15 Of The Best Costco Side Dishes Of 2026 — So Far

Whether you're planning a big holiday party or just having a family meal at home, Costco offers a wide range of frozen and prepared foods that simplify the process. Its deli, refrigerator, and frozen sections are packed with comfort classics and international favorites that complement nearly any cuisine. Not only are these products ready in minutes, but they're also cost-effective and delicious.

If you're short on time or don't have the energy for measuring, chopping, and other prep work, heat-and-serve sides are a game changer. The Kirkland Signature brand is known for its restaurant-quality taste and large portions, but Costco also carries pre-made options from brands like Main Street Bistro, Bibigo, and Wanchai Ferry. These fan-favorite items are made from gourmet-style ingredients and are often mistaken for homemade food.

To determine which of Costco's prepared meals to recommend, we started by considering our own personal experience as long-time members. We also read reviews on the retailer's site and social media posts from Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram. Finally, we assessed cost, value, portion size, and versatility — in other words, how easy it would be to integrate the side dish into a variety of meals. From a dressed-up version of Costco's famous mac and cheese to a fan-favorite prepared salad loaded with chicken, here are the 15 best Costco side dishes of 2026 (so far).

Please note that prices listed are verified at the time of publication but may vary based on season or region.

Pulled pork mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and this version from Costco's Kirkland Signature brand is absolutely fantastic. It's made from cavatappi pasta, Alfredo sauce, shredded cheddar, and chunks of smoked pork. One Redditor declared it their "new favorite thing from Costco," while another shopper described its appeal: "The pork shoulder chunks are [smoky] and tender and perfectly complement the gooey Mac and cheese."

Purchase a tray of Kirkland Signature Smoked Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese for around $5 per pound.

The Kirkland Signature Organic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes earned a huge fanbase thanks to the rich, creamy blend of spuds, butter, and seasonings. It goes well with everything, from the store's famous rotisserie chicken to Thanksgiving turkey. On Instagram, a customer described the potatoes as "soft, fluffy, salty, creamy and super buttery." A Redditor who was more succinct with their review simply declared, "Kirkland Mashed potatoes are elite."

Buy a tray of Kirkland Signature Organic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes for about $3 per pound.

Kirkland's new Southern-style buttermilk biscuits are a great shortcut for a simple biscuits-and-gravy dish, and they're also mouthwatering when heated in the oven and served with honey butter. One Costco shopper exclaimed on Facebook, "They are delicious ... Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside — 10 out of 10." Another raved that these were "an absolute hit" with their family as a breakfast sandwich, especially after air frying them.

Grab a 10-count package of Kirkland Signature Buttermilk Biscuits for around $8.

The Grain & Celery Salad at Costco is absolutely delicious, made from a wide number of ingredients including bulgur wheat, quinoa, chickpeas, kale, cabbage, celery, and more. It has a delightful crunch that is perfectly balanced by the creamy, tangy dressing. "The quinoa + celery salad with apple cider vinaigrette is BOMB," says one shopper on Reddit.

Purchase Kirkland Signature Grain & Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette for about $15.

Bibigo makes the best frozen dumplings at Costco. They're amazing additions to any rice dish or stir-fry, and can also be added to some broth to bulk it up into a soup. Filled with chicken, cabbage, onions, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and ginger, each package comes with packets of a savory dipping sauce. In a Reddit review, a shopper says, "plenty of filling in each dumpling and ease of preparation makes these an absolute winner."

Purchase a 36-count package of Bibigo Steamed Dumplings, Chicken & Vegetable for about $15.

If you don't have time to make meatballs from scratch, Kirkland Signature cooked meatballs are a savory frozen option that could pass for homemade. While not everyone agrees, as one person says on Facebook, "nothing compares to homemade, but these are a darn good second!" Serve them with pasta, or use them to make a meatball appetizer. "We have them in BBQ sauce in a crock pot every year for Xmas," says one Redditor.

Buy a 6-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Italian Style Beef Meatballs for about $24.

Tortellini pasta salad is the perfect side for a backyard barbecue or to serve with sandwiches for lunch. Costco's version includes five-cheese tortellini, salami, black olives, grape tomatoes, and mozzarella pearls in a Tuscan dressing. One member said on Reddit that it only lasts two days in their house before being devoured. Another says it's their favorite deli item, suggesting, "put it in a bowl and pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds."

Snag a container of Kirkland Signature Tortellini Pasta Salad for about $7 per pound.

Perfectly seasoned, crispy roasted potato wedges take a lot of practice to master. If you don't have time, this gourmet-style frozen option is a great compromise. Each thick-cut potato is seasoned with herbs and spices and roasted to a perfect golden brown. Serve them with a rotisserie chicken, thick, juicy steak, or even a cheeseburger. "These taters taste amazing ... I can't get my potatoes to taste this good with all my fancy seasonings," raves one shopper on Reddit.

Buy a 3-pound bag of Bistro Gourmand Bistro Style Potato Wedges for $6 to $13.

We ranked another one of PuraVida's frozen veggie mixes highly, naming it one of Costco's best freezer items of 2026. This product is equally delicious and contains fire-roasted red pepper, zucchini, red onion, yellow squash, and broccoli tossed in avocado oil and seasoned with Himalayan pink salt, pepper, and aromatic spices. It has already earned a fanbase, as well. "They are so delicious," says one Costco shopper on Reddit. Another adds, "They are a great, quick, [and] easy" side dish.

Buy a 4-pound bag of PuraVida Fire Roasted Primavera Mistura for between $10 to $13.

This new, fresh, and vibrant salad from Costco is simple and elevated. Described as a "restaurant-quality salad" on Instagram, it's made from an organic spring mix with whole grape tomatoes, a generous portion of burrata cheese, Kalamata olives, and a parsley garnish. Each package comes with a small container of balsamic dressing. One large package works for "at least 3 lunch salads," according to a Redditor who describes it as "freaking awesome." Another says on Facebook, "it's the best salad I have ever eaten."

Purchase a Kirkland Signature Burrata Salad for $6 to $8 per pound.

Nothing finishes a comforting meal more perfectly than thick, rustic slices of buttered sourdough bread. This new bread is one of the best products to buy this month. One shopper says, "I bought it thrice within a span of 2 weeks because it's so freakin' delicious," while another admits, "It's addictive. I have purchased two loaves so far and both have lasted 24 hours." A Redditor who calls it "incredible" says "this bread hits it out of the park."

Buy a loaf of Kirkland Signature Cherry Berry Sourdough Bread for about $10.

If your favorite holiday side is old-fashioned scalloped potatoes, you're going to love this heat-and-serve shortcut. Made with tender potatoes, whole milk, and real cheddar, parmesan, and Romano cheese, these are ready in less than 10 minutes. "Nothing beats homemade, but [these] are great," says one Redditor. Another noted that they actually passed them off as homemade, saying, "I brought these to a potluck in a simple, clear pyrex baking dish, lightly toasted on top. They were a big hit."

Get a 40-ounce tray of Reser's Main St. Bistro Scalloped Potatoes for about $8.

Not only is this one of the best Costco frozen appetizers out there, but it also makes a great addition to soup, fried rice, or a stir-fry. Each dumpling is filled with pork, cabbage, scallions, and wood ear mushrooms, and gets rave reviews from customers. One buyer says on Reddit, "hands down my new store-bought favorite. The filling tastes GREAT – super flavorful. You also get texture from the veggies, little bits of cabbage or mushroom. This one on repeat."

Purchase a 36-count box of Wanchai Ferry Pork & Cabbage Dumplings for around $13.

Making chicken fried rice from scratch is laborious, but this frozen option is the next best thing to homemade. "I always combine it with the orange chicken...and it makes a pretty good meal," says one Costco shopper on Reddit. Another adds, "Throw a couple of eggs on top and that fried rice becomes restaurant quality." The dish features chunks of grilled white meat chicken, edamame, peppers, peas, and carrots in cooked rice seasoned with soy sauce and mirin.

Grab a six-count box of Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice for $15 to $16.

This fan-favorite Costco pasta salad has returned after a decade-long absence. It makes a great side dish for a light meal. It includes penne pasta, Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, and red onion tossed in Greek dressing. "We were obsessed with this back in the day," says one person on Instagram. A Costco member on Facebook says it's "so delicious," while another on Instagram says, "finally [I've] been waiting forever."

Buy Kirkland Signature Greek Pasta Salad with Rotisserie Chicken for about $5 per pound.