Members love Costco because it offers great value. The retailer's food items — from the food court to prepared foods, baked goods, and packaged foods — are always among the best deals.
Discover nearly a dozen delicious foods that taste terrific and help you save money while shopping at Costco.
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Mini carrot cakes
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Costco carrot cake has been a party classic for decades for two reasons: it's delicious and it's cheap.
When Costco introduced mini carrot cakes, people rejoiced. Longtime fans claim that the icing-to-cake ratio is better with the mini cakes.
They're certainly easier to portion and store than a full cake, and everyone seems to love them, even people who don't like carrots. And you can get a half-dozen for around $10.
Classic cheesecake
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As cheesecakes go, the Costco cheesecake is a delicious compromise between dense and light. Not too ethereal but not stodgy, it's offered plain and with seasonal toppings.
It consistently wins taste tests against specialty cheesecakes that cost twice as much. Costco's version costs around $22.
Sheet cake
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Have an event requiring a sheet cake? Go to Costco. While long-time Costco fans know, the sheet cakes are no longer sold as ready-to-go. Instead, you'll have to order a custom one, which requires at least a 24-hour notice.
In the end, you will get a sheet cake that is consistent and delicious, with frosting that's better than you'd expect, as it doesn't have that too-sweet, mealy taste of many retail sheet cake frostings.
And you will love the bargain price. The half sheet costs around $25. It's a great cake to celebrate birthdays, retirements, new houses, babies, or anything that calls for cake.
Rotisserie chicken
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Costco rotisserie chicken is both legendary and infamous. It's legendary because it's so cheap — only $5 — and bigger than rotisserie chickens at other food retailers. It is also bizarrely delicious.
However, the rotisserie chicken is also infamous because the reason it's so delicious is that it's injected with a saline solution that makes it extremely high in sodium. If you don't have to watch your sodium, though, this is the rotisserie chicken to buy.
Get even more value out of it by making stock with the bones.
Basil pesto
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This really big container of delicious imported pesto — 22 ounces — goes for under $11, which is not much money. And it's packaged in a jar, so unlike plastic tubs with wider openings, it's easy to store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
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Organic maple syrup
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A quart of maple syrup for under $15 is astounding, and at 33.8 fluid ounces, Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup fits the bill. The fact that it's organic makes this Costco brand syrup an even better value.
Pancakes can be a midweek breakfast with this much delicious syrup for such little money.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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July is in full swing, bringing the height of summer. That also means peak season for hot deals and unbeatable savings. Now’s the time to save big on:
- Grills, coolers, and outdoor living upgrades
- Travel must-haves for road trips and beach days
- Swimwear and summer fashion
- For grocery savings, grab seasonal produce like watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes
While you're enjoying the sunshine, retailers are quietly making room for back-to-school inventory. That makes July a prime opportunity to scoop up summer favorites while the deals are still blazing.
Vanilla extract
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The pure vanilla extract at Costco is high quality at a low price. It comes in a twist-off cap bottle and stores easily in your pantry. It's also kosher-friendly.
A perennial favorite of professional and home bakers alike, at around $12 for 16 fluid ounces, it's a strong value.
Chocolate chip cookie
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Many people swear by the Costco food court used to swear by the twisted churro, giving it the kind of stature usually reserved for churros at the state fair. For just $1, you got a treat that is perfect for when you want a little sweet, crunchy something to get you through a shopping trip, but it was sadly discontinued in January 2024.
Enter a new delicious contender: the warm Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Replacing the beloved churro, this cookie is all ooey-gooey decadence for just around $3. It may not fully replace the churro, but it is delicious!
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
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Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Parmigiano Reggiano wheel cheese
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Kirkland Signature Whole Wheel Parmigiano Reggiano is a wedge parmesan that is so good it easily makes the list of the best Costco finds. And at around $13 per pound, it's cheaper than inferior-quality Parmesan.
If you usually use the powdered shake cheese in the plastic tube, it's worth trying this wedge of Parmesan and grating it yourself just to taste the difference. Save the rind in the freezer and toss it into the broth for extra flavor the next time you make soup.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.
Pizza
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This pizza is so legendary that even people who have never been to Costco respect its reputation. Plain cheese or pepperoni, sold by the slice or the whole pie at prices out of the 1990s (about $2 a slice and $10 per pie), this pizza is crispy, gooey perfection.
Organic extra virgin olive oil
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Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is so good it will turn you into a person who buys 2 liters of extra virgin olive oil at a time.
Fruity but not obtrusive, this is excellent everyday olive oil at the amazing price of around $21 for 2 liters. The price alone maximizes your Costco membership perks.
Bottom line
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There are many hacks you can use to save money shopping for products that are cheaper and have higher-quality at Costco compared to other food retailers.
Costco means value, and the foods on this list arrive at the perfect intersection of quality and price. If you're not already buying these items, they're worth putting on the list for your next trip.
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Benefits Card Details on Wells Fargo’s secure website Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card could be a good option for you. Cardmembers can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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