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Don’t Get Frostbitten by Bad Buys: 10 Costco Frozen Foods to Skip!
Costco is a treasure trove of bulk buys and fantastic deals, especially when it comes to stocking your freezer. But let’s be real, not every frozen dream turns into a delicious reality. From sky-high prices to questionable flavors and nutritional value, some of these icy offerings just don’t make the cut.
So, before you fill your cart with a frosty flop, here are 10 frozen meals at Costco that might leave you, and your taste buds, out in the cold.
(A quick heads-up from your friendly neighborhood journalist: Prices and availability are as shifty as a melting ice cube, so they might vary by location!)
1. Jimmy Dean Delights English Muffin
Price: $18.15
Jimmy Dean usually delivers on breakfast protein, but their turkey sausage, egg white, and cheese whole grain English muffins? Shoppers are saying no cooking method can save these. Expect soggy bread, rubbery meat, and an overall “just not good” experience.
2. Foster Farms Jumbo Chicken Corn Dogs
Price: $17.39
Who doesn’t love a good corn dog? That nostalgic carnival vibe is hard to beat.
A 28-pack of jumbo chicken corn dogs sounds like a party in a box, right? Wrong.
While the chicken inside is surprisingly juicy, the cornbread coating is reportedly spongy, dry, and has an unappealing grittiness. You might not even finish the first one, let alone 28.
3. Kirkland Signature Meatballs, Italian Style Beef
Price: $22.69
Once a fan favorite, Kirkland’s Italian Style Beef Meatballs seem to have lost their luster. Customers report that the frozen meat, which was already a bit finicky to cook right, is now even tougher and has an odd oily, wet texture. Even the old trick of soaking them to improve texture reportedly doesn’t work anymore.
4. Ling Ling Potstickers
Price: $13.15
When it comes to potstickers, Costco members overwhelmingly lean towards Bibigo. Ling Ling’s version, on the other hand, is plagued by overly sugary chicken, a filling texture compared to “wet styrofoam,” and a consistently disappointing recipe. While some adventurous cooks try alternative preparation methods, most agree you can’t fix the flavor, or lack thereof.
5. Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes
Price: $15.49
The cheesy, herbed Chicken Bakes from Costco’s food court are legendary. The frozen version?
A sad imitation. Fans lament the absence of the beloved Caesar and Parmesan flavors.
And if taste isn’t enough to deter you, the alarming 1,370 mg of sodium per bake might give you pause.
6. Kirkland Signature Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Price: $13.61
Costco’s attempt at an affordable, gluten-free cauliflower crust pizza is commendable in theory. However, it still falls short.
The saturated fat and sodium levels are surprisingly high for a “healthier” option. Plus, getting cauliflower to mimic a true pizza crust is a culinary challenge, and this one reportedly ends up flat and oddly chewy.
7. Ajinomoto Shoyu Ramen with Chicken
Price: $20.42
This ramen used to have a loyal following, but a recent recipe change has left a sour taste. The tender, sliced chicken is gone, replaced by rubbery, harder-to-eat cubes. Sometimes, it’s best not to mess with a good thing!
8. Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese
Price: $12.59
For many, Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese is pure nostalgia. But let’s be honest, it’s not about the taste or nutrition.
While 76 ounces of pasta for this price is a budget-friendly dream, prepare for astronomically high sodium and a gritty, floury texture. The internet also agrees: it’s just not what it used to be.
9. El Monterey Burritos
Price: $23.19
El Monterey Burritos were once known as a solid, protein-packed, budget-friendly meal. Unfortunately, they’ve reportedly shrunk in size and are far less satisfying. Customers are even claiming there’s more tortilla than filling – a significant downgrade for a product that was once perfectly good.
10. Smucker’s Uncrustables
Price: $15.79
You’ve probably heard it before, but Uncrustables aren’t exactly a health food hero. It takes almost the same amount of time to whip up a fresh peanut butter and jelly sandwich with more wholesome ingredients. While the formula has seen improvements, many still complain about the texture and an overly sweet jelly.
The Bottom Line
While Costco is a fantastic place to save on groceries, it pays to do your homework before tossing something new into your cart. A little research can save you from the disappointment of wasting money on a frozen meal you won’t even finish!