The Costco Haul – August 2013

When you’re waiting in line at the store, do you ever find yourself peering into the shopping carts around you? If you said yes, you’re in the right place because I’m throwing open the trunk of our car to reveal my most recent Costco haul, prices and all. Considering how much I mention my frequent shopping trips, I thought it was high time I divulged the nitty gritty details. I’m sharing both the items I keep a constant supply of and restock frequently, as well as a few items we are trying out for the very first time.

This is by no means a complete representation of all of the items from Costco that I keep on hand in my kitchen. It is just one shopping trip to restock what I needed this month. My list will vary each time with the exception of a few constants. So let’s get to work unpacking the groceries and talk about some of my Costco essentials.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This 2 quart bottle cost $11.99. This is a substantial savings over what I find for a much smaller bottle of comparable quality olive oil at the grocery store. This one is on my regular restock list.

Better Than Boullion Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable Base. I love this stuff! It’s organic, low sodium and the price at Costco is far less than the grocery store. These 16 ounce jars come in at $6.89 each. I always have a jar of each flavor in my fridge so I can make up the precise amount of fresh stock I need for a particular recipe. No waste. I love that I can control the strength and it stays fresh in the fridge for a very long time.

From left to right:

• Boudin Sliced Sourdough Bread (two loaves) $4.99
• Organic Rosemary Bread from The Essential Baking Co. (two loaves)  $4.99
• Francisco Seeded Hoagie Rolls (12 rolls) $2.59

The Organic Rosemary Bread was a new item for us from the brand new all organic section at Costco which I plan to explore more on my next trip. Each loaf is individually vacuum sealed and stays fresh without freezing for about two months. We tried it with a pasta dinner one night last week and it is a winner! I’ll definitely get this one again.

The canned goods I needed this time:

• Rosarita Refried Beans, 8 (16 ounce) cans for $6.99
• Kirkland Brand Organic Diced Tomatoes, 8 (14.5 ounce) cans for $5.99
• S&W Organic Kidney Beans, 8 (15.25 ounce) cans for $6.79

From the spice and baking items section:

• Kirkland Brand Mediterranean Sea Salt Grinder (13 ounce) $3.49
• Kirkland Tellicherry Black Pepper Grinder (6.3 ounce) $4.89
• Kirkland Canola Oil Cooking Spray 2 (16 ounce cans) $5.79

They have a great selection of Aidells products and these are two of my favorites. These are the meatballs I like to use in my Crock-Pot Cocktail Meatballs or add some teriyaki sauce and serve over rice for a quick dinner. All of the Aidells sausages are delicious but this Bacon, Mushroom, and Swiss Cheese flavor was new for us and we loved them!

• Aidells Teriyaki and Pineapple Chicken Meatballs (46 ounce twin pack) for $12.99
• Aidells Bacon, Mushroom, and Swiss Cheese Smoked Chicken Sausage (3 pack/15 links total) for $13.89

Here are a couple of items I like to pick up from their freezing cold produce room. This kale salad mix is packed with nutrition and insanely good. It includes broccoli, shaved brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, and chicory, two poppy seed dressing packets and a great big packet of dried cranberries and roasted pumpkin seeds to sprinkle over the top. This 28 ounce bag will make two great big salads. I’m completely addicted to this salad.

I love the convenience of this peeled and sliced champagne mango. If we don’t use it quickly enough, I will flash freeze it to have on hand for smoothies.

• Sweet Kale Salad Mix (28 ounce bag) for $4.49
• Sliced Mango (2 pounds) for $7.99

The dairy section:

• Galbani Mozzarella Fresca (three 8 ounce balls) for $6.99
• Cal Eggs (2 dozen) for $2.99
• Fage Total 0% Non-Fat Greek Yogurt (35.3 ounce) for $4.99
• Kirkland Brand Cheese (32 ounce) Sharp Cheddar $5.69 and Monterey Jack $4.99

I find the quality of the meat at Costco to be very good. I buy my meat in bulk, divide it up, vacuum seal the portions, and store them in my freezer. I love how the ground beef is packaged, making it very easy to pull it apart into 1/2 pound sections.  Costco’s rotisserie chickens are the biggest, meatiest, juiciest ones I’ve come across and the price can’t be beat. I rarely find uncooked whole chickens for less.

• USDA Choice Beef Loin Top Sirloin Steak $6.99 per pound
• 88% Lean Ground Beef $3.29 per pound
• Kirkland Brand Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken $4.99

I always try to pick up some frozen convenience foods because regardless of how much I cook, and I cook a lot, there are times it’s nice to have a convenient meal on hand for the boys to make for themselves. I had a coupon for the Korean BBQ Chicken so I thought I’d give it a try. Both went over like gangbusters. I really wanted to try a Tikka Masala Rice Bowl but they were gone before I got the chance.

• Crazy Cuisine Korean BBQ Chicken (48 ounces) $8.99 less $2.50 coupon = $6.49
• Maya Kaimal Tikka Masala Rice Bowls (4 pack) $9.99

Also from the frozen convenience food category – these BBQ pork filled steamed buns are microwaveable and so yummy.

• Okami Bao Asian-Style Steamed Buns (21 ounce twin pack) $7.99

These are just some of the items that made their way into my cart on this shopping trip. Next time my haul will look a bit different and I’ll be back to share again.

I’d love to hear about the special things you’ve found on your trips to Costco or the big box, warehouse style store in your area. What money saving tips and tricks do you utilize to stock your kitchen?