Costco's Healthiest Prepared Foods to Start the New Year Right

Healthy lifestyle changes often top our New Year’s resolution lists, but they can be difficult to maintain when work, school, and other obligations kick back in. If you’re in too much of a time crunch to prepare a healthy meal from scratch, Costco has a few prepared options that are easy, affordable, and won’t count as a cheat day.

This deli item is full of veggies, quinoa, bulgur, and beans, making it a more filling meat-free option that can be enjoyed as a side or a main. Of course, if you are a meat-eater, adding chicken or another protein would be a great way to elevate this salad and make it go further. 

Hot and ready to eat, Costco's famous rotisserie chicken is a great protein choice that can be eaten on its own, mixed into a salad, or served alongside vegetables. If you’re concerned about sodium content, consider removing the skin. 

Tacos are often considered an unhealthy option, but these easy kits (a cult favorite among many Costco shoppers) do provide a cheap filling meal with chicken, cabbage slaw, salsa, cheese, and a lime cilantro crema. 

To make it healthier, skip the corn tortillas, go light on or skip the crema and cheese, and enjoy as a salad.  

These bell peppers have been sliced in half, then packed with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese. They’re easy to reheat and offer a hearty, satisfying alternative to cold salads or carb-heavy pasta dishes.  

Heart-healthy cuts of salmon come ready to cook in oven-safe tins, plus they’re already seasoned with flavorful butter that’ll melt as it heats. The filets can be paired with a salad, rice, or vegetable side.  

Fans say this chicken salad, though combined with mayo, isn’t overly heavy and has a nice crunch thanks to bits of celery. Plus, it’s versatile, working well on its own, with crackers, on salads, or in sandwiches and wraps.  

Orzo is mixed into a flavorful salad with vegetables, olives, and feta cheese. Add chicken or fish for protein, serve as a side, or enjoy it alone for a light lunch. Though not ideal for those avoiding carbs altogether, orzo is high in fiber and protein compared to rice and other carbs, meaning you’ll stay full longer. 

Poke may not be available in your local Costco, but for those that have it, this Hawaiian dish is a great healthy option packed with fresh protein, such as tuna or shrimp, and flavors of sesame, ginger, garlic, or wasabi. It can be eaten alone or with root or wonton chips, rice, or greens.  

This premade salad consists of mixed greens, pecans, dried cranberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, red onions, and goat cheese with a honey vinaigrette. The nuts and cheese will make it more filling than a veggie-only salad, and you can turn it into an entree by mixing in additional proteins. To make it healthier, consider ditching the provided dressing for olive oil and a dash of basaltic vinegar. Fresh strawberries would also go well with this mix, adding antioxidants. 

While not the healthiest item on this list — chicken thighs are higher in fat than leaner cuts, and it’s high in sodium — this stir fry is quick to prepare and has lots of veggies, including nutrient-dense broccoli. Soba noodles, made from buckwheat, also have more fiber and protein than pasta noodles.  

These handheld pinwheels work as a quick snack or lunch as they’re easy to pack and require no preparation. Ingredients include chicken, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and cream cheese rolled in a flatbread and cut into bite-size pieces. They’re not as carb-dense as a traditional sandwich, easy to portion, and contain protein thanks to the chicken, cheese, and touch of cream cheese. 

While not exactly a prepared meal, Costco members can get a lot of mileage and variety out of its 0% fat Greek yogurt and frozen fruits and greens. A quick, protein-rich breakfast or snack can be made by blending it all together and enjoying at home or pouring into a travel mug for on-the-go convenience. Flavorful add-ins may include nut butters, honey, or maple syrup.