I go back and forth deciding if a membership to Costco Wholesale is worth the $60/year fee. For now, it appears to be worth it. You can’t beat the convenience of buying certain items in bulk, while hopefully saving a little money. However, be careful shopping at Costco because the prices add up fast and can cause major “sticker shock” at the checkout! Plus, having “too much” food in the house can also add up fast around your waistline!
Over the years I have learned to shop cautiously at Costco, steering clear of the bakery, and focusing on buying products that are mostly healthy and beneficial to my family. For a family of 4, I have also learned not to buy too much fresh produce or large quantities of perishable food that could go bad before we have a chance to eat it. Costco is perfect for businesses, big family gatherings, or other events where you need a lot of food. For a smaller family, on a regular basis, I find it’s important to be more selective.
I’ve created a list of over 50 products that I purchase again and again, for one reason or another (price, selection, quality, convenience). I shop at Costco about once a month and focus on the items from this list that I’m getting low on, while also keeping an eye out for healthy new products.
Bring this FREE list with you on your next trip to Costco Wholesale:
*This list is subject to change, so check in for occasional updates. This is a personal list of favorites and is not sponsored or endorsed by Costco Wholesale. Availability of products may vary from store to store.
Nuts & Dried Fruit
Keep in mind that nuts contain natural oils that can cause them to go rancid over time. Always store them in an airtight container. If you’re not able to eat a bulk-size bag of nuts within 2-3 months, consider storing them in the fridge or freezer to prolong their quality (up to 6 months to 1 year respectively).
Kirkland Roasted and Salted Pistachios 
Raw Unsalted Walnuts 
Kirkland Raw Pecans 
Kirkland Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts 
Sunmaid Organic Raisins 
Kirkland Organic Dried Montmorency Cherries
The Trail Mixes are excellent to try as well!
Snacks
Stick to healthier options of protein bars, chips and popcorn in single serving size to control portions. Pretzel Crisps are great on a veggie tray with hummus. The only ingredient in Bare Apple Chips is apples. I always have some type of cracker in the pantry.
RxBar Protein Bars 
Pirate’s Booty Snack Bags 
Popcorners Snack Bags 
Baked Variety Mix Snack Bags 
Skinny Pop Popcorn Bags 
Snack Factory Organic Pretzel Crisps 
Bare Organic Apple Chips 
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
Treats
Stay away from the bakery (unless you’re feeding a large group)! Instead, try some of the quality treats below. They’re great for packing in lunches. Annie’s Fruit Snacks are my go-to compromise when I’m craving gummy candies.
Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar 
Organic Aussie Bites 
Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Heavenly Hunks Organic Gluten-Free Cookies 
Annie’s Organic Fruit Snacks Variety Pack
Pantry
You’ll always find these staples in my pantry! They’re worth buying in bulk because we’re always using them.
Dole Mandarin Oranges Cups in 100% Juice 
Dole Peaches and Mixed Fruit Cups in 100% Juice 
Mott’s Organic Applesauce Cups 
Kashi Cereal 
Birch Benders Paleo Pancake Mix 
Kirkland Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup 
Kirkland Blanched Almond Flour 
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts 
Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter 
Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice 
Chosen Foods Avocado Mayo 
Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna
Refrigerated
Although I prefer pasture-raised eggs, you can’t beat the price on Organic Eggs at Costco. I always have String Cheese in our fridge and I alternate between the Kerrygold Cheddar and Spanish Cheeses. Yogurt is a constant in our fridge as well. I love the convenience of the Red Grapefruit cups and the Perfect Bars are delicious! I can get two meals out of the Pulled Pork, so it’s great to have on hand.
Organic Free Range Large Eggs 
Organic String Cheese 
Kerrygold Reserve Cheddar Cheese 
Spanish Cheese Selection 
Fage Plain Greek Yogurt 
Noosa Whole Milk Yogurt Cups 
Kirkland Red Grapefruit Cups 
Perfect Bar Organic Protein Bars 
Kirkland Smoked Pulled Pork
Frozen
We have a chest freezer in our garage which allows us to stock up on seafood and convenience items that come in handy for quick and easy meals. Costco has an excellent selection of Organic Frozen Fruit, perfect for making smoothies.
Organic Frozen Fruit 
Kashi Blueberry Waffles 
Garden Lites Blueberry Oat Muffins 
Kirkland Raw Tail On Shrimp 
Kirkland Wild Caught Atlantic Cod 
Wild Alaskan Marinated Salmon 
Wild White Wine Icelandic Haddock 
Wild Caught Sea Salt & Roasted Garlic Mahi 
Golden Platter Organic Chicken Nuggets 
Roasted Vegetable Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Beverages
The deal on Organic Unsweetened Almond Beverage at Costco is awesome! It’s shelf stable so you can keep it on hand and never run out. Izze Sparkling Juice is the closest my family comes to drinking soda. We each usually enjoy one can per week. Vitaminwater Zero is sweetened with erythritol and stevia and is great to have on hand when you get tired of drinking plain water.
Izze Sparkling Juice 
Vitamin Water Zero 
Kirkland Organic Unsweetened Almond Beverage
Fresh Produce
I’m a huge fan of the berries at Costco, but all fruits and vegetables at Costco are great! Just be sure they can be eaten up before spoiling!
Bananas 
Kiwi 
Seedless Grapes 
Strawberries 
Blueberries 
Blackberries 
Raspberries 
Organic Baby Spinach
Meats, etc.
Occasionally I will pick up a Kirkland Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, however, I do prefer the Rotisserie Chicken from other stores I shop at (such as Whole Foods). The same goes for meats, poultry and seafood.
Miscellaneous
Garbage Bags, Napkins, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Tissues