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11 Items I Never Leave Costco Without (They're All Under $20)

These go-to Costco items prove you don’t need to spend big to stock up smart.

Costco wholesale location
Updated Oct. 30, 2024
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Every Costco member has that set list of things they have to get each time they go to their favorite store.

Sometimes, your favorite Costco shopping hacks include snacks or household items you can’t live without, or maybe you like trying new things that become pantry staples.

Here are the Costco items I always make sure are on my list and why you should add them to your cart the next time you head to the store.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Goldfish Crackers

Courtesy of Costco goldfish crackers

Price: $14.99

Costco has two options for Goldfish Crackers, but I prefer this pack of 45 pouches of crackers compared to the box with more than four pounds of crackers in three stay-fresh bags.

The pouches have proven to be an easy-to-grab snack that I like to throw into a backpack, purse, lunchbox, or even grab for a car ride when I leave the house.

Kirkland Signature Trail Mix

Courtesy of Costco kirkland signature trail mix

Price: $15.99

I prefer the 4-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Trail Mix rather than the box of snack packs.

It’s a great way to get a small bowl of trail mix that I like to snack on while working at my desk when I need a quick bite — if I can get to it before the rest of the family eats it all.

Pro2go Antibiotic Free Grilled Chicken Strips

Courtesy of Costco pro2go antibiotic free grilled chicken strips

Price: $15.20

I found the Pro2go Antibiotic Free Grilled Chicken Strips last year and try to add them to my cart whenever I shop now.

The chicken strips come in two 16-ounce packs, so I usually grab one and heat it up in a pan to mix with stir-fried vegetables or add to a salad kit for an easy dinner option.

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Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizza

Courtesy of Costco kirkland signature cheese pizza

Price: $13.56

The Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizzas come in a box with four pizzas, and I can adapt them to make everyone in the family happy.

I’ll usually grab a small package of pepperoni, some vegetables, and a bag of shredded mozzarella from my local grocery store so everyone in the family can customize their slices with their favorite toppings.

Waterloo Sparkling Water Variety Pack

Courtesy of Costco waterloo sparkling water variety pack

Price: $11.57

I’ve been trying to drink more water, but I don’t like plain water. Flavored sparkling water, like the Waterloo Sparkling Water Variety Pack, has been a great alternative that keeps me hydrated throughout the day and lets me choose from different flavors.

Kirkland Signature Albacore Solid White Tuna

Courtesy of Costco albacore solid white tuna

Price: $18.99

Tuna is a great pantry staple, so I try to keep some of the Kirkland Signature Albacore Solid White Tuna on hand.

I’ll use several of the eight 7-ounce cans when I’m making a big batch of tuna salad for the family or add it to a noodle casserole for an easy dinner.

Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa and Brown Rice

Courtesy of Costco organic quinoa and brown rice

Price: $14.99

I usually grab at least one box of the Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa and Brown Rice at Costco, which contains six 8.5-ounce pouches.

If I’m stuck on what to make as a side dish with chicken or fish, I can throw a pouch of the quinoa and brown rice mix into the microwave.

Cosmic Crisp Apples

Courtesy of Costco cosmic crisp apples

Price: $6.89

I normally don’t recommend buying produce at Costco because it could be hard to get through a bulk amount of fresh produce before it goes bad.

But my family loves eating apples, so the four-pound bag of Cosmic Crisp Apples gets finished way before they start to rot, and it’s a simple-to-grab healthy snack.

Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken

Courtesy of Costco kirkland signature rotisserie chicken

Price: $5.84

I always have space in my cart for a Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken. I usually pick it up because it’s an easy dinner option that night, but sometimes, I’ll take it home to cut it apart and make my own chicken salad.

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Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Chips

Courtesy of Costco organic tortilla chips

Price: $7.01

The Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Chips are a good snack to have on hand, but I also like to use them for a tasty Nacho Night dinner.

I’ll spread them on a sheet pan with some black beans, leftover rotisserie chicken, and cheese and toss them in the oven for a few minutes.

Then, the family can decide what to put on top of their own nachos, such as salsa, guacamole, olives, and other toppings.

Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo

Courtesy of Costco moisture shampoo

Price: $11.99

The Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo comes in a 33.8-ounce pump bottle, so it dispenses the right amount of shampoo every time, but it takes me a while to use it all.

I also usually grab a bottle of the Kirkland Signature Moisture Conditioner at the same time, so I’m stocked up on hair care.

Bottom line

Baharlou/Adobe costco wholesale store facade

Costco can be a great place to shop for special items or staples you pick up every time you visit.

But it can also be tempting to pick up some impulse purchases when you’re shopping, so consider making a list before you go if you’re on a tight budget and trying to save money on groceries.

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