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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?
RoadLord says
Loves me some Costco, and I’m glad you’ve sampled some stuff I’ve wanted to try, like the Aidell’s Chicken Meatballs, definitely pick some of those up on our next trip.
The other thing I like about Costco is that they pay their employees a decent wage. I get so tired of companies that treat their employees like dirt, and I’m glad to spend my money at a place like this.
neta says
Talking about shopping makes me wanna live in the city too, Its a lot of fun buying in bulk. Been there for one year but moved out again.
bikerfamily says
Valerie: Thanks for the sneak peek at your Costco shopping trip. Despite having two community college students and one high school student living at home, I don’t shop at Costco. Sounds crazy; huh? Most reasonable people would certainly take advantage of their bulk grocery shopping. However, the closest store is 70 miles away. Because my commute to work is 50 miles one way, I have absolutely no desire to get in the car and drive. No, thank you! But I am thoroughly envious of the outstanding prices and the beautiful, fresh meats — particularly the rotisserie chicken.
Julie says
Love your list! I use so many of the same products. I live 5 minutes from a great Costco so I actually drop in a couple of times a week. I love the Prime graded beef they carry these days. The only product you bought that I gasped at was the canned refried beans 🙂 I make the refry without the fry beans from AR and then freeze them in 1 lb containers. They are dirt cheap and so easy to make in your crockpot. Start them before work and let them go till you get home …..YUMMY!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
I love the sweet kale salad, I buy it all the time. Costco is my lifesaver and fave place to shop.
Cheryl King says
My favorite of your haul is the fresh mozzerella. You paid for 3 balls what I ususally pay for one. Last time I went to Sam’s Club, I came home with nearly $300 worth of groceries, and it certainly goes fast. I am still loving the frozen berries I bought. Different kinds of blueberry bread are a frequent favorite in our house. So far I have done lemon blueberry bread, zucchini blueberry bread and (my personal favorite) banana blueberry bread. Thanks for sharing your adventure at Costco!
tammy says
I use that Better than Bullion all the time – it lends an awesome flavor to soups!
LoveBreezy says
Oh I haven’t been in so long but love cruising the big box store. That Better Than Bouillon looks like it would fit into my life easily. I’ll have to look for it.
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts says
Lemme say that I’m envious of your trunk. Mine’s never that clean. hahahaha
Renee@Mykitchenadventures says
Guess where I just came from this afternoon myself?? Costco! haha I also buy their extra virgin olive oil as a staple…although I didn’t need any this trip. I did, however, buy the giant box of Earthbound Farms organic baby spinach, which is something I generally pick up. Other staples from Costco in my home are 13 gal garbage bags, napkins, tilapia loins, salt and pepper grinders (like you) and also like you, their rotisserie chickens. For meats, I like their packaged pork tenderloins and the prepackaged tzatziki is excellent! (and on sale this week!)
Valerie says
I love to pick up their big packages of greens too. Especially when I have a big number of people to feed. I have not tried the tzatziki. I’ll add it to the list!