Costco can be a chef’s best friend. Not just for stocking up on ingredients, Costco is a great source of excellent pre-made dishes, or foundations of dishes, that chefs are happy to serve at work and at home. Skip the dino nuggets for a night and go for something a bit more elevated and exciting, but just as easy and available with your Costco membership. In fact, Costco same-day delivery can be even better than takeout if you’re looking to order quick meals or even cater a small event. Many a Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken has been chopped, shredded, or disguised in some way or another in a professional restaurant kitchen. Here’s what Costco products chefs are stocking up on:
01 of 07
Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants
Costco’s bakery section is full of gems, even revered by bakers themselves. Case in point: Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants. “As a baker, I’m not afraid to admit I like Costco’s croissants. They’re not boutique bakery croissants but they certainly have their place in my kitchen, specifically, my freezer,” says Joy Wilson, chef and creator of Joy the Baker. “I wrap them individually and keep them in the freezer, then split and toast one whenever I need a breakfast sandwich. With a soft egg, sharp cheddar, and a little hot sauce on a crackly toasted croissant. I tell ya, they pull their weight.”
02 of 07
Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef & Rice
Less expensive than takeout and much faster, Costco’s pre-prepared meals are also a chef go-to. “After a day of recipe testing, the very last thing I want to think about is what’s for dinner,” says Wilson. “Costco’s Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef & Rice save me every time. They’re hearty, comforting, and taste homemade, which is precisely what I need when the sink is already full of dirty dishes at 5 PM. I usually add a simple salad and dinner is solved.”
03 of 07
Kirkland Signature New Zealand Grass-Fed Butter
Better than churning your own (or at least less effort), Kirkland Signature’s New Zealand Grass-Fed Butter is another chef-approved pick. “It is rich, creamy and complex with an unmatched depth of flavor,” says chef Mike Leitner of Mike Leitner Consulting. “Chefs prefer it because it melts at lower heats and the milk solids in grass-fed butter help impart extra flavor and nuttiness to whatever you’re cooking.”
04 of 07
Morey’s Fish Filets
This pre-portioned, pre-seasoned fish yields chef-approved results, no fishmonger required. “I’m a big fan of all of the Morey’s products, but my top two grilling favorites are the Seasoned Wild Alaskan Salmon and the Garlic and Herb Wild Flounder,” says Jennifer Hill Booker, a chef and cookbook author specializing in Southern cuisine. “They stay moist during the grilling process, and can be enjoyed straight off the grill or easily turned into tacos or mixed into pasta.
05 of 07
Cuisine Solutions Sliced Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin
Sold refrigerated in two pound boxes, this pre-cooked beef is great for salads, sandwiches, and beyond. “As a busy mom who also prioritizes real, nutrient-dense foods, one of my favorite Costco products is the Cuisine Solutions Sliced Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin,” says Sara Ecklin, recipe developer and founder of Clean Plate Mama. “This sirloin steak is pre-cooked, pre-sliced, and grass-fed, and seasoned perfectly. Simply warm it on the stovetop for less than 5 minutes, and you have a restaurant-quality steak ready for anything from salads, to grain bowls, tacos, or serving alongside a simple green salad and roasted potatoes. It’s such an easy protein option.”
06 of 07
Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto 
This 22-ounce jar of Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto is the GOAT of Costco’s sauces. “For something premade, this is surprisingly good,” says Antimo DiMeo, executive chef and co-owner of Bardea Restaurant Group. “It has that fresh basil, Parmesan, and olive oil flavor you want, and it’s an easy shortcut for pasta, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, or even as a marinade. For me, the best store-bought products aren’t necessarily the ones pretending to be homemade, they’re the ones that give you a really great foundation and let you do something with them at home.”
07 of 07
Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken
She’s famous for a reason! “[The] Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken is hard to beat for convenience,” says DiMeo. “I probably wouldn’t serve it exactly as-is if I were cooking for guests, but as an ingredient in a dish it’s fantastic. You can pull the meat and turn it into chicken salad, tacos, soup, or pasta. Then you can use the bones to make stock and get multiple meals out of one bird.”
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Dining and Cooking