Costco Unleashes A New Fresh Shrimp Entree, And Shoppers Are Already Obsessed

The warehouse giant has expanded its legendary prepared foods section with a heavyweight shrimp dish that is turning heads. Fans are rushing to the deli cold cases, eager to see if this hefty new meal kit lives up to the internet hype.

1. Costco Kirkland Signature Shrimp Ceviche Salad

The “Ceviche” Debate: Kirkland Signature Shrimp Ceviche Salad

I just grabbed a massive tub of this returning favorite from the cold cases, and the community has thoughts. Let’s see if this convenient pre-made mix actually delivers that coastal vacation energy or if it falls flat.

• Price: ~$11.99/lb (Containers usually run between 1 to 1.5+ lbs, landing around $14–$18 total).

• Taste Test: It is bright, zesty, and incredibly refreshing, but there is a massive catch—it isn’t true ceviche. Because Costco uses pre-cooked shrimp instead of raw shrimp cured in citrus, it lacks that deep, authentic marination. The flavor profile is heavy on the cilantro and fresh bell peppers, but it leans a bit bland if you don’t use the included lime wedges.

• Texture Summary: The whole jumbo shrimp are satisfyingly plump and tender, contrasting beautifully with the crisp, crunchiness of the finely diced red onion and multi-colored bell peppers.

• Make It Better: Take it home, empty it into a bowl, slice up a fresh avocado, toss in a handful of diced cucumber, and douse it with extra lime juice and a heavy splash of Tapatío or Cholula hot sauce to give it the kick it lacks.

• Perfect Pairings: A massive bowl of salted tortilla chips or scooped directly onto fried tostada shells. It also pairs wonderfully with a crisp, ice-cold Mexican lager or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

• Final Verdict: Buy (With a caveat: Buy it expecting a phenomenal cold shrimp salad, not a traditional Peruvian ceviche).

2. Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail

The Undisputed King of the Deli: Kirkland Signature Shrimp Cocktail Tray

This is a legendary Costco staple that members (myself absolutely included) treat as an automatic addition to the cart. It’s simple, reliable, and consistently outperforms fancy restaurant platters.

• Price: ~$9.99–$11.50+/lb

• Taste Test: The shrimp themselves are incredibly clean-tasting and perfectly brined with just a hint of salt. The accompanying cocktail sauce is robust, sweet, and tangy, though Reddit users often point out it could use a stronger kick of horseradish.

• Texture Summary: Absolutely flawless. The shrimp have that signature firm, snappy “pop” when you bite into them, never turning mushy or rubbery.

• Make It Better: The classic community hack here is all about upgrading the sauce. Grate some fresh raw horseradish directly into the container, or skip it entirely and buy a bottle of St. Elmo’s Extra Spicy Cocktail Sauce to really wake up your sinuses.

• Perfect Pairings: Freshly sliced lemon wedges, a sleeve of butter crackers, and a chilled glass of Chardonnay or a classic vodka martini.

• Final Verdict: Buy (An absolute must-get for easy hosting or low-carb meal prepping).

3. Kirkland Signature Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Zesty & Herby: Kirkland Signature Cilantro Lime Shrimp

If you want the bright flavors of the ceviche salad without the heavy diced onions and peppers, this seasoned shrimp offering from the deli case is Costco’s streamlined answer.

• Price: ~$10.99–$12.99/lb

• Taste Test: This is a flavor bomb of fresh cilantro, garlic, and a sharp, citrusy lime glaze. It balances savory herbs with tangy citrus, making it highly versatile for home cooking.

• Texture Summary: The shrimp are juicy and well-coated in the herb oil marinade, keeping them moist without feeling slimy or slick.

• Make It Better: Toss these into a hot skillet for literally 60 seconds just to warm them through and slightly caramelize the garlic marinade.

• Perfect Pairings: Perfect for throwing straight into warm corn tortillas with shredded cabbage for instant shrimp tacos, or tossing over a bed of warm garlic-butter rice.

• Final Verdict: Buy (A brilliant shortcut ingredient to elevate your weeknight dinners).

4. Costco Sriracha Salmon Poke

Quick Heat: Costco Sriracha Salmon Poke

Found in select warehouses (especially on the West Coast and Hawaii), this prepared poke brings a creamy, spicy kick to the seafood section.

• Price: ~$14.99–$16.99/lb

• Taste Test: Rich, fatty salmon coated in a creamy, fiery sriracha mayo marinade. The heat is prominent but doesn’t completely overpower the natural richness of the fish.

• Texture Summary: The salmon chunks are buttery and soft, melting in your mouth, accented by the occasional crunch of sesame seeds or green onion.

• Make It Better: Keep a few bowls of microwaveable sticky white rice at home. Scoop the cold poke over the hot rice, top with crushed seaweed snacks (nori), and drizzle a little extra unagi (eel) sauce on top.

• Perfect Pairings: Warm jasmine rice, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, and a refreshing green tea.

• Final Verdict: Buy (Incredible value compared to buying poke bowls at a dedicated shop).

5. Wasabi Ahi Tuna Poke / Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke

The Seafood Counter Gem: Costco Ahi Tuna Poke

Whether you grab the cleanly pungent Wasabi version or the classic sesame-soy Spicy version, Costco’s tuna poke has earned a loyal cult following for its fresh, clean execution.

• Price: ~$15.99–$17.99/lb

• Taste Test: The spicy tuna features a classic soy-sesame oil base with chili flakes, while the wasabi version delivers that signature, clean nasal clear. Both highlight the clean, subtle flavor of high-quality ahi tuna without tasting overly fishy.

• Texture Summary: Lean, dense, and perfectly cubed. It holds its shape beautifully and feels light and clean on the palate.

• Make It Better: Serve it over a bed of mixed salad greens with a scoop of imitation crab salad and a side of avocado to recreate a premium sushi bowl experience at home.

• Perfect Pairings: Crispy wonton chips (for poking nachos), pickled ginger, and a cold sake.

• Final Verdict: Buy (A remarkably fresh deli option that sells out quickly on weekends).

6. Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

Effortless Elegance: Salmon Milano Fillets

Tucked away in the ready-to-bake section of the deli, these fresh salmon fillets come pre-portioned in an oven-ready tray topped with massive dollops of bright green basil pesto butter.

• Price: ~$14.99/lb

• Taste Test: Spectacularly rich. As the fish bakes, the pesto butter melts down, self-basting the salmon in a pool of garlic, basil, and savory parmesan. It tastes decadent and high-end.

• Texture Summary: The salmon bakes up beautifully flaky, tender, and moist, thanks to the protective fat barrier of the melting butter compound.

• Make It Better: Bake it at 400°F, but turn on the oven broiler for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking to get a gorgeous, slightly charred, crispy crust on top of the pesto.

• Perfect Pairings: Roasted asparagus, a side of rice pilaf or Costco’s garlic mashed potatoes, and a crisp Pinot Grigio.

• Final Verdict: Buy (The ultimate “I’m too tired to cook but want a fancy dinner” solution).

7. Costco Custom Sushi Burrito (Salmon Poke & Crab)

The Mega Roll: Salmon Poke & Real Snow Crab Sushi Burrito

One of Costco’s newer innovations in the deli case, this hefty burrito wraps classic sushi ingredients into a hand-held seaweed sheet format.

• Price: ~$14.99–$16.99 per pack

• Taste Test: A massive win on ingredients—Costco uses real snow crab mixed with sriracha-spiced salmon and sweet inari (seasoned tofu). The flavor is sweet, creamy, and mildly spicy, though the rice can sometimes taste a bit bland.

• Texture Summary: A tale of two textures. The interior is wonderfully creamy and soft, but because it sits in a refrigerated case, the sushi rice can occasionally get a little firm or chalky.

• Make It Better: Let it sit on the kitchen counter for about 10–15 minutes before eating to take the refrigerator chill off the rice, which softens the grains significantly. Dip generously in soy sauce mixed with fresh wasabi.

• Perfect Pairings: Spicy mayo for dipping, sea salt edamame, and a crisp Japanese lager.

• Final Verdict: Buy (It uses real snow crab instead of imitation krab, making it a stellar value for a quick lunch).

8. Costco Ready-to-Eat Sushi Rolls (California, Spicy Tuna, Salmon Avocado)

The Great Debate: Costco Prepared Sushi Rolls

I finally caved and picked up the infamous pre-packaged sushi roll tray from the refrigerated deli case. This item routinely sparks massive debates on Reddit, with sushi purists clashing with convenience seekers.

• Price: ~$11.99 – $14.99 per tray (varies by location).

• Taste Test: It is surprisingly decent for supermarket sushi, but it won’t replace your favorite local spot. The Spicy Tuna has a mild, pleasant kick, and the Salmon Avocado is clean, though the overall flavor profile leans heavily on the soy sauce and ginger packets to bring it to life.

• Texture Summary: This is where the community is divided. While the fish and avocado remain remarkably fresh, the sushi rice gets quite firm and dense from sitting in the cold display case, losing that signature fluffy texture.

• Make It Better: Never eat this straight out of the fridge! Let the tray sit on your counter for 15–20 minutes to take the chill off—this softens the rice instantly. For an extra upgrade, drizzle it with your own spicy mayo and unagi (eel) sauce, then top with fried onions for a crunchy texture.

• Perfect Pairings: A side of hot, salty edamame, a warm bowl of instant miso soup, and a cold glass of green tea or Asahi beer.

• Final Verdict: Skip (Unless you are in a major rush and need a quick, budget-friendly sushi fix).

9. Costco Deli Nigiri Tray

Upgrading the Lunch Game: Costco Assorted Nigiri Tray

Stepping it up from the basic rolls, I grabbed the premium Nigiri Tray, which features beautiful slices of salmon, tuna, and shrimp draped over pressed pillows of rice.

• Price: ~$15.99 – $19.99 per tray.

• Taste Test: The quality of the fish shines through much better here than in the rolls. The salmon is wonderfully rich and buttery, the tuna is clean and lean, and the shrimp is pleasantly sweet. It tastes remarkably fresh for a grab-and-go deli option.

• Texture Summary: The seafood has an excellent, meltingly tender mouthfeel. However, just like the rolls, the refrigerated rice blocks can occasionally feel a bit too firm or tightly packed.

• Make It Better: Brush a tiny bit of high-quality soy sauce directly onto the fish slices and dot them with fresh wasabi before eating. If the rice feels too hard, you can cover the tray with a damp paper towel and microwave it for exactly 5–8 seconds to revive the rice grains without cooking the fish.

• Perfect Pairings: Pickled ginger, a dish of low-sodium soy sauce, and a premium chilled sake.

• Final Verdict: Buy (The fish-to-rice ratio is great, making it an excellent, affordable luxury for lunch).

10. Costco Poke Bowl Kits (Salmon or Tuna)

Deconstruct Your Dinner: Costco DIY Poke Bowl Kits

I found these assembly kits tucked away in the seafood section. Instead of a pre-mixed salad, this kit gives you all the components—cubed fish, rice, sauces, and toppings—separately packaged so you can build your bowl just the way you like it.

• Price: ~$14.99 – $17.99 per kit.

• Taste Test: This is a home run. Because the fish isn’t sitting in sauce for days, it tastes incredibly clean and bright. The included poke sauce is savory, sweet, and perfectly balanced with sesame oil notes.

• Texture Summary: Fantastic variety. You get the buttery smoothness of the raw tuna or salmon, the soft chew of the rice, and a satisfying crunch from the included seaweed salad or sesame seed toppings.

• Make It Better: Take the rice pouch out and heat it up separately so you get that classic hot-rice-under-cold-fish contrast. Throw in a freshly diced avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to elevate it to restaurant quality.

• Perfect Pairings: Sliced cucumbers, a side of spicy seaweed salad, and a crisp, refreshing hard seltzer.

• Final Verdict: Buy (A brilliant, customizable meal kit that is way cheaper than buying two separate bowls at a poke shop).

11. Costco Shrimp Taco Kits

Taco Tuesday Shortcut: Costco Prepared Shrimp Taco Kit

This legendary kit is a massive crowd-pleaser in the Costco community. I hauled this heavy tray home to see if it makes weeknight dinner as effortless as everyone claims. It comes fully loaded with cooked seasoned shrimp, corn tortillas, slaw, lime wedges, and two signature sauces.

• Price: ~$10.99/lb (Trays usually average around $15.00 – $18.00 total).

• Taste Test: Absolutely delicious. The shrimp are dusted with a savory, mild chili-lime seasoning, and the dual sauces—a creamy cilantro lime sauce and a smoky chipotle crema—are the absolute stars of the show.

• Texture Summary: A perfect bite. The shrimp are snappy and firm, the cabbage slaw provides an incredible, watery crunch, and the corn tortillas hold everything together beautifully.

• Make It Better: Do not skip charring the tortillas! Warm them up in a hot, dry skillet until they get slight brown spots. Also, toss the shrimp in a hot pan for 60 seconds with a touch of butter to heat them through and wake up the spices.

• Perfect Pairings: A side of Costco’s street corn salad, a scoop of fresh guacamole, and a heavily salted margarita.

• Final Verdict: Buy (An absolute staple for stress-free hosting or an instant weeknight family dinner).