As the third-largest retailer in the US, Costco consistently aims to keep its millions of cardholders coming back for discounts and bulk buys.
Costco, a leading retailer in customer satisfaction, regularly stocks its shelves with produce, snacks, frozen meals, and more. The store attracts shoppers from all walks of life, from nutritionists to chefs to athletes, and everyone has a unique shopping list.
BI had 31 dedicated shoppers share what they snag on their Costco runs — here's what they said.
This story was originally published in September 2021 and most recently updated on October 3, 2024. Product availability may vary by location.
Using frozen berries instead of ice makes smoothies cold and refreshing without watering them down.
This 4-pound bag of fruit comes with raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
Demarest mixes it with almond butter, almond milk, chia seeds, and cacao powder for a morning drink.
Costco sells huge slabs of Atlantic salmon.
Demarest often pairs baked filets with brown rice and veggies, like spinach or broccoli.
This large piece can be divided into several servings, and you can freeze leftover filets to make them last longer.
These Starbucks frappuccinos are tasty, and buying them in bulk makes sense.
Demarest will often wait to snag these until there's a manufacturer's coupon to make them even cheaper.
Read Abigail Abesamis Demarest's full Costco shopping list: I've shopped at Costco for over 10 years. Here are the 15 products I always buy in bulk.
Although one person can finish a normal tube of toothpaste in just a couple of months, the Crest 3D White bulk pack can last for six to eight months, even when shared.
Diaz said that since she shares a bathroom, it's more cost-effective to buy this toiletry in bulk.
These comfy leggings come in several colors.
Diaz bought these leggings on a whim and was blown away, picking up three more the next time she went shopping.
As a Lululemon fan, she said this cheaper Costco alternative is comparable to the name brand.
Frozen and portioned meals are great Costco buys for solo shoppers since they have a much longer shelf life.
Each box of Yakisoba contains six packets of noodles mixed with sauce and an array of stir-fry vegetables.
Diaz will often finish cooking the noodles in a pan with chicken.
Read Alicia Diaz's full Costco shopping list: I'm a solo shopper at Costco. Here are the 15 things I always buy that make my membership worth it.
This 8-pound jug of kernels will last Tanner about a month.
She'll usually prepare two large batches multiple times a week as a ready-to-eat snack for her 10 kids, popping the kernels with oil in a pan over medium heat.
You can eat as is or add your choice of toppings, like butter and salt.
Tanner also grabs a 25-pound bag of Thai Hom Mali jasmine rice.
She often prepares it in the Instant Pot to serve alongside meals like hamburger bowls, fried rice, and casserole.
She also buys two-packs of uncured extra-lean ham.
Although ham works great in sandwiches, Tanner will also add this ingredient to dishes like fried rice, quesadillas, scrambled eggs, and baked potatoes.
Read Lisa Tanner's full Costco shopping list: I'm a mom of 10 who's shopped at Costco for almost 20 years. Here are 20 things I always buy in bulk.
Zeller uses the FoodSaver to ensure her frozen food lasts longer and doesn't get freezer burn, saving her up to hundreds of dollars since she can preserve her bulk buys.
Simply portion the food into your ideal serving, then seal and store it in the freezer for easy future meals.
These Greek-style souvlaki skewers are available in chicken or pork varieties.
Zeller will often grill some of the skewers and pair them with a side salad for dinner, then freeze the rest to whip up at a later date.
Costco sells large bottles of pure, organic maple syrup.
The breakfast staple works great on top of pancakes, waffles, and French toast, plus it'll last for a while.
Read Tara Zeller's full Costco shopping list: I drive 4 hours and spend $500 for every Costco trip. Here are 16 things I always stock up on.
These ready-made kits include taco essentials — 12 flour tortillas, chicken, cheese, lime slices, salsa, and cilantro-lime crema.
Each pack can feed about three to four people.
They're a hit among Kassis' family and ideal for when you don't want to cook.
Found in Costco's bakery section, these cinnamon treats are a delicious buy.
Each pack of 12 comes topped with tasty cream-cheese icing.
Kassis pops them in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm them and make them melty.
Kassis compared a 4-pound bag of these boneless chicken bites to Chick-fil-A's nuggets.
She said they turn out wonderfully crispy in the air fryer and work well as protein on a salad.
Read Majed Kassis' full Costco shopping list: I run a Costco fan account with over 390,000 followers. Here are 12 of my favorite recent purchases.
Nelson will place a handful of mandarins in the fruit bowl each morning to set out as a snack.
The easy-peel fruit is a great source of vitamin C and can last for several weeks in the fridge.
This wholesome mixed-nut butter combines almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds to make a delicious spread that you can add to snacks or meals.
Nuts are a great, wholesome source of fats — a food group that should ideally make up 20% to 35% of your daily calories.
Particularly, omega-3 fatty acids found in many nuts and seeds are good for heart health.
With both 5 grams of fiber and protein per serving, Dave's Killer Bread is great for sandwiches and toast.
Nelson will often toast the bread and top it with nut butter and sliced bananas.
Read Candace Nelson's full Costco shopping list: I'm a nutritionist who shops at Costco for 2. Here are 14 things I always buy in bulk.
This 51-ounce tub of ground coffee lasts a while.
Hamze uses it to make drip coffee, though it can also be brewed with a machine or French press.
Hamze is a big fan of the bulk-sized bag of Hippeas — organic chickpea puffs.
She buys two bags at a time and enjoys this snack as a replacement for potato chips.
These premade salad kits come with everything you need for a tasty serving of veggies, including dressing and toppings.
The Mediterranean salad kit is Hamze's favorite.
Read Salma Hamze's full Costco shopping list: I shop at Costco for my family of 2. Here are 10 things I always stock up on.
Engelbert buys these applesauce pouches as a wholesome snack for her kids.
Coming in a large box of 24 pouches, they are organic, gluten-free, and added-sugar-free.
The wholesale chain's rotisserie chicken is a beloved staple, but Engelbert often picks up this pack of hand-pulled breast instead.
It's a versatile meat option that can be added to salads, enchiladas, and more.
You can snag bulk packs of allergy pills and nasal spray from name brands — like Zyrtec and Flonase — at Costco.
Just make sure to check the expiration date and use them in time.
Read Dana Engelbert's full Costco shopping list: I drive 3 hours to shop at Costco. Here are 21 things that make the 140-mile trip worth it.
Each 3-pound bag of Atlantic salmon contains individually wrapped pieces of fish.
Acheampong said she used to buy fresh salmon, but realized she would end up freezing most of it and started buying these packs instead.
She'll often bake a filet with a marinade and serve it with vegetables for an easy meal.
Costco sells 4-pound packages of green and black seedless grapes.
Acheampong will often freeze them to have as a crisp, refreshing snack during the summer months.
Green tea is naturally caffeinated and rich in antioxidants.
Acheampong may drink between three to four cups of tea daily, so she grabs these bulk packs of 100 bags from Costco.
Read Gemma Acheampong's full Costco shopping list: I'm an Olympian and semi-professional athlete. Here are 16 things I always buy at Costco for myself.
Pure vanilla extract can be a pricey ingredient, but Costco shoppers can snag a 16-ounce bottle.
You can use vanilla in various baked goods and breakfasts, from cookies and cakes to French toast and pancakes.
Chock-full of natural probiotics to keep your gut healthy, sauerkraut can make a delicious addition to sandwiches or salads.
Plus, the ingredient, which comes in a 50-ounce container, can last for months sealed in the fridge.
A wholesome staple to keep in your kitchen, quinoa is full of plant-based protein and fiber.
Although the trendy grain can be quite pricey at other stores, you can snag a bag that's over 4 pounds at Costco.
Pair the ingredient with protein and veggies for dinner or use it to bulk up a salad.
Read Lizzy Briskin's full Costco shopping list: I'm a chef who shops at Costco. Here are my 12 favorite things to buy.
This shopper thinks Rao's red sauce is worth the higher price tag, and even celebrity chef Ina Garten has given this jarred option her seal of approval.
You can find a great deal on packs of two 28-ounce jars at Costco.
Add this sauce to a variety of pasta dishes or meat entrées.
Canned salmon is a convenient source of protein that doesn't need to be refrigerated, so it's perfect for camping or road trips.
Kuntz drains the ingredient and serves it with mayo, onion, jalapeño, salt, and lemon juice.
This microwavable pack of grains is wholesome and ready in just 90 seconds.
Add it as a side with a protein-heavy dinner, or use it as the base for a rice bowl.
Read Jordan Kuntz's full Costco shopping list: I live on the road full-time in a 27-foot RV. Here are the 15 things I always buy at Costco.
Yi wrote that Costco's pesto — made with Genovese basil and pine nuts — is one of the best store-bought options.
You can sauté veggies and meat in it or add a few spoonfuls to a bowl of pasta.
Available in both salted and unsalted options, this high-quality butter is worth the higher price tag, according to the shopper.
This rich and creamy butter works well slathered on bread or used in decadent dishes.
The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano is aged over 24 months and boasts nutty and salty undertones.
Yi recommends adding it to pasta dishes or cheese plates and then tossing the leftover rinds into soup.
To boost the ingredient's shelf life, Yi cuts the cheese into chunks and freezes what she won't use right away.
Read Olivia Yi's full Costco shopping list: I create easy Costco recipes for over 33,000 followers. Here are 15 of my favorite things to buy.
Costco sells packs of Pom's tortillas, which come with 15 whole-grain shells.
This wholesome ingredient can serve as the base for many meals, like wraps, homemade enchiladas, and quesadillas.
Costco sells high-quality meat for fair prices, like this lean top sirloin.
MacPherson uses it to make steakhouse-style salads and sometimes enjoys leftovers as a side for scrambled eggs.
Garden Fresh's salsa sports a lively flavor profile that works with several dishes, like omelets, nachos, and baked potatoes.
MacPherson also recommended pairing it with Kirkland Signature tortilla chips.
Read Rachel MacPherson's full Costco shopping list: I'm a personal trainer who shops for a family of 6 at Costco. Here are 21 things I always stock up on.
Schnyer grabs this Ocean Spray cranberry juice from Costco to make cocktails and mocktails.
Shoppers can grab a pack of two 96-ounce bottles.
Limes are a common ingredient in many cocktails, from the base of a margarita to the garnish on a Long Island iced tea.
So Schnyer makes sure to grab at least three bags each trip.
These Herb and Lou's infused ice cubes are the perfect addition to an old fashioned that won't water it down.
Each box comes with 12 ice cubes.
Read Chelsea Schnyer's full Costco shopping list: I'm a bartender who shops at Costco. Here are 12 things I always buy for my bar on wheels.
Frierson said these croissants may have been the reason she got a Costco membership in the first place.
They're massive, fluffy, and buttery, making for a great breakfast or sandwich base.
Costco sells stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice.
Simply pop these in the oven and serve alongside dinner rolls for an easy weeknight meal.
This pack of bacon is separated into two 1-½-pound portions, so you can freeze one while you use the other.
Fry up a few strips to serve alongside eggs, or add a few pieces to a BLT.
Read Savannah J. Frierson's full Costco shopping list: I'm a solo shopper at Costco who tries to stick to a $50 budget. Here are 14 things I love to buy.
Sorrento said that instead of cutting out snacks on her weight-loss journey, she found ones that work with her lifestyle, like Barnana's organic plantain chips.
They're both salty and crunchy.
Packed with healthy fats, this avocado dip is great for snacking or adding to a sandwich.
It pairs well with tortilla chips or veggies.
This grain-free swap for normal tortilla chips is made with cassava flour, avocado oil, coconut flour, chia seeds, and salt.
You can pair it with salsa or guacamole for an easy snack.
Read Gabriella Sorrento's full Costco shopping list: I lost 40 pounds. Here are 12 Costco products that helped me lose the weight and keep it off.
You can grab a 3-pound bag of almond flour at Costco.
Blasi wrote that the ingredient was one of the reasons she was able to "sustain a strict keto diet for an extended period."
It's versatile and can be used as a flour substitute in baking or as breading in savory dishes.
Coconut oil is a helpful staple to cook with since it has a smoke point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
She said she'd use the ingredient to make fat bombs, which can increase your macros and satisfy a sweet tooth.
Chicken is a versatile source of protein to keep on hand. Blasi would use it in homemade pizza crust or in "avocado boats."
Read Elizabeth Blasi's full Costco shopping list: I lost 40 pounds in a year on the keto diet. Here are my 12 favorite Costco buys that helped me meet my goals.
Al-Hatlani said they often use the salty, cured pork as a replacement for bacon in several meals, like pasta or eggs Benedict.
Shoppers can snag the meat from the chain in two 6-ounce packs.
Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth, these dark-chocolate-covered cookie-dough bites are crunchy and tasty without being overly sugary.
You can snag a 21-ounce bag at Costco.
These Hungarian "Goathorn" peppers are soaked in a sweet brine of vinegar, sugar, garlic, maple syrup, fennel seed, and salt.
They're vinegary but not too salty, making them a great addition to foods like pizza or biscuits.
Read Alana Al-Hatlani's full Costco shopping list: I'm a professional baker and my boyfriend is a chef. Here are 13 of our favorite things to buy at Costco.
Ochs loves fresh produce, so she gets excited when the 2-pound bags of Ocean Spray cranberries hit store shelves.
She grabs two and freezes one since they keep beautifully in the freezer. She can then bake cranberry-crumb cake any time of year.
To Ochs, fresh pomegranates are beautiful both inside and out. Their blush skin is part of autumn's palette, and their round shape makes them look like natural ornaments.
Inside, pomegranates are packed with juicy arils that add a ruby-red color and tart flavor to salads, dips, and desserts.
To eat, score the peel with a knife and gently break them up by hand in a big bowl of water. The ready-to-eat arils will sink to the bottom.
Kirkland Signature praline pecans are a Costco favorite. Ochs buys them during the holidays to add sweetness and crunch to various dishes.
Pecans have a distinct buttery, slightly woody taste that's enhanced by the sugary praline coating.
She likes to crumble them over a Thanksgiving sweet-potato casserole, toss them into salads with goat cheese, and top pancakes with them for a decadent breakfast. They're also great on a cheese plate.
Read Meredith Ochs' full shopping list: I'm a culinary judge who shops at Costco for the holidays. Here are 10 things I recommend buying.
Crazy Cuizine Mandarin-orange chicken is a family favorite on Thatcher's menu twice a month. Each pack contains lightly battered chicken breast and rib meat and a sweet and tangy orange sauce.
This meal is great for a quick, easy dinner in less than 20 minutes.
Each box contains 4 pounds of chicken with two packets of orange sauce.
Mission Carb Balance tortillas are one of Thatcher's favorite products and are versatile enough for mini pizzas, wraps, and countless other meals.
They contain 4 grams of net carbs and 0 grams of sugar per serving.
Read Veronica Thatcher's full shopping list: I work at Costco and spend $100 a week there to feed my family of 4. Here are 10 things we love to buy.
Most of Allen's baked goods, especially cookies, start with several sticks of butter.
She always uses unsalted butter for baking, and she can grab a big package at Costco for less money than if she bought smaller ones at the grocery store.
A pack of Kirkland Signature unsalted butter comes with four 1-pound boxes.
You can't make chocolate-chip cookies without this key ingredient.
Allen likes to dip cookies, pretzel rods, and marshmallows in the melted chocolate chips for a fun, flavorful twist.
She picks up a 4-½-pound bag of Kirkland Signature semisweet chocolate chips.
Read Molly Allen's full shopping list: I'm a professional baker. Here are 9 staple ingredients I recommend stocking up on at Costco.
Costa said the Fresh Additions pre-grilled chicken is a great ingredient to keep around to throw on top of bagged salad greens, put on a sandwich, or just heat and eat on its own.
She thinks it makes portion control easy and keeps a few packages in the fridge and freezes the rest.
For Costa, frozen fruit is a late-night snack that's almost as good as ice cream.
Full of antioxidants, dark cherries are her favorite. She eats them right out of the bag but they're also good on top of yogurt or salads or in a smoothie.
She's also experimented with baking them into crescent rolls for a quick, simple dessert.
Costa isn't a fan of fish but her doctor has recommended having it several times a week.
The Pure Alaska Omega salmon oil is a great compromise since it gives her the nutritional benefits of omega-3 fatty acids — like improved heart health and reduced inflammation — without making her house smell like fish.
Read Janice Costa's full shopping list: I shop for just myself at Costco and hate cooking. Here are 15 things I love to buy there.
Krishnaswami is a big fan of Red's keto-friendly quick and easy Egg'wiches. They take just over a minute and a half to microwave and taste great with Frank's RedHot sauce.
One Egg'wich usually keeps her full until morning snack time, though she sometimes supplements it with toast or a smoothie.
She recommends taking the cheese off before you cook the Egg'wich. If you microwave it without doing so, she's found the cheese will melt off.
Whether they're made in-house by Costco employees or one of the many brands in the refrigerated cases, you don't need to be a family of four to benefit from buying the warehouse's prepared meals.
Krishnaswami buys meals for herself and makes a list of the use- or freeze-by dates and hangs it on her fridge. Then, she removes a portion or two for the fridge and portions out the rest for the freezer.
This way, she doesn't have to thaw more food than she wants while saving time.
Read Karlin Krishnaswami's full shopping list: I shop for just myself at Costco and stick to a budget. Here are 15 things I love to buy and how I use them.
As a mom with teens in extracurricular activities, Vogel finds these microwavable pouches of Tasty Bite organic madras lentils make ideal pre-practice dinners.
Vogel loves serving her kids a hot meal, even though they can't always eat dinner together as a family.
With microwave and boil-in-bag preparation options, it's fairly effortless for Vogel to prepare the EastWest Cuisine vegetable-and-chicken curry.
She also likes that the recipe contains cauliflower and peas — veggies her family doesn't eat enough of otherwise.
Read Lindy Vogel's full shopping list: I'm a mom of 6 who hates cooking. Here are 8 things I buy at Costco to make meal planning simple.
Bucca always makes room in his freezer for these easy-peel, cleaned shrimp.
He uses them in classic shrimp scampi with tons of garlic. They're also great for pasta, cioppino, or restaurant-sized shrimp cocktails at home.
As someone who's worked in the food industry, Bucca has learned that Maldon sea-salt flakes are many chefs' go-to seasoning.
He finds that it's the best, flakiest salt available. Bucca plans on stocking up until he runs out of pantry space.
Read Dominic Bucca's full shopping list: I pay for Costco's $120 executive membership even though I only shop for 2. Here are some of my favorite things to get for dinner.
Her favorite on-the-go protein hit is a pack of the Honey Smoked Fish Co. salmon stackers.
These little boxes containing honey-smoked salmon, crackers, and a lemon-chive spread make for an easy lunch that keeps Estella's cravings at bay. She just peels the plastic cover off for a delicious meal with 13 grams of protein.
Read Myriam Estrella's full shopping list: I've lost 73 pounds in 10 months. Here are 10 products from Costco that help me keep the weight off.
Nothing screams springtime quite like asparagus, and the bulk packages at Costco provide way more than what Manaker's household can eat in one sitting.
She uses leftover asparagus in frittatas or chilled soup.
Read Lauren Manaker's full shopping list: I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet. Here are 12 things I'm buying at Costco this spring.
Fruit snacks have become a staple in Luck's lunchbox for a quick pick-me-up during the workday.
She buys a box of 90 pouches of Welch's fruit snacks when she visits Costco.
Luck loves grabbing a Bobo's PB&J before she heads out for work.
A box comes with 20 bars in both strawberry and grape flavors. As an added bonus, they're gluten-free and packed with great taste.
Read Quierra Luck's full shopping list: Even though I'm single, I love shopping in bulk at Costco. Here are 8 items I like to buy.
Killin loves all Sabatino's products because they make for quick, easy sources of protein.
The albondigas-flavored chicken meatballs are already fully cooked, so putting a meal together takes no time. She likes to pair them with a healthy-fat-filled sauce and a carb (like rice or pasta).
Killin also recommends trying the brand's basil and cracked black pepper sausages and teriyaki-pineapple chicken meatballs.
Read Jamie Killin's full shopping list: I swear by Costco now that I have a nutritionist. Here are 10 things I buy there to meet my health goals.
As the name suggests, Brazi Bites are bite-sized, Brazilian-inspired cheese bread made of tapioca flour.
Rhyason pops the chewy, gluten-free snack in his air fryer for about 15 minutes so the outside gets nice and toasty.
For Rhyason, MorningStar Farms' chipotle black-bean burgers are an excellent air-fryer option. They cook quickly for lunch and have a great flavor profile that satisfies his veggie-burger craving.
With visible flecks of vegetables and beans, the black-bean burgers work well chopped up in a wrap with a bit of shredded lettuce, Greek yogurt, and banana peppers. But they're also tasty on a bun with traditional burger fixings.
Read Mackenzie Rhyason's full shopping list: I shop at Costco for myself. Here are 9 things I buy to make in my air fryer.
Demmin-De Lise said this tasty wine is well-balanced, elegant, and complex. It has notes of peaches, apricots, and white blossoms. It's also pleasantly dry with a long finish (a fruity aftertaste).
For Demmin-De Lise, this wine is a delightful addition to a summertime picnic or a get-together with friends on the porch. Plus, the bottles are a few dollars cheaper than those he's seen at other stores near him.
When Demmin-De Lise has guests over, he often tries to cook a meal that feels a bit fancier. One way to hit that note is to serve lamb.
He cuts this frenched lamb into chops, pan-sears the meat, and serves three pieces with greens and potatoes as a flavorful, bold main course. He also likes to coat his lamb in a mustard crust when he's feeling adventurous.
Read James Demmin-De Lise's full shopping list: I'm a former chef who shops for 2 at Costco. Here are 11 foods I get there that feel gourmet.