Your first trip to Costco can be overwhelming—aisles of giant-sized everything, free samples calling your name, and the sudden urge to buy a 10-pound bag of quinoa.
To help you navigate the bulk-buy wonderland, here are the best food items worth the space in your cart (and your freezer).
1. Rotisserie Chicken
Holy moly, $4.99 for an entire seasoned, juicy bird! Costco’s rotisserie chicken isn’t just cheap—it’s legitimately delicious.
Smart shoppers grab two: one for dinner tonight, another to shred for salads, soups, and sandwiches throughout the week. These birds weigh more than competitors’ and taste way better.
2. Kirkland Signature Bacon
Forget those wimpy, watery supermarket bacon packages. Kirkland’s thick-cut bacon comes four pounds per pack, divided into convenient smaller portions.
The flavor? Mind-blowing smokiness with the perfect fat-to-meat ratio. Breakfast champions know this bacon crisps beautifully without shrinking to nothing.
3. Parmigiano Reggiano
Cheese snobs, rejoice! The real-deal Italian masterpiece sits right in Costco’s cheese section at half what you’d pay elsewhere.
Each wedge comes stamped with authentication marks proving it’s the genuine article aged 24+ months. Grate it over pasta, shave it onto salads, or do what culinary insiders do—break off hunks to nibble with honey and wine.
4. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Liquid gold in a massive bottle! Kirkland’s organic EVOO consistently beats fancy brands in blind taste tests.
California-grown olives cold-pressed within hours of harvest create this peppery, grassy flavor bomb. The two-liter bottle seems huge until you realize how quickly good oil disappears when you stop rationing it like liquid diamonds.
5. Fresh Berries
Berry prices elsewhere will make you weep after experiencing Costco’s fruit section. Their massive containers of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries cost what tiny supermarket punnets do.
Quality control is surprisingly strict—each berry actually tastes like a berry should! Freeze half for smoothies and have the rest fresh before your next Costco run.
6. Rotisserie Chicken Street Taco Kit
Taco Tuesday hero status: unlocked! This genius kit includes 12 corn tortillas, shredded rotisserie chicken, lime crema, salsa, lime wedges, and cilantro-lime slaw.
Everything’s prepped—just warm tortillas and assemble. Feeds a hungry family of four for under $20, and tastes restaurant-quality without the restaurant markup. Weeknight dinner emergency? Solved!
7. Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup
Maple syrup imposters are everywhere—corn syrup with brown food coloring masquerading as the real deal. Not at Costco!
Their amber glass jug holds 100% pure Grade A maple syrup sourced from Quebec. The price per ounce will make specialty store shoppers sob.
8. Kirkland Signature Nut Selection
Protein-packed snacking doesn’t get better than this—massive jars of almonds, walnuts, and mixed nuts at prices that’ll make your wallet sigh with relief.
Quality stands leagues above grocery store options. The freshness factor alone justifies membership fees! Store in your freezer to extend shelf life.
9. Frozen Organic Vegetables
Nutrition warriors, listen up! Those four-pound bags of frozen organic broccoli, green beans, and stir-fry blends cost less than non-organic options elsewhere.
Flash-frozen at peak ripeness, they’re actually more nutritious than “fresh” produce that’s been sitting in transit for days. Keep these veggie goldmines stocked for quick sides.
10. Rotisserie Chicken Soup
Chicken soup for lazy souls! This refrigerated tub of homestyle soup tastes suspiciously like something your grandmother would make—if she had professional kitchen skills.
Loaded with actual chunks of rotisserie chicken, fresh vegetables, and al dente pasta. Heat it up on sick days or freezing nights when cooking feels impossible.
11. Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs
Egg-cellent news for breakfast enthusiasts! Two dozen organic eggs for less than what most stores charge for 12 conventional ones.
The yolks stand tall and sunset-orange, not pale yellow like their sad supermarket cousins. Farm-fresh flavor from chickens raised without antibiotics or hormones. Your morning omelets just got a serious upgrade.
12. Fresh Baked Bread
Carb lovers, brace yourselves! Costco’s bakery cranks out artisan-quality loaves that would make French bakers nod in approval.
The sourdough boule with its crackly crust and chewy interior costs roughly half what specialty bakeries charge. Too much for one family? Slice and freeze half!.
13. Kirkland Signature Coffee
Coffee snobs, prepare to eat your words! Kirkland’s beans are roasted by Starbucks but cost dramatically less than the mermaid’s branded bags.
The organic whole bean options deliver rich, complex flavors. Three pounds of beans for what you’d pay for one elsewhere? Your morning brew just got exponentially more affordable.
14. Fresh Salmon Fillets
Fish counter prices elsewhere will seem criminal after you’ve experienced Costco’s seafood section. Their salmon fillets—especially the wild-caught options—deliver restaurant quality at everyday prices.
Cook what you need tonight and freeze individual portions for later. Your heart health and wallet will thank you equally.
15. Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter
Ingredient list: organic peanuts, salt. That’s it! No hydrogenated oils, no added sugar, no weird stabilizers—just pure peanutty perfection in twin-pack form.
The natural oils separate, requiring a good stir before first use. Store it upside down in your pantry to minimize re-stirring sessions.
16. Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie
Comfort food jackpot! This massive pie feeds 6-8 hungry humans for under $20.
Flaky, buttery crust surrounds chunks of their famous rotisserie chicken swimming in velvety gravy with perfectly cooked vegetables. No sad, mushy peas here!
17. Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa
Quinoa prices elsewhere border on criminal. Costco’s 4.5-pound bag of organic goodness costs what you’d pay for a tiny box elsewhere.
Pre-rinsed (hallelujah!) and ready to cook, this complete protein makes meal prep a breeze. Batch cook on Sundays and transform it into grain bowls, salads, and side dishes all week long.
18. Frozen Organic Berries
Berry season year-round? Yes please! These massive bags of organic frozen strawberries, blueberries, and mixed berries solve the winter fruit dilemma.
Flash-frozen at peak ripeness, they retain more nutrients than “fresh” berries shipped across continents. Smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and baking projects just got way more affordable and antioxidant-rich.
19. Kirkland Signature Salsa
Restaurant-style salsa without the restaurant markup! This refrigerated tub delivers fresh-tasting tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and just the right kick of heat.
The massive container costs less than two tiny jars elsewhere. Pro move: transfer portions to smaller containers before double-dippers contaminate the whole batch!
20. Guacamole
Avocado prices making you weep? Costco’s pre-made guacamole packs solve the “ripe today, rotten tomorrow” avocado dilemma.
Individual sealed servings stay fresh for weeks in your fridge—no browning, no waste! The recipe hits all the right notes: creamy avocados, lime brightness, and just enough cilantro and jalapeño.
21. Artisan Rolls
Kirkland Signature Artisan Rolls are the unsung heroes of any meal. Their golden crust and soft, fluffy interior make them a delightful addition to both breakfast and dinner tables. Enjoy them with butter or use them to make the perfect sandwich.
Their quality and taste are unparalleled, offering a gourmet touch to everyday meals.
22. Kirkland Signature Organic Almond Milk
Kirkland Signature Organic Almond Milk is a dairy-free alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste. Perfect for those who are lactose intolerant or simply prefer a plant-based option, it offers a smooth and creamy texture.
Use it in your morning coffee, cereal, or baking recipes. Fortified with essential vitamins, it’s not only delicious but also nutritious.