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I’m a long-time Costco member, and I try to get to Costco at least once or twice a month. While I love wandering around the aisles to see what’s new, having a basic shopping list is also important to me. But what to get? What would be the best items to get at Costco—and nowhere else? Fortunately, Costco members aren’t shy about sharing their favorites. I recently came across an amazing thread on Facebook where hundreds of people shared the items they have to get every time they visit Costco. I curated the list, counting, and scoring to bring you this guide.
So, without further ado, here are the most popular items on the list of avid Costco shoppers. The people who go there often, and have honed their choices to the best value-for-money deals on everyday products! I also took some pictures in the store to make this list easier to browse. I hope you enjoy it!
Kirkland Rotisserie Chicken
The famous $4.99 Costco rotisserie chicken came up as a must-get item for dozens of brand fans. So much so that it’s probably the single most popular item to get at Costco! I will say that some long-time fans mentioned that while the price remained the same, they felt the chickens were getting smaller. Some speculated that the bird flu meant farmers preferred not to wait until the chickens were larger. I have no idea if those chickens have, in fact, been getting smaller; I just know my kids always love it when I come back home with a hot rotisserie chicken. And if needs be, I just wrap it up in aluminum foil, and put it in the oven for another 20-30 minutes – perfection!
Kirkland Toilet Paper
Toilet paper – known as Bath Tissue at Costco – is another popular item on the list, specifically Kirkland’s. Kirkland is the Costco brand, so you get that good bang for the buck here, as long as you’re willing to buy a huge pack of 30 rolls. That’s where bulk shopping shines!
Kirkland Paper Towels
The bath tissue is not the only favorite in that aisle. Alongside it, you’ll find the huge stacks of 12 rolls of premium kitchen paper towels. Definitely another fan favorite. While these items are in bulk – and bulky at that! – at least they can last forever, so most people (myself included) don’t mind stocking up.
Organic Blueberries (fresh)
In my experience, fruit and vegetables are typically very fresh and inviting at Costco. Not every item is cheap per se, but the quality can’t be beat. And Costco members agree that the price is good for the quality you get, with those organic blueberries being a fan favorite.
Fresh Organic Raspberries
Another fruit mentioned multiple times was raspberries. Again, these are organic ones, this time by Driscoll’s. These packages aren’t huge, so buying a couple makes sense. They’re great for cooking and baking from scratch.
Campari Tomatoes
One specific type of vegetable that received multiple mentions was tomatoes. And not just any tomatoes, but specifically Campari tomatoes. These plump red sweeties on the vine are marketed as “the tomato lover’s tomato,” and they certainly seem to have won the hearts of Costco fans!
Just Bare Chicken “Nuggets”
People mentioned these as “nuggets,” so that’s the word I used here, but really, they are worlds apart from the ultra-processed stuff that Macdonlands calls nuggets. We often get these for our family. The Just Bare chicken breast chunks are always clean and tasty, and I like that they are antibiotic and hormone-free.
My kids run through the Costco mega packages pretty fast, just popping these in the air fryers for 12 minutes, and voila, dinner is served. That’s why I always stock the freezer with a couple of bags.
Kirkland Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is a great healthy drink and a personal favorite. The Kirkland brand offers its own made-in-Italy version that customers love. At least, it was the beverage that was mentioned the most often on the list. While the store has a good selection of soft drinks, these bottles shine as being a great deal. A bit too heavy for me to carry, but if my husband comes along with me, they end up in our cart as well.
Kerrygold Butter
Kerrygold is a fan-favorite brand of butter that you can find in Costco. I’m not much of a baker, so I rarely get these, but if you do bake, this could be for you. With four bars in each package, you get high-quality butter at a great price. I can see how this would be a baker’s friend kind of deal.
Rao’s Marinara Sauce
So many people mentioned stocking up on Rao’s homemade marinara sauce! It’s a staple for Costco shoppers, apparently. Rao’s also has a version of arrabbiata sauce offered at Costco. While most people voted for the marinara, at least one person mentioned she actually preferred the spicier arrabbiata. Either way, Costco offers a large jar you can keep in your pantry for a quick and delicious spaghetti meal.
Dave’s Killer Bread
Costco is really good at offering healthier choices, and the bread aisle is no exception. There is a pretty good selection of breads and pastries at our location. While I personally prefer the fresh ones at the bakery area, people often mentioned stocking up on bread in the aisle. The brand they often mentioned was Dave’s Killer bread. With 21 whole grains and seeds, it’s hard to beat this wholesome combination of flavor and nutrients.
Motor City Pizza
There are quite a few types of pizzas that people get at Costco. There’s the cauliflower crust line of pizza and, of course, the food court pizza. All are delicious, if you ask me. However, the one type of pizza that was mentioned the most was actually Motor City Pizza co. If you are looking for a great pizza to have in your freezer, then the wisdom of the masses says this is the one you should get.
Kirkland Coffee (especially French Roast)
Costco carries an amazing selection of coffee. On my last visit, I counted well over a dozen varieties, including various leading brands. However, polled members seem to prefer the Kirkland coffee brand. With multiple Kirkland options, French roast came up as a crowd favorite.
Aussie Bites
You can rely on Costco for a selection of yummy delicacies that are actually good for you! Aussie Bites is a fan favorite, and I confess, it’s a personal favorite as well. Are these cakes? Cookies? Muffins? Well, they’re in a category of their own, so “Bites” is actually a good description. I think they have the consistency of brownies, with a crunchier fiber-rich texture. Sweet – but not overly so – they’re a healthy snack option with my afternoon coffee.
Kirkland Bacon Bits
Bacon was mentioned by many members. Specifically, the Kirkland varieties, including these bacon crumbles. For many, this is a staple food, and having a Kirkland signature version made of real smoked bacon is just handy. If you get this, just know that it’s sold on the shelf but needs to be stored in the fridge once opened.
Bibigo Dumplings
Bibigo is a popular brand with several Oriental food offerings. The steamed dumplings are clearly a winner among Costco fans, as many have mentioned this as a must-get product. You get 36 fully-cooked juicy chicken and veggie steamed dumplings. Conveniently packaged in six trays, with six separate sauce packets. This way, you get the Costco bulk discount, but can enjoy the dumplings across multiple meals. No wonder members like this so much.
Kirkland Organic Eggs
Kirkland offers both organic and regular eggs. In the threads I read, organic eggs were a popular item. These eggs are USDA Organic, cage-free, and free from hormones or antibiotics. They come in packs of two dozen which is not an ideal option for small households, but work really well for families (or if you have someone to share them with).
Kirkland Mixed Nuts (unsalted)
I love the Kirkland Signature mixed nuts! Personally, I get the salted variety, but many members prefer the unsalted version. It’s definitely healthier! I love the good mix of nuts in each bag and the fact that they always feel fresh and crunchy.
Kirkland Milk
Milk is another staple food that made it to the list. Costco has milk by the gallon. Literally. The packaging is simple and robust, and you can choose between whole milk and a low-fat version. The main attraction is the price. With most stores charging $4 and more for a gallon of milk, Costco manages to keep their prices well under the $3 mark! It was $2.59 at our store when I took this picture.
Kirkland Greek Yogurt
If you love Greek yogurt and don’t mind the large 48-oz package, Costco’s Kirkland variety is very popular with shoppers. It’s one of those items that you buy once a week or two and then use as needed.
Pesto Salmon
I was so glad to see this item turned out to be so popular! Just because I like it too, and it’s nice to see others agree with you. The salmon and the herbs are always fresh. I usually only use half of the basil pesto butter balls because I like my fish with less fat. But either way, it’s just a delicious meal that’s super easy to make when you want to pamper your guests.
King’s Arthur Flour
I confess I’m not one to buy these gigantic 12 lb bags of flour, but clearly, I’m in the minority! If you’re into baking, or just stocking up a baking-oriented pantry, then these are well-priced. A classic Costco bulk deal.
Kirkland Gas
Last but certainly not least, we have to mention Kirkland gas just because so many Costco members mentioned it. If you can get to the store around the same time your car needs gas, you can enjoy those members-only discounted prices and even cashback (if you have the executive membership). It can add up to significant savings, making it also a star of our Costco Legendary Deals list.
So, What’s In YOUR Costco Cart?
We’ve covered dozens of the most popular items others have mentioned here. From fresh vegetables to coffee, from frozen meals to gas – so much to choose from. But I’m curious about you! If you’re reading this article, leave me a comment to let me know what your must-get items are at Costco.
