- Costco’s freezer aisle is packed with easy, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizers.
- Options range from veggie bites to seafood and chicken dishes ready in minutes.
- These tasty picks help you host stress-free while staying on budget.
If you’re planning on hosting celebrations this holiday season, appetizers are likely on your grocery list. The freezer aisle of your local Costco is one of the best places to shop for easy, heat-and-serve options at budget-minded prices. My curated list features my top picks of new and returning holiday entertaining favorites that are sure to please all your guests—including vegetarians and seafood enthusiasts. And they’re so good that you’ll have them thinking you made everything from scratch.
1. Amylu Cranberry & Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs
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Pop these meatballs on a tray with a few toothpicks for an easy appetizer that will wow your guests. They’re made from antibiotic- and nitrate-free ground chicken mixed with cranberry, jalapeño and a blend of sweet and savory ingredients, including maple syrup and rosemary. Serve them with maple syrup for dipping or with your favorite chili sauce for extra heat. You can get a pack of about 60 meatballs for less than $20.
2. Cuisine Adventures Spanakopita
Costco. EatingWell design.
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love this classic Greek appetizer. These authentic spanakopita feature layers of crispy phyllo dough stuffed with a creamy spinach and feta cheese filling. They heat up in less than 20 minutes in a conventional oven and in about half that time in an air fryer. Each box contains four oven-safe trays of 12, for a total of 48 spanakopita for less than $20.
3. Kirkland Signature Tempura Shrimp
Costco. EatingWell design.
Tempura is notoriously time-consuming and messy to make, but these ready-made Kirkland shrimp tempura offer authentic flavors and texture (think tender shrimp and a crispy batter) without the hard work. In fact, they’re already fried, so all you have to do is heat them in the oven before serving. The box includes 30 pieces and is just over 20 bucks.
4. Beecher’s “World’s Best” Mac & Cheese
Costco. EatingWell design.
Mac and cheese is a must-have holiday dish, but it’s best enjoyed in smaller serving sizes since it’s so filling. To turn it into the perfect appetizer, simply heat this mac and cheese that was named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, then serve it in small cups. Or thaw it and transfer spoonfuls into a muffin tray and bake to create a crispy-meets-melty bite-size appetizer. The already budget-friendly 46-ounce package is available at a $4 discount through December 21.
5. Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls
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These vegetable spring rolls feature crispy wheat and rice wrappers filled with edamame and a blend of shredded carrot, cabbage, onion and leek. They heat up quickly in an oven or air fryer and come with a Korean-style soy-ginger sauce for dipping. The giant pack includes 50 spring rolls for just over $10.
6. Kirkland Wild Argentine Red Shrimp
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Caught off the southern coast of Argentina, these wild shrimp have a delicate texture and lobster-like flavor. Blanche and serve them whole with cocktail sauce for a classic appetizer, or chop them to top canapés or to create a chunky ceviche base. A 2-pound bag costs around $22 and includes between 20 and 40 large shrimp that are peeled and deveined for added convenience.
7. Cuisine Adventures Puff Pastry Bites
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This 48-count box of vegetarian puff pastry bites is around $14 and includes four savory flavors, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Guests can sample roasted red pepper and cheddar; spinach and Parmesan; caramelized onion and ricotta; and artichoke, Monterey Jack and jalapeño—all wrapped in a puff pastry dough that becomes golden and flaky after heating in the oven for less than 20 minutes.
8. Imperial Garden Organic Edamame
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When it comes to entertaining, it doesn’t get fresher or easier than these delicately sweet, young edamame. The 6-pound package is about $16 and includes twelve 6-ounce steamable bags of organic edamame pods, which means you can quickly steam enough to refill serving trays, while keeping the reserves fresh.
9. Sukhi’s Samosas
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These authentic samosas come in a box of 20 and include two popular Indian fillings—rich chicken tikka masala and yogurt-marinated butter chicken. The flour-based dough has a mildly savory flavor and flaky texture that creates the perfect balance against the creamy fillings. Whip up sweet and spicy chutneys for dipping.
10. Roots Farm Organic Sweet Potato Fries
Costco. EatingWell design.
These organic sweet potato fries make for an easy and tasty appetizer when served alongside a medley of dips—think garlic aioli, honey mustard and honey butter or even plain ketchup. Just spread them out on a baking sheet, bake until crisp and serve immediately. A 64-ounce bag is just over $11.
11. Kirkland Signature Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Costco. EatingWell design.
This gluten-free pizza has a thin and crispy cauliflower crust and is topped with everything you’d find on a traditional supreme pizza, including roasted vegetables, sausage and pepperoni. And the blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses takes it way beyond your basic pizza. Cut it into small slices and serve it right from the cutting board. The budget-friendly box includes two pizzas.
The Bottom Line
Holiday entertaining can be time- and budget-consuming, but Costco’s freezer section is full of delicious appetizers that can help you save on both. This year’s lineup includes return favorites and new releases and offers something that every guest can enjoy—from bite-size vegetarian apps to classics like shrimp and meatballs.
