If you have a Costco membership you know how many great buys you can find at that giant warehouse store. You may have heard this before but not EVERYthing is a better deal at Costco than say in a regular grocery store or a Walmart or Target. But there are a few items that I’ve found that are a super better deal than anywhere else! If you have other items you’d like to add to the list, please make a comment below! I’d love to know what your favorite Costco finds are too 🙂
Note: these prices were in my local store in April 2015, your local Costco may be different than mine. Also, these are only good deals if you actually consume the food before it goes bad! If you can’t do that then consider splitting with a friend or buying just the non perishable items or freezable items. Finally, please excuse some of the pictures, then aren’t the best. I felt like a nerd taking pictures with my cell phone and tried to do it as discreetly and quickly as possible.
1. Romaine Lettuce. You get 6 heads of romaine lettuce for only $3.29. When I shop at my local Smith’s or Walmart you get a 3 count for about the same price. We eat a lot of salads at our house so we can usually get through all 6 heads before they go bad. If you know you won’t be able to do that you may want to split the package with a neighbor. For our salads we love using a salad spinner*. You wash the leaves and then spin off any excess moisture. When you have the tools to eat healthier it makes it so much more likely to happen! Don’t you agree?
Recipes to make with romaine lettuce:
Instant Pot Doritos Taco Salad
chicken rio salad with tomatillo ranch dressing
beef enchilada salad
2. Milk. 2 gallons of milk for $3.79 is a darn good deal if you ask me! That’s only $1.89 a piece which is probably the very good sale price at a regular grocery store. If you can’t drink 2 gallons of milk before it goes bad I recommend freezing one gallon. About 3 or 4 days before you’ll need the second gallon of milk put it in the refrigerator and let it thaw.
7. Bread (sometimes). Sometimes you can find bread for a really good deal at Costco. For example this local Prairie Grain Honey Whole Wheat Bread is so yummy! But at a normal grocery store it costs around $5 per load. Expensive. But at Costco you can get 2 loaves for $5. And you can always freeze bread for later if you can’t eat both loaves quickly.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Love Costco! & Not just for the low prices, variety, high quality, friendly employees.
My beef with Costco is with all the plastic they use, especially with fruit like apples. It will take forever, if even possible, for these large pieces of plastic packaging to decompose. This packaging does not always mean that fresh fruit is top quality. Usually, but not always.
Costco white bread Dempster ‘s is 6.59 for 3 lofts and they a slightly bigger then a regular grocery store.
Hi I’m just wanting some recipes for different meals or keto recipes-meals please.as this would be just great if I could find some recipes please thank you bye.
Here are my low carb recipes: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/recipes/?fwp_method=instant-pot&fwp_dietary_restrictions=low-carb
Where do I find dishes and cake pans for dessert in my IP?re
Hi Renata, I have ordered all of mine on amazon. I have heard there are some in the craft section at walmart by the cake pans.
All great suggestions except the
BOTTLED WATER!!! Please don’t encourage people to be so lazy. Take a bottle of your own with you. I have developed a habit of always having my own container. My grandkids always have their own with them. Please!!!, our world is hurting. Watch this, you will never forget Julia Roberts after watching and maybe you will never use bottled water again.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM
Whats more, check out what they have found in bottled water! You will be really disgusted
Yes, thank you for this comment, I was surprised to see that people are still buying bottled water after all the issues with plastic and Nestles and the water itself that is in the bottles.
Hi just love Costco and wish there was more of them over here.hope to see them soon.or should I say al lot more in other areas soon.bye.
Hi we want to start doing some shopping at Costco as I ve been very impressed by the website and what I saw and the things that they seem to do in fresh produce is great as it always looks really fresh and nice.and with what we saw. Would be great to purchase from them.but the only drawback is in England we only have one in london somewhere. And wish they come over from America and covered more areas.in England and I think that most people in England would definitely go there if they were available to go to like they are in America as in England the stores are very limited to what we have. And we would just love to see more of the Costco stores.come over here to England.in other areas as I just know that these stores would do really well across here I really do and I’ve even said it to my husband.and even he agreed with me.as he doesn’t really ever comment on anything unless he thinks it as he’s always very quiet most of the time like me.but this is something we personally think as we also think that most of your stores are just lovely and we just wish we had them here as they would do extremely well here I think and also my husband thinks so to as he’s said it as yours seems to have more choice and everything the whole thing.thats what we think thanks take care bye.
These are great suggestions but may I offer an opinion that it would be great if the prices were current prices and not from 4 years ago. Always enjoy your recipes!
This was posted in 2015!! Of course the prices are from 2015.
Super suggestions! Many thanks.
Hey I love my Costco! I just thought I mention that their butter is a good deal. 4-1 pound packages for around $ 10.95.
oh yeah, I love their butter!
I usually buy two bags of lemons I juice and freeze bag of quinoa Premier protein shakes and some type of greens spinach or kale oh and frozen pineapples but I’ll be trying some of the other suggestions can’t wait to go shopping 😁
I love Costco , thanks for the great tips…. but lets try to leave the water bottles out of the equation…we should all be trying our best to not consumer water from a plastic bottle… huge waste of plastic.
Agree!
Agree. Bottled water is a complete waste of money and an environmental disaster with the “use once/throw away” model that’s filling our oceans and landfills. Also, leaving plastic bottles of water in anything but a freezing car is nuts. The plastic breaks down and that is not good. Stainless steel or glass water bottles (32-ounce size is my go-to) and a water filter is so much cheaper and won’t contribute to the epidemic of plastic waste.
Costco, I buy avocados of course, wild-caught salmon, frozen organic berries, cauliflower rice, frozen edamame, raw unroasted unsalted cashews, 3-pound bags of brussel sprouts, avocado oil, coconut oil and more.
Agree! We all should be doing away with single use plastic! There is no excuse. Pretty much everyone has a filter in their home fridge and there are plenty of reusable type bottles. I just received one as a gift call GULP. Keeps water cold or tea/coffee hot.
Actually storing bottled water for emergencies is a perfectly good excuse for buying bottled water.
I agree..for that major emergency! Stock up
I love their bottles water. I drink more water when it originates from a plastic bottle. I will usually refill it from the faucet a few times before putting it in the RECYCLE barrel.
As always, great tips Karen! Thank you. Pretty cool to see so many people from all around the world on here. 🙂
I love the Costco lobster bisque!
All @ Costco isn’t cheaper!!!! Also, they’re not helpful in finding things cause want u 2 walk + buy what no need. Not me! Only buy what I need! Rotissarie chicken good buy. At Rego Park Costco 1 Scooter. I needed 1. Rest broken. Won’t let me bring Service Dog! IDIOTS!
Some workers nice, some not!!!! Amalia helped me shop last time. Service Dogs do bark if necessary!!!!!! Mine did cause necessary + no let me bring back!!!!! They don’t know why she barked!!!! None of their business!!! Medical alert dog + what medical condition none of Costco’s
Business!!!!! Some cashiers are nice, others aren’t. I know it’s hard job cause I’ve done it, but treat customers with respect especially if they say can’t pick up item! I use a Rollator walker with service dog named Scarlotte. I’m 67yrs old. Member of Costco since 1995!!!!!!!
Long time member. Should be treated with respect! Just cause u have a great job with great benefits doesn’t give u rit 2 disrespect disabled members! Also, people petted my Service Dog Scarlotte without my permission + then complain 2 staff. Don’t pet her. You distract her from doing her job. Want to pet a dog. Buy one for yourself.
Please remember that many customers of Costco are not polite or respectful of the Costco staff and they use their position of being a client to get away with terrible behaviour. I have never had an issue with Costco employees but I always expect a pleasant transaction and I act accordingly.
You should pursue other avenues of shopping.
Wow you sound very bitter I work at Costco and we always treat people well sounds like you have a sour attitude so I imagine you are like this most places you visit. Don’t worry about it we won’t miss you I promise.
I have been shopping at Costco for 12 years and have always found the employees very efficient and courteous. Best of all, Costco stands behind what they sell. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, they take it back. No questions asked. Good article! Thanks for posting.
Wow Diana, you should seek some kind of counseling,, seriously you have some anger issues….
If you live in Calgary ab canada ill gladly go shopping with you lift thing and push the cart and help you i have a great respect for survice dogs and all they do and get really mad then pepole dont respect then they are a aid to that person just as a wheel chair or a walker would be.
Glena McFarlane
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Caesar’s Kitchen Cannelloni Sausage = GARBAGE!
Just a thought, but those chicken thighs are pretty expensive. I buy them by the basketful at the grocer for $1.49-$1.59 when they go on sale.
I would much prefer using frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs on the grill, but the Asian sauces I use; Yoshida sauce for example, or American BBQ sauce taste so much better if the meat isn’t also salted, as it sets off the flavors of both the sauce and the meat better.
The Kirkland Pacific Bold kcups for our Keurig coffee maker.
Kirkland Canned chicken breast. Mix it with some mayo, sour cream, celery, onion and celery salt…and voila…a Kirkland chicken salad sandwich in no time! Yum…. yeah, I’m a bachelor 😊
I’ve decided the Costco stew meat is too lean and flavorless. Slow cooking/crockpot cooking doesn’t tenderize it and the flavor is still lacking beyond the sauce.
I would buy one of their inexpensive roasts and cube them yourself.
Good thoughts Phil!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen stew meat at my costco.
I totally agree. I bought it once and it was very very dry and tasteless.
Pure Vanilla extract. Best price around
Please, please, please think about the supply chain and quality of the fresh produce you are buying – I’m all for saving money but when it comes to meat, please keep in mind the sacrifices that have been made to price chicken or breakfast sausage at $2/lb.
Less is more – please consider eating meat sparingly and focus your spending on quality, humanely raised products instead.
The giant can of San marzano tomatoes! It is like 3.99!!! Roast in a low oven with basil & Garlic cloves to concentrate flavors… Use emulsion blender and freeze in 1 cup portions. Use for pizza sauce, pasta, etc
I love those tomatoes! Great to know since I think they cost that much at Fred Meyer in Boise. 🙂
Thanks! I am always looking at ways to save money with my grocery shopping. I like seeing what other people buy. This is a great list, I buy spinach in cosco and almond butter.
mmmm almond butter!
I love their breakfast sausage, as they don’t shrink much at all and taste better. I cook up the whole lot (like I am doing at this precise time, and bag them up so that I have enough for a meal. Makes breakfast a wiz, and they heat up nicely in the fry pan.
Great tip Cathy! Thanks!
Some great info. Thanks! I love Costco, but tend to buy my meats from Sam’s Club. They have case prices available, which are much cheaper than buying just one package of meat. I go in on a case with my sister splitting the cost and the room needed in my freezer. It’s also great for huge parties! Check Costo’s policy and prices on cases of meat. If you don’t have a freezer, go in on a case with a few friends. Saving money is always a GREAT thing!
Good idea! Thanks, Susan.
We buy all our toilet paper, paper towels and flushable baby wipes at Costco. Best prices anywhere. Kirkland brand on these items is by far better than many name brands. P
Kirkland Toilet Paper is the best and buying in bulk just makes sense!
totally…just bought a huge package of it yesterday!
Kirkland has the best TP!!! Really like their laundry detergent pods, dishwasher tabs and liquid dish soap and tall kitchen trash bags, too!!
I have been a Costco fan in England for 25 years.
My constant list for value and very quality is thus.
1 fresh salmon.
2.dried herbs.
3 Kirkland Coffee beans.
4 fresh eggs
5 Houmos
6 the frozen mixed berries –
7 frozen King Prawn
8 Icelandic Natural yogurt.
9. Johnny seasonings
10 Aberdeen Angus mince meat.
The items available are different around the world stores.
I wish they stored the Refried and Black beans in the UK
but their taste and use has not copped on here!!!
great list! Interesting to see the differences between costcos across the world 🙂
Whole bean KaWaia coffee, (or Tim Hortons if you can still find it)
Umpla instant oatmeal cups ( we get these on Costco.com
Ancient Grains granola ( Costco Nature’s Path exclusive)
Power Cakes Pancake Mix
Red Lobster Biscut Mix
Kirkland red bag microwave popcorn
Some hardcover books
Thanks Andrea! I haven’t tried a number of your suggested items so I will have to check them out 🙂
Check to see if the fresh salmon is farmed. I stopped buying it at Costco because it is always farmed. You don’t want to eat farmed salmon, trust me! Also, the frozen shrimp aka king prawns are probably also from a farm. Not recommended. I love Costco otherwise! Not mentioned are Tomato Basil Soup, pizza, honey, and red hoop cheddar cheese.
Thanks for the heads up!!
Suggestion, always try to purchase honey from your local provider. Local honey made from local plants builds a better immune system to local pollen and allergies.
At our costco in calgary you csn buy honey from:
Bee-licious Honey
Yellow head County Alberta
Raw and unpasturised!❤️
We only buy organic in my family and the only bottled water that I can stomach is for the emergency kit (please please stop buying it!!! They are so bad for the environment and your health! Most are very acidic which causes cancer.) BUT they have so much organic!!!! Yay for Costco. The organic eggs, frozen berries, guacamole and tortilla chips are my faves.
I love to get feta cheese from Costco. It lasts forever and it is way cheaper than a grocery store. And I am pretty sure you can freeze it if you need to.
I’d like to add: Kirkland Organic Chicken stock (not broth), it’s delicious! Also, walnuts and cashews seem to be a good buy.
There is a local saying "Lucky we live Hawaii". Not so lucky with grocery prices. Each item you showed is $1-$3 more (yes, even per pound) than your prices. Costco is still a bargain on many things compared to regular grocery stores here.
True but I would still love to live in Hawaii!!
I find the cases of stewed tomatoes, refried beans and black beans to be a good deal too. You can probably find them similarly priced on occasion at the grocery but not at the frequency that we use these. Also the Jimmy Dean turkey sausages and breakfast sandwiches are much, much less expensive at Costco than in the small packs at the grocery. For our family of 5 it doesn't even make sense to buy the small grocery store sized packs anyway.
I've never bought those items but maybe I should start! Thanks for the heads up 🙂
I find the quality of the Costco brand canned vegetables superior to any I find in the grocery. The corn is more tender than frozen!
I love Costco. I am a sucker for their Greek yogurt, baby carrots, and lettuce.
Is it the kirkland brand yogurt? I've never tried that before.
Their Kirkland Geeek yogurt is very good.
Greek 🙂
I love to buy Fage 0% Plain Greek Yogurt. It is a huge size and way cheaper than buying the equivalent at the grocery store. Their rotisserie chicken is also the cheapest in town.
Yes, the chicken is cheap and it's much bigger than a normal grocery store! I love Fage!
Karen,
I'm with Kalyn on the olive oil. I also buy rolled oats and ground flax meal at Costco because I've found they are cheaper than in grocery stores. My spouse and son love the giant vats of Sabra hummus and can eat quite a bit of hummus, so that value is a good one along with the pita chips or pretzel crisps.
I've enjoyed a marinated olive salad and giant hunk of fontina cheese before, but haven't seen them recently.
Oh! Almost forgot my favorite–Jones Dairy Farm sausage patties. I can read all the ingredients and they are flat, easy to cook, and fit nicely in an English muffin.
Great list!
Great suggestions, Kristen! I do love their hummus. I can't wait until they get the pesto hummus back. It's sooooo good!
I totally agree with you about the romaine lettuce – what a deal! Costco also has Blue Diamond Almond Milk priced much less than grocery stores. Costco's Kirkland brand Pesto is wonderful – if you haven't tried it I highly recommend it! I used to make my own but the price of pine nuts, even at Costco, is outrageous! Your cellphone photos were fine. Thanks for a great website!
Oh yes I buy almond milk there too! And you're totally right about the pesto. I've tried it and it's fantastic and so much easier and cheaper than making it yourself 🙂
I use the vacuum sealing method Paula Rhodes espouses on her website “salad in a jar”. Keep the romaine much longer and salad ready, just have to clean and chop once!
If you LOVE Mother EARTH, you won't buy into the idea that #4, suggesting you can buy water for less than .08 cents is a smart purchase. The smart purchase is to get yourself organized and bring your own reusable water container! YOU CAN DO THIS! Reduce, Recycle, Reuse! Recover & Repurpose.
you're totally right! I need to be better 🙂
I love brita attachments! I have the brita faucet attachment, a prita pitcher for the fridge and brita water bottles! Taking the water bottles for use at a local restaurant that uses city water makes a HUGE difference in the taste. Its SO much better, and ends up being way cheaper than buying water bottles constantly, not to mention they are super wasteful!
one the surface you are absolutely right Mike; however, there are some circumstances where bottled water is necessary… Emergencies, natural disasters, and traveling where you have no ideas of what is in the water. I have a cistern [ it collects rain water] not by choice but by necessity.. we have several filters to make it safe to use, but I do keep a case of bottled water on hand for emergencies…
Agreed, was going to say that. Understandable it I hard when you’re a mom and have extra dishes but we always use reusable everything (containers and water bottles). Just less waste overall
Other things I always buy there include olive oil (Kirkland Organic), Better than Bouillon Soup Base (giant size), nuts, and of course, rotisserie chicken!
ooooh yeah totally good suggestions. The rotisserie chicken can't be beat!