I spent eight years working at Costco, and during that time, I’ve shaped my grocery list to take advantage of the bulk quantities the warehouse store offers at discounted prices.
Costco shopping trips have become a weekly habit for my six-person household to ensure we’re all happily fed, no matter our dietary preferences.
Here are a few of my go-to Costco staples and favorite buys.
Windest Farms Roma tomatoes help me switch up my weekly meals.
As a Mexican-American, tomatoes are an essential staple that goes with any savory Mexican dish, from being the star of vibrant, chunky salsas to serving as a base for comforting soups.
Windset Farms meets Costco bulk standards by conveniently packaging 15 individual tomatoes, so I have plenty for a week of recipes.
GoodFarms strawberries are a healthy snack that everyone in my family loves.
Our family goes through a lot of fruit every week — specifically strawberries from GoodFarms. We like this brand since the berries tend to be more affordable than other options and they taste nearly identical to the organic varieties Costco sells.
I usually eat a few strawberris each day, either as a midmorning snack or an after-lunch dessert.
Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts are my go-to meal-prep item.
It’s not a proper Costco grocery haul if I don’t grab a 9-pound pack of Kirkland Signature chicken breasts.
I love this item because it’s so easy to freeze portions of two or three breasts — simply cut along the dimpled packaging lines and store away. No mess, no problem.
Chicken breasts are also a versatile protein. We use them in soups, tacos, enchiladas, and many more traditional Mexican dishes (mole, anyone?).
When I cook for just myself, I like to grill the chicken and enjoy it with jasmine rice and a side salad.
Good Life Organic assorted squash helps us consume plenty of fresh produce.
Although we typically don’t buy organic produce because it tends to be more expensive, Costco doesn’t carry non-organic varieties of certain items.
Fortunately, Good Life Organic assorted squash at Costco is still a better value than non-organic zucchini or yellow squash at a regular grocery store. We buy packs of these often.
My parents like to steam squashes and sprinkle a bit of salt, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime on top, giving them a fresh burst of flavor.
We find a ton of value in the 24-pack of Kirkland Signature free-range eggs.
Eggs are another staple in our household, especially since my siblings enjoy baking sweet treats for the family.
I also eat three whole eggs and three egg whites for breakfast most mornings, so we tend to purchase many at a time.
The pack of two dozen Kirkland Signature eggs are among the most affordable free-range eggs I’ve seen, so we pick up a minimum of three packages every trip.
Kirkland Signature Greek yogurt is a favorite of mine, especially as a quick meal replacement in a pinch.
Greek yogurt is my go-to whenever I run out of premade meals and have less than five minutes to make something nutritious, delicious, and filling.
I typically pair a serving of yogurt with clover honey and sliced strawberries. If I’m in a rush, I mix yogurt with half a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder — it (sort of) tastes like healthy ice cream.
Waterloo sparkling water satisfies our desire for tasty, fizzy drinks.
A few years ago, my family and I committed to reducing our soda intake after realizing we’d go through a 36-pack of Coca-Cola every single week.
Since then, our family has grown fond of Waterloo’s 24-pack of assorted sparkling water cans due to their superb balance of fizziness and fruit flavor.
Going from soda to sparkling water took some getting used to, but it’s hard to beat a refreshing, ice-cold Waterloo.
There’s always room for dessert if it’s a Kirkland Signature triple-chocolate muffin.
I’ve got a big sweet tooth, and few items satisfy my chocolate cravings like these triple-chocolate muffins from Costco.
Every bite has delicious chocolate morsels, and their smaller size (compared to the old-school Kirkland Signature muffins) makes me feel less guilty when I indulge in one or three.
My siblings are huge fans of these, too, which is why they’re a staple in our household.
Keep reading Costco Diaries to see what other shoppers have in their Costco carts.
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