5 Popular Costco Meals You Can Make Yourself for Less Money
Written by
David Nadelle
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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The consumer price index (CPI) rose at an annual rate of 2.9% in December, and while the current inflation rate in the U.S. isn’t too far off the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2%, it doesn’t mean that American individuals, families and businesses aren’t feeling the sting of the frustratingly high cost of goods and services, especially when shopping for groceries.
Historically, nutritious fruits and vegetables (and most legumes) are cheaper than pricey meats and grains, but the CPI for that index has doubled over the past 30 years. With costs so high, tailor-making meals to fit dietary needs, saving money and trimming excessive calories and sodium are trending among American shoppers.
However, given the choice, many people still tend to select the option that requires the least effort. Priding itself on providing for the customer before profit, Costco offers a wide assortment of pre-made meals that cater to those looking for no-fuss convenience. But it’ll cost you. With the exception of Costco’s immensely popular rotisserie chickens — which have remained priced at $4.99 since 2009 — many Kirkland brand offerings are cheaper to make yourself at home.
Unless you’re buying individual ingredients to copy Costco’s meals, here are five popular entrées you can make at home for less money.
Meatloaf With Mashed Potatoes
- Price: Around $16/4 lbs ($3.99/lb)
If the term “comfort food” wasn’t created to describe meatloaf, it should’ve been. Meatloaf with mash has always been a cheap and easy-to-prepare family meal, with ground chuck (around $5 per pound) and potatoes (less than $1 per pound) being two relatively inexpensive meats and veggies.
However, you can make it for less than Costco’s price of $3.99 a pound (unless you’re buying all the ingredients in bulk at Costco for the meal). Meatloaf is loved by the budget-conscious because it can be stretched using breadcrumbs ($0.15 per ounce), eggs ($4.15 per dozen) and additional veggies, making it a cheaper option.
Macaroni and Cheese
- Price: Around $11-$13 ($2.99-$3.49 per pound)
A dish that’s near impossible to screw up, macaroni and cheese is always a hit with kids. For parents, it’s cheaper to make at home, if you don’t overpay for cheese. Costco shoppers love the store’s prepared mac ‘n cheese that’s made with a garlic-kissed alfredo sauce, but elbow macaroni and cut-price cheese plus seasoning and crumb topping wins the cost war.
The meat of the dish, elbow macaroni, can be bought for $1 or $2 ($0.20 per serving), then it’s up to you to find deals on Romano, parmesan and shredded cheddar cheeses. You can even sub in a cheap alfredo sauce and a breadcrumb topping (or make both yourself) for next to nothing.
Stuffed Bell Peppers With Ground Beef and Rice
- Price: Around $18 ($4.99 per pound)
A rare Costco meal where the vegetable takes center stage. Red (sweet) peppers have been curiously expensive over the past year due to simple economics ($2.44 per pound now, per the Fed), but they fluctuate from week to week, affecting what you pay at your local store, and upping what Costco has to charge for this meal.
Rice is one of the cheapest foods on the planet and ground beef adds most of the flavor, but for interesting filling and seasoning ideas, check out some recipes online at sites like Allrecipes and Once Upon a Chef.
Yakisoba Stir Fry With Seasoned Chicken
- Price: Around $20 ($5.99 per pound)
Typically used as a tempura dipper, chuno sauce (or “Japanese Worcestershire”) is the star in this Costco stir fry delicacy. But don’t take the hit of buying a bottle of chuno — make some from scratch for pennies, by picking up pantry staples like ketchup ($0.19 per ounce), Worcestershire sauce ($0.40 per fluid ounce), soy sauce ($0.28 per fluid ounce), brown sugar ($0.13 per ounce) and ginger from somewhere like Food Bazaar. By doing so, you’ll be able to spend more on chicken, which is still annoyingly expensive ($4.10 per pound, as of December 2024, per the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).
Stuffed Salmon
- Price: Around $35 ($11.99/lb)
As The Default Cook says, “Take and bake meals are the most brilliant thing modern grocery stores offer. They’re one of the simplest ways to get dinner on the table — the perfect compromise between takeout and scratch cooking, and are usually healthier than your standard takeaway.”
Very true. Fish and seafood aren’t cheap, and Costco’s stuffed salmon meal is hefty and affordable. But sourcing your own will be less expensive than paying for prepared servings. Buying whole salmon fillets from a grocery store will by your biggest cost, but you can save by stuffing them with imitation crab and inexpensive filler ingredients like cooked rice, herbs and vegetables.
Editor’s note: Prices may vary depending on store, location and season.
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