It can feel like Costco just has everything. However, it’s important to be smart about what you’re buying there. Today, we’re going to look at thirty products and tell you if it’s best to get them at Costco or to avoid them altogether. Let’s get into the list!
Frozen Wontons: Buy
Keep these in your freezer to save a ton of preparation time and to create fast, easy meals. Costco sells giant bags of tender, thin-skinned, pre-cooked mini wontons. One of the best comes from Bibigo. Drop them in a bowl of chicken broth with sesame oil, ginger, fresh greens, and soy sauce. Microwave them for salads or a protein-rich snack.
Fresh Produce: Don’t Buy
Even in small portions from the grocery store, and with proper storage, the expiration date of fruit and vegetables is limited. Therefore, buying in bulk at Costco isn’t a great idea. It only makes sense for large events or if you run a catering service. Otherwise, you won’t realize your savings due to waste.
A to Z Chardonnay: Buy
School is back in session and all the teachers need wine! And what wine could be more perfect for teachers than the A to Z Chardonnay. This Chardonnay hails from Oregon and has notes of lemongrass and citrus. This wine should be enjoyed with chicken that is smothered in a butter sauce or seared scallops.
Personal Care Items: Don’t Buy
Like food and medications, many personal care items have expiration dates. Many of those may be a year or less. While they may not spoil like food does, they will lose their potency and effectiveness over time. They will also lose their scent and flavor. You won’t realize your savings buying in bulk as you will only create more waste.
Kirkland Signature Prosecco Rosé: Buy
Let’s face it. Not everyone likes a dry wine. Some of us don’t care about the tannins or herbal notes. We just want a drink that is sweet, fruity and delicious. And that’s where this rosé Prosecco comes in. With notes of watermelon and strawberry, this wine tastes just like candy. In fact, you should pair this wine with candy. Halloween is coming up, pour yourself a glass while hanging out candy to trick or treaters.
Detergent: Don’t Buy
You might be surprised to learn that detergents have a shelf life. While they don’t spoil like food, over time they lose effectiveness. Old detergent won’t clean as well as a fresh bottle. Unless you have a large family and do laundry daily, those giant detergent jugs may break down before you use them.
Salad Green Mixes: Buy
Costco’s the place to find huge bags of all types of pre-washed and organic mixed salad greens. Many people with busy lifestyles are fond of these time-saving, ready-to-go mixes, but they’re very costly at grocery stores. Luckily, these mixes are much more affordable at Costco than elsewhere. Even cheaper than you could make by purchasing the greens separately.
Coffee: Don’t Buy
Freshness matters when it comes to coffee. It only takes a matter of days for ground coffee to go stale. Even if you buy and grind your own beans, the shelf life is months at best. In actuality, coffee prices between grocery stores and Costco aren’t that far off. You’re not saving as much as you think buying in bulk.
Clos Henri Vineyard Estate Sauvignon Blanc: Buy
This Sauvignon Blanc will make you feel as sophisticated as Benoit Blanc. This New Zealand wine has hints of fruity aromas and a subtle herbal taste. It is perfect for seafood lovers, particularly those who enjoy shellfish. It also pairs well with a charcuterie board, especially if that charcuterie board is loaded with goat cheese.
OTC Medications: Don’t Buy
Over-the-counter (OTC) are expensive, even when they are discounted at Costco. While you might get a deal buying large containers or in bulk, medications typically have about a one-year expiration date. That means you may not use it all. You’re better off buying OTC meds as you need them from your pharmacy or grocery store.
Read More: 10 Things Not to Buy at Walmart
Spices: Don’t Buy
Except for salt, all seasonings and spices have a limited shelf life. They don’t mold or spoil per se, but they will lose their potency. Some whole spices, like peppercorns, can last longer. However, ground herbs fade in about a year. Many people may not deplete small bottles of certain spices within a year, let alone Costco’s giant containers.
Read More: 20 Grocery Store Rip-Offs You Should Never Buy
Sodas: Don’t Buy
You might be surprised to learn that you can get the best deals on soda at your local grocery stores rather than at Costco. And really, what diehard soda-lover wants to buy and drink generic brand sodas? The only reason to buy soda at Costco is if they have a particular brand you can’t find at your local market.
Gerard Bertrand Kosmos Languedoc Red Blend: Buy
This wine is out of this world. Or at least it should be with a name like “Kosmos.” This French red wine has notes of plum and exuberant tannins. It should not be paired with just any meal. It should be paired with something hearty like stuffed mushrooms or meatloaf.
2017 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: Buy
If you love wines that have a delicious oak finish, then this is the one for you. This Italian wine boasts a hearty blend of oak, tobacco, cherry, and raspberry. It pairs well with a delicious pizza or homemade pasta.
Read More: 10 Ways to Cook with Leftover Wine
Olive Oil: Buy
Costco offers a wide range of premium-quality products, which include international items and organic foods. You can find brands you won’t find in retail stores. Olive oil is where you’ll find an excellent bargain. For the price of a single bottle elsewhere, you can get double the amount of Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco.
Nuts: Buy
Grocery stores have some of the most expensive prices for nuts, and you sometimes can find them at pharmacy chains like Walgreens or RiteAid. But Costco has them all beat. You’ll find bargains with large, generously sized containers of all varieties of mixed, whole, salted, or unsalted nuts. Buy in bulk and keep them fresh by freezing them.
Read More: What You Need to Know About the Costco Price Increase
Condiments: Don’t Buy
Condiments are an appealing purchase because they can last for years if they remain unopened. But as soon as the protective foil is off, they have about a six-month lifespan. Therefore, unless you run a concession stand, a gallon jug of a condiment will go bad long before you use it all.
2022 Domaine Thierry Mothe Chablis: Buy
This is another wine that will help you beat the heat. This Chablis has citrus and green apple flavors. Its mineral notes make it a sophisticated wine for a sophisticated palate. You should pair it with a summer salad, or some fresh seafood.
Fresh Fruit: Buy
Bargains on high-quality fresh fruit are why many chefs procure what they need at Costco. You can find big bags of everyday fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. But Costco offers some of the best seasonal fruit around as well. You’ll find raspberries, blueberries, pineapples, cantaloupe, and honeydew melons, and more.
Valminor Albariño Rias Baixas: Buy
Fall is right around the corner. But the dog days of summer are still here. When trying to beat the heat, you need something refreshing like this Albariño. This wine has a crisp, citrus taste that pairs well with sushi and fish tacos.
Flour and Baking Powder: Don’t Buy
In many cases, a standard bag of flour from the supermarket expires before the average person uses it all. Same story for baking powder, which is only good for a few months. Both these items are cheap enough at grocery stores that there is no need to buy in bulk and have most of it go to waste.
Oberon Cabernet Napa Valley
This wine is for all the Shakespeare lovers! All you thespians out there may recognize the name Oberon from the comedy A Midsummer’s Night Dream. This cabernet has subtle coffee, cocoa, and blackberry flavors. While reciting sonnets, you can enjoy this cab with some short ribs.
Sparkling Drinks and Seltzer: Buy
Demand is rising for varieties of sparkling water and seltzers as alternatives to sugary drinks, which is why culinary pros are doing their shopping at Costco. You’ll find a wide selection of brands and flavors with impressive bargains on prices. These reasonable prices have made Costco one of the best resources around for drinks and other ingredients.
Bar Towels and Reusable Hand Towels: Buy
Using paper towels for spills gets costly. Reusable towels are better than sponges for wiping up spills. If you’re looking for inexpensive towels that aren’t for display, so you don’t mind them getting stained, Costco is the place to find the best deals. They sell big packs of standard, 100% cotton towels. They’re inexpensive enough to afford a few bundles.
Cooking Oil: Don’t Buy
Many people don’t realize cooking oils expire within a few months. While the savings may be attractive, having to buy six quarts of cooking oil is way too much to consume before it spoils. The average family won’t use that much. And once you open the oil – its time is limited. Oil is fat, and fat goes rancid.
2020 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Claret: Buy
At least one good thing came from the hellish year 2020. This California wine offers luxurious flavors of cherry, vanilla, plum, cocoa, and blackberry. You can enjoy this with a decadent authentic Italian dinner while watching The Godfather.
Pesto: Buy
Pesto is a flavor that adds another dimension to anything you might be making. Costco’s a great place to find a bargain on big jars of pesto. One of the best is Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto. It’s great for pasta dishes, in soups to intensify broths, or mixed with some mayonnaise for a condiment with Italian sliders or subs.
Organic Eggs: Buy
While Organic eggs typically cost more than regular eggs, culinary pros head to Cosco where they can purchase them for the same price as nonorganic eggs elsewhere. Chefs often select organic eggs because they deliver superior taste and assure better farming practices. Chefs say organic eggs at Costco have a reasonable cost, consistent quality, and ethical sourcing.
2017 Tabula Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo: Buy
This Spanish wine shares many of the same flavors as other wines on this list. It has fruity notes of cherry and blackberry. But unlike the other wines on this list, it has a spicy blend of licorice and cinnamon flavors. Its earthy and smoky taste makes it the best pairing for a delicious and hearty lasagna.
Storage Containers: Buy
Before you seek out storage containers at a dollar store, check out Costco. If you’re looking for a wide selection of kitchen and other storage solutions, Costco’s the place to find the bargains. You’ll also find innovative designs, such as collapsible storage containers, which, when not in use, take up a quarter of the space that a regular crate would.
Read More: 20 Grocery Store Rip-Offs You Should Never Buy
