Composite of NuTrail nut granola next to Kerrygod pure Irish butter
There are a few things I usually buy at Costco for two people that I find are a great value.

Chrysa Smith

  • I shop at Costco once or twice a week and try to spend under $100 on each trip.
  • I think the Kirkland Signature cashews and chicken breasts are some of the best deals at Costco.
  • I always make sure we have Boston lettuce, Kerrygold Irish butter, and artisan rolls.

I'm at Costco so often that I feel like I live there.

I usually visit the wholesale retailer once — sometimes twice — a week and keep each shopping trip under $100. I love to cook for myself and my husband and find it's a great place to get all of my ingredients and other essential groceries.

Here are some of my favorite things to get at Costco. (Notably, I don't buy all of these groceries on every trip since many of them can last us more than a week.)

When I'm looking for carbs, I pick up artisan rolls.

display case of costco artisan rolls
The Kirkland Signature artisan rolls come in packs of 12.

Salma Hamze

While in Costco's bakery section, I usually pick up a 12-pack of Kirkland Signature artisan rolls for $7.

They're crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, and I use them as a side for an entrée salad or as a main-course carb.

Plus, the rolls freeze well if we're not going to finish them before they start to get stale.

I top my yogurt with NuTrail nut granola.

Nutrail honey-nut granola on display at Costco
NuTrail nut granola has a nice crunch.

Chrysa Smith

The NuTrail nut granola has the best flavor and texture. I like that the mix is smooth instead of packed with big, clunky chunks.

Plus, it's crunchy, slightly sweet, and doesn't have added sugar.

I usually pay $10 for a 22-ounce bag — about half the price of what I've seen for similar granola in regular grocery stores.

If I want even more crunch in my yogurt, I add some Kirkland Signature cashews.

Kirkland Signature fancy whole cashews
I add Kirkland Signature cashews to my yogurt for even more crunch.

Chrysa Smith

I love it when my yogurt has a great crunch — to add even more, I use Kirkland Signature whole cashews with sea salt. Plus, they add protein.

I think they're a great buy at $13 for a 40-ounce bag. I won't buy cashews anywhere else.

Kerrygold Irish butter is almost always in my fridge.

Display of Kerrygold butter at Costco
I like the flavor of Kerrygold Irish butter.

Chrysa Smith

There's nothing like a roll with a smear of fresh and creamy Kerrygold Irish butter for breakfast.

This butter has a great, rich flavor. A pack of four 8-ounce sticks usually costs $15.50 at Costco and lasts through the week for straight-up eating (OK, I love my dairy), cooking, and baking.

Norwegian smoked salmon slices are a lunch staple in my house.

Pack of Foppen smoked salmon slices on display at Costco
Smoked salmon reminds me of bagels with lox in NYC delis.

Chrysa Smith

Costco has Norwegian smoked salmon slices at $14.50 a pound, and a 12-ounce pack lasts us a whole week.

There are three different seasonings in the pack: dill, pepper, and traditional.

When I eat these on a roll with onion, tomato, and cream cheese, I'm reminded of when I'd get lunch at corner delis in New York City.

I love using Kirkland Signature organic chicken for a variety of meals.

Display of raw chicken packs at Costco
I love making chicken-centric dinners.

Chrysa Smith

When it comes to dinner, I can't get enough chicken. So, I often pick up a pack of Kirkland Signature organic chicken breasts for about $6 a pound.

I'll either bake the breasts in a honey-Dijon sauce or slice them thin for cutlets. I also boil some of the chicken to use for making food for my dog.

A jar of Better than Bouillon lasts me a while.

Large jar of chicken Better than Bouillon on Costco shelf
Better than Bouillon is a pantry staple for me.

Chrysa Smith

I pick up Better than Bouillon roasted-chicken base at Costco anytime I run out.

Fortunately, a 21-ounce jar is only $9 and lasts me quite a while. I use a little bit of this, white wine, and lemon when making my chicken cutlets.

A bag of avocados goes a long way.

Bags of avocadoes at Costco on display
Avocadoes can be rich and creamy.

Chrysa Smith

One of my favorite ways to incorporate fresh produce into my diet is with avocados.

I add them to my lunches and salads, usually only using ¼ of an avocado at a time. A bag of avocadoes at Costco costs about $8 and lasts us a week or so without going bad.

I love my crunchy Boston lettuce.

Plastic container of butter lettuce in Costco display
I use Boston lettuce as a salad base.

Chrysa Smith

Boston lettuce, also known as butterhead lettuce, is soft, flavorful, and crunchy. I like to use this for salads and pair it with avocado, too.

A plastic, three-head clamshell of lettuce costs $7 at Costco and lasts us a whole week.

Campari tomatoes are my go-to buy during colder months.

Campari tomatoes on vine in plastic package at Costco
Campari tomatoes are great on a salad.

Chrysa Smith

I often pick up a clamshell of Campari tomatoes at Costco for just over $5, especially once the season for growing them in my backyard is over.

They're flavorful and small enough that they don't feel too watery.

I find they're the perfect finishing touch for a salad drizzled with olive oil, lemon, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. (I also buy Parmesan in bulk at Costco whenever I run out!)

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