If you've ever walked past Costco's stuffed bell peppers and wondered if they're actually worth buying, you're not alone. I picked up a tray to test them for a real weeknight dinner to see how they taste, how easy they are to cook, and whether they're a good value.
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.
As someone who loves comfort food like Costco's chicken pot pie and their shepherd's pie I was excited to try this classic combo of ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese stuffed into bell peppers.
Updated for 2026 pricing, cooking notes, and shopper feedback.
Looking for an honest Costco stuffed bell peppers review with clear cooking instructions? We tested them for taste, value, and convenience, and included exact oven and microwave directions so you know exactly what to expect.
Quick Verdict: Are Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers Worth It?
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
- Taste: Flavorful, beefy, not mushy
- Value: Fair for convenience
- Convenience: Excellent for easy dinners and lunches
- Downside: Can be greasy, higher sodium
- Best For: Busy weeknights, meal prep lunches
- Skip If: You want a lighter or lower-fat meal
Costco Stuffed Peppers Review
At first glance, the peppers look generous and well portioned. Each half bell pepper is filled with a ground beef and rice mixture in tomato sauce, with a light layer of cheese on top.
The tray is designed for easy oven baking, making this a true grab-and-go dinner option when you don't want to cook from scratch.
If you enjoy classic stuffed peppers but want a shortcut version, this pre-made meal delivers a hearty, comfort-food style option with minimal prep.
This fits into the same easy-dinner category as Costco pepperoni pizza for nights when you want something fast with no prep.
What Do Costco Stuffed Peppers Taste Like?
Overall, the flavor is very good. The peppers stayed firm and weren't mushy, and the filling was hearty and satisfying.
Here's what stood out:
- Peppers roast nicely and hold their shape
- Filling is beefy and tomato-forward
- Mild seasoning, not spicy
- Light cheese topping adds flavor without overpowering
- Very filling
We did notice some grease in the bottom of the tray after baking, likely from the ground beef. For that reason, serving the peppers in bowls can help avoid spills.
If you're feeding a family of four, these pair well with a side like Costco Caesar salad or Costco quinoa salad. There are six pepper halves in the tray, but portions can vary depending on appetite.
These also reheat very well in the microwave, making them a popular choice for leftover lunches.
Pros and Cons of Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers
Pros
- Generous portions
- Good beef and rice filling
- Peppers stay firm
- Easy oven and microwave prep
- Great for leftovers
Cons
- Can be greasy
- Higher sodium
- Not the healthiest option
- Can feel heavy for lunch
How Much Does It Cost?
I bought these stuffed bell peppers at a Costco in Canada for $20.42 CAD (about $15 USD). Pricing is based on weight and will vary by location.
For convenience, the price feels fair. You could make stuffed peppers at home for less, but you're paying for time saved and zero prep.
At our location, each pepper worked out to about $3.40 each. That's reasonable for individual lunches, but if you're eating multiple peppers per meal, the cost adds up quickly.
We would buy these again, especially for easy lunches and low-effort dinners.
Where Can I Find It In The Store?
You can find this item in the pre-made meal section that's near the refrigerated meat and packaged cheese of your local Costco warehouse. The item number is 13170.
What Are The Costco Stuffed Peppers Ingredients?
The Costco Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers are made of large sweet bell peppers along with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices. The peppers are then topped with a layer of cheese before being baked.
Most of the ingredients are fresh and pretty simple as you can see in the image above. Here's an overview of the ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Filling (Water, Tomato paste, Rice, Bell peppers, Vinegar, Onion, Sugar, Salt, Canola Oil, Garlic, Spices, Citric Acid)
- Cooked ground beef and/or Veal
- Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses
Allergy Note: It also says that this product contains milk and may contain egg, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, mustard, fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. This is important to know for anyone with food allergies.
The ingredients may vary from location to location so it's always important to read the package of the one you purchase personally.
How To Cook Costco Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and cook in the oven with minimal effort.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Remove the plastic lid and cover the bell peppers with aluminum foil.
- Cook for 50-55 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Let these cool for a few minutes, then transfer to bowls to serve.
Helpful Tip: It is really important to cover these with aluminum foil, or the tops will cook too fast and may burn. I made this mistake and the tops of mine burnt pretty quickly on the first container I purchased. They still tasted great though!
When cooking the peppers in the oven, you may want to consider adding a splash of water to the bottom of the tray to prevent the peppers from drying out. You can also add some extra cheese on top before baking for a gooey, cheesy finish.
How To Microwave Bell Peppers
If you're short on time, you can cook the stuffed bell peppers in the microwave. First, remove the plastic lid and transfer the bell peppers to an oven-safe dish (the foil tray that these come in is not microwave safe).
Heat for 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer. Let the peppers rest for a minute before serving.
Can I Store Stuffed Bell Pepper Leftovers?
This can also be frozen for up to 3 months (for best freshness) but the bell peppers may lose a bit of their firm texture.
Storing in the Fridge
The uncooked stuffed peppers will have a "best-before" date on the label of the package and can be stored in the fridge until that date.
- If you plan to eat leftovers within a few days, store the peppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Let them cool before refrigerating.
- To reheat, use the microwave or oven:
- Microwave: Heat on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes until heated through (do not use the foil tray).
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F and bake for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Storing in the Freezer
Wrap each pepper individually and place in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until heated through. You can also freeze the filling separately if preferred.
Nutrition Info
Unfortunately, Costco doesn't list the nutrition info on the side of the package. I'm not really sure why they don't do this, however, you can always request any nutritional facts through customer service at your local Costco. Here's the nutritional info that I received when I asked for it (this might vary at your location):
Each stuffed bell pepper contains approximately 280 calories, 15 grams of fat, 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of protein. The peppers are high in sodium, with each pepper containing around 800 milligrams.
Nutrition info can vary depending on ingredients, preparation, and quantity served.
What To Serve With Costco Stuffed Peppers
When it comes to serving Costco stuffed bell peppers, you can choose to serve them on their own as a complete meal, or you can pair them with a side dish to add more variety and nutrition. Here are a few suggestions for what to serve with:
- SALAD - Adding some green vegetables to your plate can provide some color and nutrition to your meal. Some great options include sautéed asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, kale, mixed greens, the Costco caesar salad or the Costco quinoa salad.
- GARLIC BREAD - A warm and toasty garlic bread always tastes great with everything! Buy garlic bread from Costco or make your own by spreading garlic butter on slices of crusty bread and toasting them.
- ROASTED VEGGIES - Roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts can be chopped and drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add them to a baking sheet and bake alongside the stuffed peppers.
- RICE OR QUINOA - A side of rice or quinoa can help to round out the meal and provide some extra fiber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people find Costco's stuffed bell peppers flavorful, filling, and convenient. The peppers stay firm, and the beef and rice filling is hearty, though some shoppers find them a bit greasy or heavy.
The ground beef and rice filling are pre-cooked, but the bell peppers are raw. Cooking them in the oven will help to create tender bell peppers, warm the ground beef mixture, and melt the cheese.
Unopened, follow the best-before date on the package. Once cooked, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Bake at 400°F for 50-55 minutes, covered with foil, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Yes. Transfer the peppers to a microwave-safe dish and heat for 5-6 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Yes. Wrap each pepper individually and freeze for up to 3 months. The texture of the peppers may soften slightly after thawing.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until heated through.
They're high in protein but also higher in sodium and fat. They can fit into a balanced diet, but they may not be ideal for those looking for lighter or lower-sodium meals.
For many shoppers, they're worth it for the convenience and portion size. While homemade stuffed peppers are usually cheaper, Costco's version saves time and effort.
Conclusion
We gave these Costco stuffed peppers a flavor Rating of 7.5/10
After trying the Kirkland Signature stuffed peppers from Costco, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, we liked this meal! We thought there was a lot of ground beef, the peppers were crisp and had great flavor, and the tomato sauce wasn't spicy. We felt that they were flavorful and filling, and the portions were generous.
One thing to keep in mind is that the stuffed peppers have a lot of ground beef in each one and can be a bit greasy, so they may not be the healthiest option out there. However, they are a great choice for a quick and easy meal when you don't have time to cook from scratch.
Overall, we would definitely buy these again (and we already have) for easy dinners, leftover lunches, and when we just don't feel like cooking.
This review is based on our personal purchase and testing. Pricing and availability may vary by Costco location.
Have you tried the Costco stuffed bell peppers? What did you think of them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Beverly says
I see you paid about $20 in 2023. I stopped in at Costco today to pick up these peppers (in Ontario) and they were $30. I shouldn’t be shocked but really was. When I first bought them about 5 years ago they were $16 to $18 a package. I couldn’t bring myself to pay $30. But they really are good. I’ll try your recipe and hope they are just as good. Thank you.