You’re trying to eat healthy. And that means you’ve considered swapping conventional groceries for organics.
But which ones deserve the hype? If you’re not sure when to skip or splurge, we’ve got the best Costco hacks for buying organic items at the warehouse club.
From overpriced pantry picks to freezer finds that are better fresh, our round-up includes the top organic offenders that aren’t worth the price.
Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Coconut Oil
Price: $14.99
At 5.25 pounds, this mega-sized tub of virgin coconut oil seems like a steal for just under $15. But unless you use the cold-pressed product to cook almost every meal, it could go past its expected shelf life before you finish this container.
While organic coconut oil is a healthy alternative to butter, a smaller purchase could save money and reduce waste.
Protein Whole Milk
Price: $15.59
This three-count of half-gallon cartons breaks down to $5.33 per container. But you may find a better deal on organic and conventional products from other stores.
Target sells a 59-ounce size of A2 Whole Milk for $4.99, a half-gallon of Good and Gather Organic Whole Milk for $3.99, and a full gallon of Good and Gather Vitamin D Whole Milk for $4.99.
Blue Agave
Price: $10.99
Agave is a healthier alternative to chemical sweeteners or honey. This two-pack of 36-ounce bottles is a good deal if you’re committed to using the sugar substitute.
If you want to keep your baking budget in check, you’ll spend less on the real deal. Costco’s Organic Cane Sugar is the same price — but you’ll get four pounds more.
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Dried Tart Montgomery Cherries
Price: $10.99
Skip Kirkland’s dried cherries and choose a frozen option instead. The generic brand’s organic dried fruit is $10.99 for a 1.25-pound pack.
Costco also sells a much larger four-pound bag of Smart Harvest’s organic sweet dark cherries for $1.60 more in the store’s freezer section.
Coconut Water
Price: $12.99
While Kirkland’s deal on coconut water may seem like a steal, this organic option isn’t necessary for shoppers on a budget. Keep your spending in check and skip this added expense.
Instead, choose plain Kirkland water to stay hydrated and save money. A 40-count of 16.9-ounce bottles is only $7.79 — and you could find this product for less at your local Costco store.
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Feta Cheese
Price: $15.09
You’ll pay extra for the “organic” aspect of this Greek cheese. Even though Kirkland is a generic line, at $8.56 per pound, the 28.2-ounce tub costs more than the conventional brand-name version. Costco also sells non-organic President Feta Chunk Cheese for $4.99 per pound.
Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Price: $7.29
Some Costco shoppers prefer the brand name to this generic organic. When asked which is better — Fage or Kirkland — Redditor Croc_47 responded, “Fage, Kirkland is very watery…In my opinion, Fage is better in every way.”
Strawberry Spread
Price: $9.99
Organic fruit often tastes better than the conventional version. But when mixed with other ingredients and covered with peanut butter, bread, crackers, or other add-ons, it’s hard to tell the difference. This makes a jar of organic spread an unnecessary expense.
If you won’t eat a full 42-ounce jar of jelly and don’t want to pay more for an organic option, skip this Kirkland product and choose something smaller like Target’s Good and Gather 15.5-ounce Reduced Sugar Strawberry Fruit Spread.
Frozen Brocolli Florets
Price: $10.59
Costco’s four-count, one-pound frozen florets are a bulk buy deal. But you could waste money on this organic if you don’t have extra storage space or won’t eat the veggies often. Instead of this pick, swap the frozen find for a smaller $6.69 bag of Costco’s fresh florets.
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Raw and Unfiltered Honey
Price: $12.59
Four-and-a-half pounds of raw organic honey is more of the sweet stuff than most families need at one time.
Add in the extra cost of an organic, and you could stretch your grocery budget unnecessarily. A smaller conventional product, like Trader Joe’s Multi-Floral and Clover 12-ounce Honey Bear ($3.99), is a more economical alternative.
Chicken Thighs
Price: $5.99 per pound
With so many poultry options, the added cost of buying organic chicken thighs is an expense you don’t need. Save money and try Kirkland’s less expensive $2.99-per-pound boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of the organic.
Pine Nut Hummus
Price: $6.69
Hummus is a healthy spread — whether you choose organic or not. Spend less and choose the conventional option. And if you’re not having a party or your family isn’t into this perishable pine nut-packed product, you could waste most of the 34 ounces.
Frozen Strawberries
Price: $12.49
At over $3 per pound, these frozen strawberries are budget breakers. Target sells the same four-pound bag of non-organic frozen berries. But you’ll only pay $9.29 for the fruit.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Price: $9.99
You can use apple cider vinegar to clean, cook, or keep you healthy — and you’ll still benefit from a conventional option.
Three 32-ounce Kirkland bottles for under $10 is an affordable organic deal. But you could pay less elsewhere. Amazon Fresh’s 128-ounce jug of non-organic ACV is on sale for $6.29 (originally $13.74) right now.
Bottom line
Kirkland brand generics are known for combining low price and high quality. But that doesn’t mean every item is equal. Save money and skip some of these Costco organics. Your wallet will thank you.
Even though some of Kirkland’s organic options aren’t worth the price, others are budget-friendly bargains. And the savings don’t stop there. Use the best cash back credit cards to earn points or perks on eligible organics and conventional grocery items.
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