Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Hacks & How-to's

The secret Costco rotisserie chicken deal only pros and super fans know about

Love Costco rotisserie chicken? With this life hack, you'll love it even more

Nicole Carlino
By
Costco store exterior shot
Juan Llauro / Shutterstock

Chicken is a fan-favorite food, and for good reason — from barbecue chicken to chicken quesadillas to chicken parmigiana, it’s a lean protein that serves as the centerpiece for so many different meals. Consider this: In the early 1970s, per capita poultry consumption in the U.S. was almost 50 pounds; these days, it’s more than 100 pounds per person.

Of course, chicken hasn’t evaded the raging inflation that’s hiking up expenses every time we go to the grocery store (or gas station, shopping mall, or — well, just about anywhere.) According to the USDA, wholesale poultry prices are predicted to increase between 19-22% this year.

Recommended Videos

One way to keep your food expenses down? Shop for your chickens at Costco. Specifically, shop the way you should at Costco — buy in bulk. Do you love the Costco rotisserie chicken (and, especially, its $4.99 price)? Of course, you do. You’re not a monster. Well, did you know you can buy an entire case of uncooked Costco rotisserie chicken for $4.89 each?

costco rotisserie chicken
calimedia / Shutterstock

Redditors give the scoop on Costco rotisserie chicken cases

Redditor Joes_Barbecue brought this to the attention of the r/BBQ subreddit, and while one commenter, northman46, pointed out that they’d cook them for just a dime more, Joes_Barbecue jokingly said, “You’re in the BBQ sub, friend. We don’t value our time here.”

Related

And sure, northman46 had a point — if you’re pressed for time or don’t have the freezer space to store all those chickens, you might as well buy a cooked Costco rotisserie chicken. But if you do have the time and space (or an upcoming event you’re cooking for)? The case is a great deal.

Joes_Barbecue noted that the cases are flat priced at $48.99, but the actual packing weight is more (closer to 55-plus pounds). These uncooked Costco chickens are also different from the ones you’d find in the meat department because they come pre-seasoned — they’re injected under the skin to brine them, which Joes_Barbecue said saves them a lot of time and space.

But from there, you can make what you want with your chicken. Want to roast it, grill it, smoke it, fry it, or braise it? Want to season it with the special recipe passed down by your grandmother? It’s chicken — you can prepare it just about any way you want.

Chicken casserole
sherwood / Shutterstock

Can you freeze Costco rotisserie chicken?

If you’re ready to admit that Costco rotisserie chicken is a great deal, you may be preparing to stock up. But can you freeze these bad boys if you buy them in bulk? You can freeze Costco rotisserie chicken, but it’s recommended to freeze it before cooking, which means buying Costco’s bulk uncooked version is better for this preservation method.

Freezing uncooked rotisserie chicken preserves its texture and flavor better. Cooked rotisserie chicken can also be frozen, but its texture might change slightly upon thawing. This may not be an issue for you if you plan to use the cooked chicken in dishes like casseroles or soups where the different textures won’t be as noticeable.

To freeze, wrap the chicken tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw cooked frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight. While freezing retains its safety, freezing uncooked chicken provides superior flavor results. Always ensure proper storage to maintain taste and quality!

kids at costco in grocery store
ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock

What if you’re not a fan of Costco?

We don’t really understand the sentiment, but we do get that you can’t always have a membership at every warehouse club. The good news is, you can likely find this deal at yours. Redditor DazeyHelpMe confirmed that Sam’s Club sells pre-seasoned chicken this way too, while drizzlefoot321 said they get the same deal at Restaurant Depot, if you’ve got a business license and can shop there.

So the next time you’re shopping, consider buying your uncooked chicken in bulk at Costco. The workers in the meat department will be happy to tag it up for you, and you won’t have to think about what’s for dinner for ages.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Nicole Carlino
Nicole Carlino
Editor
The secret to avocado toast that no one ever talks about
Avocado toast is a tasty choice to start off any day
Avocado toast with eggs on white plate and table

One of the most popular food trends in recent years has to be avocado toast. Whether it’s a quick and easy breakfast at home or a special part of your favorite restaurant brunch outing, avocado toast is everywhere. It’s tasty, it’s healthy, it’s easy to make, and it’s incredibly versatile, so you can add to it with herbs, seasonings, and toppings to make it a little different every time you make it.
What to put on avocado toast? The recipe starts two key ingredients: avocado and toast. From there, the possibilities are endless. From eggs to bacon to tomatoes to shrimp, just about everything goes with avocado toast. If you've gone looking for the perfect avocado toast recipe, the secret to avocado toast really down to what foods you enjoy.

How to make classic avocado toast
In its most basic form, avocado toast can have as little as two ingredients -- avocado and bread -- making it practically foolproof to prepare. Start with a thick slice of toasted bread. Mash a ripe avocado and spread it over the toasted bread. You can stop right there, or you can drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, a little sea salt and freshly ground pepper, or add finely chopped parsley for extra freshness or a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Read more
3 things to know about homemade laundry detergent so you don’t ruin your clothes
Consider these factors before using homemade laundry detergent on your clothes
Close-up of a woman holding a wicker laundry basket with white clothes

A full closet of freshly cleaned clothes is delightful. A bed neatly made with crisp, just-washed sheets is divine. Is there anything quite like freshly clean laundry? You may purchase your go-to laundry detergent from the store every so often, but maybe you're wondering about homemade laundry detergent.

There's a lot of talk out there about the health, environmental, and savings benefits of making DIY laundry soap, but is it really safe and effective? Let's dive into what you need to consider before making your own laundry soap - and what you need to make it the right way.

Read more
What Costco price tags really mean
We love the opportunity to save even more at Costco
Costco card and receipt

If you love Costco and love the prices even more, there's an easy way to find out if you're getting the best deal or if you wait a few days and those favorite items in your cart may be even lower. Instagrammer The Freebie Guy recently posted an easy way to tell if you are getting the lowest price for an item and what the price tags mean. He started the post: "Costco shoppers!! Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the pricing!" -- which is sure to get the attention of rookie Costco shoppers and professionals alike.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoNLWZNuOgw/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D
What do the prices mean?
The Freebie Guy explained the system behind Costco's pricing, and it makes sense given just how many items store managers have to keep track of on a weekly basis. If you see a price tag ending in .99, it means the item is full price. This is typical when items just hit the shelves or are one of the store's hottest sellers.

Read more