The winter season often makes us hungry and full of food cravings. Stressed about overspending this winter? Don't worry — we've got the most popular Costco hacks to help you pack your pantry without exceeding your grocery budget.
From baking basics to sweet treats, our favorite finds include staples, seasonal selections, and more. And you won't have to scour the store's aisles or page through circulars just to find bargains. We hand-picked these budget-friendly pantry products, saving you time and money.
Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Tasty Bite Organic Madras Lentils
Price: $17.59
Skip takeout and stock your pantry with these microwavable Indian Madras lentils. The zesty blend is a fraction of what you would pay for a similar side at a restaurant. Each box contains eight 10-ounce pouches.
Copper Kettle Candy Co. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Truffles
Price: $11.59
Treat yourself to something sweet. Pantry picks can include more than baking staples and dinner essentials. For $11.59, the one-pound pack of these decadent dark chocolate truffles is a bargain.
In an ounce-per-ounce price comparison, the Costco pantry pick wins over Lindt's Lindor Sea Salt Milk Chocolate Truffles at Target. The warehouse club's deal is only $0.72 per ounce, while the Lindt version costs $1.
Kirkland Signature Almond Flour
Bake the tastiest cookies, cakes, and other warm wintertime gluten-free goodies without breaking the bank. This three-pound bag of almond flour is a steal for under $12. Costco shopper Martha gave this pantry pick a five-star review, "I use almond flour exclusively for my low-carb diet. The Kirkland brand is excellent…The price is good too compared to competitors."
Target sells a one-pound pack from Bob's Red Mill for $9.49. That equals over $28 for Costco's quantity.
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Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa
Price: $9.99
Curl up on the couch and sip a steaming cup of this classic cocoa. Snag a 50-count box of this hot chocolate mix for less than $10. You might find a better deal in Costco stores.
We spotted this pantry product for $7.99. The bulk buy is also more affordable than the smaller eight-pack box Target lists for $2.99. At that price, you would pay more than $18 for 50.
Kirkland Signature Organic Cane Sugar
Price: $10.99
Sweeten everything from hot tea to cookies with this fine-granulated USDA organic cane sugar. The massive 10-pound bag is a bargain for $10.99. But if you're looking for a better deal, check your local club. We found this pantry staple for $8.99.
A 32-ounce bag of the sweet stuff costs $4.99 at Whole Foods Market. You would need to buy five bags (totaling $24.95) to match the Kirkkland quantity.
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Skinny Pop Popcorn
Price: $16.99
Keep your healthy eating resolutions on track with a low-calorie snack. This non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free popcorn is only 100 calories per bag. And bonus, it doesn't contain artificial flavors or preservatives.
Kirkland Signature Nut Bars
Price: $17.99
Do you need a quick pick-me-up to pack in your purse or tote? Score a 30-count box of Costco's store-brand almond, cashew, and pecan bras for $17.99. Amazon sells a 12-count of Kind's Honey Roasted Nuts and Sea Salt bars for $17.
Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa
Price: $10.99
Swap out greasy fries and other fatty sides for this organic quinoa. Costco sells the generic brand's 4.5-pound bag for $10.99, while the 16-ounce size from Whole Foods Market costs $4.99 (or $22.45 for Costco's quantity).
Kirkland Signature House Blend Coffe
Price: $12.99
Pass on pricey barista blends and try this generic for Costco's Kirkland brand. For less than $14, you'll get 2.5 pounds of the medium-roast whole-bean blend. A smaller 12-ounce bag of Starbucks' Pike Place costs $8.99.
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Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix
Price: $16.99
Indulge your sweet tooth without spending the entire day in the kitchen. This ready-to-mix brownie baking blend is packed with rich chocolate chips.
Costco shopper "Mommers" praised this pantry product on the warehouse club's website, "I always keep a box (or two) on hand for a quick and fantastic dessert."
Kirkland Signature Raw Unfiltered Honey
Price: $9.99
Add a touch of sweetness to a hot cup of tea for less. The three-pound bottle costs only $9.99 in Costco stores. At Whole Foods Market, a single pound of Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey sells for over $10.
Solestado Muffuletta Olive Salad
Prep for an impromptu wintertime party or make gourmet sandwiches with this under-$10 olive salad. Nab this popular pantry pick when you see it.
Redditor LaurenSomm missed their chance and wrote, "I didn't know the Muffuletta olive salad was seasonal. I went to buy another jar today because I ran out. So very, very sad."
Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes
Price: $12.69
Serve a hot, hearty side on a cold winter evening. The artificial flavor and dye-free Russet potato and butter blend is a can't-miss deal. Each three-pound box includes 12 pouches for a total of 48 servings.
Kirkland Signature Organic Dried Blueberries
Price: $10.49
The store-brand generic's 20-ounce bag of berries is perfect for topping ice cream, mixing into salads, or adding to your favorite cookie recipe. Compare Costco's $10.49 price tag to $10.99 for a smaller eight-ounce size from 365 by Whole Foods Market.
Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce
Price: $11.89
Get two 28-ounce bottles of this fan favorite for under $12. Use the pantry staple to make baked ziti, a hearty lasagna, or spaghetti and meatballs this winter.
Bottom line
Don't let the rising cost of groceries affect your next shopping trip. Whether you want to save money on everyday essentials or specialty products, we searched Costco's aisles to bring you the best pantry picks of the winter.
The savings don't stop at these pantry products. We also spotted delicious deals in the warehouse club's freezer, deli, bakery, and prepared foods sections.
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