If you've ever spotted Costco's Shepherd's Pie in the deli section and wondered if it's actually worth buying, you're not alone.
We picked one up to test it as a real family dinner, paying close attention to flavor, portion size, cooking instructions, freezing results, and overall value. This review walks through exactly what we liked, what we didn't, and whether we'd buy it again.
This review is part of my best Costco meals series, where I share honest thoughts on pre-made meals, including taste, cooking instructions, nutrition, and whether they're worth adding to your cart.
Quick Verdict: Is Costco Shepherd's Pie Worth It?
Overall Rating: 7/10
Best for: Easy comfort-food dinners, freezer meals
Portions: Feeds 4-6 adults (depending on appetite)
Flavor: Mild, savory, potato-forward
Downside: Oily gravy, uneven meat layer
Buy again? Yes, with added toppings
We've tested quite a few Costco dinners lately, including the Costco Caesar Salad and the Costco Pepperoni Pizza, to see which pre-made meals actually work for busy weeknights.
Does Costco Make Shepherd's Pie?
Yes! Costco has offered several versions of this meal over the years, including versions topped with shredded cheese and different tray shapes.
This review reflects the current Canadian Kirkland Signature Shepherd's Pie available at Costco. The exact recipe, size, or appearance may vary slightly depending on location.
When I spotted it in the refrigerated pre-made meals section, the price and simplicity immediately caught my eye. It's a classic comfort food that doesn't require any prep beyond baking.
The tray has a good amount of weight, mostly due to the thick mashed potato layer. While Costco suggests multiple servings, most people will likely eat larger portions than the suggested ⅛ slice.
Costco Shepherd's Pie Ingredients
Wondering what's inside Costco's shepherd's pie? There are quite a few ingredients as you can see in the image above. I've also listed them out nicely for you here as they can be hard to read from the photo.
Ingredients: Beef and/or veal, vegetable sauce (water, onion, green peas, corn, seasoning [sugars [glucose solids, dextrose, maltodextrin], flour, modified cornstarch, canola oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, [ tomato, onion, beet, garlic], modified cellulose, beef extract, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, yeast extract, citric acid, salt, color, artificial flavor] , chicken base [sugars [maltodextrin, dextrose, sugar, glucose solids], chicken fat, corn flour, hydrolyzed soy and corn proteins, flavor, silica, salt, spices, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, turmeric, citric acid, herbs] modified cornstarch, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate), mashed potatoes (potatoes, milk ingredients, cheddar cheese, salt, water, potassium sorbate, sodium phosphate, lactic acid, spice) dried parsley.
Allergen note: Contains milk and soy. May contain fish, shellfish, crustaceans, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, mustard, and sulfites.
Ingredients may vary by location, so always check the package if allergies are a concern.
How to Cook Costco Shepherd's Pie
This meal is very easy to bake and comes fully assembled.
Cooking Instructions (Refrigerated):
- Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C)
- Remove the plastic lid
- Place the tray directly in the oven (or on a baking sheet for stability)
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until fully heated
- Internal temperature should reach 170°F (77°C)
- Let cool slightly before serving
Helpful tip: The tray can feel a bit wobbly when hot. Placing it on a baking sheet makes it much easier (and safer) to remove from the oven.
Cooking From Frozen
This shepherd's pie freezes very well.
To bake from frozen:
- Preheat oven to 320°F
- Remove lid and cover with foil
- Bake 15 minutes covered to help thaw
- Remove foil and bake 30-40 minutes more, until hot throughout and 170°F internally
Because the meat layer releases liquid as it heats, this dish can become extra saucy, especially when cooked from frozen. Avoid overbaking.
How To Store Leftovers
This shepherd's pie stores and reheats easily.
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze cooked portions or the entire tray for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture, or reheat from frozen with extra bake time.
Reheat:
- Microwave individual portions
- Or reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through
Leftovers make a great hot lunch the next day.
What Does Costco Shepherd's Pie Taste Like?
Overall, we found the flavor pretty good, but not perfect.
- Mashed potatoes: Thick, Yukon-gold style, mildly seasoned
- Meat layer: Ground beef or veal in gravy with peas, corn, and onion
- Gravy: Tasty, but noticeably oily
- Texture: Heavier than homemade, very filling
We noticed the meat layer wasn't evenly distributed, with some areas containing mostly potatoes. The dish is also more potato-heavy than meat-heavy overall.
While Costco labels this as Shepherd's Pie, it's technically closer to a cottage pie, since it uses ground beef instead of lamb.
Because of the extra liquid released during cooking, we recommend serving it in bowls rather than plates to avoid spills.
If you're comparing comfort-style meals, we've also reviewed the Costco Chicken Pot Pie and the Costco stuffed bell peppers, which both fall into the same easy, oven-ready dinner category.
Topping Ideas (Highly Recommended)
Adding toppings helps balance the large potato layer:
- Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar halfway through baking
- Ketchup: A classic pairing with shepherd's pie
- Barbecue sauce: Adds sweetness and depth
- Hot sauce: Great if you want heat
- Salsa: Surprisingly good for added brightness
Costco Shepherd's Pie Price
In e paid $22.36 CAD (about $16.29 USD), with pricing based on weight.
Depending on portion size, this works out to roughly $3-$4 per serving, assuming 6-8 servings. If you eat larger portions, it may feel more expensive.
Costco Shepherd's Pie Calories
Approximate nutrition per ⅛ of the tray:
- Calories: ~460
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: ~1,010mg
Most adults will likely eat more than ⅛, so keep portion size in mind.
Where to Find It in the Store
You'll find this item in the pre-made meal section, near the deli and refrigerated meats.
Item number: 17673
What To Serve Shepherd's Pie With?
This meal is hearty on its own, but sides help stretch it further:
- Salad: The Costco quinoa salad OR Costco caesar salad pairs especially well
- Bread or buns: Great for soaking up gravy
- Vegetables: Steamed or roasted veggies balance the richness
Would We Eat It Again?
Rating: 7/10
Yes, we would buy it again.
While it's not perfect, this shepherd's pie is filling, comforting, and convenient, especially for busy nights. Adding toppings and a fresh side makes a big difference.
Next time, we plan to freeze it in half portions and rotate it with the Costco Chicken Pot Pie for easy freezer dinners.
Final Thoughts
This Costco Shepherd's Pie won't replace homemade, but it's a solid comfort-food shortcut. If you enjoy classic meat-and-potatoes meals and don't mind adding a few finishing touches, it's worth trying.
Have you tried it? What did you think? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Costco Kirkland Shepherd's Pie
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Ingredients
- 1 Costco Kirkland Shepherd's Pie
- Your Favorite Toppings - shredded cheese, chopped green onions, french fried onions, etc.
- Your Favorite Sauces - ketchup, sour cream, barbecue sauce, hot sauce or salsa.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 320°F.
- Remove the lid from the shepherd's pie. Place it on a baking tray (optional) and place in the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the shepherd's pie is fully heated all the way through. The internal temperature should reach 170°F (77°C) to be fully cooked.
- Let it cool slightly then use a spatula or large spoon to scoop the shepherd's pie into bowls to serve.
Notes
- Can I freeze it? This meal freezes very well! Just place in the freezer for up to 3-4 months for maximum freshness. You can actually freeze it for up to 1 year, but the longer you freeze, the more freezer burn can happen.
- Cooking From Frozen - If you freeze this Costo meal before preparing it, you can easily add it frozen to the oven! Here are the instructions. Remove the lid and cover the top with foil. Bake for 15 minutes covered. This will create a steam pocket helping the meal to thaw faster.
- Store In Fridge - Leftover shepherd's pie can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezing Leftovers - You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can also freeze the entire shepherd's pie directly in the container it came in the freezer for up to 6 months. We recommend placing it in the fridge to thaw overnight before you plan to cook, but you can also cook from frozen.
- How To Reheat - Use a microwave to reheat leftovers or add them back to an oven-safe dish and reheat at 350°F until it is warmed all the way through.
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
Greg says
It’s not a shepherd’s pie! It’s a cottage pie! Shepard’s Pie uses only lamb!
Glen says
Used to be one of our favourites. In 2024 it appears that the amount of mashed potatoes has increased & the meat portion decreased. We tried it several times to encase it was just a "one of a kind" issue but unfortunately it appears to be the new norm. Sadly we are no longer buying it.
matt says
Your 7/10 flavour rating doesn't make sense to me considering this Costco shepherds pie has no seasoning or sauce whatsoever. It's just ground beef and corn under mashed potatoes. There's no tomato sauce, no gravy, no spices for the meat. It tasted like we were eating plain cooked hamburger from a frying pan.
Order a shepherds pie at any decent British style pub and you'll see what I mean. Contrasted to their lasagna, the Costco Shep pie is bland and just not worth the 20+ dollars.
Trevor says
Used to be good. Now 90% mashed potatoes for 22 bucks
Russell says
Shepards pie was unless changed way too salty for my palette! Convenient but cannot do that much salt!
Anna Lynn says
We like this shepherds pie, and cook it from frozen. However we cook at a higher temperature 350 to 375 degrees, and cook it longer, until it has a deep browned potato crust and the excess liquid is evaporated....