**This is NOT a sponsored post**
When I changed my (eating) lifestyle I wanted to know what I could buy that was on plan and okay to eat. Because I didn’t ease into the plan my changes were so radical that at times I was at a loss what I could buy. It was really helpful seeing what others ate, I always said – just tell me what to eat and I’ll eat it – I don’t understand the plan but I will eat what I’m told.
When I got a decent hold of the plan I decided to start a food journal and that’s how My Trim Kitchen was born. For the longest time I didn’t have any followers, all I did was document my meals and labeled what setting they fell under (fat or carb). Doing this was really helpful, it also allowed me to reference back if I ever ran out of ideas what to cook.
This was my VERY first post on Instagram (September 21, 2017), I should have figured that dessert is a direction I will go in. What can I say…..dessert makes me happy! Oh, and coffee – coffee makes me REALLY happy!
I wanted to create a list of products that I love buying at Costco (both food and non food items) and I hope it will help others who are looking to pick up goodies that are loaded with clean ingredients and are on plan.
There are lots more products that are available but these are the products that I have done research on and priced-compared and in my opinion are worth getting at Costco. When looking at lists others have made I like to see prices for myself – JUST to make sure they are decent (for me), therefore, I included both – prices and photos in this post.
Before we move on, I would like to apologize for a couple of things. Earlier that day I went on a little trail hike at my aunts house and found black walnuts (I learned later what they were). I tried cracking one open, the clear ‘juice’ got all over my hands and within half hour my hands were brownish – like I didn’t spread the self tanner ‘brownish’. And within a couple hours they were DARK brown, almost black. It’s been 2 weeks and my nails are still lovely and blackish. Lesson learned – DO NOT touch things you are not sure about of! In some of the photos you will notice my hand and it will look questionable – just know it’s due to the walnuts!
The other thing I would like to apologize about is the lighting of my photos. Lets just say, Costco wasn’t built for photo shoots. But if you look past these two things I think you will really enjoying seeing what my Costco carries and what my favorites are.
Lets begin with meat.
Boneless Pork Loins are $1.79lb, you cannot beat that deal, unless a grocery store is running a sale this really is a great price. If you have been following me for a while you know how much I love smoked pork loins (recipe coming soon).
Rotisserie chicken from Costco cannot be beat, it’s HUGE compared to any grocery store rotisserie chicken I’ve ever seen and for $5 a chicken, honestly it’s not even worth making your own – and it’s delicious. The Uncured Antipasto is the most inexpensive I’ve seen (Trader Joes and Aldi included), it’s all I use when creating charcuterie boars.
You know my love for smoked salmon (click here for a smoked salmon recipe). During the summer Aldi had a slightly better price but now Costco comes out ahead, at $6.99 a pound this is the best price for Salmon that I’ve seen recently. If you have not tried the Greenridge Farm Beef Snack Sticks ($13.59)- you must, they are delicious and the perfect snack. I love incorporating them into my charcuterie boards and at $6 a pounds it’s a great price. The Wild Alaskan Smoked Sockeye Salmon is my husbands favorite, it tastes very different from the salmon I smoke and at $19 a pound it’s a really decent price, a little of this salmon goes a long way.
These are the best prices for Pecans $11.69 for a 2 pound bag ($5.85 a pound), Almonds $11.99 for a 3 pound bag ($4 a pound) and Walnuts $12.49 for a 3 pound bag (just over $4 a pound).
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter $9.99 for 2 huge jars, I normally pay around $4 for a 16oz jar, so this is a really great deal. The Mixed Nut Butter $8 for a 27oz jar and the Almond Butter $6.79 for a 27oz jar are also great finds with very reasonable prices. None of these butters have added sugar!
Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener $8.99 for 1.6 pounds is a really good price. Although I don’t use this sweetener on a regular basis I do have it at home. Rodelle Baking Cocoa is my absolute favorite regular cocoa powder, at $6.29 for 25 oz it’s almost the same price as Aldi but the quality simply DOES not compare. Kirkland Almond Flour is the only almond flour I buy and use. At $12 for 3 pounds, I have never seen almond flour cheaper. Truvia Sweetener Packets are also a great deal at $12.79 for 400 packets, that’s around $.03 cents per packet. I don’t use these but wanted to include them in this list since they are a great deal and an approved sweetener.
Coffee…. I love coffee! These are my 3 favorite coffee brands from Costco. Mayorga Coffee Roaster Organic Cafe Cubano is our go-to whole bean coffee, I do want to say that I only buy it when it’s on sale, actually it goes for all these coffees, I stock up when they go on sale. At $13 for 2 pounds it’s still a good buy. The Dunkin Donuts Original Coffee is probably my absolute favorite brand of coffee, it’s not too strong and it’s not weak – it’s just right. When it’s on sale it goes for around $14 for almost 3 pounds. I use Tasters Choice Instant Coffee when it comes to baking, it’s the only brand of instant coffee I buy, the $8.79 price for 14oz cannot be beat.
At any given time you will find the following oils in my kitchen Filippo Berio Olive Oil $20 for 5 liters, Chosen Foods Avocado Oil $18.89 for 2 liters and Kirkland Organic Coconut Oil $5.34 per quart – $14 for the jug.
Ground Himalayan Pink Salt $6.69 for 5 pounds is a pretty good deal, although I do, sometimes, find pink salt at the dollar store for $1 a bag (1 lb bags) but they don’t have it often, therefore, this is the next best price. And I have never seen Morton Kosher Salt anywhere else cheaper, $2.19 for 3 pounds.
Lotus Organic Brown Rice Ramen is amazing, it’s $8.99 for almost 2 pounds. Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Hearts $11.49 for 1.5 pounds, Nature’s Intent Organic Chia Seeds $6.99 for 3 pounds. Kirkland Organic Quinoa $10 for 4.5 pounds, it’s the best tasting quinoa!
These are the only marinara sauces I buy. Rao’s Marinara is a little bit pricey at $10.59 for 2 28oz jars but it’s really good. Victoria White Linen is the one I normally stock up on when it’s on sale for $6.39 for the 2 jars. It’s already a good deal at this price but it’s much better deal when it’s less.
Vlasic Kosher Pickles are our favorite and we go through them fairly quickly, at $4.59 for a 1 gallon jar it’s a steal of a deal. Silver Floss Sauerkraut $3.69 for 64oz is also a deal. Next time you saute cabbage add a few heading spoons of sauerkraut – ohh so good! Kirkland Organic Apple Cider Vinegar $7.59 for 3 32oz bottles is A LOT less cheaper than your typical grocery store price. Although, I have been able to find 16oz bottles at the dollar store.
Snacks….why are they so addicting?! If you have been following we for a bit you know my weakness when it comes to chips – I LOOOOVE chips and can eat a Costco size bag of Cape Code chips like a pro. But I’m always on the lookout for other healthier and on plan options. Kirkland Steak Strips Jerky is a great option when you get the munchies, $10 for 12oz is a really decent price, when we go camping I bring at least 3 bags with us. Harvested For You Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds $5.79 for 22oz are great instead of croutons in a salad. Kirkland Organic Roasted Seaweed is another great quick, salty snack you can grab at $9.49 for a bit less than half a pound. Organic Skinny Pop Popcorn $6 for 14oz, it does go on sale quite a bit so you can get it even cheaper.
I haven’t tried the One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats $7.59 for 5 pounds (I’m buying these when I run out) or the Low Karb Keto Nut Granola $13.99 for 22oz, which is quite pricey but an option if you’re in a pinch.
English Cucumbers are the cheapest at Costco at $3.69 for 3, earlier in the season they are even cheaper. Dannon Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt $8 for 18 cups.
Not completely on plan but in my opinion still a good buy.
Balance Grow Honey Citron & Ginger Tea is one of my favorite Costco products, at $8.69 for 4.4 pounds it’s not only a great deal but it’s super good for you. When I’m feeling under the weather this is my go-to, hot cup of honey and ginger tea! Snak Yard Shiitake Mushrooms are technically not on plan but I love them as a once in a while treat, $6 for a 7.5oz bag (I’m not sure how I made the mistake taking a picture of the wrong tag but when the mushrooms are on sale they are $5.99, original price is $6..89….sorry about that).
I have never bought the Orgain Keto Collagen Protein $22 for 1.1 pounds or the Optimum Nutrition Performance Whey Isolate $30 for 3.3 pounds but they seem to be two good options.
And Finally, these are not food products but I always go to Costco for them. I did the math and buying Kirkland Scented Kitchen Garbage Bags at $14.69 for 200 bags is the best price I could find. I, also, always buy the Linette Table Covers at Costco, I’ve looked at the dollar store and even Michaels with coupons does not compare how inexpensive they are at Costco, at $5.49 for 7 you’re paying less then $.80 cents per table cover. I REALLY love Costco kitchen and home finds, I saw the Over and Back 6 Piece Bowl & Plate/ Lid Set a few weeks back and my son, Ethan, used his own money to buy them for me for my birthday – he’s a real sweetheart! The set was on sale for $12, the bowls are perfect for a big bowl of soup or salad.
Every time I go to Costco I come out with an enormous bill. One time I went in for cucumbers and walked out with a $154 bill, I said to my husband ‘I’m not sure why the cucumbers were so expensive this time!’
I hope you found this article helpful and enjoyed seeing my favorite items, like I mentioned earlier there are lots more items I could have mentioned but these are my favorites.
What are your favorite Costco buys? Tell me below in the comments.
Thanks for this, I enjoyed reading it. I buy many of the same items at my local Costco, and I have found the eggs and butter to be great deals too. Especially Kerrygold butter. Also cheese, fancy and regular kinds.
So interesting Luda! I purchase many of the same items here in Canada but some you mentioned we don’t carry and of course our prices are quite a bit higher given the exchange. Appreciate there’s times and effort you put into this!