I Asked 3 Experts To Name the Best Frozen Meatballs—They All Said the Same Thing

As someone who works a full-time job, I value any food that allows me to make a meal quickly and with ease. And as much as I love making my favorite recipes from scratch, sometimes it’s hard to argue with the convenience of a pre-made, store-bought ingredient. That brings me to the controversial topic of frozen meatballs.

Ask any chef about frozen meatballs, and you can expect an eye roll and a lecture on the best ways to make them from scratch. While I would happily listen to my chef friends give a masterclass on the perfect ratios for meatball ingredients, given my busy schedule, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a frozen option that rivals the average homemade batch.

To get to the bottom of the matter, I reached out to a few experts in the field in hopes of identifying the best brand of frozen meatballs. To my surprise, they all said the same thing.

My Meatball-Loving Experts:

• Emma Christensen: Managing Editor of Simply Recipes and author of four cookbooks

• Munni Pramanik: Editorial Projects Manager at Simply Recipes and creator of Life of a Mortar and Pestle on Instagram.

• Lauren Jacobs: Owner of The Cheerful Baker, cookie decoration subscription

The Best Frozen Meatballs, According to the Pros

Without a doubt, Costco’s Kirkland Signature Italian Style Beef Meatballs was the most voted-for brand of frozen meatballs among the experts I spoke with.

Emma had her first taste of Kirkland meatballs when her mom added them to a sheet pan dinner. “It had never occurred to me to even try frozen meatballs before then, but I was so impressed with how good they were,” she recalls. “If I hadn't seen the bag myself, I honestly would have thought they were homemade. Now I keep them in my own freezer. One bag lasts me for weeks, and they're such a quick, easy protein to round out any weeknight meal.”

Indeed, there are roughly 140 meatballs in a 6-pound resealable bag for only $24.99. “I love how many come in a package, and for the price, it is a steal!” says Munni. “I rarely buy frozen meatballs since they tend to dry out or lack flavor, but I've never been disappointed by the Kirkland meatballs. Every bite is bursting with flavor, and regardless of how I prepare them, they remain super moist.”

She adds them to everything from pasta sauces to jarred curries, as well as cooking them in the air-fryer for kofta sandwiches.

How Are Experts’ Favorite Frozen Meatballs Made?

Kirkland’s Italian Style Beef Meatballs are primarily made from ground beef, water, bread crumbs, soy protein concentrate, and a variety of seasonings, including Parmesan cheese, bell peppers, garlic, and spices. Given their top-notch flavor, Lauren even uses them in her own homemade tomato sauce. “These save me time,” she says.

To me, that is the beauty of the frozen meatball. Once you’ve found a variety that satisfies your cravings, that brand opens up a whole world of culinary opportunities with minimal fuss. And in the case of Kirkland’s frozen meatballs, Emma says, “They taste as good as anything you might make from scratch.” If you ask me, that seals the deal!

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