If you don’t do your grocery shopping at Costco, this is your sign to start!
We know that groceries are more expensive than ever, and we all have to come up with creative ways to get more with less money. The constant rise in food prices can feel overwhelming, making every trip to the supermarket a stressful balancing act. My family and I love to do our grocery shopping at Costco because we can buy things in bulk and have them for weeks, sometimes even months, to come. This strategy fundamentally changes our shopping habits for the better. It helps us get creative in the kitchen, cook with what we have at home, and avoid those frequent, small trips to the shop so often. We all know that you can’t hit the store for only one item (it’s like all the things want to come home with you, and you end up getting 10 things instead of one), but you can still save money by planning and purchasing strategically. This bulk-buying approach significantly reduces impulse purchases, which are often the biggest budget-breakers.
Not to mention, the household items you find at this retailer are affordable, and the quality is top-notch, so there’s no reason to ignore them. From paper towels to laundry detergent, the savings add up quickly. While the initial membership fee might seem like an extra cost, most families find they recoup it within just a couple of months through savings on groceries, gas, and other essentials. Whether you want to save money by buying in bulk, you’re a fan of the highly-rated Kirkland products, or you only want to test out the waters and see what all the fuss is about, here are all the things you should get the next time you do your grocery shopping at Costco:
1. Rotisserie chicken
You’ve probably heard about this already, but it’s too good not to be mentioned. This is arguably the most famous and beloved item at Costco, and for good reason. If you love meat, you have to get a rotisserie chicken the next time you’re grocery shopping at Costco. It is delicious, warm, and juicy, and it costs no more than $5. This price has remained famously consistent for years, making it an incredible value, especially when a smaller, uncooked chicken can often cost more at a regular grocery store.
The first night, we often eat it as is with a simple side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. But the real magic is in the leftovers. You can easily use the remaining meat for chicken noodle soup, creamy chicken pasta, savory sandwiches, quick tacos, cheesy quesadillas, and hearty salads, so you can enjoy fresh, healthy, and home-cooked meals for lunch and dinner for several days. A pro tip: once you’ve picked all the meat off, don’t throw away the carcass! You can place it in a pot with some vegetable scraps, cover it with water, and simmer it for a few hours to create a rich, flavorful chicken broth for free. Besides that, chicken is loaded with lean protein and healthy fats, so it will keep you healthy and strong!
2. Banza rotini pasta made from chickpeas
This is a staple in my household, and that’s because it tastes amazing, is gluten-free, doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, and is a great source of veggie protein. Unlike traditional pasta, this chickpea-based alternative is packed with fiber and protein, which means it keeps you feeling full and satisfied much longer. We try to have a couple of days per week when we don’t eat meat, so this pasta comes in handy as the star of our vegetarian meals. The texture is fantastic; it holds up well to sauces and doesn’t get mushy like some other gluten-free pastas can.
My wife likes to cook it with a simple, rustic tomato sauce, plenty of fresh garlic, sautéed onion, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan for a quick and comforting dinner, which she serves with a leafy green salad. You can also use this Banza rotini pasta for delicious cold pasta salads, paired with creamy avocado, fresh greens, crisp cucumbers, feta cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and Kalamata olives. Top it with a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice or a dash of apple cider vinegar, and you’ll have the perfect, nutrient-dense lunch in less than 15 minutes. It’s a fantastic way to meal prep for the week.
Buying the large box at Costco makes it significantly more affordable than purchasing smaller boxes at other stores. Just don’t forget to check the expiration date before you buy in bulk, and you’re good to go! Would you do your grocery shopping at Costco?
3. Santa Maria beef tri-tip
If you like beef, you’re going to love this Costco product. For those who enjoy a hearty, flavorful cut of meat without a lot of fuss, this is a must-buy. Santa Maria is an American BBQ company that sells their delicious, pre-seasoned products at Costco. Let me tell you that their beef tri-tip is one of the best and easiest impressive meals you’ll ever have. It’s surprisingly affordable for such a high-quality cut, has simple cooking instructions right on the package, and is great for family dinners, weekend barbecues, or even fancy lunches.
Moreover, the convenience is a huge selling point. It’s already seasoned perfectly with a classic blend of salt, pepper, onion, and garlic, so you don’t have to worry about marinating it for hours or getting the seasoning just right. You can easily cook it on the grill for a smoky flavor or roast it in the oven for a tender, juicy result. You can share it with guests or your household members, and the leftovers will taste just as good the next day, if not better. We love slicing it thin for incredible steak sandwiches or chopping it up for steak salads. Pair this beef with roasted or boiled potatoes, grilled veggies like asparagus and bell peppers, or a creamy polenta, and your mouth will be in heaven.
4. Bacon
If you’re one of the people who thinks that bacon can make everything better, you should definitely put it on your list the next time you go grocery shopping at Costco. The value is unbeatable. Kirkland’s signature bacon, which typically comes in a four-pound pack, tastes amazing, is crispy and soft depending on how you cook it, has a great texture, and is fantastic in classic breakfast sandwiches, savory omelets, on top of avocado toast, as a pizza topping, or in an authentic carbonara pasta. We also love crumbling it over salads or baked potatoes. And let’s not forget that it is very affordable, and everyone in your family will love it!
A great tip for handling such a large quantity is to cook the entire batch at once. Lay the strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them in the oven until perfectly crisp. This method is much cleaner and easier than pan-frying. Once cooled, you can store the cooked bacon in the fridge for a week for quick additions to meals, or freeze it for months. It’s a game-changer for busy mornings.
Do you like grocery shopping at Costco? If not, what is your favorite store? Let us know in the comments below!
5. Salmon
Are you a fan of fish? If so, the salmon selection at Costco is not to be missed. My family and I love salmon because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are wonderful for brain health, reducing inflammation, and supporting cardiovascular health. It is also rich in high-quality protein, so it fuels your muscles and helps them grow and repair, making it an excellent post-workout meal. And besides that, it’s great for skin, hair, gut, and bone health and will keep you full for hours, helping to prevent unhealthy snacking.
While this fish is incredibly healthy and delicious, it’s not always that affordable, especially for fresh, high-quality fillets. However, if you do your grocery shopping at Costco, you can buy a large, beautiful side of salmon in bulk and save a significant amount of money compared to other supermarkets. When we get it home, we immediately portion it out into individual meal-sized fillets. Make sure you check the expiration date and put the portions you won’t use within a day or two in the freezer so you have it for longer. It freezes beautifully and is perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
6. Sliced ham
This is another one of those incredibly useful and versatile items that we always stock up on. My wife always gets two packs of the Kirkland Signature extra-lean ham each time we do our grocery shopping at Costco, and she loves to eat it in quick and easy sandwiches for lunch, chopped up in fresh garden salads, mixed into scrambled eggs or omelets for a protein boost, layered in cheesy quesadillas, or added to fried rice and loaded baked potatoes. The price is very good for the amount you get, the taste and quality are amazing, and it pairs well with several meals, making it a true kitchen workhorse.
7. Mixed nut butter
If you love nut mixes and nut butter, you’re going to absolutely adore Kirkland’s mixed nut butter. This isn’t your standard peanut or almond butter. This one combines chia seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and flax seeds to create a divine, nutrient-dense spread that you can add to your snacks and meals. The flavor is complex and satisfying, with the creaminess of cashews and almonds balanced by the texture of the seeds. It’s a fantastic product for anyone looking to incorporate more healthy fats and seeds into their diet effortlessly.
A portion size of this mixed nut butter will fuel your body with protein, healthy fats, and essential omega-3 fatty acids so that you’re satisfied and full of energy for hours. It’s perfect spread on toast, swirled into a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt, blended into a smoothie for extra creaminess and nutrition, or even used as a dip for apple slices or celery sticks. My kids love it, and I feel great about giving them a snack that’s both delicious and packed with goodness.
…Grocery shopping at Costco – yay or nay?
8. Quinoa and brown rice
For busy weeknights when you need a healthy side dish fast, this product is an absolute lifesaver. The next time you do your grocery shopping at Costco, make sure you add Seeds of Change’s organic microwavable quinoa and brown rice to your cart. This is a great meal staple that is ready in less than two minutes right in the microwave. The blend of garlic, quinoa, and brown rice is perfectly seasoned and has a wonderful, fluffy texture. You can combine it with a fresh salad and a lean source of protein like grilled chicken or salmon, or simply pair it with a side of steamed or roasted veggies, and you’ll have a tasty, balanced meal that fuels your body with all the nutrients it needs without any of the cooking time.
9. Sirloin steak
Costco’s meat department is well-regarded for its quality, and the sirloin steaks are no exception. Don’t forget to add some top sirloin steak to your cart the next time you grocery shop at Costco. This high-quality meat tastes amazing, is surprisingly tender for a leaner cut, and the price per pound is pretty good compared to regular grocery stores. I love searing it in a cast-iron skillet with some butter and herbs to turn it into steakhouse-style salads or eating it as a main course with a side of roasted veggies, grilled asparagus, or garlic-sautéed
bean pods. If you have leftovers, they are fantastic when sliced thinly and added to stir-fries, pasta dishes, scrambled eggs, or piled into hearty sandwiches with some provolone cheese and onions.
10. Sliced mozzarella
Do you like cheese? If so, the large pack of pre-sliced mozzarella from Costco is a fantastic buy. It’s a great staple in many meals, like fluffy scrambled eggs, homemade pizza, fresh salads, crispy quesadillas, classic grilled cheese sandwiches, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and so many other delicious things. The slices are the perfect thickness, and the cheese has a wonderful milky flavor and melts beautifully, creating that satisfying cheese pull everyone loves. If you also get some of Costco’s beautiful vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil, you can make some delicious and simple Caprese salads, which will taste divine with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Do you know any other things you should get the next time you go grocery shopping at Costco? We are always on the lookout for new favorites! Let us know in the comments below, because we would love your recommendations. The Costco community is always sharing great finds. If you find it hard to carry your groceries in bags, especially with these bulk purchases, I highly recommend you get this foldable shopping cart with wheels! It will make your life and the trip from the car to your kitchen a lot easier.
Did you find this article helpful? We hope it encourages you to see how a Costco membership can benefit your family and your budget. If you enjoyed reading it and you’d like to check out something else from The Price Makers, here’s a good post for you about stretching your dollars even further: 12 Easy Ways To Receive Gift Cards for Free
