Hey there, Tuesday!
Before I forget, tomorrow is WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY and our bonus question this month is WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL TRADITION. If you blog, link up! It’s always one of my favorite post every month!!
So, at the beginning of the month, I told you ladies how our town just got a Costco, and even though I used to drive two towns over to shop there for diapers and wipes when I had babies at home, I really haven’t been a “Costco” person in years. But now that I have one near my home (and have four kids who need to pack school lunches), I wanted to become one. You guys left me SO MANY COMMENTS on that post telling me what to buy. I actually sat down with a piece of paper and went through your comments writing down suggestions and then took Madeley Moo and we did some shopping. I came home and took pics of everything we bought and now today, I’m sharing with you what have been the biggest hits. My new plan? Shop there once a month and stock up on all of these items to make life a bit easier.
So, here’s a little peek into what we’re loving plus some tips at the bottom learned from YOU! Of course, please let me know what I’m missing!! This raising a big family is no joke! Having these staples on hand has already made our little world (especially lunch making!) easier!
The kids have to bring a snack to school every day. I bought two boxes of these (so 40 bars) and it’s win-win for everyone. Madeley likes to have them for a snack at home too.
These might be my favorite find! You guys told me to buy dried mangoes…but you didn’t tell me that they’re like little pieces of heaven sent from above 🙂 . These mangoes are like eating candy. They’re SO GOOD!
Power cakes have made breakfast easy! We whip them up, add some maple syrup and the kids are super happy. The extra protein is a nice bonus!
Yes. We love our Veggie Straws. It’s like a chip…but not quite. They’re so good!!!
We’ve been dipping our hummus in these Sweet Potato Crackers! This is an easy little thing to throw in lunches!
Speaking of which…these individual hummus cups have made it into lunchboxes every day. They’re really good and the perfect size!
I would say that this is Madeley’s favorite Costco find! All three girls are thankful for this Costco recommendation, but Madeley probably most of all 😉 .
I’m eating these individual guacamoles too! My kids are adding them to their lunchboxes, but I’m adding it to whatever I’m eating at home for lunch. They’re really good!
Yessssssss! This fully cooked bacon has made mornings so simple! You just pull out a piece or two, microwave it for about 30 seconds and bam! Bacon is done!
I love a hard boiled egg as a snack, so these are really handy! They are packaged with two in each one…
…so you just grab a package and you can either toss it in a lunch or eat it as a snack.
My friend Jeni told me to buy these. They’re little crepe-like wraps made out of egg whites. These are so easy! I sometimes throw two pieces of that bacon on one, heat them both for 30 seconds and you have a little wrap. You can make these sweet or savory (Nutella was good in them!).
My kids love a yogurt in their lunchboxes, so these were a no-brainer. Easy!
I bought a box filled with these individually packaged burritos. They have been such a life saver for my lunches! When I’m at home, I heat up one of these, grab a little guacamole (from above) and lunch is done.
My kids love any sort of Chinese food, so I bought a box of this orange chicken (there are two packages inside one box) and heated it up in the oven for lunch. There was enough to feed all three kids for two days. I would heat the chicken and then put it in their Thermos and lunch was ready to go. They ate every bite!
On the post from earlier this month, I also loved the extra tips you ladies shared! Many of you suggested buying the big sandwich trays to use for the week. How brilliant is that? You also recommended buying the ready to heat and eat dinners for lunch instead. For instance, I could heat up a big lasagna and then put that in my kids’ thermos all week long. There are loads of other tips and suggestions that you can read HERE.
What next ? With the fall and holiday season coming, what are some of your favorite finds??? I’m hooked! Please share! xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I read a lot of food blogs and I’ve heard so much about giant warehouse supermarkets in the US, like Costco. Makes me wish we had those in Hong Kong! When I visit the states again I’m definitely making Costco (and Target lol!) a destination haha! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Deb says
Gateway and A&M are as close as you can get in Hong Kong. Too bad they don’t have the frozen or refrigerated stuff though. But you can find the Kirkland/Costco brand.
Erika Slaughter says
I couldn’t agree with you more…my weekly lunch shopping is so much easier (and less) thanks to Costco!
LeeAnn says
Costco is my go-to for snacks and lunches!! Nice list, I’ll be picking up some of those dried mangoes, yum!
Elspeth Mizner says
Great suggestions and good finds
Jordan Deffenbaugh says
Okay I looked for those egg white thins last week at my Costco (in Florida) and couldn’t find them. What section were they in?
Mix and Match Mama says
In a refrigerated bin!
Kelli Kelly says
We’ve learned and been told that not every Costco has the same products. A lot is the same, but they appeal to the area they are selling in. I know our Costco in Northwest Indiana does not have some of those items you listed. You can find almost anything online, if not refrigerated. 🙂
Jordan Deffenbaugh says
Thank you!!
Carly says
I also just saw them at Walmart by the eggs!
Kim says
I found them at my local Walmart in the egg section…next to the egg substitutes…
Emily says
Costco.com is amazing too. Most items ship for free. My most recent fun find on there is a two pack of the hue wide waistband leggings for $18! They also have a great $9 Kirkland workout tee. They often have name brand beauty products and I personally just order my diapers on their site and they ship for free. I have bought everything there from mattresses, washer and dryers, lawn mower, porch furniture, etc. Costco is my happy place so I was bummed when we moved and the closest one ended up being 1.5 hour away.
Oh I would always buy their rotisserie chickens and shred the meat and bag it up and freeze in casserole sized portions for easy weeknight dinners.
lilly says
shipping its not free, for many items its included on the price and they also have some groceries items for same day delivery. i saw this item at the store and hesitate to buy it, then make up my mind and saw it on line and price was up a few dollars but said shipping is included. still worth the try if you want to avoid the crowds. however, i find that even with rush hours, cashiers are fast and friendly so that is always a plus. I love coscto way too much!!
Emily says
Shipping on many items is free as I’ve double checked prices in store and on website. Most food items are not free shipping and yes upcharged on the website. I shop it more for clothes and household goods and additional items you don’t find in store. Their diapers are same price in store and online so that makes it much easier to me!
Danielle Rigg says
You need to buy the Instacrates to useCostco. They lay flat when in the car and pop up to fill. They make everything To carry in from any store. I bought four and when I do a big shopping amount, I use all four. Costco sells them but so does Amazon, etc here is a link to show you them https://www.amazon.com/GreenMade-InstaCrate-Collapsible-Storage-Container/dp/B01MRH45TS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1535453496&sr=8-2&keywords=instacrate&dpID=41RibUJpyhL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazing!! Thank you, Danielle!
Laurie Fuhry says
Don’t forget for those of you who have not yet joined Costco, if you can get someone to buy you a Costco gift card, you can go in on that.
Heidi says
Ive never seen these. Thanks for sharing!
Lora LaRosa says
The instacrates were $7.99 at the Costco in Cincinnati. I never would have thought to look for them there. I recently bought a slightly larger size at The Container Store and it was $17:99. I bought a similar size one as the Costco one too but I don’t recall the price but it was at least $12.99. Thanks for sharing!!
Savannah S says
Costco has some of the best sweat potatoes/yams in the fall. They are always so delicious and keep well if you aren’t planning on using them all at once!
Lesley McFarland says
This looks wonderful. I have been a Sams shopper but noticed they are very slim on organic staples for our house. From the pics it seems like Costco has more of a variety. I may have to try it out.
Christy says
Thanks for sharing! I LOVE Costco and haven’t seen any of these. I did try the orange chicken and we loved it! What do you put with the lunches on the days they take orange chicken? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Things like yogurt, chips or Veggie Straws, some sort of fruit (grapes, strawberries, etc), and something for dessert. Things like that!
Sheaffer Sims says
I am SO PUMPED about the mango! I buy small packages from Trader Joe’s, but I’m sooooo excited about the huge bag! Those sweet potato crackers look awesome too!
Josephine Dy-Liacco says
If you are to get dried mangoes, that brand is THE only way to go 🙂
Amanda says
In Florida, Costco offers delivery. Not sure if they do for Texas stores but you should check that out! Also there pre seasoned chicken wings are my favorite!!
Amanda ismaili says
In Florida, Costco offers delivery. Not sure if they do for Texas stores but you should check that out! Also there pre seasoned chicken wings are my favorite!!
Eileen says
I buy fruit there, especially strawberries and grapes. I find they stay fresh longer than from the grocery store. When the road shows come around, we stock up on the potstickers. We always have a bag of the Purdue frozen chicken breasts on hand, and their flank steaks are great too. We like to buy their big ready-made Ceasar salad. It lasts us for days, and ends up being cheaper and easier than buying bags of salad and making it ourselves. We get all of our staples – paper towels, tissues, napkins, toilet paper, baby wipes, ziplock bags, seltzer. I like the Kirkland breakfast blend coffee for the Keurig. By early October, all of the Christmas stuff will be out. Their wrapping paper is the best. My favorite is the paper that is double-sided with different prints. Those rolls last forever! My biggest tip for Costco is if it’s seasonal or furniture, buy it when you see it – so many times I’ve waited or wanted to think about it, and I go back and it’s gone. The best part of Costco? They’re excellent with returns. If you don’t like something, just bring it back!
Jennifer says
Yes!!! I second the wrapping paper!!!!!! It is SUPER THICK and easy to cut. One roll is plenty for all the gifts – I switch up the ribbon to make things different. I’ve been buying my Christmas wrapping paper from there for years. 🙂
Amy says
Their ready made spinach salad with poppy seed dressing is to die for and is always a fan favorite with company. Or to take to a family, you can add their rotisserie chicken on top to make a meal:)
Allie L says
We love the orange chicken but my Costco hasn’t had it in almost a year ?. I’m hoping they get it back, glad to see it isn’t totally gone!! We also love their individually wrapped frozen chicken breasts. Makes dinner super easy!
Christina says
If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, their orange chicken is yummy! It’s in frozen section. I’ve not had it from Costco to compare if it’s similiar.
Andrea says
Love Costco but have somehow missed the bacon! Does it get crispy? Any idea if you can heat it in the oven too? I’m hosting a brunch bday for my daughter this weekend and this sure would make life easier :).
Mix and Match Mama says
It does! I just had two pieces this morning! Ha!
Vanessa says
Yes, I just put a few slices on a cookie sheet and it crisps up really fast! This bacon is a staple in our house, too:)
Tara Friedmann says
Costco has the best rotisserie chicken! My husband picks it up once a week on his way home from work it’s close to $5 and feeds my whole family and sometimes leftovers to shred to make chicken salad!
Narci says
Oh, these are awesome finds! I am loving Costco too!!! We tried that orange chicken, and it is sooo good. 🙂
Kim says
Only semi-related to this post, but the Instant Pot also does hard boiled eggs and from I’ve heard, they’re foolproof! Haven’t tackled that yet in my IP, but could be a good alternative if you run low on the prepackaged variety from Costco!
Jen says
Kim, its my favorite way to make hard boiled eggs! with about 1/2 cup or so of water, i cook on high pressure for 4min and natural pressure release for 4min before ice bath.
Jaclyn says
Makes the best hard boiled eggs. Probably the same amount of time as the stove, but you don’t have to keep an eye on them, just set the timer and walk away. The shells always fall off easily, never stick to the egg!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Aww now I wish there was a costco near my home! Those egg white crepe wraps look like they would make breakfast and lunch easier! Some great tips and finds in this post!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Carly says
I just saw those Crepini’s at Walmart in the egg section!
Katie says
Thank you for sharing your Costco finds! I recently found a pack of amazing sheet masks in the beauty section! I don’t know if anyone mentioned this, but Costco’s return policy is amazing. With the exception of electronics, you can pretty much return anything at any time. All of your purchases are linked to your membership card so if you lose your receipt it doesn’t matter. And, if something goes on sale soon after you purchased it, Costco will give you the difference. I love Costco! Have you tried their cakes yet? They are ALL so delicious.
Hayley says
LOVE Costco! I buy my 2 month’s old formula there for half the price! We also buy their HUGE bag of spinach and throw it in everything (omelets, weekly breakfast burritos I make and freeze, and of course smoothies). Such an easy way to sneak tons of veggies servings in. I also buy their organic frozen broccoli florets, four bags and is waaaay cheaper than buying it at the store.
Alexis deZayas says
I’m about to get a Costco membership so I’m so excited to bring this post along with me!!
Marisa says
Aussie Bites are my absolute favorite. They re an Australian snack/cookie that has chia and flax seeds in them. Delish! We also like We also love to buy Canadian bacon there. 3 slices is super low in calories and fat and the package they sell is a HUGE bargain compared to Supermarkets. Made Good snack bags are awesome. My son has a peanut allergy and they are safe for him to eat. They are little oat, granola balls in a snack bag (berry and chocolate chip flavored) I like to dump a bag on Greek yogurt .
Heidi says
I love that Canadian bacon too! We try to avoid nitrates and it’s nitrate free! Also love the turkey bacon (by the regular bacon) I cook it in the oven on parchment paper 400 for 20min and comes out perfect. Their parchment paper is the best too!! Apparently they only sell it around the holidays, but it’s two big rolls for cheap..I just recently ran out of it and used for probably 9 months
Gardner Story says
Costco is AWESOME. We buy all of our bulk items there (diapers, baby wipes, toilet paper, paper towels) and they also have the best meat. My husband and I stock up and freeze most of it, but we also have it on hand. If you like sparkling water, I think their Kirkland brand is just as yummy as La Croix or Perrier… We just bought 32 cans for less than $8!! Pretty amazing. My favorite finds from Costco are: my kitchen trashcan (automatic when you wave hand over it), the Kirkland salsa- seriously my favorite store bought salsa, the sparkling water, their diapers and wipes (hellllloooo 13 month old), as well as their Kirkland trail mix!! That could be an easy addition to your kids lunches, and they get good protein with the nuts (as well as a little chocolate. :))
Kelly says
Costco is my favorite place! I went yesterday in search of the egg white thins and they haven’t made it to our store yet. Bummer! But I did pick up cauliflower and cheese dip! Haven’t tried but heard it was amazing!
Kate says
The muffin recipe on the Kodiak Cakes box is super easy and delicious!
Callie says
Their bags of mini apples for the kids lunches (they don’t turn brown) and mini cucumbers, their fresh rotisserie chicken noodle soup for lunches, fresh eggs (I hard boil in the Instant Pot), maple syrup, and bags of their Ozery bakery muesli morning rounds (so good toasted with some almond butter on top!).
Debbie W says
Give the bakery dept in Costco a try. Their cookies and cakes are amazing!
Laura @ Laura Likes Design says
I don’t know what we did before Costco! Some of our favorites from there are their organic tortilla chips, mini individual guac cups, and salmon!
Laura Likes Design
Scarlett Spangler says
Just a little tip on the mango- the other dried mango they have at Costco is JUST mango, no sugar or anything else added unlike the ones above, and it is sooo good!
I love Costco, they have very high standards on what they’ll allow in their warehouses, so you’re getting the best quality meats and truly organic products. 🙂
Steph says
YES! Those are the mangoes to get. They don’t have them all of the time, but I snatch them up when they do. No sugar and they are delicious.
Elisabeth Hogue says
My favorite Costco find is the Kirkland’s Smoked Pulled Pork – I read about it in an article on the best Whole 30 items to buy at Costco. It is SO good! It’s great for fast dinners – pork tacos, BBQ sandwiches, a topping for baked potatoes. It is a staple for our family!
Erin Springer says
You have to try the Kirkland Maple Syrup, so cheap and so so delicious!!!! Also, the cauliflower crust pizza is amazing, my kids will even eat it!!! We sometimes throw some pepperoni on top for a little more protein?
Nicole says
Do you still drink those fruit and veggie drinks in the morning?
Mix and Match Mama says
Sometimes!!!
Erin Port says
So many awesome tips in the comments and we love the guacamole you mentioned. I want to get the individual hummus packs too! I love the seasonal items like mums in the fall! So much cheaper!
Sharon says
Love Costco too! We get our dog food there, great meats, avocado oil (I use this now for cooking bc of the lower heat point?), a healthy mayonnaise made with avocado oil, protein bars (their brand is perfect for Trim Healthy Mama eating plan- ha), and many of the products you listed. I’m adding to my list things to try now from your suggestions. Thanks!!
Hope Adkins says
The mini pumpkin spice muffins and the mini cinnamon rolls!!!!They are so good for breakfast or a sweet treat.
Clare Butler says
I love this post! My fave things also include the large bags of already shelled pistachios, Whisps crackers (great low carb snack), and sea salt almond Bark Thins!!! You gave me some new great ideas?
Christy says
We are huge Costco fans here! I buy many of the products listed above but I haven’t seen any mention of their meat. We buy most of our meat there – frozen chicken breasts, organic ground beef, ground turkey, prime rib for the holidays and their steak selection is amazing from their prime grade to the USDA select grade. I also always buy their cage-free eggs, produce, orange juice, Hebrew National hot dogs, Taquitos, chicken skewers, butter, frozen fully cooked sausages and so much more (including books, light bulbs, printer ink cartridges)… basically, if Costco sells it, we consider it a great product/bargain. 🙂 We LOVE Costco!
Jen says
Our Costco delivers! I haven’t used it for home purchases yet, but we use it at my office all of the time since we are right next door to a different Costco (we buy soda there for the breakroom fridge). Also, the cakes from the bakery are insanely good! 2-layers with cream cheese in between, plus they are huge for only $18! The rotisserie chickens can’t be beat…biggest ones I’ve seen and only $5! They have some burrito bowls in the freezer section that are also really good for lunches. Oh, and if you need allergy meds, they have a year’s supply of Zyrtec for under $20! My son recently had to start taking this and I couldn’t believe that price!
Alicia Fedell says
We love Costco. We use the natural peanut butter, applesauce pouches (perfect for lunches and soccer games/practices for the littles waiting) My kids can’t bring anything with nuts, so we use the Zbars. I like the Whisps (just parmesan cheese) to put in my salads and soups. We also do the chicken nuggets.I also get my La Croix at Costco. My most used item is the romaine lettuce…we go through one package a week!
Ali says
Costco has the most amazing sateen sheets! Good old kirkland brand, they feel cool and luxurious:)
Tracie says
When making the orange chicken I like to throw a head of chopped broccoli on the cookie sheet too. It cooks the same time as the chicken and there is plenty of sauce to coat both.
Sheila says
Omg I love this idea – can’t wait to try!
DeDe says
You have to try the Spinach and Artichoke dip with corn chips! Delicious!!! Also the Parmesan crisps are great crunched up on a salad. And the Bacon Wrapped Filets are so tender and flavorful. I absolutely love Costco. One more thing – the gas is always cheaper at Costco.
Ali says
Costco has the best sateen sheets! Good old kirkland brand, they feel cool and luxurious:)
Jenn Kane says
Their peanut butter filled pretzels are my fav snack from there!
Susan says
My favorite Costco find are the the fresh refrigerated tortillas. I don’t have a bag on hand to give the specific name..and I’m sooo mad!! They are amazing. You heat them in a skillet and they are amazing!!!!!!
Johannah says
Luckily I have a Costco 5 minutes from my home, and I typically go every couple of weeks depending on what I need. I buy a variety of items at Costco, but the staples I get EVERY time I go include: organic half & half (my husband and I like a little coffee with our cream), organic butter, organic strawberries, a 2 pound block of Tillamook Extra Sharp cheddar cheese, and eggs. I find the organic milk is cheaper at HEB. Of course I buy laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, paper products etc. but those are the food items I buy every.single.time. I visit Costco!
Jenna says
We are Costco junkies! They even know our name when we walk in. Hahaha! I love the humus, we also love their rotisserie chickens for $4 and a big salad for $5 and you have the easiest dinner ever that will feed a family. We also buy a lot of their produces as well. We buy a lot of our meat from there as well. Almond milk is a great buy too. We love Costco!
Andrea says
I know they’ve been mentioned already, but worth repeating, the rotisserie chickens are great, and for $5! The scrawny ones at our local grocery stores are $8. Their seasoned tri-tip roasts ( in an open refrigerated bin near the meat department) are so, so good!! I throw them in the crockpot and they’re?? I also buy my eggs , laundry detergent, and batteries there…I have quite a few lanterns outside with battery operated candles, so those large packages come in handy! Also, I have bought towels there, I think the brand is Charisma (?) that are fabulous!
Meg says
It’s so fun to wander and see what they have, but I have been using their Instacart option more often recently and it’s a lifesaver. You order online, choose when you want it delivered (within two hours to however long you want including days). They shop for you and send you texts as they are doing so and then deliver it to your house (like come in and put it on my counter deliver 🙂 ). This service is free as long as you spend $35 (which I don’t know how you’d ever get out of there under that!). If they are out of something they will text you asking if you want a replacement or just take it off your purchase. It’s HEAVEN for a working momma! We also buy our coffee pods there.
Katie says
The fully cooked Mediterranean chicken skewers are really good! And the Kirkland signature protein bars are the best I’ve ever had. I also like the meatloaf and mashed potatoes in the prepared meals section. The Kirkland Signature trail mix is also really good for a snacking treat and comes in a big bag or individual packets. You listed a lot of our other favorites! Oh my goodness, for a treat, you can’t beat Costco muffins.
Jennifer Bell says
My husband would second the protein bars — not my thing but he likes them more than any other he’s tried/I’ve bought. . .
Nicole Buschlen says
Geez we just got a membership and I haven’t been able to go yet. Now I’m excited to go with phone in hand and these comments as my shopping list. I’ve also heard that they frozen yogurt in the food court is cheap and delicious.
Leah Reinemund says
The PSL is out at Starbucks today! And I am in Fort Worth so it should be out in McKinney! Just thought you should know but I am sure you already did 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
WHAAAAAAAAT????
Leah Reinemund says
Just helping a sister out!!!
Allie says
What type of thermos are you using ? I need to get on the warm lunch train!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I posted about them on Friday! They’re from Amazon and are working so well!
Kristine W says
My kids are adults now but I still have my Costco list always going. Hands find the best price on glasses. I don’t always get frames there. You can buy frames at a outside optical & buy lenses at Costco. I think they charge a $15 pattern fee for the lens. I save hundreds on lens price. We always got my kids contacts from there also. Rotisserie Chicken is always in my cart. I like their brand of TP. The Cilantro Shrimp is good, it’s found in the cold section with the salads. Rental cars are a HUGE savings through Costco. We always rent through them. I could go in and on. I learned some new items from your post. Kirkland brand batteries are a great buy and last a long time. With kiddos we know we go through those like water. Have a great week!!
Kathy L says
We buy all our paper products in bulk from Costo. I like not having to put things like paper towels, toilet paper (which is great–anyone else picky about toilet paper?), tissues, paper plates, and napkins on my shopping list for ages. We also buy the Kirkland sparkling water because my husband loves that it tastes like soda and is zero calories. My favorite new finds for a snack are Whisps parmesan cheese crisps and Autumn’s Gold Grain Free Granola in toasted coconut almond–it is amazing on my almond milk yogurt!
Joanne says
I love Costco – thanks for sharing your finds! Their pre-made dinners are my favorite for easy meal. The stuffed peppers and rotisserie enchilada bake are favorites at our house. We also really enjoyed the cauliflower crust pizza (2in a box) and the Bibigo mini wontons with our orange chicken. There are 2 instagram accounts I follow that are great for new finds! Follow @igotitatcostco and @costcodeals and you’ll definitely get more tips!
Ashley says
@costcodoesitagain is another good account! They also run the @targetdoesitagain account which is another fave!
Kerri says
Thank you for sharing this!! We’ve always been members at BJ’s just because of location. We settle on our new home this Thursday and I have been so excited to sign up for a Costco membership to stock up for school!
Juls says
Ooh, I love all those items! One of my favorite most recent finds is coconut clusters (I have named them coconut crack because they are so addictive!) It has coconut, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds. Delicious!!
Danielle says
The Canadian bacon is a breakfast staple in our house. Low in fat & sodium but high in protein! We also love the Kale salad with poppyseed dressing. The Nature Raised Farms (frozen) grilled chicken breast strips are so versatile — we throw them in salad, quesadillas, with some pasta — so easy! And I love their meat — it’s cheap and already individually packaged so I can just throw it in the freezer when I get home.
And here’s one more vote for the rotisserie chicken! 🙂
Rose says
It’s just my husband an I at home now? and we still hit up Costco about once a month. We stock up on water, papertowels, toiletpaper, and Kirkland’s chicken breasts. I’m also a huge fan of Kirkland’s mixed nuts! When our kids were teens, they would devour bags of the dried mango. Their other dried fruit is great as well ( blueberries cherries etc.) I use the dried fruit when I make batches of homemade granola and top my oatmeal with it if I don’t have fresh on hand. The fresh salmon is amazing as well. We grill it and enjoy it all week using it on salads, topping pasta with it, or just eating it cold straight from the fridge!
Amy says
Oh yeah also their seasonal flowers cannot be beat. They are huge, and they are great quality, especially the mums! And you cannot find them any cheaper
Vanessa says
Ooh, I’m so giddy for the new Costco!!! The Frisco one is SOOOOO crowded, I always dread going there! The guac, Kodiak Cakes, bacon and mangoes are staples in our house, too! You MUST get the Organic Honeycrisp apples when they come in season. I repeat, you MUST get them:) 🙂 They’re kind of pricey, but worth every penny!!! I mean, each little apple comes in it’s own “window office” in the pallet they’re sold in, so they must be good, right?? 😉
Julia Krowiak says
I love those dried mangoes! I had to stop buying them because I was going through them so fast ha! Do you find the hard boiled eggs stay fresh? That is always my hesitation about buying them.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I think it’s because they’re individually packaged!
Danielle says
OH! How could I forget about their pumpkin pie?! IT’S SO BIG!!!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Oh my gosh, it took me forever to scroll through all these comments! haha! So many great suggestions! Mason would love that orange chicken!! Maybe I do need a Costco membership…?
That Inspired Chick
Stefany says
For fall, the apple and pumpkin pies can’t be beat! HUGE, delicious and cheap! We cut up the apple pie into slices, cover in foil and freeze for treats later. Also, the rotisserie chicken is wonderful to have on hand.
Tish Ferry says
Oh how I wish we had a Costco! We have Sam’s Club but it’s not the same! You hit the jackpot for lunches!
Simply Tish
Elizabeth says
Coconut almonds with dark chocolate ??
Mimi says
I love their pita bread in the bread aisle! We use that for sandwiches or the kids make individual pizzas on them. Also the bagged Mediterranean salad is so good! My kids also like the Kids Cliff bars as well as the Nugo bars. The individual salads are great for lunches too. They also have organic BBQ sauce that is so good too. I can go on and on but sometimes they may not carry the same item twice so buy when you can.
Ranisa says
I love costco. I have called it heaven on earth. I love there rosemary bread I’m the bakery. Sliced, buttered and grilled. Then some Costco’s have this amazing lemon juice. I saw it 5 years ago in Omaha. We just moved to MN and they carry it here. AMAZING! Italian volcano organic
Lemon juice.
Andrea in MN says
Once you switch to Kirkland toilet paper, purchased in big blocks, you can never go back. It is good toilet paper! Any household products in the Kirkland brand will be a high quality. Same with the Kirkland vodka… and I may or may not go through a lot of their inexpensive Kirkland white wines on my deck with neighbors in the summer.
Katie M Stuen says
Costco is such a life saver! It’s just my husband and I and buying Costco’s toilet paper and paper towels lasted us 10 months! Buying in bulk does save us so much money! We always get the packaged edamame and it is the perfect quick snack. And YES! That bacon is a miracle.
Erin Zimmerman says
I’ve seen the rotisserie chickens mentioned several times but even better… they have rotisserie breast meat already pulled off the bone and packaged airtight near the premade meals and sandiches. It’s awesome for topping salads, putting in wraps, adding to casseroles or crockpot meals, or just eating straight up. The other thing I LOVE is the packaged kale salad with dressing in the refrigerated produce room. And the jalapeño artichoke dip on celery….delish! Oh and my kids love the frozen chicken fried rice.
Kaylee says
Don’t know if this has been mentioned but the uncooked tortillas are great! Such a good price for how many you get. Also the fig bars are great for snacks at lunch too.
Gail Young says
For the holidays we get the Peppermint Bark tub, fresh cranberries in the cold veggie section, bags of potatoes , onions, carrots, sweet potatoes (these all keep for weeks in our cold garage) and we use them for roatsed veggies, and all the holiday side dishes. Baking ingredients — brown sugar, white sugar, powdered sugar, Crisco, flour, chocolate chips, nuts, big jar of maraschino cherries, 3 pack of pumpkin, 4 pack of butter ( in the dairy section), bananas, boxes of Brownie Mix, an incredible bag of Coconut Macaroon Cookie Mix ( only at Holiday time).
Also one of the Elin Hilderbrand books on your reading list had a recipe for Roasted Veggie Soup and I thought “that is probably a real recipe”, so I tried it and it was fantastic! So in the Fall I also get the cubed Butternut Squash and the Mushrooms and the Better Than Boullion Chicken Flavor ( on the baking isle) and the bag of red bell peppers. After roasting the veggies it all goes in a pig pot with the boullion and I use my Immersion blender (from Costco years ago) and I use Hot water from the Electric Hot water kettle ( Costco) which is fabulous when making soups!
Kelly says
Newish Costco member here and recently discovered Gilbert’s Chicken Sausage. I bought the caprese flavor and each sausage is individually wrapped, so you only have to cook what you need. Great flavor – we grilled them and served them on hot dog buns with Pesto (the Kirkland brand that you can also buy at Costco!), but they would be great with eggs, cut up into pasta, etc.
Lindsay says
We love Costco. Our staples from there are organic chicken breasts, marinated pork chops, Kirkland maple syrup, produce, Rojo’s tomatillo avocado salsa and kerrygold pure Irish butter. If you haven’t tried this butter….it’s AMAZING
Laura Ryan says
Fantastic ideas!! Thanks so much. You should try Sams Club also. I shop at both Costco and Sams Club for different items
Renee says
Speaking of eggs, does Andrew still eat all those boiled eggs every day?
Mix and Match Mama says
He eats 2 dozen egg whites scrambled every day. Yup!
Kaitlyn says
Oh my goodness. Love so many things about Costco! My parents used to take me growing up and I always looked forward to eating my way through the store! 😉 One good thing they bring out around the holidays is a box of cards. They are not like regular cards, they are 3D-like and super high quality and have all different occasions (birthday, wedding, sympathy, etc.) within the box for a reasonable price. Keep your eye out! Also, follow @costco_doesitagain on Instagram for other great product recommendations! They are the same gals who keep up with the Target account.
Betsy says
We love to buy our paper towels, toilet paper and contact solution there. So much cheaper than other stores and it’s great quality. We also buy all of our meat there then divide it up into meals and freeze it—chicken drumsticks, chicken breasts, salmon, tilapia, ground beef and sausage. And the massive block of tillamook cheese and goat cheese! So good and a great buy!
Nicole says
You must try the pesto! Soo good!
Celina says
WINE!!!
I haven’t seen it mentioned yet (the others covered a lot of our go-to items!) but their wine/liquor selection is amazing and the best price. And I will say – we had a blind taste test of the Costco-brand wine vs. standard labels and it did great! It’s our go-to when hosting parties, stocking up for holidays, football season, etc.
(I also just realized maybe they can’t sell liquor/wine in TX, but maybe that will change! I’m in WA).
Danna says
I was just thinking yesterday, while in costco, that I need to reach out to my peeps about their favorite finds and then I saw your post! Love all the new recommendations from you and other readers. That place can be overwhelming, especially the food items! I tend to buy furniture, books, sheets from them. My favorites are the sheet sets. I’ve bought 3 sets and love them! Can’t beat the price at $39-$49…so soft and comfortable. I bought my daughter’s graduation cake and it was moist and a crowd hit! Our patio set is from there and we still love it. We love the bacon, white queso, steaks, pumpkin bread (in the fall). Like others the gift wrap is great and so is the ribbon on big spools. I love to wrap all my gifts during Christmas and their ribbon is the best for that! Thanks again for the post!
Amy says
The already cooked bacon is a lifesaver. Sometimes it’s rhe difference between a hot breakfast and a cereal bar. I can pop a few frozen biscuits in the counter top oven go upstairs to put my makeup on and come down, microwave the bacon, scramble a quick couple of eggs and have breakfast sandwiches for my boys. No mess and a hot breakfast.
Natasha says
If you’re ever at the Plano Costco off the Tollway you will see me there:)!! If you like the dried mango you HAVE to try the dark chocolate covered dried mango- it is out of this world. Love that place!
Melissa says
Kirkland Sangria…yes please!
meagan puterman says
Have you considered the environmental cost of what youre purchasing? I know the convenience is nice but individually packed guac / hummus and even boiled eggs contributes so much more garbage than buying bulk and using tupperware. You seem like such a good mama and I hope you’ll teach your kids these lessons. We need to do our best for the planet.
Christi says
Books. Magazines are least 30 % off. My kids love their tortilla chips. I bought folding laundry baskets there at the cheapest price…$9.99. One for each of us! Passport photos are the cheapest there. Contacts are a great price. Their towels are normally 7.99 but often 5.99 are the best! I’ve bought high end towels that feel hard after washing as to where these feel softer with each wash. I got my kids bath sheets for under $10 a piece! Salad mixes, bananas, various fruits and veggies. Their sheet cakes are loved by so many and under $20! I didn’t realize people got excited about a Costco cake!
I love their organic ground beef prices. Raw honey. And then whatever always some various stuff like Greek yogurt etc
michelle says
We love kodiak cakes! Thanks for the tip on the dried mango – our fave!!
Michelle W says
I made a trip to Costco after reading this post. I purchased several of these suggestions. Do you usually warm up the hard boiled eggs or do you eat them cold? The package said not to microwave. I did for 30 seconds anyway ? Thank you for sharing.
Mix and Match Mama says
We eat them cold, but thanks for letting us know we can heat them!!
Sam says
A Costco tip when the price sign has a * on it that means when what they have in store is gone they won’t be restocking it.
And if you go to Trader Joe’s and get the frozen rice you can micrwave that and add it to the orange chicken and it’s a bigger meal make so quick!
Jennifer Bell says
Agree on EVERYTHING (and you introduced me to some things I haven’t tried/bought) BUT, don’t buy the hard-boiled eggs! My egg cooker https://www.amazon.com/Dash-Rapid-Egg-Cooker-Scrambled/dp/B00DDXWFY0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1535505865&sr=8-3&keywords=egg+cooker has lasted over two years. . .and I have gifted it 1/2 dozen times. EVERYONE comes back and tells me how much they love them. So easy and so much less waste. . .only the egg carton to throw away instead of all the packaging. I know, I know, you have to PEEL the hard-cooked eggs but I’m telling ya, fresh is so much better every time. Now. . .off to buy the waffle mix. . .I think my gang are going to like those! (And, try their Tuscan-crusted pork tenderloin — a family favorite for the grill)
Kelly Stokowski says
Protein powder from Costco is way cheaper than anywhere else I find!
Bethany Kimsey says
As a mother of 8 kids, I spend so much shopping time in Costco but I am so thankful for some new ideas! I think sometimes I get in a rut and purchase the same things each time I go in. Definitely the crepinis and hard boiled eggs will find their way into our cart! My kids will be so glad for new ideas for breakfast!
Megan West says
You’ve got to try the Kodiak Cakes Pumpkin Flax mix. So so good!!
Reagan says
Costco is the best at Halloween time! They always have huge bags of name brand candy for a great price! We also buy play-doh from there in the fall! It’s usually by the Halloween candy, you can get a big package (I think it’s a 30 pack.. can’t remember the exact number) of mini play-doh containers for $10. Their Rotisserie chickens are also a great buy, always delicious and so cheap!
jenny byrd says
Get the pocky sticks next time for the kiddos!! They will LOVE them for a snack:)
Alisha Trammell says
You must try their chicken salad!!!!!!!! Go there now and get some!!! It’s a little (or more like mediam) sized tub with yummy things like raisons, nuts, pure honey and all kinds of goodness! It’s called “Cape Cod chicken salad”. It’s great on sale, croissant, with crackers, tosted bagel, everything! Run!!
Cameryn says
If you like apricots, their dried apricots are the best I’ve ever had! I dont know what kind of magic they add 😉
Sharon says
Something I use a lot in the Fall is Costco’s big box of Krusteaz Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread Mix. It is wonderful!! The box contains 4 packs of mix – enough for four loaves of pumpkin spice bread, or you can the mix to make cookies, pancakes or waffles. Each pack makes one loaf of bread. It really is as good as homemade! Buy it when you see it because it will be gone the next time you are at Costco!
Maria says
They have the best pesto!
Gina says
Toilet paper and paper towels. Kirkland’s brand is high quality and a great price. Foil, plastic wrap and parchment paper. Dishwasher and laundry detergent. Icy. Carnation. Tortillas. Spices I use a lot of. Tooth paste. Dove soap. OTC Allergy pills. We use their pharmacy too. Some of our prescriptions are actually cheaper than the insurance price. Batteries. Snacks for the kids lunch boxes. Pretty much everything we use daily.
April says
In the winter they have 2 pack frozen French bread!! So good!
Cris says
I love their dry roasted macadamia nuts. Also, seasonally I have found chocolate caramel macadamia nut clusters leading up to Christmas. I’ve heard that some locations carry them all the time. Yum! My sister loves their tray of four kinds of pre-sliced (cracker-size) cheese. She says the size of the slices is perfect and the mix of cheeses suits her family well.
Kori L. Chambers says
My favorites are their egg whites (SOOOO much cheaper than at the grocery store and the expiration date is so late – how do they do that??), Honey Crisp apples in the Fall, big bags of broccoli and asparagus to eat all week long for dinner, croissants from the bakery, pre-made chicken wraps for lunch (my husband and kids devour them) and Kirkland Proseco (haha!). Happy shopping!
Danielle says
Such great ideas! Do you still put an ice pack in their lunch boxes for cold items? Wondering if that affects the heat of the thermos as all….
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t. I’m worried about that too.