Stepping into a Costco warehouse can be as exciting as it is overwhelming. From scoring bargains on bulk household essentials to seasonal favorites that only come around once a year, Costco offers shoppers a wealth of deals.
It probably goes without saying that no one knows Costco better than an employee, so Southern life spoke to a longtime Costco employee to find out what the best deals are in the warehouse and what their favorite products are.
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The 9 Best Things to Buy at Costco, According to an Employee
Regardless of what products you throw into your shopping cart, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what products are on sale.
“Look for items in the sale flyer to get the most bang for your buck,” the employee says Southern life“Especially for items that you would normally buy anyway.”
1. Rotisserie chicken
No trip to Costco is complete without smelling the aroma of fresh rotisserie chickens. Whether on purpose or by accident, the smell often draws shoppers straight to the hot display case of ready-to-cook chickens.
“You can’t beat it for $4.99,” says the Costco employee. “It’s always fresh and so versatile and an extremely economical meal for a family. If you want, you can even boil or roast the bones for stock.”
2. Chicken noodle soup
When it comes to ready-made meals, chicken soup is an easy choice to have on hand for a quick meal.
“It’s seasonal, so it’s usually not available in the summer,” the Costco employee says. Southern life. “But it can easily be repackaged into smaller containers and frozen for later use. I like having them on hand for when people aren’t feeling well.”
3. Half and half
In many locations, a 1.9 liter of low-fat milk costs around $2.99, making it one of the best deals in the refrigerated section of the warehouse and can be used for everything from recipes to your morning coffee.
“This is almost always a third cheaper than at a regular supermarket,” says the employee.
4. Kirkland Grass-Fed Butter
If stocking up on Kerrygold feels too expensive, consider adding Kirkland’s Grass-Fed Butter to your cart. The butter is a product of New Zealand and comes in four 8-ounce packages per case.
“It’s very similar (in taste) to other, more popular grass-fed butters,” the employee says. Southern life.
5. Fairlife Protein Drinks
Fairlife Protein Drinks are high-protein beverages made by Fairlife, a dairy company known for its ultra-filtered milk products. They’re also a steal when bought in bulk. If you do the math, each drink (18 to a case) costs about $2 per bottle.
“They have 30 grams of protein, 150 calories, and are lactose-free,” says the regular Costco employee. “It’s an easy way to add protein to your daily intake without a chalky aftertaste.”
6. Kirkland Travel Pants
Don’t leave Costco without checking out the clothing department, which often features name brands like Banana Republic and Puma, as well as the warehouse’s signature collection of Kirkland apparel products. According to our source, the Kirkland Travel Pants are among the most popular, thanks to their durability and quality.
“They are comparable to many other sports brands,” the employee says of the pants, which have five pockets and offer plenty of freedom of movement thanks to the four-way stretch material.
7. Pre-made delicacies
In addition to the aforementioned Chicken Noodle Soup, Costco’s selection of ready-to-eat and ready-to-eat foods and meals is not to be overlooked. Here, shoppers can find everything from sandwiches to street tacos, plus complete meals that can be reheated in the oven, like meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
“If you do the math, most in my store come out to about $5 per serving per person,” the employee says. Southern life.
8. Wine, beer and spirits
Although not available in all states, buying alcohol at Costco is often a cost-effective choice. In fact, The New York Times reports that “at Costco, where members pay an annual fee of $45, no wine is charged more than 14 percent, and some aren’t charged at all; wine stores typically charge as much as 50 percent.”
9. A Case of Kirkland Bottled Water
In a world where bottled water status is real, sometimes it’s necessary to have bottled water on hand. Whether you’re stocking your hurricane preparation kit or stocking your pantry, there’s a reason Kirkland branded cans of water are flying off the shelves.
“It’s one of the best deals at $3.99 for 40 bottles,” the employee says.
