My Top 25 Favorite Items to Buy at Costco

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you walk into Costco—wondering what you should buy? I totally know that feeling, so I’m sharing my top 25 favorite items to buy there! You’ll know exactly what to buy next time you shop!

We have had our Costco Executive membership since 2004! It hardly seems possible that it’s been that long, but I can clearly remember it being built and all the hype behind it. Until then, we had only been to one other Costco, in Denver, CO, with family on a vacation. That was a memorable trip because we got food at the food court as a lunch meal, I believe, and I thought it was so weird. Since having our membership, though, Jason and I have shared many a “date” under the fun umbrellas.

There is so much more to Costco than the food court…or than I could ever fit into one blog post. I guess I need to write a few of them, cheering for all my favorite Costco products!

For this post, at least, I’m sharing my Top 25 Favorite Items to Buy at Costco—all food related and all things we eat regularly. I always try to make sure that I’m sharing things that we have tried, loved, and buy regularly.

This was a tough one for me. We really do buy a lot of produce at Costco, but most of it is self-explanatory. I’m sharing just three items that we buy somewhat regularly, but we also buy produce staples like bananas, peppers, cucumbers, asparagus, salad mix, etc.

1. Eat Smart Superfood Selections Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit: This is one of my all-time favorite salad kits! I know people have their opinions about pre-packaged items like this, but if it’s between me choosing something like this or choosing a side like potato chips or macaroni and cheese…this is the better option. I’m more likely to fix a salad if it’s easy to put together like the sweet kale one. Also, this genuinely tastes delicious!

2. Highline Organic Mushrooms: The brand may vary, but I almost always buy my button mushrooms at Costco. The value is so good for such a large package, plus the size of the mushrooms is incomparable.

3. SunDate Organic Medjool Dates: Dates are so good for you and are a great natural sweetener. We use these to snack on, add to trail mix, and sweeten desserts naturally.

There are a ton of bread products at Costco that we buy and love, but I tried to pick out the main ones. Already as I’m typing this, though, I’m thinking of others: french baguette, croissants, and Ezekiel Bread. You can’t go wrong with Costco’s bread and baked goods.

1. Brownberry Multigrain Sandwich Thins: I love these as a replacement to toast or buns…but also love to make mini pizzas out of them! They toast up really well and last, if you store them in the fridge.

2. Braided Apple Strudel: These are one of Jason’s favorites from Costco. We don’t buy them often, but I did just surprise him with a pack. They’re perfect for a breakfast danish or as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also freeze well…if you want to buy them, but not eat all at once.

3. Butter Cinnamon Sugar Loaves: Now…this is as delicious and deadly as it sounds. It’s bread, but also like the tastiest cake ever—very much like coffee cake that grandma used to make. When we buy them, I freeze 2 right away, and am always so happy I have them to pull out for a special occasion or a treat on a Saturday morning.

4. Crepini Ready to Eat Egg Wraps: Not technically a bread, but we use these as a bread replacement! The last time I bought them, I discovered that I could make a burrito out of them and crisp them up in a pan—game changer!

It was nearly impossible to list everything I love in this category! There are staple items that Costco always carries, but then they have specialty and seasonal items too! I always buy my red pepper hummus at Costco, have bought pickles in the past, love all their cheeses, and their snack meat selection is amazing!

1. Milton Creamery Prairie Breeze: Now…this is the only item I’m not sure is available everywhere. Milton Creamery is in Iowa and this is my favorite cheese that I’ve ever eaten. When I discovered that Costco carries it, I put a block in my cart automatically…even though I knew I had one at home in the fridge. It’s that good.

2. Queso Mama White Queso with Diced Green Chiles: If you follow me on Instagram, then you know my favorite food group is queso. If I can’t get the authentic stuff from a Mexican restaurant, then this is the next best thing! Trust me on this…I’m a queso expert.

3. Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto: The best pesto I’ve ever eaten was made by my aunt who is an organic farmer. She introduced me to pesto and I’ve never looked back. I’ve made it in the past, but honestly, the Kirkland brand is so good (and I don’t have to mess with making my own), that I buy it there religiously.

Again, same story, I had a really hard time narrowing my list for this category. Costco has an amazing fresh meat selection, not to mention their famous rotisserie chickens. If you haven’t had one yet…get one the next time you go! And don’t even get me started on all of the great products they have in their dairy and freezer sections. Make sure that you walk through slowly so you can see everything that they have.

1. Kirkland Signature Organic Boneless & Skinless Chicken Thighs: After we discovered these chicken thighs…we binged them. They are so tender and delicious, but fairly healthy, since they’re skinless. Plus, I love that I’m not paying for the weight of the bone.

2. Amylu Apple & Gouda Chicken Sausages: We have been trying to eat less red meat in the last few years, but still have something that is delicious and feels substantial for meals or a heavier snack. These sausages are perfect for just about anything. I eat them on their own, usually, and have had them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re also good cut up and added to a stir-fry full of veggies!

3. Garden Lites Veggies Made Great Spinach Egg White Frittatas: I love these! There, I said it! They taste delicious and only have 70 calories each! They’re perfect for breakfast, if I don’t have a lot of time (I usually eat 2), or even a snack, when I want something warm to eat.

4. Garden Lites Veggies Made Great Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins: Same company, different flavored product. In addition to their egg frittatas, Garden Lites also makes a variety of muffins that are all delicious. I eat these any time of day, but especially love them as a treat at night as my “dessert”.

5. Kirkland Signature Breaded Panko Shrimp: We first had this shrimp a few years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since! I bought the equivalent from another big box club store…and they were nowhere near as good! These crisp up like a dream and are so good on their own or as a savory side to a salad.

6. High Liner Tortilla Crusted Tilapia: Like I mentioned above, we’re trying to eat less red meat these days and incorporating more fish is one of the ways we’re doing it. I really love this fish—it has great flavor and I enjoy the crunchy tortilla crust. There’s a lot of flavor without adding much fat or calories to it!

The pantry staple aisles at Costco is an area where you really need to spend some time. Some things are specialty or seasonal, so you won’t see them all the time, but most items are always there. I do have a bit of regret, though, for some stuffed peppers we bought there last year at Christmas. Had I known how delicious they were when I bought them, and that I wouldn’t be able to find them again, I would have purchased cases!

We don’t buy everything in industrial sizes, as we don’t have the room to store it or wouldn’t use it all in a timely manner. There are several products that we do buy regularly, though, because we go through them fast enough or they’re just a really great deal!

1. Colavita Garlicolio (Natural Garlic Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil): Oh, wow. This olive oil is so good! We love garlic and this is just one more way we can infuse it in our cooking!

2. Kirkland Signature Granulated California Garlic: See, I told you, we love garlic! I use this granulated garlic in almost everything I make—added flavor without adding sodium, fat, or calories.

3. Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa: I love salsa and this is a good one! I normally buy fresh, but this is nice to have in the cupboard for if I run out of fresh or if I just want something a little different. It’s also great to add to certain dishes or cook chicken in.

4. Molinaro’s Pizza Kit: This is such of great deal and the pizzas are fun to make. The kit comes with 4 crusts and 4 sauces, but we always add our own toppings as well. This is another item that’s nice to have onhand for those nights when you just don’t want to cook, but want something warm, delicious, and comforting!

5. Ghirardelli Chocolate Triple Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix: All I can say about these brownies is…YUM! They are one of the best boxed brownies around and we always have them in our cupboard. They’re so nice to pull out for a last-minute dessert or if you need something to serve guests.

6. Rao’s Homemade Marinara: We tried this sauce a while ago, but had bought it at our local grocery store. It’s a little on the pricey side, so I was so excited to find it at Costco! It’s a little on the spicy side, but so much delicious flavor!

7. Casarecce Garofalo Assorted Organic Pasta: I bought this pasta a while ago when it was on special and am so glad that I tried it! I love that it’s organic, that there’s a variety of pasta types in the package, and it’s just really good pasta!

8. Nature’sintent Organic Chia Seeds: If you’re not adding chia seeds into your diet, you definitely should be! They’re so good for you, for so many reasons! They can be a little expensive, so this package from Costco is a great value. We add them daily to our oatmeal and bananas with peanut butter.

9. Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries: Honestly, we only really eat these on one thing—a certain salad that I make. I make it very regularly, though, so we go through the large bag fairly quickly. The price is crazy good at Costco, so I always buy them there. They’re also good as a quick snack added to a bit of cheese or some nuts!

I’ve teamed up with 3 other Costco super fans to share their favorites as well! I know they all have a variety of items on their lists and would love for you to check them out as well!

I could have shared so many more favorite items from Costco. We really do appreciate our membership there, for all of the things they have to offer, even beyond all the food.

I would love to know if you like any of the items on my list or maybe have a few favorites of your own? Leave me a comment and let me know!