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Mexican Food at Costco That’s Better Than Restaurants (For a Fraction of the Cost)

It’s time to throw a frugal fiesta.

costco logo at the entrance
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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When you’re craving Mexican food, your first move might be to get in the car and head to your favorite local spot. But one quesadilla turns into an order of queso, a side of guacamole, maybe an order of churros. Before you know it, you’ve blown your restaurant budget for the week.

That’s when Cotsco comes to the rescue. Their prepared and frozen food sections have a surprising array of ethnic foods, and Mexican cuisine is where they truly shine. You can pick up a few dishes to keep in the freezer for quick weeknight meals or plan an entire themed feast for friends. Saving money at Costco and having a delicious dinner? Sign us up!

Here are twelve of the best Mexican foods at Costco that are better than a restaurant — just make sure you don’t miss the corn dip.

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Street Tacos

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz street tacos

Price: $5.49 per pound

You can get these delicious prepared street tacos from Costco for less than the price of a soft taco at Taco Bell. They come ready to heat and assemble with chicken, tortillas, and all the sauces, cheese, and toppings you want on an authentic street taco meal.

Enchilada Bake with Rotisserie Chicken

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz hand holding enchilada bake

Price: $5.99 per pound

A cheesy, creamy enchilada bake is one of those perfect comfort foods. You can save yourself the effort of assembling one yourself when you buy Costco’s pre-made version with rotisserie chicken, beans, enchilada sauce, corn, rice, and cheese. Plus, its seasonings rival anything you’d get at a Mexican restaurant.

Rojo’s Street Corn Dip

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz rojos street corn dip

Price: $8.99

Corn dip is always a crowd favorite. It’s spicy, creamy, and cheesy, and the only way it can get better is if you don’t have to make it yourself or pay for it at a Mexican restaurant. Rojo’s Street Corn Dip has a following among Costco fans because it delivers an authentic, spicy taste.

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El Monterey Mexican Grill Taquitos

Brent Hofacker/Adobe el monterey taquitos

Price: $16.99

Keep a jumbo bag of these frozen taquitos in your freezer at all times, and you’ll never be without a delicious, savory snack. These are as good as any appetizer you’ll find at your favorite Mexican restaurant, yet they take just a few minutes to make — and they’re cheap.

Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas

Courtesy of Costco creamy poblano enchiladas

Price: $4.99

These creamy chicken enchiladas don’t pack a spicy punch, but they’ll fill that creamy, gooey craving with just a touch of rich pepper taste. Add some salsa and guacamole for a restaurant-worthy meal.

Chicken Quesadillas

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz chicken quesadilla

Price: $6.99 per pound

It doesn’t get easier than heat and eat, and Costco has quesadillas with everything you need for a restaurant-quality meal. The tortillas are stuffed with chicken and cheese, and salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are ready to go. Just cook them in the skillet, and dinner is served.

Queso Mama White Queso

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz queso mama white queso

Price: $7.99

Any good Mexican restaurant meal starts with queso, and Costco is making it easy to replicate that creamy, delicious taste at home. This white queso comes in a two-pound container, which is only an issue when you realize that you’ll be tempted to eat the entire two pounds at once.

Mexican Style Street Corn

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz mexican street style corn

Price: $10.99

If you love the creamy, spicy flavor of street corn, you need to keep a package of this Mexican-style street corn in the freezer at all times. Throw it in a skillet, and you’re just minutes away from enjoying the flavors of lime, chili, sour cream, and corn.

6-Layer Dip

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz black bean cotija 6 layer dip

Price: $11.49

A good 7-layer dip isn’t necessarily hard to make, but it does take time, and most Mexican restaurants don’t even serve it. Luckily, Costco has a 6-layer dip that works in a pinch (and you don’t have to make it yourself!).

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Stuffed Peppers

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature stuffed peppers

Price: $4.99 per pound

Sometimes, Costco’s prepared foods truly deliver and give you something nutritious for less than it would cost to make it yourself. Their stuffed peppers come ready-to-heat with cheese, rice, and beef, and they’re hearty enough for a full Mexican-inspired meal.

Good Foods Chunky Guacamole

Courtesy of Costco good foods chunky guacamole

Price: $11.99

Guacamole is one of those sneaky restaurant dishes. It always costs more than you expect, yet making it at home never has quite the same taste. Luckily, Costco has a three-pack of guacamole, so you always have pre-made guac on hand (no need to worry about it going brown).

Del Real Foods Pork Carnitas

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz del real carnitas

Price: $12.99

Once you take a bite of these savory pork carnitas, you’ll feel like you’re at a high-end Mexican restaurant. It’s as if you’ve spent all day cooking pork in the slow cooker, except all you have to do is heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. Throw it in a taco or on a salad, and you’re good to go for a quick and delicious dinner.

Bottom line

MichaelVi/Adobe mountain view california costco from outside

While Costco is constantly releasing new dishes and perfecting its array of ethnic offerings, these are a few of our favorites right now. 

If you have a Costco membership, skip the Mexican restaurant and keep more money in your wallet. Make sure you check out your local store to see if there are new products or if your region is lucky enough to get some of the dishes that aren’t carried nationwide.

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Author Details

Heather Bien

Heather Bien is a writer covering personal finance and budgeting and how those relate to life, travel, entertaining, and more. With bylines that include The Spruce, Apartment Therapy, and mindbodygreen, she's covered everything from tax tips for freelancers to budgeting hacks to how to get the highest ROI out of your home renovations.