this store, is that they can be heated up in just a single minute in the microwave. This is convenience at its finest. These handy pouches are a staple for anyone who needs a nutritious and satisfying meal without the long prep time. They come in a large box, so you can stock your pantry and always have a quick meal solution on hand.
So, if you need a quick lunch one day, this affordable Costco lunch option gives you access to a hot, filling meal in virtually no time at all. The flavor profile is surprisingly complex for a pouch meal; it features tender red beans and lentils, all simmered in a deliciously creamy and aromatic tomato sauce with a blend of Indian spices. It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with plant-based protein and fiber, which will keep you full all afternoon.
You can eat the lentils as they are, straight from the pouch after heating, or take notes from other Costco shoppers who recommend pairing this versatile dish with fluffy basmati rice, quinoa, or even using it as a dip with tortilla chips or naan bread. Some people even use it as a base for a quick curry, adding in extra veggies or a protein to make it even more substantial.
Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen
This popular Costco lunch option takes just two minutes to prepare and tastes “incredible,” according to countless shoppers and online reviews. The Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen isn’t your average instant noodle cup; it’s a premium noodle soup that’s microwaveable and includes a rich, decadent pork broth that tastes surprisingly authentic. It’s sold in convenient six-packs at the warehouse club, making it easy to stock up.
The “Tonkotsu” style refers to the creamy, savory broth made from pork bones, which gives it a much deeper and more satisfying flavor than standard chicken or soy-sauce-based ramen. And even though it can be eaten anytime, Costco members especially love them as a quick and tasty lunchtime meal. It’s great for eating at a desk because it’s fast, flavorful, and requires only a microwave and water. To elevate it further, many fans suggest adding a soft-boiled egg, some leftover rotisserie chicken, or a sprinkle of green onions. You can pick up a few boxes the next time you go shopping to keep on hand for those days when you need a warm, comforting meal in a hurry.
Kirkland Signature Organic Hummus
Even though Costco’s Kirkland Signature Organic Hummus Cups may not be meals in and of themselves, these single-serving containers are a perfect building block that consumers can easily use to build a quick, healthy, and delicious lunch. The convenience factor of these pre-portioned cups cannot be overstated; they eliminate the problem of a large tub of hummus going bad before you can finish it.
Shoppers have told us that they pair the flavorful, creamy spread with a wide array of items like protein, veggies, or whatever else suits their fancy. Think baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, bell pepper strips, pretzel thins, or whole-wheat pita bread—all of which you can also buy at Costco. And since every box comes with 20 individual cups, you should be able to enjoy them for quite some time before running out, making it a very economical choice.
Take one or two of those plus some fruit, crackers, veggies, cheese cubes, or sliced ham, and you’ve got yourself an adult Lunchable, says one fan of this budget-friendly Costco lunch option. It’s a fantastic way to have a light, customizable, and nutritious lunch without any cooking required.
Chicken Pot Pie
There’s something to be said about popping a massive, ready-made pot pie in the oven on a cold winter night, isn’t there? It’s a deliciously cozy Costco lunch option when you’re craving ultimate comfort food. The pastry on top is buttery and perfectly crusty, while the inside is filled with a rich, savory, and flavorful cream sauce loaded with tender chunks of chicken and vegetables like peas and carrots.
Plus, it’s enormous! Seriously, this thing is a behemoth. So, at about $18, it’s an absolute steal to feed five or six people, or even more if you serve it with a side salad. You may even have leftovers, which are just as delicious the next day for lunch. This is a prepared meal that genuinely tastes homemade without any of the associated work. Pro Tip: If you prefer a sweet pie after your savory one, you’ve got to try their famous apple or pumpkin pie from the bakery. It’s simply the best!
Kirkland Signature Mixed Greens Salad with Pecans and Goat Cheese
The Mixed Greens Salad with Pecans and Goat Cheese from Kirkland Signature has only been at Costco for a couple of months, but it’s already become a certified favorite lunch item among many shoppers, often selling out quickly. It’s a fresh, vibrant option for those looking for something lighter but still satisfying.
This inexpensive Costco lunch option comes with a boatload of flavorful and high-quality toppings that are packaged separately to maintain freshness: tangy goat cheese crumbles, sweet bell peppers, chewy dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, sharp red onions, and juicy grape tomatoes. It’s all brought together with a perfectly balanced honey dijon vinaigrette that complements every ingredient.
And because each container has six generous servings, shoppers love to portion it into a couple of days’ worth of easy lunches for work or home. To make it a more complete meal, many also like to include their own proteins to make it extra filling. It’s the perfect base for grilled salmon, shrimp, or chickpeas. Of course, the most popular addition is a no-brainer: you can also buy the famous Kirkland Rotisserie Chicken, tear it up, and put it in small containers to go with it for a powerhouse lunch salad!
Kirkland Signature Beef Chili
Although Costco’s decision to use beans in its chili has been the subject of playful debate among chili purists in the past, the consensus among the vast majority of consumers is that this premade meal is a fantastic option for hearty, low-effort lunches. It’s thick, savory, and packed with ground beef, kidney beans, and a rich, spiced tomato base.
One shopper, for instance, recently said that he bought three packs of the Kirkland Signature Beef Chili during their Costco trip. This gave them “more than enough chili” for their weekly lunches, demonstrating its excellent value. Of course, eating anything continuously for a week can get pretty dull, no matter how good it is. The key is how you serve it; try it with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar, crumbled tortilla chips, or a side of the Kirkland cornbread.
But shoppers say that the chili freezes exceptionally well, too, which is a huge advantage. That means you can divide the large containers into individual portions, tuck them away in the freezer, and then simply reheat this delicious Costco lunch option for a quick, warming lunch whenever a craving hits you. It’s perfect for a chilly day.
Kirkland Signature Southwest Wrap with Rotisserie Chicken
Many of this list’s convenient and quick Costco lunch options require at least a few minutes of prep or heating time. However, the Kirkland Signature Southwest Wrap with Rotisserie Chicken stands out from the pack because it requires no prep at all. This is the ultimate “grab-and-go” lunch for those incredibly busy days.
These generously-sized wraps that come ready-to-eat are filled with a delicious combination of savory rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and fresh spinach, all rolled into a soft tortilla. They also include a separate pack of creamy chipotle-style sauce that adds a smoky, spicy kick, allowing you to add as much or as little as you like.
Each container of this low-cost Costco lunch option comes with four big wraps, which is more than enough for a couple of days of leisurely, no-fuss lunches. Many people find that one half of a wrap is a sufficient serving, effectively stretching the package into eight smaller meals. To top it all off, Costco shoppers universally say they’re also pretty delicious and satisfying.
Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
The Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks from Kirkland Signature have gotten consistent rave reviews since they first appeared in Costco’s freezer section a while back, with many fans claiming they are a spot-on dupe for a certain popular fast-food chain’s nuggets. And according to shoppers, they make for an incredibly versatile, low-effort, and delicious lunch.
The fully cooked chicken breast nuggets come frozen in a large resealable bag, so all you have to do is pop them into the freezer, microwave, or—for the best results—an air fryer for a couple of minutes to warm them up and get them perfectly crispy. Then, you can either eat the nuggets as they are with your favorite dipping sauce or turn them into an easy protein boost for your lunches.
You can also throw this delicious Costco lunch option over your favorite salad (like the mixed greens one mentioned earlier), add them to a pasta salad from the deli, or stuff them into a wrap with some lettuce and ranch dressing. They are a game-changer for parents, as kids absolutely love them, making school lunch packing a breeze.
Kirkland Signature Chicken Tortilla Soup
Any ready-made soup can be relished as a low-effort and convenient lunch, especially during colder months. But Costco customers are particularly huge fans of the Kirkland Signature Chicken Tortilla Soup, found in the refrigerated deli section. It’s a recurring seasonal item that members eagerly await each year.
The soup features a flavorful and hearty blend of tender white chicken meat, sweet corn, diced tomatoes, black beans, and roasted poblano peppers in a rich and creamy chicken stock. It strikes a great balance between being comforting and having a slight kick. After heating it on the stove or in the microwave, you can elevate it by adding some fresh avocado, extra shredded chicken, a dollop of sour cream, or a dash of hot sauce to make the soup even better.
But don’t worry if you don’t have the time or extra ingredients on hand. It’s just as delicious and satisfying if you eat it plain, straight out of the container. It’s sold in a two-pack of large tubs, offering several servings at a great price point.
Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken
We obviously couldn’t create a list like this and not include the warehouse club’s iconic, legendary, and famously priced $4.99 rotisserie chicken! This single item is arguably the heart of Costco’s prepared foods section. This Costco lunch option is fantastic on its own for a simple dinner, or, more importantly for our purposes, used as a “cheat” ingredient for a multitude of simple lunch recipes. It saves you the time and effort of roasting a chicken yourself.
The possibilities are truly endless. Shred the meat to make classic chicken salad for sandwiches, create quick chicken quesadillas with tortillas and cheese, or use it as the protein in the aforementioned salads, soups, and ramen. You can even buy two: one to have for a hot and ready dinner the night you shop and one to de-bone and use in lunch meals throughout the week!
So what are we waiting for? With these ideas in mind, it’s time to upgrade your lunch game. Add these delicious and wallet-friendly items to your grocery list, and head out to do your weekly shopping with a clear plan. Did we miss any of your favorite delicious and affordable Costco lunch options? We’d love to hear your suggestions! Be sure to let us know in the comments so we can include them on our next list!
And if you liked this article about making smart choices at the grocery store, we highly recommend you also read our guide on what *not* to buy: 16 Extremely Overpriced Foods That Don’t Deserve a Spot on Your Grocery List
