My 6 Favorite Costco Bougie-on-a-Budget Appetizers—They're So Good

Fun fact about yours truly: I revel in being the chef de cuisine of a certified ingredient household. As many ingredients as we have, however, there’s always one person (looking at you mom) who comes over and asks where all the food is.

One evening, my mother was looking for a quick and easy snack. Instead of instant oatmeal, we had rolled oats, stone-ground grits, and a packet of instant ramen in sight. Perturbed by my preference for ingredients over ready-made snacks, my mother remarked that we must survive off of nothing more than garlic soup, and an uproarious laugh ensued.

Garlic soup or not, I’ve come to realize that my mom has a point. It’s worth it to have a few handy snacks and apps ready to go just in case, and with the culinary Olympics that are the holidays coming up, every bit of time is precious. Thankfully, I can always count on Costco for quick and easy appetizers that require minimal effort, allowing me more time to focus on the main event. Here are my top 6 favorite bougie-on-a-budget appetizers from Costco.

1. Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail

If there’s one thing I have to have on my appetizer list it’s the Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail. Juicy, succulent shrimp, cooked and chilled to perfection with zippy cocktail sauce and lemon wedges—what more can you ask for? You can even get fancy and toss these in a skillet with a cajun butter sauce for a warm take on the dinner party staple.

2. Cuisine Adventures Spanakopita

The Cuisine Adventures Spanikopita are a staple on my app table thanks to their poppability and buttery texture. These morsels of crispy phyllo dough filled with a spinach and feta mixture go fast, so you might want to pick up two boxes. I like to arrange them like a wreath and serve with tzatziki or hummus for dipping.

3. Queso Mama Beer Queso

Speaking of dips, the Queso Mama Beer Queso might seem like a wildcard, but trust me: You’ll want to drink this by the gallon. Not only is it delicious served with chips as is, but you can easily fold it into your mac and cheese for a surprising flavor boost or top it with chorizo for a spicy twist on a classic.

4. Sukhi’s Potato Samosas with Cilantro Chutney

I’ve never met a samosa I didn’t like and the Sukhi’s Potato Samosas are up there with some of my favorites. Filled with potatoes, peas, and a variety of spices, these crispy morsels are the perfect bite to get your guests excited for the meal to come. The best part? They come with a tangy cilantro chutney that your guests will swear is homemade.

5. Costco Fruit Meat and Cheese Platters

This one might be controversial depending on how persnickety you are about your charcuterie, but I’d be remiss not to add Costco’s Fruit Meat and Cheese Platters to the list. Not only are they a great base to add your own cured meats and cheeses to, but they’re a great price and can feed a sizable crowd. What’s not to love?

6. Cuisine Adventures Everything Franks in a Blanket

Rounding out the list are the Cuisine Adventures Everything Franks in a Blanket. The only thing I can say about these is that I’ve eaten at least half the box in one sitting before. Couple these with the Queso Mama Beer Cheese and you might not even need to worry about dinner. See mom, I’m listening (sometimes.)

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