I've Tried Dozens of Costco's Deli Items and This Is My Favorite

Costco’s bulk buys aren't the only reason to shop at this warehouse club. The members-only retailer also has a super-sized selection of deli products.

From charcuterie-ready cheese to heat-and-eat rotisserie chicken noodle soup, you can save money at Costco on these top deli delights. Which is the best, and what picks can save you the most money? We’ve rounded up our favorites and named one very special deli item our winner.

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

Price: $3.99 per pound

Autumn is almost over, but you can still get this savory salad in Costco’s deli section. Bulger wheat, mung beans, chickpeas, butternut squash, sunflower seeds, currants, and raisins make this one of the healthier prepared picks at this store. And bonus, the generous portion of ready-to-eat salad comes with a gourmet-inspired champagne vinaigrette dressing.

Costco Redditors are already raving about this deli deal. User Mintsopoulos commented, “I paired this with some smoked salmon…Mixed in a bowl with a bit of the dressing, and it was fantastic.”

Price: $11.99

Skip pricey catered charcuterie and make your own. Fratelli Beretta’s 24-ounce sampler pack includes all the meat you’ll need. This assortment features Calabrese salami, peppered salami, Genoa salami, Italian dry salami, chorizo, and sweet soppressata. Pair the pack with Kirkland’s cheese flight for a holiday party-ready platter.

Not only did the overwhelming assortment of sliced meat score points with us, but it’s also a more affordable option than you could buy elsewhere. Compare Costco’s low $11.99 price to $14.79 for a smaller 12-ounce Columbus charcuterie sampler at Target.

Price: $15.39

Add this inexpensive deli item to your breakfast or bunch buffet. The 12-ounce pack includes three varieties of sliced smoked salmon: peppered, traditional, and dill. You’ll also get a packet of honey mustard dill sauce with your purchase. Serve the salmon (and the sauce) with toasted bagels, cream cheese, or creamy brie.

Price: $7.89

Don’t forget to add these dill deli pickles to your shopping list. While the 52-ounce refrigerated container didn’t get the top spot, this runner-up deserves an honorable mention. The fresh, crisp, tangy taste has a flavor you’ll savor. And what goes better with a hot pastrami sandwich or chilled turkey roll-up than a crunchy pickle?

Price: $23.99

Get 1.8 pounds of cheese for under $24. This runner-up includes everything you need to create the perfect party platter. This year’s deli dairy delight includes an affordable assortment of Cello Monteau Alpine-Style, Jasper Hill Farm Vault 5 Cave-Aged Cheddar, El Pastor Gran Reserva Iberico, Formaggi della Famiglia Busti Il Tartufo Pecorino, and Cello Tuscan Rubbed Fontal.

Costoc’s Kirkland brand does more than just bring you a superior selection of cheeses. I also provide plenty of info on pairings. According to the pack, serve the gourmet goodies with a malbec, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, champagne, cider, brown ale, porter, lager, amber, or other hoppy ale.

Price: $5.99 per pound

Stack deli sandwiches or make a holiday platter without the cost of a catered meal. We love that Kirkland’s uncured ham is nitrate and nitrite-free. But that’s not the only reason it made the runner-up list.

This budget-friendly Costco generic buy is a steal compared to what could pay for name brands. Target sells a 12-ounce size of Applegate Natural Black Forest Uncured Ham Slices for $9.99. Sixteen ounces (one pound) of the Kirkland ham is only $5.99.

Price: $14.09

Ham isn’t the only deli meat that landed on our list of favorites. Kirkland’s sliced, fully-cooked turkey breast is also a close contender. For just over $14, you’ll get three 14-ounce packs of the ready-to-eat slices. Stack the nitrite and nitrate-free turkey onto a rustic multigrain bread, add it to a hummus pita sandwich, or make a pinwheel rollup.

The $14.09 price for three pouches is better than other retailers. Whole Foods Market’s 365 brand costs $8.99 for a single 14-ounce size.

Price: $6.99 per pound

Serve party guests this refrigerated roll-up or make lunch for yourself in under a minute. The roasted chicken, Swiss cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and veggie sandwich is a fan favorite that almost made it to the top of our list.

While $6.99 per pound may seem like a lot, it’s an inexpensive alternative to making your own. You would need to buy large tortillas or sandwich wraps ($3.69 for eight Mission flour tortillas at Target), assorted vegetables, sliced deli Swiss ($4.39 for nine slices of Tillamook Farmstyle Swiss at Target), a tub of cranberry cream cheese ($2.97 for a 7.5-ounce tub of Philadelphia Mixed Berry Cream Cheese at Walmart), and the chicken ($7.49 for seven ounces of Applegate Oven Roasted Chicken at Giant).

Price: $3.49

It’s warm, it’s comforting, and it’s our number one pick. Costco’s deli-prepared soup uses the same store-made rotisserie chicken you know and love. The thick, rich, savory blend also includes tender noodles and plenty of healthy veggies. Canned versions don’t compare to this ready-to-heat-and-eat soup.

While you could make your own version with Costco’s famed $4.99 rotisserie chickens, this prepared pick is a convenient option that won’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen.

Costco makes it easy to stock up and save money on essentials, electronics, and home goods. But that’s not all. You can also score the season’s best deli deals at the superstore.

Whether you’re planning a party or prepping for holiday guests, our favorites include a tasty selection of cheeses, cold cuts, prepared foods, and more. At these prices, you can fill your cart with more than just our top choice. So go ahead and snag a few of the runners-up, too.