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For parents, Costco is nothing short of a godsend. Where else can you load up on diapers, snacks, and household essentials in bulk while also snagging affordable treats for the whole family? But Costco’s talents extend far beyond its status as a one-stop parenting shop. The warehouse retailer has also amassed a dedicated following for a selection of cult-favorite products that busy moms and dads swear by.
Mention Kirkland Signature’s premium baby wipes or the store’s universally beloved rotisserie chicken to any Costco-shopping parent, and you’ll see their eyes light up. There’s something about these Costco staples that goes beyond their wallet-friendly prices and sheer convenience. They’ve reached a kind of household icon status – items that parenting veterans know are worth seeking out, even if it means dealing with those infamous Costco crowds.
What is it that makes certain Costco products gain such a devoted following among parents? Is it the unbeatable quality that makes them indispensable? The pure time-saving ease they provide for busy families? Or is it simply the thrill of discovering a hidden gem that not every mom and dad is in on? Whatever the reason, these cult Costco favorites have undoubtedly earned their status as family must-haves. Get ready to learn about the store’s most prized possessions for busy, budget-conscious families.
From trail mix to leggings and everything in between, here are some of the Costco products that have a borderline fanatical cult following. And if you haven’t gotten yourself a membership yet, what on earth are you waiting for? Rectify that right here.
A version of this article was originally published January 2020.
Croissants
These delicious, buttery, and flakey croissants are so versatile. They can be used for sandwiches, french toast, or simply served with some butter and jam. They freeze impressively well and make quick breakfasts or snacks so much easier.
Pumpkin Pie
We have officially entered pie season and no one does oversized holiday pies better than Costco. Need an example? How about this whopping four-pound pumpkin pie that’s big enough to feed the largest families. Costco shoppers have been using this store-bought dessert at their holiday gatherings for decades and for the price, you really can’t go wrong.
Kirkland Signature Organic No-Salt Seasoning
If you’re cooking for a family, you know how quickly spices can add up. Luckily, Costco has a wide selection of all of the spices you love at a fraction of the cost of grocery store spices. They even offer tasty blends like this no-salt seasoning that’s great on chicken, steak or fish.
Variety Snack Box
After-school snacks just got so much easier. This snack box comes with 51 individual snack packs for kids to choose from. The best part? It only costs $33.
Kirkland Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is a staple in households with kids. Instead of dropping what you’re doing to go pour your toddler a glass of chocolate milk, Costco offers these individually-packaged chocolate milk cartons that kids can grab whenever they want one.
Kirkland Protein Bars
Perfect for on-the-go, kids’ lunches or just a quick and easy snack, Kirkland’s chewy protein bars contain 10g of protein per serving and you can buy 42 bars for just $18.99.
Kirkland K-Cups
It’s hard to beat the convenience of K-cups. They’re easy, fast and if you shop at Costco, they’re also cheap. Kirkland offers their own K-cups in three flavors: Pacific Bold, Breakfast Blend, and Summit Roast. They also have a house decaf option if that’s more your style. Plus, 120 cups of coffee will only cost you $38.
Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite Plastic Food Wrap
If regular plastic wrap has driven you past the brink of sanity time and again when putting away the leftovers, then you’ve got to pick up a two-pack of Stretch-Tite. We don’t know how they do it, but this stuff is way better than any other brand of plastic wrap we’ve tried.
Shelled Pistachios
Pistachios are one of the best snacks going but shelling them can be a frustrating task. Luckily, Costco does the hard work for us.
Animal Crackers
Perfect for school lunches or just a quick snack for kiddos while they’re at home.
Turkey Jerky
When you need protein on-the-go, there’s really no better alternative than jerky. Unfortunately, it can get pricey if you buy it at regular grocery stores. Luckily, Costco sells 13.5 oz bags of turkey jerky for a bargain price.
Raw Honey
Raw Honey can easily cost you a small fortune. Luckily, Costco sells quality raw honey at an almost-unbelievably low price. This is available on Amazon for those without a membership.
Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter
If you’ve been living off of store-brand butter, this Kerrygold 4-pack will blow your mind. Nothing beats the fresh, sweet cream flavor of Kerrygold Irish butter, whether you’re cooking or baking, and this Costco bulk pack keeps the price low.
Tires
Believe it or not, Costco sells tires. People don’t just love the great deal on high-quality tires, but the fact that your new tire installation includes rotation, balancing, and nitrogen tire inflation, too.
HighKey Snickerdoodle Cookies
These melt-in-your-mouth, crispy mini cookies from Highkey are gluten-free, grain-free, and keto friendly. They’re made with real butter and have a crunchy, sandy texture that’s super snackable.
Happy Shrimp Chips
Look at any Costco fan account on Instagram, and you’re bound to find at least a couple of posts dedicated to these chips. People go absolutely nuts for them and their unique flavor.
Sweet & Tangy Mangoes
Send your tastebuds on a sweet, spicy and tangy vacation with these delectable dried mangoes. Perfect for snacking (or even in recipes!), this is one sweet treat no home is complete without.
Rotisserie Chicken
If you’ve never reached for one of Costco’s juicy rotisserie chickens, you’re doing dinner wrong, friend. This ready-to-eat, three-pound bird rings up at only $4.99! And it’s bigger and tastier than the rotisserie chicken you’ll find in some other supermarkets. We even have 19 different meal ideas featuring this superstar ingredient.
Bacon Crumbles
Bacon crumbles are usually some type of fake meat product made out of soy but Costco’s? 100% real bacon. That’s what makes them legendary and one of their most famous buys. This product is also available on Amazon.
Bagels
As any New Yorker will tell you, all bagels are not created equal. Costco bagels must be made in New York or Costco must have stolen New York’s recipe because we’re telling you, they’re THAT good.
Maple Syrup
Don’t scoff — this syrup is surprisingly high quality for a box store. It’s certified organic, 100 percent pure maple, and a 34-ounce jug (read: vat) will only set you back around 13 bucks. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Muffins
I didn’t believe the Costco muffin myth until I tried them myself but call me converted because these little delicacies live up to all the hype.
Peanut Butter Pretzels
For $10, I don’t think you would be able to find a better snack that will last you approximately three months. The peanut butter is creamy and luxurious and the pretzels are crunchy and salty — the perfect combination.
Pre-Cooked Bacon
If the bacon crumbles are too tiny for your recipe but you don’t want to deal with the mess of cooking bacon at home, Costco has you covered. This bacon comes pre-cooked so you don’t have to deal with any of that gross grease.
Rotisserie Chicken Meat
All the meaty goodness of Costco’s famous rotisserie chickens but without the bones. These handy packages are perfect for soups, casseroles, sandwiches or any other recipes that call for shredded chicken.
Trail Mix
Every pantry needs some good old-fashioned trail mix. Costco’s is particularly delicious and this enormous bag only costs $13.99.
Salmon with Herbed Butter
Salmon is a delicate protein and seasoning it correctly can seem like a daunting task to salmon newbies. Luckily, Costco has you covered with these salmon fillets that come with basil pesto butter that melts into the salmon as it cooks.
Leggings
Every woman knows the struggle of trying to find a comfy pair of leggings that are affordable not NOT see-through. Costco’s famous leggings are made with full-coverage material and will only set you back $11.99. They also come in sizes XS-XXL.
Sheet Cake
If you need to feed a big crowd, there’s no more affordable way to do it than with a Costco sheetcake. For around $20, you can feed 48 people! Just drop by your local Costco bakery to place your order.
Alcohol Beverages
Costco has more alcoholic beverages than you could possibly hope for, but there are two libations in particular that consistenly earn rave reviews from Costco shoppers. If you’re a wine drinker, Costco’s Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to please. It’s cheap but goes down easy, and a bottle will stay fresh up to 20 days after being opened.
Second, Costco’s Kirkland brand vodka is arguably its most talked-about spirits… for an intriguing reason. There’s a persistent rumor that Costco’s version is, in fact, Grey Goose in disguise. Both are reportedly sourced from France’s Cognac region and rely on 100 percent fine French wheat and pure artesian spring water from the Massif Mountains. But while Grey Goose will set you back a pretty penny, Costco’s French vodka only costs $20.
Basil Pesto
Costco’s Kirkland Basil Pesto is a fan-favorite for a reason. We all know pesto adds a perfect pop of flavor to, well, pretty much anything. Costco takes the freshness of theirs seriously for this very reason. This big ol’ tub features a DOP label certifying the basil used is imported from Italy.
Brownie Brittle
We’ve got two words for ya: Brownie Brittle. This light, crispy, chocolatey snack ranks high on Costco shoppers list of priorities. Bonus? One serving is only 120 calories, so say hello to your new favorite midnight snack. The only downside to this one is that it’s not always instock. It is, however, available on Amazon.
Black Bean & Cotija Cheese 6-Layer Dip
Take it from someone who brings this to literally every party she’s invited to — you just can’t beat the six substantial layers of black beans, avocado, salsa, seasoned sour cream, cheddar and, best part, creamy cotija cheese!
Protein Bars
Grab-n-go snacks can get pricey, especially when you’re shopping for a family. Half the etime the affordable ones don’t taste great and the good tasting ones are too expensive to keep in stock at home. That’s where Costco comes in. These taste great and stretch your buck a bit further than the protein bars you pick up at traditional grocery stores.
Colombian Cold Brew Coffee
Coffee lovers take note: this is the best cold brew you will ever taste! Guaranteed! Plus, just think of how much you’ll save by NOT going through the Starbucks drive-thru every day.
Milk Chocolate Almonds
When you’re craving something sweet and crunchy, these are the perfect thing to reach for. This giant three-pound jar will last you months and the chocolate isn’t waxy like a lot of other discount chocolate.
Sabatasso’s Pizza
You know those nights where everyone seems to want something different for dinner? These are perfect for those kinds of nights. Everyone can choose the flavor they want and there’s minimal cleanup involved.
Organic Salsa
The perfect dip for chips or topping for eggs, burgers and tacos! And if you don’t have a membership, it’s available on Amazon too.
Aussie Bites
These are a great snack for kids and there’s no prep work required. They are also available on Amazon.
Honey Roasted Nut Mix
These may seem pricey but they will last forever and they’re great for when you’re craving something sweet and crunchy. They are also available on Amazon.
Spanish Queen Olives
The perfect salty and briney snack! You can also buy them without a membership on Amazon.
Sanders Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
These are one of Costco’s most popular and sought after items! If your local Costco is out of stock, you can find them on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature 100% Colombian Coffee
Save yourself a ton of money by brewing your morning coffee right at home. This Colombian coffee tastes just as good as something you’d get from a specialty shop. You can also get it on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Balsamic Vinegar
This is exactly what you need to take your salads to te next level. You can also find it on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil,
This olive oil comes in a two-pack so it’s sure to last you a long time. It’s also available on Amazon for those who don’t have a membership.
Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech 13-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bag
These are only a fraction of the price of garbage bags at other stores but they’re just as strong.
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
Parents swear these wipes are just as good as (if not better than) more expensive name-brand wipes. Don’t have a Costco membership? They’re on Amazon too.
Bath Tissue
Who knew toilet paper would be the hottest item of 2020? You won’t find a better bargain than Costco’s package of 30 rolls.
Kirkland Signature Paper Towels
Might as well stock up on paper towels while you’re at it.
Chicken Breast
Kids may not be big fans of canned tuna but we’d be willing to bet they’ll love this canned chicken breast. And it’s also available on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Organic Almond Beverage, Vanilla
Non-dairy beverages are only going to continue to grow in popularity and this almond milk tastes incredible. It’s also available on Amazon.
Kirkland Signature Disinfecting Wipes
Yes, if you can believe it, Costco actually has disinfectant wipes in stock right now!
2Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Dog Food
Pet owners swear by this food.
Green Tea
This is great served hot or chilled in the warmer months.
Pink Salmon
A great pantry staple to stock up on that will last a long time! It’s available to purchase on Amazon too!
Wildflower Honey
Perfect for tea or sweetening up your homemade bread. And you can purchase it without a membership on Amazon.
Ultra Clean HE Laundry Detergent Pacs
Doing laundry will never be easier than just tossing one of these little pacs into your machine. They’re also available to purchase on Amazon.
Cranberry Juice
Perfect for mixing up cocktails, or just something to sip on when you’re feeling parched. Also available on Amazon.
Apple Sauce
These little pouches are so convenient! They’re perfect for tossing into your kid’s lunch box. Also available on Amazon.
Dry Cat Food
Like their dog food, pet owners love Costco’s dry cat food too. And it’s available on Amazon.
Minced Garlic
Garlic lovers rejoice! Finally a jar big enough to satisfy all of our garlic-loving needs! And yup, it’s also on Amazon.
Maple Syrup
Buying organic maple syrup in the grocery store will cost you an arm and a leg — but not at Costco! Or Amazon.
Steak Strips
Keto fans, this is about to be your new favorite snack. And you guessed it — it’s for sale on Amazon too.
No-Salt Seasoning
Perfect for all your grilling needs! This is also great for adding some flavor to salads and veggies. Get it on Amazon here.
Coconut Water
Whether you’re adding it to your morning smoothie or drinking it straight, you should always keep this delicious coconut water in stock. You can find it on Amazon too.
Quinoa
Quinoa is healthy and so versatile but can easily run up a large grocery bill — unless you have a Costco membership or an Amazon Prime account.
The $1.50 Hotdog Deal
Although it’s not for sale online, we couldn’t leave Costco’s famous food court hotdog deal off this list. It just might be the item with the biggest cult following after all.
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