6 Costco Dinners Middle-Class Retirees Are Stocking Up On
Written by
John Csiszar
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Costco is such a beloved big-box store that over 133 million members pay between $65 and $130 per year just for the privilege of shopping there. Perhaps even more impressive, almost 93% of members in the U.S. renew annually.
But while Costco has a reputation for offering good prices, it’s equally well-known for its bulk packaging, from 27-pound buckets of macaroni and cheese to 60-pound tubs of pure honey. That might not make it seem like the right store for middle-class retirees. But viewed through the lens of meals that are high-quality, convenient, and well-priced, Costco can actually be a great option for the average senior.
Here are six meals that particularly stand out as good options to stock up on for retirees.
Rotisserie Chicken
You can’t discuss Costco without bringing up its famed $4.99 rotisserie chicken. Not only is the price unbeatable, but the serving is outsized as well — at least 3 pounds per bird, compared with 2 or less at most grocery stores.
This makes it an incredibly cheap way for middle-class retirees to stock up on delicious, freshly roasted chicken. The leftovers can last days and be used in soups, casseroles, sandwiches, or simply reheated.
Ready-to-Bake Trays
Costco sells an endless number of frozen or refrigerated trays of comfort meals that meet all of the requirements of middle-class retirees: delicious, easy-to-make, and cost-effective. From chicken alfredo with penne to stuffed peppers to meatloaf and potatoes, the range of meals that you can simply pop in the oven is nearly limitless.
Retirees looking to pick up meals that don’t require any prep at all can pick up things like Costco’s chicken and bacon wraps with ranch, which can be warmed or simply eaten right out of the tray.
Frozen Meals
Frozen meals can be the cornerstone of a middle-class retiree’s meal plan. Typically more affordable than fresh meals, frozen meals also allow seniors to take their time slowly eating the immense portions that Costco offers.
Some of the most popular items include Kirkland Signature items, such as lasagna and cauliflower crust pizza, Don Lee Farms crispy beef birria tacos, Pasta Prima ravioli, Sandwich Bros chicken melt flatbread pockets and Ajinomoto Shoyu ramen bowls, among many others cited by users on Reddit and other sources, like Tasting Table.
Kirkland Signature Meatballs
There’s nothing like a big bag of frozen protein to offer value, convenience, and flexibility for seniors. While delicious on their own, Kirkland Signature meatballs can also be used for a wide range of easy-to-make meals, from submarine sandwiches to spaghetti and meatballs. Although they come in a massive 6-pound bag, you can use as few or as many at a time as you would like.
Frozen Chicken Breasts
For those who prefer chicken over meat, the even larger 6.5-pound bag of frozen Kirkland Signature Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breasts offers another great way to get protein on the cheap. The individual breasts allow retirees to take as many or as few at a time as they need, and they can be chopped, shredded, sliced, or used whole in a variety of recipes. Once quickly cooked, they can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, stir-frys or simply eaten straight.
Caesar Salad
Lots of retirees don’t need big fancy meals to fill themselves up. Many are simply looking for a nice salad. Many find the Costco Caesar salad to be as good as they might get in a mid-tier restaurant but much more convenient and cost-effective. For most retirees, a single Costco Caesar salad provides three or four servings and only runs about $8. That includes chopped romaine lettuce, fresh lemon wedges, garlic & cheese croutons, and shredded parmesan cheese.
The Bottom Line
Middle-class retirees, particularly those living alone, want to maximize value and minimize waste. While the servings Costco sells are most definitely more than one person could eat, they still represent a great way for seniors to stretch their dollars.
Rotisserie chickens, for example, offer an easy way to repurpose leftovers, while freezer and ready-made options offer convenience and can cut down on leftovers. Combined with Costco’s reputation for quality, there are lots of items that middle-class retirees can stock up on.
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