The $11 Costco Dinner Find I’ve Made 3 Weeks in a Row (It Tastes Homemade)

I have been a Costco member for more than a decade and visit the warehouse more than I’d like to admit (OK fine, sometimes I go multiple times a week). I’m there to fill my cart with my favorite Costco groceries and to scope out new and exciting products to share with you. 

I always enter with a list of essentials, knowing full well that there will be a few extras added to my cart along the way. One item that is always on the must-buy list is frozen vegetables. 

Stocking up on frozen vegetables at Costco is a smart shopping strategy because the products are always high-quality and affordable. (If you’re still suspicious that frozen vegetables aren’t as good as fresh, think again.) Usually, I lean on frozen broccoli for quick and easy side dishes, but I’ve found a new-to-me item that is even easier and tastier than that. It’s PuraVida Garlic Parmesan Broccoli, and I’m buying as many bags as I can fit in my freezer.  

Costco freezer aisle frequenters may already be familiar with PuraVida. When you’re looking for a frozen vegetable that goes beyond the basics, this brand is bound to have something delicious in store. I’ve tried (and loved) the brand’s Fire-Roasted Vegetable Mélange, among others. 

This vegetable side dish is made of bite-size broccoli florets seasoned with garlic, Parmesan, and black pepper. It’s a classic flavor combination that I make from scratch, but the prospect of a simple and flavorful shortcut on hand in the freezer has finally freed me from the grip of basic steamed broccoli.   

The back of the package offers three suggested cooking methods: stovetop, microwave, and air fryer. I have tried each method with great success every time. I love how simple it is to prepare a flavor-packed side dish for one or a table full of my family members. 

Costco sells this garlicky, cheesy frozen broccoli in large, 3.5-pound bags for just $10.99. The package contains about 19 (1-cup) servings, so that means I’m set for dinner sides for the foreseeable future.

Of the three preparation methods, the microwave was most appealing to my kids who are often suspicious of the crispy, browned edges of air-fried broccoli. The stovetop produced broccoli that was the perfect middle ground between microwaved and air-fried.  

This side dish is flavorful on its own and a perfect partner to any main dish that pairs with garlic and Parmesan. You can keep it simple and serve it with steamed rice and frozen chicken nuggets or garlic Parmesan chicken bites. For main dishes, you might try lemon and herb salmon or homemade shake and bake pork chops.

Find it in stores: PuraVida Garlic Frozen Parmesan Broccoli, $10.99 for 3.5 pounds at Costco

This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: The $11 Costco Dinner Find I’ve Made 3 Weeks in a Row (It Tastes Homemade)