12 Costco Grocery Products To Buy And 8 To Avoid

Costco is at the epicenter of low prices and bulk purchasing, with a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more. And by loyal, we mean really loyal – 67% of Costco shoppers claim they have an emotional tie to the brand, which launched in 1983 and has been growing ever since. There are even Costco influencers on social media, and real fans know all the Costco secrets — like what those asterisks on Costco's price tag really mean.

There are some screaming good deals to be had at your local warehouse, not to mention the ever-changing inventory. I've been a card-carrying member of Costco Wholesale since 2000, and I consider myself part of the 67% who are emotionally tied to the store. Today, we're sharing 12 things you should buy at Costco (rotisserie chickens and peanut butter, yes, please) and eight things you can skip (that cheesecake is tempting, but we've got some compelling reasons to pass). I've chosen these items based on personal experience, customer reviews, value, quality of ingredients, and nutritional data.

Costco's rotisserie chicken packaging got a facelift in mid-2024, but the flavor and price remain unchanged, thankfully. Costco's rotisserie chicken is a long-standing fan favorite and a "can't miss" item for any Costco shopper. At just $4.99 a chicken, this perfectly seasoned protein is a steal — and the price has been the same since 2009. In a time of near-constant inflation, the steady price of Costco's fully-cooked chicken is a comfort to Costco customers, and Costco has no plans to increase the price.

Costco sold 137 million rotisserie chickens in 2023 (that's a whole lot of chicken, y'all), with no signs of that number slowing down. You can find the rotisserie chickens in the back of the store near the deli section (follow your nose — the comforting smell of roasted chicken will show you the way). You might want to grab an extra one while you're there. There are so many ways to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken you'll have dinner (and lunch) for days.

Costco's Kirkland Signature organic pure maple syrup is a steal. This organic product is 33 ounces and costs less than $15. It has thousands of 5-star reviews, with an overall customer rating of 4.9. One Costco reviewer called it an "outstanding value," saying, "Why would anyone purchase any other maple syrup available today? You can not find a better value, with perfect taste (makes any pancake, waffle, or French toast more enjoyable)."

Costco's maple syrup comes in a pure form and doesn't include any preservatives or added ingredients (the only ingredient is pure organic maple syrup). Using pure ingredients can extend the shelf-life of the product. So don't worry if you don't regularly have expert-approved syrupy pancakes on the menu — you'll have plenty of time to get through this bottle of maple syrup.

Another product that customers highly rate, Costco's Kirkland Signature organic chicken stock, is inexpensive and, according to reviews, full of flavor, making this product one to grab on your next Costco run. A Costco reviewer claimed, "It's chicken-y and at the same time light enough to let other flavors come through. I'd tried several stocks and broths before finding Kirkland's. As far as I'm concerned, there's no contest."

This organic stock is seasoned with ingredients like sea salt, turmeric, and bay leaves. If you don't think you'll use it all up and you're worried about how long it will stay good after opening, there are lots of ways you can put chicken stock to good use. Use it to cook rice or quinoa, make a sauce with it, or even use it to make pasta. You can also freeze it for later.

Kirkland's Organic creamy peanut butter comes in a pair of giant jars, but peanut butter lovers will have no trouble getting through the large tubs. With just two ingredients (dry roasted peanuts and sea salt), Costco's home brand beats out familiar brands that rely on added ingredients, like sugar or oils (Jif's organic peanut butter, for example, includes palm oil and molasses).

Costco's peanut butter is organic and kosher. With 8 grams of protein per serving and no added sugars, this Kirkland Signature peanut butter brings nutritional value to your next peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It could also add a little creamy protein boost to your next smoothie or even be used in a homemade sauce.

Home chefs will rejoice when they pick up a carton of Kirkland Signature organic tomato Paste. Packed in the USA, this kosher and organic tomato paste is a home run. One Costco reviewer said it was the "thickest tomato paste I've ever used — really thickens up a sauce! Strong tomato flavor. Best tomato paste I've ever used."

Made with Roma tomatoes sourced in California, this tomato paste has two ingredients: tomatoes and citric acid. Citric acid is a citrus-based preservative that is naturally occurring in tomatoes. Tomato paste can be used in a myriad of ways, from creating soups and chilis to braising meats and making sauces — plus, it's a great substitute for marinara.

If you go to Costco and don't get a hot dog from the food court, did you even go to Costco? Costco's food court is known for its cult following and standout selection of items. One offering in particular stands above the rest: the Costco hot dog. The food court hot dog is just $1.50 and comes with a drink, making it a low-priced combo suitable for lunch, dinner, or even a snack. 

The price hasn't changed since its inception in 1984. For some perspective, if Costco raised prices to reflect inflation, that hot dog and drink combo would be around $4.40 today. The $1.50 hot dog is safe – Costco claims it won't be increasing the price on this decades-long deal anytime soon.

Costco requires a membership to shop at its stores — unless it's alcohol you're after. In many states, you don't need to be a Costco member to purchase alcohol from the warehouse. You will, however, need to be a resident of that state.

Costco's alcohol prices are significantly lower than those of many other alcohol retailers, and customers rave about the Kirkland Signature alcohol products (in fact, the Kirkland Signature prosecco and Kirkland Signature French vodka are top-selling products in several states). Costco even offers a sought-after beer advent calendar every year, showcasing top beer brands. In 2024, Costco added a whiskey advent calendar to the mix.

Bakers, pay attention – Costco sells an amazing vanilla extract with no added sugar (even luxury brands like Nielsen-Massey Madagascar bourbon pure vanilla extract will sometimes add sugar to their vanilla extracts). Made in the USA from imported vanilla beans, Costco's pure vanilla extract can be used for baking, adding complexity to a homemade sauce, or even as a stir-in sweetener for your favorite beverage (alcoholic or otherwise).

Costco reviewers rave about this common baking ingredient, with one calling it "the best vanilla I've used so far" and another claiming it has "deep, true flavor with no off-notes." The vanilla extract comes in packs of two bottles at around $0.88 per ounce, making it a purchase that will last through several baking seasons without scrimping on quality or flavor.

Unfortunately, nothing at the Costco food court can last forever (except maybe the hot dogs?), and we're still sad about the discontinued combo pizza. But pizza remains a popular option on the food court menu. It's an incredible deal, and it's popular for a reason. Each slice is loaded with tangy sauce and golden melted cheese.

The slices are generous, and a huge piece of cheese or pepperoni pizza will only set you back $1.99 (or you can grab a whole 18-inch pie for less than $10). A whole Costco pizza has 12 slices, making the value unbeatable. Pro tip: If you want to order an entire pizza, save time by ordering as soon as you arrive at Costco. It will be ready to go when your shopping is complete.

Costco's frozen fruit is a must-buy. It's perfect for smoothies, oatmeal, and desserts, and it's usually organic. The Kirkland Signature three berry blend gives you 4 pounds of frozen blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for less than $13. There are no added sugars or preservatives, and the bags are releasable, making it easy to maintain the freshness of the berries. Because it's frozen, it's okay if you don't use it all right away (the only downside is that you'll need a freezer to accommodate the large bag).

Whole fruits are a healthy option for most diets, being high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. Buying fruit that is already frozen is a good way to ensure it won't go bad and end up in the trash (or the compost bin), and you might consider these 10 fruits that are best bought frozen. Most frozen fruit has a shelf life of eight to 12 months, but if you're making smoothies regularly, you'll go through a bag much sooner.

If you've never had one, grab a Costco sheet cake for your next party, and you'll understand what the fuss is all about because Costco's sheet cakes will never fail you. Costco delivers a delicious dessert offering that you can pick up in a pinch (and they're probably cheaper than making one from scratch).

Costco's cakes come in two flavors (white vanilla or chocolate, with icing to match) and can feed 48 people. Yes, you read that correctly. One Costco cake can feed almost 50 people. You can decorate and customize it for your event or take it home to decorate yourself. It's pretty enough to serve as-is, though, and if you're looking to Costco for a convenient cake option, you can leave well enough alone and rest assured that everybody will love it.

What's better than bacon? Nothing. Unless, of course, that bacon is fully cooked, conveniently packaged, and ready to be heated up at a moment's notice. You can simplify your day (and keep the protein going strong) with this super convenient and tasty Kirkland Signature fully-cooked bacon that allows you to have bacon ready in seconds. 

Made in the USA, each package of hickory wood-smoked bacon contains around 50 slices. It costs around $15.79, or $.33 per slice. Use it for breakfast, a quick BLT, or to crumble over your next salad. You can find it in the refrigerated meat and seafood section at Costco.

Are you someone who loves to juice? Or maybe you have a large family? If those things resonate with you, the produce section at Costco might be a good place to shop. But for many, the large produce portions are too much to get through before they go bad. Costco's fresh strawberries come in 2-pound containers, and fresh spinach is sold by the pound (for some reference, Walmart's biggest bag of spinach is just 10 ounces).

While it might be tempting to stock up on pounds of spinach or a pallet of plums, consider whether you'll use it all before adding it to your cart.  If you buy produce in bulk, be sure to store it properly to maximize its freshness. If you're uncertain whether you'll use it all, aim to only buy freezer-friendly produce so you can freeze it for later.

We know. We know. The baked goods section is a tempting place, and everything smells so darn good (it's likely that the smell of freshly baked bread or apple pies led you there in the first place). But the truth is, loading up on sugary carbs isn't the best thing for your health. While baked goods (muffins, cupcakes, and bread, oh my) are fine when consumed in moderation, refined carbohydrates can be high in sugar and lack important nutrients, like fiber, and lead to obesity and inflammation. 

For context, the Kirkland Signature gourmet chocolate chunk cookies have 210 calories and 16 grams of sugar in each cookie. Not too bad! But they come in a package of 24. Two dozen cookies are a lot of cookies for an individual or small family to power through. It's best to shop at the Costco bakery if you have a large family or are feeding a big group, but individuals might do better serving their sweet tooth at a grocery store that sells individual items.

The spice aisle is an irresistible location for home chefs (so many delightful recipes and creations just waiting for the right spice to come along and make it perfect). But before you succumb to a giant jar of granulated garlic for just pennies per ounce, ask yourself, "When was the last time I cleaned out my spice drawer?" If it's been a while, spend some time purging the spice drawer before adding anything to it.

You've hopefully noticed that your spices have an expiration date on them. It turns out that spices don't expire the way some foods do, but they do lose their potency over time. If you're not sure about your spices, a sniff test will do the trick. If it still has a strong smell, it's good to go. If you can't really smell it anymore, it's time to replace it. 

Mayo is another siren song you'll need to avoid if you want to make smart choices in the Costco aisles. It can be hard to pass up 4 pounds of mayonnaise-y goodness for a bargain price, but stay strong. Most people are better off purchasing mayo from a regular grocery store. It's a popular ingredient in chicken marinades, sauces, and sandwiches, but mayonnaise is an ingredient that works best in moderation. 

While it has some health benefits and is a staple in most diets, excessive mayonnaise consumption can be unhealthy. Mayonnaise is high in calories and fat, so anyone counting calories or specifically watching fat intake will want to take note.

Kirkland Signature Italian sausage and beef lasagna can feed the whole family, and at first glance, it looks like a nutritionally sound decision with just 440 calories and 25 grams of protein per serving. But each of those servings also includes 11 grams of saturated fat and 720 milligrams of sodium. 

According to the FDA, adults should have no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day — and that number is even less for children. Our bodies need sodium, but if we eat too much, the consequences can be unpleasant (bloating, high blood pressure, and poor sleep are just a few symptoms of consuming too much salt).

While it can be tempting to grab this lasagna and stick it in the microwave for an easy dinner, bypass it in favor of something with less sodium and saturated fat. Your body will thank you for it.

If you have strong cereal preferences, you're better off skipping the cereal aisle at Costco and picking up a box at your local grocer. Once you make a cereal purchase from Costco, you'll be eating that cereal for a long time. One box of Frosted Flakes from Costco has 61.9 ounces of cereal (according to the nutrition label, that's 47 servings). For some scale, Kroger carries a "giant size" Frosted Flakes product that is 28.5 ounces. If you're buying cereal at Costco, make sure it's one you love.

Costco's cereal aisle is not like the cereal aisle at your local grocery store, which is probably teeming with choices that run the gamut from sugary boxes marketed to kids to more grown-up, whole-grain versions. If you're after a wider variety of cereals, you're better off shopping for cereal at a store that offers more choice.

Cheesecake is a real treat, and the Kirkland Signature cheesecake is just that — a delightful treat best reserved for noteworthy occasions. While impulse buying a cheesecake can be tempting, leave this one on the shelves. One serving has 27 grams of sugar and 18 grams of saturated fat. 

One cake serves 16, so that's a whopping 432 grams of sugar and an eye-watering 288 grams of saturated fat per cake (chew on that if you plan to enjoy a slice regularly). The American Heart Association recommends no more than 13 grams of saturated fat per day, and this cheesecake brings quite a bit more than that to the table — in one serving. 

Costco sells various snacks in assorted flavors, like granola bars, chips, and drinks. These purchases can be appealing because we like variety in our lives. But unless you love every flavor, skip these products. At about $.19/granola bar, the price is great — unless half of them sit uneaten. That money could go towards a flavor you will enjoy.

Instead, purchase these items at your neighborhood grocery store in your favorite flavor so none goes to waste. Or, look online. Many retailers will offer your favorite products, with several buying options, through their storefronts or Amazon. You might just find your favorite granola bar flavor, like the Junkless chocolate chip bar in bulk, after all.