Hosting just got easier—and way more impressive.
These Costco holiday picks are blowing up for turning home dinners into restaurant-worthy celebrations, with luxe mains, showstopping sides, and no-fuss appetizers that let you entertain big without cooking all day.
1. Noel Consorcio Serrano Ham Reserva Leg – $99.99
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The Viral Centerpiece: This is the “it” item of the 2025 holiday season across social media. It is a massive 14-pound cured Spanish ham leg that comes with its own wooden stand and carving knife. It serves as both a spectacular visual centerpiece and an interactive appetizer course where guests slice their own paper-thin, melt-in-your-mouth cured pork.
2. Wild Caught Red King Crab Legs – ~$34.99/lb (Varies by pack size)
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The Ultimate Luxury: After years of skyrocketing prices, King Crab is back on the menu as the ultimate indulgence. These pre-split legs are massive, sweet, and require zero culinary skill—just steam and serve with drawn butter. They are currently selling out fast as shoppers look for a “steakhouse at home” experience.
3. Kirkland Signature Master Carve Applewood Smoked Ham – ~$4.00/lb
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The “Better Than Spiral” Pick: While everyone buys the spiral ham, the foodies are grabbing the Master Carve. It is a boneless, whole-muscle ham (not pressed meat) that is incredibly juicy and easy to slice into thick “steaks.” It has a natural applewood smoke flavor that tastes far less processed than standard holiday hams.
4. Kirkland Signature Lobster Mac & Cheese – $6.99/lb
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The Buzzing Side Dish: This is the most talked-about side in the deli section right now. It isn’t just flavored pasta; it is loaded with visible chunks of lobster claw and tail meat in a creamy cheddar and romano sauce. It solves the problem of “how do I make mac and cheese fancy?” by doing the work for you.
5. Rastelli’s Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Roast – ~$29.99/lb (Estimated)
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The “Fork-Tender” Roast: For a formal Christmas dinner, Prime Rib can be fatty, but the Tenderloin (Chateaubriand) is pure elegance. Costco is stocking these trimmed and ready for the oven. It creates a buttery, mild roast that pairs perfectly with heavy red wines and is impossible to dislike.
6. J. Scott Foods Bacon Wrapped Scallops – $26.99
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The Restaurant-Quality Starter: Sealing scallops properly is hard; these frozen gems solve that by wrapping them in smoky bacon which bastes the scallop as it cooks. They are widely considered one of the best frozen appetizers Costco carries, consistently coming out tender rather than rubbery.
7. Main St. Bistro Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes – ~$8.99
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The “Homemade” Cheat Code: Do not waste time peeling potatoes. These are buzzing because they are made with real butter, whole milk, and no artificial preservatives. They taste indistinguishable from scratch-made, and the 2025 packaging allows you to crisp them up in the oven for a browned crust.
8. Amylu Cranberry & Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs – ~$14.99
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The Festive Flavor Bomb: These are specifically trending because they capture the “Christmas flavor profile” perfectly. The tart cranberry balances the spicy jalapeño, making them an ideal savory appetizer that doesn’t need a dipping sauce. They look beautiful on a platter with their specs of red and green.
9. Cuisine Adventures Puff Pastry Bites – $11.99
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The Crowd Pleaser: A 48-count box that covers all bases with flavors like Cranberry & Brie and Caramelized Onion & Feta. These are flying off shelves because they bake up into flaky, golden pillows that look like catered hors d’oeuvres, requiring only 15 minutes in the oven.
10. Australian Boneless Lamb Leg – ~$6.99/lb
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The Chef’s Alternative: If you are tired of beef and ham, this is the best value in the meat department. The boneless leg is easy to roast with rosemary and garlic. It offers a rich, gamey (but not overpowering) flavor that feels distinctly special for a holiday occasion.
11. Pura Vida Fire Roasted Root Vegetables – $12.49
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The “Zero Prep” Veggie: Roasting root vegetables usually involves an hour of chopping. This new frozen find features a colorful blend of carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips that are already fire-roasted. You just heat them up, and they retain a char that tastes like they spent an hour in your oven.
12. Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail – ~$15.99
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The Reliable Classic: You cannot omit this. Pound-for-pound, it is cheaper than buying raw shrimp at most grocery stores. The shrimp are huge, firm, and the cocktail sauce has a genuine horseradish kick. It is the one appetizer that is guaranteed to be eaten by everyone from kids to grandparents.
13. Cuisine Adventures French Onion Soup – $11.99
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The Cozy First Course: A trending item for 2025, these come as frozen cylinders of broth, onions, and cheese that you drop into a bowl and bake. They emerge with a bubbling, browned cheese top that looks like a bistro served it. A sophisticated start to a heavy dinner.
14. Cuisine Adventures Spanakopita – $16.99
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The Vegetarian Hit: Even meat-eaters love these. The ratio of spinach and feta to crispy phyllo dough is perfect. They add a necessary “crunch” texture to a dinner often filled with soft foods like mashed potatoes and stuffing.
15. Rao’s Eggplant Parmesan (Frozen, 2-Pack) – $16.79
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The Meat-Free Main: If you have vegetarian guests, do not serve them a salad. This frozen eggplant parm is made by Rao’s (famous for their jarred sauce) and is breaded and fried before being sauced, keeping the texture firm. It is substantial enough to be a main course.
