costco

[azucena]

Being gifted a costco membership for Christmas.  We had Sam's a couple years ago but dropped it during covid.  Looking for ideas to streamline meals.  What prepared meals does Costco have that you guys like?  Healthier frozen foods?  Other things I could buy there to simplify my life?

[Pink Cashmere]

They have some au gratin potatoes in the refrigerated section that I love! They are supposedly made with all natural ingredients and all you have to do is stick them in the oven to cook. The first time I bought them I thought I’d have to “Doctor them up” some, but no, they taste great as is.

I always buy 2 and stick one in the freezer for another time.

That’s pretty much the only thing I regularly buy there. I hope you get other ideas here so I can get more use out of my membership lol.

[Happy prose]

The frozen ravioli or stuffed shells are great. You have to add your own sauce.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

There are a few pasta meals in the prepared food case we get.  The chicken and pasta and layered ravioli lasagna are good.  We will pick up the sandwiches or cold shrimp when we need to take pot luck for the family reunion on the other side of the border.  The rotisserie chickens…..probably a couple times a month.  

For the meat section, they have sirloin hamburger patties already frozen.  We always have a package in the freezer, chip off a couple to throw on the grill.  I also get bacon here, along with lamb (it’s one of the few places in town that regularly carries lamb).  When TD decides he wants to smoke something, we usually get ribs or a brisket.  Meats are excellent, pretty much across the board, not always cheaper, but better quality.

Their cheeses are good, and much less than grocery.  Right now, we have chunks of cheddar, jarlsburg, Gruyère, Parmesan and feta in the fridge from there.  

Dog food and kitty litter both get bought from Costco.  

In dairy, we get all butter and half and half for coffee here.  Milk is sold in 2 1 gallon jugs and simply don’t have the room, or we’d get milk here too.  

Toilet paper, paper towels, baggies, parchment paper, foil/plastic wrap (huge sizes that have lasted years) are purchased.  Batteries are cheaper.  Melatonin and OTC meds we get here, along with toothpaste.  I used to get my contacts and supplies here, and have used the optical shop for glasses and sunglasses.  

I haven’t had much luck with clothes.  I do like the merino socks they sell during the winter though, and occasionally snag a package of pjs.  

There is a local restaurant we regularly hit.  You can get 2 x $50 gift cards for $80 so usually keep a few in my wallet.  You can get cheaper movie tickets, and coffee gift cards.  They do cycle in and out though.

Canned food, I get chicken stock and Marzano tomatoes there, along with canned beans.  I buy spices that I go through quickly.  Chicken and beef bullion.  

[finnime]

What The Walk of the Penguin Mich said.

Also, fresh soups in the refrigerator case are excellent.
Eggs are a great price and less expensive than the grocery store.
Vanilla extract is a good buy.
I get underwear there for DH and myself.
They do have terrific meats and a very good to excellent bakery. Fortunately, these things freeze well.
Beverages including cases of water, Bai and iced tea.
Paper products.
Canned tuna.
Fresh seafoods.
Cleaning supplies.

I just finished mostly furnishing this home with a ton of items from Costco, including beds/mattresss, microwave oven, gas range, garbage disposal, kitchen sink and faucet, rugs, window a/c, floor lamps.

[ArchietheDragon]

our goto prepared meal is the chicken street taco kit.   

[giramomma]

We use the bulk aspect to simply our life in terms of frequency of buying things. We are now back to 1 target trip a month; A costco trip once a month; grocery store once a week.

Having bulk on hand also helps when the kids have to donate for school. The peanut has to bring in things to donate to St Vinnies or a community center. TP is on the list. A trip to the basement, and that is done.

We get ground turkey and chicken breasts in bulk.

You can get some good deals, too, in terms of toys.

I'm going to break down and get DD1 a giant squishmellow there (if they still have them). It's half the retail price elsewhere.  Saved 20-25% off of big lego sets. They never went on sale at Target, Amazon, or lego.com

We used to eat their mac and cheese. We got a stomach bug Feb of 20. All of us were sick and throwing up....and we threw up the mac and cheese. We won't touch it with a 10 foot pole now.

Baked goods, like rolls..

When we go on vacation or small trips, we will grab a bag of their rolls and a $11 cheese tray and stick it in a cooler. That's a lunch or dinner for us that is cheap, and quick (supplemented with plant material, like apples, bananas, or peppers).  Spending $20 on a convenient meal is really cheap.

I also like their irish cream, kirkland brand. And coffee.

I also second the vanilla extract, and baking things in general.  We used to get pancake mix. (Now we just make our own).

ETA: Ours will also sell AG dolls/toys at a decent price.

[Empire the P.A.]

Costco list:
croissants, so much better than BJs
muffins, but you have to remember to pick up 2 packs, thats how its sold
cold cooked shrimp from the deli section
their kirkland brand toilet paper
Poland Spring water, for some reason they have the larger size bottles that BJs doesn’t have
Wild Planet albacore tuna, just tuna and sea salt (no water or oil added)
butter, Kerrygold
rotisserie chicken
snack chips from different asian countries, I usually get shrimp chips
a friend got this for me and I saw that they have it now at Costco:

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Our Costco list of stuff On the healthier side

Vacuumed sealed shredded/chunked rotisserie chicken
Cauliflower crust pizzas
All.the.cheese
Frozen yogurt mint bars
Frozen yogurt fudge bars
Carnation milk chocolate mix
Vegetable chips
Frozen fruit
Organic Peanut butter
Organic tomato sauce
Ground Turkey
Frozen chicken breasts
Frozen Tilapia
Frozen Cod
Frozen Shrimp
Greek yogurt
Bags of super food salad
Tubs of cherry and grape tomatoes
Madras lentils (yellow box)
Multigrain English muffins
Olive oil
Riced cauliflower
Cauliflower noodles
Dave’s killer bread (though that may only be in the PNW)
Almond milk
V8

[Artemis Windsong]

My neighbor gets the Shepherd's Pies.  It serves the two of them at least two meals if not more.

[azucena]

Dec 7, 2022 14:09:54 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

There are a few pasta meals in the prepared food case we get.  The chicken and pasta and layered ravioli lasagna are good.  We will pick up the sandwiches or cold shrimp when we need to take pot luck for the family reunion on the other side of the border.  The rotisserie chickens…..probably a couple times a month.  

For the meat section, they have sirloin hamburger patties already frozen.  We always have a package in the freezer, chip off a couple to throw on the grill.  I also get bacon here, along with lamb (it’s one of the few places in town that regularly carries lamb).  When TD decides he wants to smoke something, we usually get ribs or a brisket.  Meats are excellent, pretty much across the board, not always cheaper, but better quality.

Their cheeses are good, and much less than grocery.  Right now, we have chunks of cheddar, jarlsburg, Gruyère, Parmesan and feta in the fridge from there.  

Dog food and kitty litter both get bought from Costco.  

In dairy, we get all butter and half and half for coffee here.  Milk is sold in 2 1 gallon jugs and simply don’t have the room, or we’d get milk here too.  

Toilet paper, paper towels, baggies, parchment paper, foil/plastic wrap (huge sizes that have lasted years) are purchased.  Batteries are cheaper.  Melatonin and OTC meds we get here, along with toothpaste.  I used to get my contacts and supplies here, and have used the optical shop for glasses and sunglasses.  

I haven’t had much luck with clothes.  I do like the merino socks they sell during the winter though, and occasionally snag a package of pjs.  

There is a local restaurant we regularly hit.  You can get 2 x $50 gift cards for $80 so usually keep a few in my wallet.  You can get cheaper movie tickets, and coffee gift cards.  They do cycle in and out though.

Canned food, I get chicken stock and Marzano tomatoes there, along with canned beans.  I buy spices that I go through quickly.  Chicken and beef bullion.  

Which cat litter do you like from costco?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 8, 2022 12:34:18 GMT -5 azucena said:

Dec 7, 2022 14:09:54 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

There are a few pasta meals in the prepared food case we get.  The chicken and pasta and layered ravioli lasagna are good.  We will pick up the sandwiches or cold shrimp when we need to take pot luck for the family reunion on the other side of the border.  The rotisserie chickens…..probably a couple times a month.  

For the meat section, they have sirloin hamburger patties already frozen.  We always have a package in the freezer, chip off a couple to throw on the grill.  I also get bacon here, along with lamb (it’s one of the few places in town that regularly carries lamb).  When TD decides he wants to smoke something, we usually get ribs or a brisket.  Meats are excellent, pretty much across the board, not always cheaper, but better quality.

Their cheeses are good, and much less than grocery.  Right now, we have chunks of cheddar, jarlsburg, Gruyère, Parmesan and feta in the fridge from there.  

Dog food and kitty litter both get bought from Costco.  

In dairy, we get all butter and half and half for coffee here.  Milk is sold in 2 1 gallon jugs and simply don’t have the room, or we’d get milk here too.  

Toilet paper, paper towels, baggies, parchment paper, foil/plastic wrap (huge sizes that have lasted years) are purchased.  Batteries are cheaper.  Melatonin and OTC meds we get here, along with toothpaste.  I used to get my contacts and supplies here, and have used the optical shop for glasses and sunglasses.  

I haven’t had much luck with clothes.  I do like the merino socks they sell during the winter though, and occasionally snag a package of pjs.  

There is a local restaurant we regularly hit.  You can get 2 x $50 gift cards for $80 so usually keep a few in my wallet.  You can get cheaper movie tickets, and coffee gift cards.  They do cycle in and out though.

Canned food, I get chicken stock and Marzano tomatoes there, along with canned beans.  I buy spices that I go through quickly.  Chicken and beef bullion.  

Which cat litter do you like from costco?

I think it’s Fresh Step?  These days, 40 lbs comes in 4 x 10 lb bags which make it easier for me to haul in from the garage.  I can haul 10 lbs downstairs, 40 lbs make my hips unhappy.

[Deleted]

Dec 8, 2022 1:05:56 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Our Costco list of stuff On the healthier side

Vacuumed sealed shredded/chunked rotisserie chicken
Cauliflower crust pizzas
All.the.cheese
Frozen yogurt mint bars
Frozen yogurt fudge bars
Carnation milk chocolate mix
Vegetable chips
Frozen fruit
Organic Peanut butter
Organic tomato sauce
Ground Turkey
Frozen chicken breasts
Frozen Tilapia
Frozen Cod
Frozen Shrimp
Greek yogurt
Bags of super food salad
Tubs of cherry and grape tomatoes
Madras lentils (yellow box)
Multigrain English muffins
Olive oil
Riced cauliflower
Cauliflower noodles
Dave’s killer bread (though that may only be in the PNW)
Almond milk
V8

The Tasty Bites lentils are the best

[azucena]

Dropped $300 there today. Good thing it was payday. I restocked our snack cabinet - I try to be the house where the girls' friends can forage. They had huge bags of chex mix for 4.99 so I got two and hid one in the basement for next month and so they didn't know two were available. I have these one cup size plastic containers from dollar tree that I portion snacks into. Mostly for grab n go but helps to see how many containers the girls are emptying daily so they don't pig out.

Goldfish, granola bites, granola bars, mandarin oranges. Gogurts - dd10s current freezer treat, string cheese, raisins.

Macaroons- dd10s fav indulgence from all the cooking shows. She gave me a great big hug for getting them as she knows they are $$. Cute package too if anyone is looking for unique perishable gift.

I saw the lentils two folks mentioned. Never tried them but snagged them. Looks like just heat and eat, one-ish serving size. Hoping I like the flavor, could be easy work lunch and need more fiber. Someone coach me if I should do something different lol.

Mac and cheese from deli and rotisserie chicken made for easy dinner including friends. Both were delicious.

Got some kind of prepped noodle stir fry with chicken, chicken tasala?, Irish stew, chicken enchiladas, and two more prepped items I'm forgetting.

Ground turkey for great price. Funny that everything there seems to be $20ish. Adds up fast.

Several deli soups as I've been craving them. Again easy work lunches. Dates were pretty far out for them.

Gloves and command strips for hanging photos priced well - jumped into my cart.

Need to consider the gift card savings someone mentioned but bill was too big this time. I have a pile of restaurant cards that I should use. Sit down places and we are in take out Era.

What brand of seltzer water is good there?

Milk and creamer but their milk container is too tall for our fridge. Need to adjust shelves. I've never liked the shelf settings in our new fridge.

Good trip, just need to be in the right mindset and time it to avoid crowds which might be impossible for rest of december.

[NastyWoman]

I have mentioned before how little gas I use , like filling up every other month, still I think it is worth mentioning that today in my Costco FB group they showed regular gas at $3.999 - that is a low for at least a year!  If I were still commuting that would make the long lines at the pump  here worth waiting for.


ETA: for reference a little over two months ago we were paying $6.45/gallon

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 10, 2022 16:59:07 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I have mentioned before how little gas I use , like filling up every other month, still I think it is worth mentioning that today in my Costco FB group they showed regular gas at $3.999 - that is a low for at least a year!  If I were still commuting that would make the long lines at the pump  here worth waiting for.


ETA: for reference a little over two months ago we were paying $6.45/gallon

Costco gas is always worth the trip.  There have been times where it’s $1/gal less than the local stations.  It’s usually $0.50+ less.

[susana1954]

I use Costco mostly for gas, tires, glasses, and a new one for me . . . clothes!

I have lost 61 pounds so far so obviously I have been needing new clothes.  I have gotten a lot along the way at the thrift store, but I've been using Costco for the things I know I will wear again, which is cold weather clothes.  I bought 3 sweatshirts and a quilted coat for less than $60.  The coat is Levi, and the sweatshirts are Orvis (2) and Eddie Bauer.  I bought a puffer coat for $12.  These were online bargains, not in the store.  They have a special section.

I have also bought my share of the homeless Food Pantry from there--Kirkland peanut butter, double packs of bread for sandwiches, vienna sausages (not necessarily healthy but protein), prepackaged chips, and Nutrigrain bars.  

I buy my checks through them.  When I have to bring food to a party, I take a sheet cake (used to be $19.99 but the last one was $24.99).  It feeds almost 50 people and can be decorated lots of different ways.  Their trash bags are great as are their paper towels.  This last time I bought their toilet tissue.  I hope I like it because it was a way better price than Charmin.

I am one person and LOVE my Costco membership.  I know I am not answering your question of easy, prepared foods, but there is so much more to Costco than groceries.

[Deleted]

+1 on casual clothes from Costco. Unfortunate that they still source many items from China but at least you can check the labels if you're in the store.

Another non-foods category: the big-ticket items where there's a massive price range and a lot of hype- car tires, mattresses, HVAC units, etc. I trust them to narrow it down to a few reliable brands and a few models. It helps that with their lifetime guarantee they have a stake in choosing quality merchandise. I also like that I see the same employees in my local store, year after year. That's a good sign that they treat their employees well, which is important to me.

[azucena]

Tikka marsala chicken got two thumbs up as did teriyaki chicken and Kevin's cilantro lime chicken chimichurri.

Enchiladas were good but too spicy for my wimpy family and too spicy for me once reheated.

[jerseygirl]

Thinking about buying a Costco membership. Looked at rental cars for Hawaii in February and good prices
I’ve been to Costco with friends and most items are too large for our 2 person family. But if price reasonable I’ll consider

[Deleted]

Dec 8, 2022 1:05:56 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Dave’s killer bread (though that may only be in the PNW)

I can get it here in the Kansas City area, too.  Good stuff.

DS LOVES their kale and quinoa salad so I get some every time he visits or I'm up there.  I bought rotisserie chicken noodle soup last time they were here (presumably made with unsold rotisserie chicken but hey, no waste) and the kids devoured it.  

[laterbloomer]

I buy most things at Costco. It just takes a bit more strategizing so I spread out the paper towel, toilet paper, laundry soap etc. And I watch for the sales. I pick and choose which fresh fruits and vegetables I get. The potatoes and onions are more expensive, gala apples and bell peppers are a good deal. The same with meat. The cut of pork Chops and steaks are too thick for me and I like medium ground beef. But I like their pork roasts and chicken wings. And grocery day has become Rotisserie chicken for supper night. They are about 40% off everywhere else.

[Deleted]

Just picked up some kimchi at Costco. Yum. (I couldn't find it when visiting DS and DDIL in Des Moines but can get it in Kansas City).

Did you get the Executive Club membership or the regular one? If you think you might spend more than $3,000/year there, paying another $60 will get you Executive Club membership and a 2% rebate on everything you buy throughout the year. It's not hard to do- car tires, car rentals (occasionally cheaper- shop around), big-ticket items I mentioned before. Don't forget them for HVAC and other home improvement. Oh- and those giant $3,000 big-screen TVs that are front and center when you walk in every store.  The $0 upgrade to Executive Club just paid for itself!  I got quartz countertops and plantation shutters through Costco. I figure they won't let anyone on their supplier list unless they know they're dependable.

[jerseygirl]

Dec 29, 2022 16:45:25 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Just picked up some kimchi at Costco. Yum. (I couldn't find it when visiting DS and DDIL in Des Moines but can get it in Kansas City).

Did you get the Executive Club membership or the regular one? If you think you might spend more than $3,000/year there, paying another $60 will get you Executive Club membership and a 2% rebate on everything you buy throughout the year. It's not hard to do- car tires, car rentals (occasionally cheaper- shop around), big-ticket items I mentioned before. Don't forget them for HVAC and other home improvement. Oh- and those giant $3,000 big-screen TVs that are front and center when you walk in every store.  The $0 upgrade to Executive Club just paid for itself!  I got quartz countertops and plantation shutters through Costco. I figure they won't let anyone on their supplier list unless they know they're dependable.

How much is the regular membership?

[CCL]

Dec 29, 2022 16:45:25 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Just picked up some kimchi at Costco. Yum. (I couldn't find it when visiting DS and DDIL in Des Moines but can get it in Kansas City).

Did you get the Executive Club membership or the regular one? If you think you might spend more than $3,000/year there, paying another $60 will get you Executive Club membership and a 2% rebate on everything you buy throughout the year. It's not hard to do- car tires, car rentals (occasionally cheaper- shop around), big-ticket items I mentioned before. Don't forget them for HVAC and other home improvement. Oh- and those giant $3,000 big-screen TVs that are front and center when you walk in every store.  The $0 upgrade to Executive Club just paid for itself!  I got quartz countertops and plantation shutters through Costco. I figure they won't let anyone on their supplier list unless they know they're dependable.

I just bought one of those tvs lol. We love it!

[Deleted]

Dec 29, 2022 17:15:42 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

How much is the regular membership?

$60.

[CCL]

Dec 29, 2022 17:15:42 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Dec 29, 2022 16:45:25 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Just picked up some kimchi at Costco. Yum. (I couldn't find it when visiting DS and DDIL in Des Moines but can get it in Kansas City).

Did you get the Executive Club membership or the regular one? If you think you might spend more than $3,000/year there, paying another $60 will get you Executive Club membership and a 2% rebate on everything you buy throughout the year. It's not hard to do- car tires, car rentals (occasionally cheaper- shop around), big-ticket items I mentioned before. Don't forget them for HVAC and other home improvement. Oh- and those giant $3,000 big-screen TVs that are front and center when you walk in every store.  The $0 upgrade to Executive Club just paid for itself!  I got quartz countertops and plantation shutters through Costco. I figure they won't let anyone on their supplier list unless they know they're dependable.

How much is the regular membership?

I believe it's $60.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 29, 2022 11:29:04 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I buy most things at Costco. It just takes a bit more strategizing so I spread out the paper towel, toilet paper, laundry soap etc. And I watch for the sales. I pick and choose which fresh fruits and vegetables I get. The potatoes and onions are more expensive, gala apples and bell peppers are a good deal. The same with meat. The cut of pork Chops and steaks are too thick for me and I like medium ground beef. But I like their pork roasts and chicken wings. And grocery day has become Rotisserie chicken for supper night. They are about 40% off everywhere else.

I’ve actually sliced the pork chops to make them thin cut instead of the thick cut Costco sells.

We bought a package today, but I left them as is.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Today’s Costco purchases:
Cauliflower pizza crusts
Bananas
Cheese
Three different snacks
A $3.97 Christmas mat
Two big storage totes.
Bagged salad
Pork chops

[azucena]

Dec 29, 2022 18:56:01 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Dec 29, 2022 11:29:04 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

I buy most things at Costco. It just takes a bit more strategizing so I spread out the paper towel, toilet paper, laundry soap etc. And I watch for the sales. I pick and choose which fresh fruits and vegetables I get. The potatoes and onions are more expensive, gala apples and bell peppers are a good deal. The same with meat. The cut of pork Chops and steaks are too thick for me and I like medium ground beef. But I like their pork roasts and chicken wings. And grocery day has become Rotisserie chicken for supper night. They are about 40% off everywhere else.

I’ve actually sliced the pork chops to make them thin cut instead of the thick cut Costco sells.

We bought a package today, but I left them as is.

DH might try to smoke them in his big green egg. I'm guessing thicker works better for that.