15 Best Costco Finds for a Cheap and Easy Side Dish
So, you've picked out a juicy cut of meat for your dinner, and you're ready to head home and cook it to perfection. But what about side dishes? If you're looking for easy ways to complete your meal that won't take a lot of effort, Costco has you covered. The warehouse club has plenty of prepared, fresh, and frozen sides that will please every palate.
We've rounded up some of the best Costco side dishes from every section of the warehouse. Get ready to dig in!
And for more ideas, don't miss these 15 Best Appetizers at Costco You Can Serve Tonight.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Head to the Costco deli, and you'll find this pasta salad, made with tricolor tortellini and fresh mozzarella balls. No one will know you didn't make it yourself!
Dee Amore Loaded Potato Salad
If you don't have time to make potato salad from scratch, you can get a three-pound tub of the stuff for $6.99 at Costco. Just be mindful of portion sizes; this is a heavier side dish.
And if you're making potato salad at home, try our Classic Potato Salad Recipe.
Mac and Cheese
At the Costco deli, you'll find premade trays of mac and cheese for $2.99 a pound. All ou have to do is take it home and finish it in the oven for a tray of cheesy goodness.
Mashed Potatoes
Yes, homemade mashed potatoes are terrific. But when you don't have time to break out the potato masher, let Costco do the work for you. You can even buy fresh mashed potatoes and meatloaf together from the Costco deli for a ready-to-go meal.
Summer Fresh Tuscan Bean Salad
If you're firing up the grill, this bean salad is the perfect light side dish to accompany those burgers and hot dogs.
And if you're stopping by the food court, here are The Best & Worst Menu Items at Costco's Food Court.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This is another gem from the Costco deli. The prepared salad comes loaded with egg, tomato, cheese, onions, dried cranberries, and bacon crumbles. Yum.
Shrimp Salad
Think of this as an upgraded version of a shrimp cocktail (which, FYI, you can also get at Costco). All you have to do is open this salad and serve it!
Chicken Salad
Sure, you can bring home a Costco rotisserie chicken and use it to make any number of rotisserie chicken recipes. But if you want a dinner that's even easier, Costco makes a chicken salad with the rotisserie chicken. Serve it alongside a bowl of leafy greens for an easy summer meal.
Quinoa Salad
If you haven't caught on yet, the Costco deli has plenty of delicious prepared salad offerings! This one is vegetarian-friendly and features quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, beans, and bell pepper pieces.
And for more Costco must-buys, don't miss these 15 Costco Foods That Make Meal Prep Easy.
Panera Mac and Cheese
You don't have to head to Panera to get a bowl of the chain's delicious mac and cheese. Costco sells this refrigerated version—just heat and serve.
Harry's Organic Tomato Basil Soup
If you don't have time to make tomato soup from scratch, try this refrigerated version from Costco.
Taylor Farms Vegetable Tray with Ranch Dip
This might be the easiest side dish out there. If you don't have time to slice and dice, just pick up this prepared vegetable tray from the Costco produce section.
BelGioioso Sliced Mozzarella
Caprese is one of the easiest side dishes to make, and Costco makes it even easier with this sliced mozzarella. Just layer it with tomato slices and drizzle with balsamic!
Rojo's Black Bean and Cotija Cheese Six-Layer Dip
Costco has plenty of chips and dips for a quick and easy side dish. Try this creamy six-layer dip, or go with the refrigerated guacamole and hummus options.
Aidell's Teriyaki & Pineapple Chicken Meatballs
Add a dose of protein to a salad or pasta dish with these chicken meatballs. The pineapple flavor is unexpected and delicious.
And for more from the warehouse, check out these 30 Cheap Costco Buys That Make the Membership Worth It.
