12 Costco Grocery Products To Buy And 7 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.

When it comes to picking fresh produce, Costco might not be the best option out there. Costco's produce section is limited and can vary greatly by season and location, meaning it might not have the items you need when you visit. Bulk produce comes with other problems, too. For example, berries are soft and delicate fruits that bruise easily, and they don't always hold up well when packaged together in large amounts. And while exotic fruits might be tempting impulse buys (who doesn't want to try pluots or dragon fruit?), they have to travel long distances and might not be fresh by the time they get to you.

Costco's produce section has also been under fire on social media. Customers have complained about poor quality items, moldy produce, and high prices. "Costco produce is really slumping," said one Reddit user. "Lots of moldy, soft stuff, and the prices aren't all that great either." Other Reddit users concurred, using words like "terrible" and "rotten" to describe recent produce purchases. Some people claim to purchase fresher, cheaper produce at Costco's main competitor, Sam's Club.

Costco's bakery is full of tasty treats, but these treats can be packed with sugar, artificial flavors, and calories. For example, the Kirkland Signature gourmet chocolate chunk cookies have 210 calories and 16 grams of sugar in each cookie. Other sweet treats, like the chocolate muffins, are a feast for the eyes — but they're also not a fan favorite. The little muffins get poor reviews, with one person on Reddit saying, "They're tiny, expensive, overly thick, dry, and have an off-putting taste to them."

The not-so-sweet baked goods have some issues, too. Costco's bagels and croissants are both popular purchases, but reviewers say they mold quickly. This appears to be because they are baked fresh and Costco's bakery doesn't add preservatives to them, which is a good thing. But if you're going to purchase fresh bagels or croissants from Costco, you need to be prepared to eat them or prep them for later as soon as you get home. Plan to freeze any fresh bakery items you don't consume within a couple of days. If you find yourself burdened by stale croissants, try tossing them in your waffle maker for an incredible upgrade to an otherwise sad, stale pastry.

If your family gobbles down cereal like it's going out of style, you might be drawn to Costco's ginormous cereal boxes and think it would be the best place to stock up. However, while Costco's cereal is reasonably priced, you can often find even better deals at your local grocery store. This is because grocery stores regularly have sales on cereal. If your favorite brand isn't on sale at your neighborhood supermarket, try again next week and it likely will be. You'll come out ahead when you stock up on your favorite brands at lower prices than you would get at Costco.

Grocery stores also have more cereal options — which means you can always choose your favorite and aren't limited to Costco's options. In addition, many store brands offer less-expensive versions of your name-brand favorites. Local Grocer's Magic Marshmallow Delight, for example, might not be the same as Lucky Charms, but it's close enough — and might be half the price.

Costco's pasta selection is limited, and while it might be competitively priced, you can likely find what you're looking for at a cheaper price at a neighborhood supermarket, as pasta goes on sale regularly. One Reddit user complained that Costco just doesn't offer enough choices, saying they would love to buy pasta in bulk since it has a long shelf life, but if only there were more options.

While Costco likely has many good reasons for keeping its pasta choices scaled back, one of them might surprise you. People can have very strong preferences for brands when it comes to certain types of foods , but pasta isn't one of them. Costco doesn't need to offer lots of choices because most people will just buy the brand and variety that is available. 

Costco's meat department has been known as a carnivore's haven, but customers have been turned off the Kirkland Signature chicken breasts due to poor quality and a "woody" texture. What is a woody chicken breast? Woody chicken breast is tough, pale, and may even have slightly less protein than its non-woody counterpart. Humans have been eating chicken for thousands of years, but the woody breast phenomenon has only become commonplace in the last decade. While scientists are not certain exactly what causes it, it's likely due to the way modern chickens are raised and how large they get. The woody texture is confined to breasts, though — you won't find it in thighs or other parts of the chicken.

"I am done with Costco raw chicken breast," said one Reddit Costco customer. "At least 50% of the chicken breast, even organic, turns out woody. Costco, if you are listening, fix how you are raising these chickens!" To avoid woody chicken breasts, you will likely have to spend more (and maybe shop somewhere other than Costco). High-quality, organic chicken is your best bet. After all, there's a reason Ina Garten always reaches for the smallest bird for her favorite chicken recipes.

Soda is making a comeback, and if you're among today's growing society of soda connoisseurs, you might be tempted to grab a 24-pack of your favorite brew at Costco. Resist the temptation, though — you can find a better deal at your grocery store. Like cereal and pasta, soda is a common grocery store sale item, with different brands going on sale every week.

Soda has been trending, and if Dirty Soda is your cup of tea and you feel compelled to buy it in bulk to match your soda habit — bypass Costco's soda aisles for a more cost-effective option. One Reddit user claims Costco soda never goes on sale. Restaurant supply stores sell in larger quantities than your grocery store and might be priced lower, and they don't always require a membership.

We can't deny that Costco has some delicious desserts that get rave reviews from fans. Some of these decadent treats tip the scales in the added sugar and saturated fat department, though, and Costco's cheesecake is an example of this. One serving has 27 grams of sugar and 18 grams of saturated fat. Each cake serves 16 people, which is 432 grams of sugar and 288 grams of saturated fat per cake. 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.

Some longtime cheesecake fans have also claimed that the quality of their beloved dessert has decreased. One Reddit customer, who explained they liked to buy the cheesecake for their birthday every year, noticed some changes after their last purchase. "This year it doesn't taste the same and definitely doesn't look the same," they said, citing a lack of crust, a thin top layer, and changes in consistency throughout the cake as reasons for being disappointed.