The Pre-Made Costco Salad That’s Also a Great Dinner Shortcut
Girl Dinner had a delicious moment in the sun. While some called devouring a smorgasbord of sweet, salty and sour snacks like popcorn, pretzels, cheese, Swedish fish and gummy bears along with wine "lazy," I called it delectable and deserved.
However, if the idea is starting to feel staler than the bag of popcorn you accidentally left unsealed, Costco has debuted a new, easy-peasy way to minimize meal prep.
Instagram and TikTok are abuzz about a new premade Caprese Salad available at Costco.
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"This meal kit includes all of the essentials like tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil," announced @costcobuys. "Plus, it has a Pesto and Balsamic dressing…yum ($5.99/lb.)."
Indeed, the unfussy but delicious premade offering has all of the must-have fixings for a Caprese salad: mega grape tomatoes, baby spinach, fresh mozzarella balls, Ken's Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing and Kirkland Signature Italian Basil-Pesto.
Related: Costco Is Making Big Changes to the Food Court Soon—Here's What You Need to Know
Angela Ackerman of @costcoguide also spotted the just-launched premade Caprese Salad and considered it a fast friend.
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"It is so good," Ackerman said in an Instagram video. "I love that they included the basil pesto that everyone loves."
Ackerman also shared her secret for kicking the new Costco salad up a notch. "I would just add some balsamic glaze, which is sometimes available at Costco, too," she suggested. "If not, you can make it yourself or even grab a bottle at Trader Joe’s."
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Meg and Maddie Antonelli, the mother-daughter pair behind the TikTok account @floridamomof3, also tried the new salad in a video. The pair commented on how large the grape tomatoes were — do we expect anything else from Costco? — and clinked mozzarella balls before taking a bite.
After exchanging some genuine "Mmms," Meg declared the new Costco Caprese Salad, "Everything that is so good all in one." She said it makes for a great grab-and-go snack or lunch, while Maddie said the salad is perfect for a party.
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Laura Lamb of @costcohotfinds raved that the salad includes "nearly three pounds of food" and is filling on its own. Want more? Lamb suggests serving it with grilled chicken or noodles.
Influencers loved the salad, but remarks about the price tag consumed the comments sections.
Related: Costco Is Finally Selling the Fan-Favorite Nutella Snack That Shoppers Can't Get Enough Of
"You can make that for less than $16 plus some," wrote one person, whose sentiments were echoed repeatedly.
However, other Costco shoppers disagreed.
"After recently making this, I was shocked at how much the mozzarella pricing had increased," said someone else. "For $5.99/pound, I don't think they are bad in their pricing."
"Costco sells its products at cost," insisted another. "They make their revenue off of the membership fee. So, that salad is at cost, which seems about right. That’s about six servings. [You] can’t buy that [many] raw ingredients for that price."
"It’s quite the value," a TikToker said. "[You] could make caprese skewer appetizers for a party."
Let's settle the food fight: Costs will vary based on where you live and your definition of "expensive," and how you spend your money is up to you. For some, the price is so worth it for the amount of food you get, the taste and the little-to-no meal prep involved.
"It’s a great salad," said one fan, who also called the new Costco Caprese Salad "delicious."
"[I] just had it tonight," divulged another. "It comes with a balsamic dressing — delish."
"One of my absolute favorite salads ever," declared an Instagrammer.
One commenter was so into the salad that they could only muster a "Yummmmmm."
Related: The New Sweet & Salty Costco Snack That’s Flying Off Shelves
Meanwhile, other Costco shoppers are Caprese-curious.
"I need this," said one.
"I hope they have this at my Costco because I love Caprese salad," commented another.
"Oh, yum! I need to try," wrote a third.
Some commenters are already dreaming up serving options.
"Great for appetizers on picks," replied a fan.
"[I] would throw that over some pasta or tortellini," said one person.
“Grilled chicken on top, and there is dinner," suggested an Instagram commenter.
Good news: That's a great idea, according to someone who already gave throwing in some chicken a try.
"I bought it tonight with a rotisserie chicken for dinner," the person said. "I shredded some of the chicken for the salad & mixed it all together. It was yummy!"
