So you've got that Costco membership card burning a hole in your wallet? I know the feeling. Walking through those warehouse aisles can be overwhelming with thousands of products screaming for attention. Which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash? After a decade of Costco hauls (and yes, a few regrettable purchases), I've nailed down the real best things to buy at Costco that deliver insane value.
Grocery Staples That Actually Save You Money
Costco's grocery section is where most members start, but not everything is a winner. These picks consistently outperform grocery stores on price and quality.
Pantry Heroes
You know that giant bag of basmati rice everyone pushes around? Worth every penny. At $16.99 for 20lbs, it lasts our family 6 months. Compare that to $4 for 1lb at Safeway – the savings add up fast. Same goes for olive oil. Kirkland's Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($20 for 2L) constantly wins blind taste tests against premium brands.
| Item | Size & Price | VS Grocery Store | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter | 2 x 40oz jars @ $10.99 | 47% cheaper | ★★★★★ (no separation!) |
| Organic Quinoa | 4.5lb bag @ $10.49 | 52% cheaper | ★★★★☆ (store airtight) |
| Kerrygold Butter | 4 x 8oz blocks @ $10.99 | 33% cheaper | ★★★★★ (freeze extras) |
Don't even get me started on spices. $3.99 for 18oz of organic garlic powder? That's robbery – in a good way. Though warning: their cinnamon is too coarse for baking. Learned that the hard way.
Freezer Finds That Won't Disappoint
Frozen section treasures exist beyond pizza pockets. These saved me during countless busy weeks.
Meals That Actually Taste Homemade
The KS Mandarin Orange Chicken ($14.99/4lbs) – fight me but it's better than Panda Express. Just air-fry instead of deep-frying. The stuffed salmon ($19.99/8 pieces) cooks up flaky in 20 minutes. Avoid the stuffed peppers though; mushy filling is a dealbreaker.
Oh! The frozen organic berries. $14.99 for 4lbs mixed berries versus $5 for 10oz at Whole Foods. My smoothie addiction costs 70% less.
| Freezer MVP | Why It Rocks | Prep Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Meatballs | $16.99/5lbs (gluten-free option available) | Broil for 5 mins instead of baking |
| Wild Caught Cod Fillets | $24.99/3lbs (individually vacuum-sealed) | Thaw overnight in fridge |
| Organic Riced Cauliflower | $8.99/4-pack | Squeeze excess water after cooking |
Worst purchase? The frozen lobster mac and cheese. Gummy texture with rubbery lobster bits. Stick to their fresh version.
Kirkland Signature Showdowns
Costco's house brand beats national competitors shockingly often. We ran taste tests:
Kirkland vs. National Brands
Laundry detergent: Kirkland Free & Clear ($18.99/240 loads) cleans as well as Tide but half the price. Downside? The spout design leaks if you're not careful.
Batteries: Their AA lithium batteries ($27.99/40 pack) outlast Duracell in cold weather (tested in my trail cameras). However, regular Alkaline Kirkland AAs drain faster than Energizer.
| Product | Kirkland Price | Competitor Price | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Toilet Paper | $19.99/30 rolls | Charmin $28.99/24 rolls | KS (90% as plush) |
| Organic Maple Syrup | $13.99/33.8oz | Maple Grove $10.99/12oz | KS (Grade A flavor) |
| Wet Dog Food | $35.99/24 cans | Blue Buffalo $58/24 cans | KS (vets approve) |
Coffee deserves special mention. The KS Colombian Supremo ($14.99/2.5lbs) beat Starbucks in my blind taste test with 8 friends. Though their K-Cups clog my Keurig more often.
Seasonal & Rotating Items You Should Hunt For
Costco's treasure hunt aisle changes constantly. These gems appear sporadically but are must-buys.
The $399 inflatable hot tub (November-March) lasted me 3 winters before a raccoon attack. Their Halloween candy variety pack ($24.99 for 150 pieces) makes you the neighborhood hero. Skip the artificial Christmas trees though – shedding needles drove me nuts.
Regional Finds Worth Road Tripping For
West Coast: Dungeness crab cakes ($18.99/lb fresh in December). Midwest: Culver's frozen custard ($12.99/tub). Northeast: Legal Sea Foods clam chowder (October only). Call your local warehouse first – inventory varies wildly.
Big-Ticket Items That Justify Membership
This is where Costco shines. Their return policy alone makes electronics worth it.
Bought the LG OLED TV last Black Friday ($400 off retail). When a dead pixel appeared in month 11, they refunded me no questions asked. Tires? I saved $372 on Michelins with free rotation. Their extended warranty on appliances is legendary – covered my fridge compressor failure in year 4.
| Investment Piece | Typical Savings | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Mattresses | 25-40% off retail | Limited firmness options |
| Diamond Jewelry | 30% below jewelers | Get independent appraisal |
| Patio Furniture Sets | $200-$800 savings | Sell out by May |
Photography tip: Their $150 portrait package includes 3 large canvases – studio quality for 1/3 the price. But avoid their framing services; warped my wedding photo.
What NOT to Buy at Costco
Some things seem like deals but backfire. Condiments expire before you finish them (unless you run a restaurant). Milk is cheaper at Aldi when you account for spoilage. Books and DVDs? Priced higher than Amazon.
Biggest regret: The 5-gallon jar of pickles. Took 18 months to finish. My kids still shudder at pickle-backed lunches.
Costco Hacks From a 10-Year Veteran
Price tags ending in $.97 are clearance – that's how I scored Weber grill for $199 (orig $499). Executive members get 2% back – pays for my membership when I buy tires. Gas savings alone cover basic membership if you fill up 2x/month.
Costco Shopper FAQs
Q Are Kirkland Signature products really made by name brands?
Yes! The vodka is Grey Goose (same distillery), batteries are Duracell, and diapers are Huggies. Suppliers sign strict NDAs but insiders leak details constantly.
Q What's the best day/time to shop?
Weekday mornings right at opening. Avoid weekends after 10am unless you enjoy cart-jousting. Pro tip: New inventory arrives Tuesdays.
Q Do I need the Executive membership?
Only if you spend $250/month. Calculate your prior year spending before upgrading. I earn $130 cash back annually.
Q Can I use manufacturer coupons?
Surprisingly yes! Stack them with Costco coupons for crazy deals like $0.99 rotisserie chickens (true story).
Finding the best things to buy at Costco boils down to understanding unit economics. That giant jar of mayonnaise isn't a deal if half expires. Focus on non-perishables, quality proteins, and items with long shelf lives. And always check per-ounce prices – sometimes the "sale" item costs more than regular sizes.
My last haul? Rotisserie chicken ($4.99), KS organic eggs ($6.99/24), and that addictive chocolate-covered mango ($9.99). Total savings versus Kroger: $38.71. That membership pays for itself in four trips. What are your favorite best things to buy at Costco? I'm always hunting for new finds.
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