Shopping at Costco is always an adventure—you never know what you’ll discover, but you always leave with a cart full of great deals. Whether you’re looking for kitchen staples, easy meals, or hidden gems, Costco has it all.

But with so many choices, how do you know what’s truly worth buying or skipping? Over the past few years, we’ve learned a lot by making weekly trips to Costco. Some products we’ve tried and loved, some we should have never purchased in bulk, and others we now can’t live without. 

We’ve rounded up our top picks, from unbeatable grocery deals to household essentials you should stock up on.

🥛 Dairy & Beverages

• Milk — If you use a gallon of milk each week, Costco is the place to buy it. It’s high-quality, and the savings add up! We recently snagged a gallon for $2.88, while the same milk cost $3.99 at the grocery store.
• Coffee Pods (when on sale) — Keurig lovers, listen up! Costco’s coffee pod deals are unbeatable—if you catch them on sale. Stock up when they’re discounted, and you’ll pay less than Amazon’s best prices. We’ve tried every variety of Kirkland Signature Coffee Pods: Breakfast Blend, Pacific Bold, and Summit Roast and we liked them all. The Summit Roast is the middle of the road as far as taste and boldness so if you were to buy one, that’s the one we’d recommend.

🍗 Meat & Protein Powerhouses

• Steaks & Ground Beef — Costco’s top-notch meat freezes beautifully (especially with a vacuum sealer), and is competitively priced. CEO Roland Vachris noted in a 2024 earnings call that shoppers are grabbing Wagyu beef and budget-friendly cuts!
• Rotisserie Chicken— Yes, it’s a cliché, but this $4.99 chicken is legendary. It’s fully cooked, juicy, and makes for the easiest meal when shredded over a salad or tossed into a wrap. Buy two and freeze one.
• Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage — These taste just like the Premio brand. While Costco hasn’t confirmed it, we wouldn’t be surprised if the same company makes them!
• Pork Tenderloin — These tenderloins come vacuum-sealed for easy freezing, and each pack contains two—we find they are perfect for our family dinner with little leftovers.
• Chicken Tenderloins — We found that lots of chicken breasts were rubbery, so we switched to tenderloins, and problem solved. Remove the white tendon before cooking (this quick YouTube tutorial will show you how).
• Frozen Chicken Wings — This giant bag is a game-changer for wing night! Plus, the bones make incredible homemade stock.
• Bare Chicken Nuggets — Think of these as a Chick-fil-A dupe! They’re mild, kid-friendly, and make dinner effortless.
• Pulled Pork — Costco revamped its pulled pork recipe in 2023, and it’s way better now—there’s no fake smoky taste, just tender, delicious meat.

🍤 Seafood Staples

• Frozen Salmon — We wanted to eat more fish but balked at fish store prices. Costco’s frozen salmon is a budget-friendly way to get those omega-3s. Try seasoning it well or adding a flavorful sauce if you’re easing into seafood.
• Frozen Shrimp — The Kirkland Signature Gulf Shrimp cook in minutes. If you’re in a rush, defrost them in a Ziploc bag of cold water—it’s not technically recommended, but it works!
• Shrimp Cocktail — A must-have for parties! It comes with cocktail sauce and lemon and costs a fraction of what you’d pay at the grocery store.

🥗 Fresh & Frozen Produce

• Bananas —Don’t sleep on Costco’s produce section! Their bananas are cheaper, come in bigger bunches, and the plastic-wrapped stems help them last longer.
• Berries —Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries can be pricey, but Costco consistently beats grocery store prices.
• Salad Kits — These are the easiest workday lunch. Just toss in some rotisserie chicken or canned chickpeas for a quick, balanced meal.

🍕 Easy Meals & Snacks

• Bagel Bites — Perfect for kids and nostalgic adults. They’re a quick after-school snack that even little ones can microwave themselves.
• Milton’s Cauliflower Pizza — Even if you don’t care about cauliflower crust, these pizzas are delicious. Bonus: they’re a lifesaver on busy nights.
• Kirkland Signature Breakfast Sandwiches— These are a Starbucks dupe! At $2.06 per sandwich, they beat the $5.25 price tag at the coffee shop.
• Kirkland Signature Egg Bites — Another Starbucks-style win! Pop them in the air fryer for a fast, low-carb breakfast.
• Dips — The dip aisle is always changing, but La Terra Fina Spinach & Artichoke Dip is a staple. Pro tip: spread it on chicken breasts before baking—it’s amazing!

🥨 Snack Attack

• Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies— If you love crispy cookies, these are it. Costco’s price is much better than the grocery store—it’s like getting seven ounces for free!
• Pretzel Bites — These Bistro 28 pretzel bites are a game-day favorite. Insider tip: Brush with melted butter instead of water before adding the salt for that mall pretzel taste.
• Ghirardelli Brownie Mix — We’ve tried countless homemade recipes, but none beat this mix. It’s chocolatey and has the perfect texture. The box has six packets, so you’re always stocked for a chocolate craving.
• Goldfish Crackers —The ultimate kid-friendly, nut-free snack that’s great for school lunches or road trips.

🧻 Household Essentials

• Paper Towels — Costco’s paper towels are ultra-absorbent and have smaller perforations, so you use less.

Shopping at Costco is about finding the best bang for your buck, and these picks deliver. Whether you’re stocking up on staples, discovering new favorites, or just trying to save money, these Costco finds won’t disappoint. What do you always buy at the warehouse? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy warehouse wandering!

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