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12 Costco Gourmet Meals That Rival Your Favorite Takeout (For So Much Less)

Pass on pricey restaurant meals and snag these affordable upscale options.

Collage of Costco store front and Lamb Shanks meal box
Updated April 30, 2025
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Fulfill your foodie fantasies for less. You don't have to spend a fortune ordering takeout from fancy restaurants, steakhouses, cafes, and other high-end eateries. Unlock the true value of your Costco membership and snag delicious deals that rival fancy restaurant meals.

We scoured the warehouse club's aisles and found bargains on everything from prawns to pasta. Fill your cart with these wallet-friendly finds instead of paying the hefty takeout fee next time you have gourmet-food cravings.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Rana Black Garlic and Cheese Ravioli

black garlic and cheese ravioli

Price: $12.59

Sumptuous black garlic and a rich fontina-parm-mascarpone cheese blend make these pasta pockets perfect for lunch or dinner.

Get two 13-ounce packs for under $13 rather than one order of Olive Garden's cheese ravioli that costs $16.99 (plus delivery fee and tipping).

A La Carte Herbes de Provence Lamb Shanks

herbes de provence lamb shanks

Price: $6.99 per pound

You don't need to scroll through dining apps to find a "Top Chef-worthy" meal. Pass on pricey takeout tonight when you stock up on fully cooked lamb shanks with gourmet lavender, honey, thyme, basil, and Dijon brown sauce for $6.99 per pound at Costco

Two and a half pounds come to around $18, making this a total steal. You would easily pay over $30 to order a meal like this. Plus, you can microwave this foodie find in minutes — no delivery waiting time.

Kirkland Signature Margherita Pizza

margherita pizza

Price: $14.99

Fresh mozzarella slices and slow-roasted tomatoes make this more than just an average pizza. The refrigerated take-and-bake pie is a fan favorite and about $10 less than what you'd pay picking up your takeout order yourself.

Redditor imperialpark raved, "Tried these a while back…and they were great. A nice alternative to the local pizza places I usually go to."

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Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

salmon milano with basil pesto butter

Price: $11.99 per pound

Save on a seafood selection. While you will have to cook this salmon, it comes pre-prepped with a restaurant-quality basil pesto butter topping.


Luckily, the instructions are very simple. Just heat the fish in a 400-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes (or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit).

An Atlantic salmon meal from Mitchell's Fish Market costs $29.50. While you will get sides with your takeout order, you won't get Costco's larger quantity.

Formaggio Fresh Mozzarella Salad

formaggio fresh mozzarella salad

Price: $12.99

Start your gourmet dinner at home with this herb-marinated fresh mozzarella salad. The massive 2.5-pound olive oil-packed pick will serve a few dinners and lunches.

You could get a smaller single-serving Caprese fresh mozzarella appetizer at Bravo! for the same price. Of course, that doesn't include the extra cost of a top or delivery fee.

Chateau Fougeres French Petits Fours

fougeres french petits fours

Price: $13.79

These "petits fours" aren't fancy French desserts. This 24-pack of savory starters features pastries with distinctly delicious flavors, including three-cheese quiche, garlic bread, Emmental cheese puff, and brie cheese.

Bake the bites for about eight minutes, and voila, they're ready to kill your gourmet appetizer cravings.

Kirkland Signature Wild Cooked Dungeness Crab Sections

wild cooked dungeness crab sections

Price: $19.99 per pound

Make every night all-you-can-eat crab legs with this deal. You can simply reheat them by steaming for 5-8 minutes.

The nearly $20 per pound price may seem like a lot. But compared to restaurant fare, this deal is a steal. California's The Boiling Crab offers a variety of seafood selections. The eatery's dungeness crab legs cost over $25 more than Costco's price ($37 per pound).

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

imtmphoto/Adobe woman with shopping bags at mall

May brings both warmer weather and major sales with the combo of Mother's Day (May 11) and Memorial Day (May 26). Here are some of the best deals to watch for:

  • Mattresses, furniture, and large appliances
  • Spring clothing clearance
  • Garden plants and outdoor furniture
  • For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like strawberries, artichokes, and cherries.

Retailers are already prepping for summer while you're just enjoying spring, making May perfect to save money at your favorite retailers.

Chef Hak's Organic Roasted Rainbow Carrots

organic roasted rainbow carrots

Price: $12.99

Are you looking forward to a paleo-friendly, vegetarian gourmet meal? Save money and pick up a 31-ounce pack of these maple Digon-glazed organic roasted rainbow carrots. Pair the organic veggies with braised tofu, chickpea pasta, or cheese tortellini.

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Kirkland Signature Wild Warm Water Lobster

wild warm water lobster

Price: $26.99 per pound

If you're looking for an especially fancy dinner that could easily cost you over a hundred dollars on takeout food, this might be the one where you save about 50% of your money.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood sells two seven-ounce South African lobster tails for $110. If that's out of your price range, snag a four-pack of Costco's KS tails and make your own version at home.

Rana Beef and Short Rib Lasagna

beef and short rib lasagna

Price: $15.99

This Costco Italian gourmet find serves six people — that's a fancy meal for less than $3 per person. Plus, it's surprisingly ready in 15 minutes at 375 Fahrenheit in your oven. Quicker than waiting for takeout delivery.

What do shoppers think about this upscale Italian option? Redditor Reasonable-Word6729 posted, "Really good with a nice fresh salad…The short ribs are tasty and much better than just ground beef."

Royal Asia Prawn Hacao

prawn hacao

Price: $14.59

Get 40 dumplings filled with wild-caught squid, farm-raised shrimp, and veggies for under $15. Costco subreddit user lonelygalexy noted, "This is better than regular Chinese takeout places that charge around $9 for four pieces."

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

Syda Productions/Adobe family shopping at grocery store

Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:

  • Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
  • Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
  • Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.

Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.

Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke

ahi tuna wasabi poke

Price: $21.99 per pound

Eat lighter and enjoy this spicy bargain buy. Ahi tuna is a delicious delicacy you can snag for a limited time in Costco's prepared deli section. Don't sleep on this sushi-like item — especially because we all know how expensive Japanese food takeout can be.

Redditor KeltarCentauri wrote, "We had this for about three weeks at our store. It's short-lived, so enjoy it while you've got it."

Bottom line

Brett/Adobe costco wholesale storefront

Everyone is looking for smart ways to save money while still enjoying a delicious meal that you don't have to cook yourself.

Ordering takeout from pricey restaurants and paying delivery app fees isn't the answer. Instead, score deep discounts on fancy Costco foods. Plus, you can browse other Costco aisles and score affordable home decor, beauty buy dupes, and other everyday items for a bargain.

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