39 of the Best Things to Get at Costco (Including Budget Deals!)

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Plus, learn how to get the best deals year-round at Costco
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Costco is the place to shop if you’re on a budget. Don’t believe us? Take a look at these value items that’ll get the most bang for your buck! Plus, we’ve even included fan-favorite products you must try. Whether you’re a Costco member or a first-time shopper, you’re sure to learn something new.

Keep in mind that product prices and availability are subject to change depending on location.

Great Buys at Costco

  • Eggs (around $8 for 2 dozen)
  • Milk (around $13 for 3 half-gallon cartons)
  • Olive oil (around $25 for 2 liters)
  • Rotisserie chicken (around $5)
  • Vanilla extract (around $10 for 16 ounces)
Section 1 of 6:

Best Value Items: Pantry & Snacks

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  1. Peanut butter lovers can get the most bang for their buck by buying in bulk at Costco. Sold in a two-pack, the JIF Peanut Butter at Costco is almost half the price of what you’d typically spend for one jar at the grocery store.
    • Costco price: $13.99 for 2-pack
    • Other retailers: $17.48 for 2-pack
  2. 2
    Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix This rich and decadent brownie mix is for any chocolate lover! At Costco, this fan-favorite mix is $15 for a 6-pack. While you may not need to make six trays of brownies right away, it’s an excellent item to have in your pantry for brownie emergencies.
    • Costco price: $16.99 for 6 20-ounce packages
    • Other retailers: $4.29 for 1 18-ounce package
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  3. Rao’s Marinara is a popular choice amongst spaghetti lovers. The sauce is made of natural ingredients, and boy, can you taste it! At Costco, you can get 2 28-ounce jars for under $15, which is practically a steal!
    • Costco price: $11.99 for 2 28-ounce jars
    • Other retailers: $6.89 for 1 24-ounce jar
  4. Do you love rice? If so, this 20-pound bag of basmati rice may be enough to last you a full year! Coming in at just around $20, there’s no other place you’ll find quality basmati rice for around $1 a pound.
    • Costco price: $17.99 for 20 pounds
    • Other retailers: $38.30 for 20 pounds
  5. 5
    Dixie Crystals Granulated Cane Sugar If you need sugar, skip the trip to the grocery store and grab it at Costco. This pure cane sugar comes in at around $8 for 10 pounds, making it an amazing steal.
    • Costco price: $7.29 for 10 pounds
    • Other retailers: $4.89 for 4 pounds
  6. Whether you use maple syrup all of the time or just occasionally, this 1-liter jug is worth your while. This organic maple syrup is tasty and long-lasting. And with a price under $15, there’s no other place you’ll find this quality for the price.
    • Costco price: $14.47 for 1 liter
    • Other retailers: $24.42 for 1 liter
  7. 7
    Kirkland’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil Olive oil can be pricey, which is why it’s smart to grab it at Costco. This 100% Italian olive oil costs under $30 for 2 liters, making it one of the best deals on the market. [1]
    • Costco price: $26.99 for 2 liters
    • Other retailers: $16.49 for 1 liter
  8. Costco’s brand of coconut oil is one of the best value items you can purchase. With 84 ounces being less than $15, Kirkland’s coconut oil is the cheapest on the market.
    • Costco price: $14.10 for 84 ounces
    • Other retailers: $26.99 for 84 ounces
  9. 9
    Pure Vanilla Extract If you use vanilla regularly, it may be a good idea to grab it at Costco. This vanilla has a rich caramel color and deep flavor, making it perfect for everyday baking. Coming in at around $10 for 16 ounces, it’s the best bang for your buck.
    • Costco price: $9.99 for 16 ounces
    • Other retailers: $24.99 for 16 ounces
  10. Costco has some of the best prices for bulk spices and seasonings. Pink Himalayan salt can be pricey, especially if purchasing in small quantities. At Costco, you can get 5 pounds of salt for under $10—it’s practically a steal!
    • Costco price: $7.25 for 5 pounds
    • Other retailers: $11.99 for 2 pounds
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Section 2 of 6:

Best Value Items: Produce

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  1. Shopping for produce at Costco is a smart choice, whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself! Produce can be purchased in bulk at a fraction of the cost of what it’d be at a regular grocery store, and hearts of romaine lettuce are no different. At Costco, you can buy 6 heads of lettuce for around $5, and if stored correctly , many report it can last over a week.
    • Costco price: $5.66 for 6 hearts
    • Other retailers: $3.40 for 3 hearts
  2. 2
    Cherry Tomatoes Whether you like to snack on or cook them, cherry or grape tomatoes are worth buying at Costco. This produce item typically comes in a 2-pound package with a far-out best-by date. Costing around $6, a large pack of tomatoes is the best value when compared to the price you’d pay at a regular grocery store.
    • Costco price: $5.99 for 2 pounds
    • Other retailers: $2.97 for 10 ounces
  3. If you use lemons a lot, it may be worth your while to buy them in bulk at Costco. Typically, a 5-pound bag of lemons goes for around $10, and customers report them lasting 2 to 3 months if stored properly.
    • Costco price: $10.20 for 5 pounds
    • Other retailers: $5.72 for 2 pounds
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Section 3 of 6:

Best Value Items: Refrigerated & Frozen

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  1. Nowadays, everyone is looking for cheap eggs, and rightfully so—they can be pricey! Costco is one of the only places where you can get a large quantity of organic eggs for a decent price. Organic Costco eggs come in a pack of 24, and typically cost around $9. [2]
    • Costco price: $8.39 for 2 dozen
    • Other retailers: $8.29 for a dozen
    • We compared Costco’s prices with those of the leading competitors of similar or identical products.
  2. 2
    Kirkland’s Butter Many Costco members join to save money on refrigerated items, including butter. A 2-pound box of Kirkland Butter costs under $10, and can be a big savings for those who cook or bake with butter frequently.
    • Costco price: $6.59 for 4 sticks
    • Other retailers: $3.99 for 2 sticks
  3. Milk can get pricey, especially if you have a large family to feed. At Costco, you can get 3 containers of 1% milk for under $15, which can be a huge savings. [3]
    • Costco price: $12.97 for 3 half-gallon cartons
    • Other retailers: $3.14 for 1 half-gallon
  4. 4
    Kirkland’s Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cheese lovers can save big by buying Costco’s brand of bulk block cheeses. A 2-pound block of sharp cheddar costs under $10 and can be sliced, shredded, or melted for any occasion.
    • Costco price: $5.99 for 2 pounds
    • Other retailers: $9.90 for 2 pounds
  5. 5
    Kirkland Mahi-Mahi If you love all things seafood, Costco’s brand of frozen mahi-mahi may be just what you need. These frozen fillets are vacuum sealed with two servings, making them ideal for couples, families, or singles wanting leftovers. Being frozen, they have a longer shelf life and can be stored for longer than a year. Plus, they’re super easy to heat up!
    • Costco price: $22.50 for 3 pounds
    • Other retailers:
  6. Fish sticks are a great choice for picky eaters, and you can get the most bang for your buck when buying them at Costco. These breaded fish sticks are around $15 for 4 pounds, so you can stock up on them without breaking the bank.
    • Costco price: $14.99 for 4 pounds
    • Other retailers: $4.69 for 15 ounces
  7. 7
    Bare Chicken Breast Chunks A fan favorite, the Just Bare chicken breast chunks are a must-have value item from Costco. Not only are these chicken “nuggets” delicious, they’re also affordable. Many compared their taste and texture to Chick-fil-A, and with one bag containing 4 pounds of chicken, it’ll save you time and money from the drive-thru.
    • Costco price: $22.12 for 4 pounds
    • Other retailers: $12.49 for 24 ounces
  8. This no-preservatives turkey breast is a huge value and ideal for turkey lovers! While it does require its own slicing or carving, at around $5 a pound, there’s no better deal out there. Plus, customers have raved over the taste.
    • Costco price: $4.69 per pound
    • Other retailers: $10.99 per pound
  9. 9
    Sabatasso’s Frozen Gluten-Free Pizza While gluten-free pizza may not be a must-have for everyone, the value of this product is unmatched! This cheese pizza is tasty (even for gluten eaters), and you can get 3 full pies for under $20.
    • Costco price: $19.17 for 3 pies
    • Other retailers: $8.99 for 1 pie
  10. 10
    Daisy Sour Cream Who doesn’t love a dollop of Daisy? Thankfully, you don’t have to break the bank for your dollop if you shop at Costco. Being under $6 for 3 pounds of sour cream, there’s no better deal out there for this name-brand product.
    • Costco price: $5.29 for 3 pounds
    • Other retailers: $4.19 for 24 ounces
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Section 4 of 6:

Best Value Items: Household Items

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  1. 1
    Kirkland’s Alkaline Batteries Batteries can be pricey… but not at Costco! A bulk package of alkaline batteries costs under $20 at Costco and can supply over a year of fun.
    • Costco price: $17.99 for 48
    • Other retailers: $18.64 for 24
  2. 2
    Kirkland’s Flex-Tech Kitchen Bags Talk about making trash into treasure! Costco’s own brand sells these flex-tech trash bags that you can buy in bulk. This’ll save you money and it’ll save you from having to add garbage bags to your shopping list for another year. Plus, the Flex-Tech technology in these bags makes them super sturdy and less likely to break on you.
    • Costco price: $16.99 for 200 (13-gallon) bags
    • Other retailers: $18.80 for 110 (13-gallon) bags
  3. 3
    Kirkland’s Signature Bath Tissue Another household item that you can buy in bulk is toilet paper—after all, it’s not like it goes bad! Plus, Kirkland bath tissue is fairly well-made with a nice mix of soft and strong textiles. You can even buy the rolls in bulk and split them (and the price) with friends or neighbors!
    • Costco price: $19.99 for 30 (380-sheet) rolls
    • Other retailers: $40.98 for 30 (380-sheet) rolls
  4. 4
    Kirkland Signature Parchment Paper If you love to cook or bake, you likely go through parchment paper quicker than you’d like. Fortunately, Costco sells its non-stick parchment paper in double rolls that are easy to store and easy to use (with their innovative serrated edge).
    • Costco price: $12.99 for 2 (205 sq. ft.) rolls
    • Other retailers: $53.90 for 2 (205 sq. ft.) rolls
  5. 5
    Dawn Platinum Dish Soap Costco sells Dawn’s high-performing Platinum dish soap in bulk, meaning you’ll never be stuck soapless when facing up against a greasy dish or stuck-on leftovers. Plus, you can also use this multipurpose dish soap for cleaning grill grates, shining your tires, and shooing away garden pests.
    • Costco price: $11.99 for 90-ounces
    • Other retailers: $22.99 for 90-ounces
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Section 5 of 6:

Costco’s Best Must-Have Items

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  1. You’ve probably seen the memes and heard the fanfare, and it’s well deserved! The Costco rotisserie chicken is made fresh daily and is a huge value. Each chicken costs around $5, no matter the size. So, pick the largest-looking bird for your next meal on a budget. [4]
    • Costco price: $5.66
    • Other retailers: $9.99
  2. 2
    Croissants The Costco Bakery is a must for almost every member! Filled to the brim with delicious baked goods, it’s hard to choose just one. But if you’re in the market for bread, might we recommend the Costco croissants? They’re flaky and buttery, and you can get 12 for just around $6. [5]
    • Costco price: $7.93 for 12
    • Other retailers: $4.98 for 4
  3. Costco is known for many of their baked items, but the tuxedo cake is top tier. Filled with a chocolatey mousse and moist chocolate cake, this treat is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
    • Costco price: $20.42 for 2 pounds
    • Other retailers: $15.79 for 27 ounces
  4. 4
    Muffins While Costco recently changed the size of their signature muffins, the delicious flavor remains the same! Costco muffins are not only a great deal for the price, but their something most everyone loves. Plus, with seasonal flavors, there’s always something new to try.
    • Costco price: $6.99 for 8
    • Other retailers: $4.49 for 4
  5. Costco Bakery’s cheesecake is huge and scrumptious! This decadent dessert is 4.5 pounds and under $20, making it ideal for large gatherings or a late-night treat. And while the signature flavor is supreme, it may be worthwhile to try the rotating seasonal flavors.
    • Costco price: $19.99 for 4.5 pounds
    • Other retailers: $16.49 for 32 ounces
  6. 6
    Kirkland’s Trail Mix While it may not seem super exciting, the Costco brand trail mix is to die for! Salty and sweet, this trail mix is simple but effective. And for 4 pounds under $20, it’s well worth it. [6]
    • Costco price: $15.99 for 4 pounds
    • Other retailers: $2.50 for 6 ounces
  7. Lovers of PB&J will go feral over this strawberry spread! Well, at least that’s what the internet tells us. Costco’s brand of strawberry spread is a staple in many households, thanks to its sweet taste and budget-friendly price.
    • Costco price: $10.32 for 42 ounces
    • Other retailers: $13.71 for 29 ounces
  8. 8
    Kirkland’s Sparkling Water Often compared to La Croix, Costco’s brand of sparkling water is just as tasty for a fraction of the price. With basic flavors of lemon, lime, and grapefruit, this fizzy, zero-calorie beverage is sure to quench your thirst.
    • Costco price: $13.61 for 35 12-ounce cans
    • Other retailers: $18.00 for 24 12-ounce cans
  9. While frozen fruit and berries may not be a staple in every household, it’s certainly something to try from Costco. Members rave about Costco’s brand of frozen fruit, claiming it’s tasty and a great value.
    • Costco price: $13.55 for 6 pounds
    • Other retailers: $10.74 for 3 pounds
  10. 10
    Fresh Salmon Believe it or not, Costco is the place to get the freshest fish (that is, if you don’t live on the water). Costco’s fresh salmon is not only delicious, but it’s a good bang for your buck long term. While it might seem like a splurge initially, this fish is reliably sourced and freezes and stores well, so it can last for months.
    • Costco price: $12.99 per pound
    • Other retailers: $12.99 per pound
  11. Yes, we know this isn’t a warehouse item, but this Costco Food Court item is iconic for a reason. A Costco-famous all-beef hot dog and a refillable 20-ounce soda only cost $1.50, and the Costco co-founder promises it’ll never go up in price. Delicious and affordable? What’s not to like? [7]
    • Costco price: $1.50 plus a soda
    • Other retailers: $5.47 without soda
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Section 6 of 6:

How to Get the Best Deals at Costco

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  1. Every four or five weeks, Costco releases a circular of upcoming deals and savings. Items all over the warehouse are discounted significantly, so aim to shop within the current circular for the best savings. This is typically the best time to purchase household goods like paper towels and toilet paper.
    • If you’re a Costco member, an email or physical circular will be sent to you each calendar month.
    • In the warehouse, items on sale will be marked with a yellow highlighter next to the sale price.
  2. Believe it or not, the sale price of an item can tell you a lot about potential savings. Costco uses specific price codes that can help you determine whether you should buy an item now or later. Here’s what to look for: [8]
    • A price ending with .99 is a regular wholesale price.
    • A price ending with .97 is a final discount price (it won’t get any cheaper).
    • If there’s an asterisk (*) in the upper-right corner of the sale price, the item likely won’t be restocked.
  3. It can be tempting to buy holiday items during the holiday season, but it’s best to wait till after the holidays are over. Holiday items left over in the warehouse can be up to 50% off because Costco wants to sell them quickly. So, wait to buy your Christmas lights or inflatable lawn decoration for the coming year. [9]
  4. The internet is full of Costco information, so use it to your advantage! Follow Costco influencers and content creators to see the latest deals and newest items right away. Costco is constantly cycling through products, so this is a great way to grab what you want when it’s available.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thetakeout.com/1877632/first-time-costco-customers-must-buy/
      2. ↑ https://www.thetakeout.com/1877632/first-time-costco-customers-must-buy/
      3. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/best-kirkland-products-according-to-parents-8609289
      4. ↑ https://www.thetakeout.com/1877632/first-time-costco-customers-must-buy/
      5. ↑ https://www.thetakeout.com/1877632/first-time-costco-customers-must-buy/
      6. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/best-kirkland-products-according-to-parents-8609289
      7. ↑ https://www.thetakeout.com/1877632/first-time-costco-customers-must-buy/
      8. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-the-best-costco-deals-according-to-employee
      9. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-the-best-costco-deals-according-to-employee

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