What To Buy at Costco

Let’s be real: a trip to Costco is an extreme sport. You go in for rotisserie chicken and milk, and you come out three hours later with a 7-foot teddy bear, a year’s supply of cashews, and zero regrets. It’s my happy place, my savings paradise, and the only store where I feel like a giant pushing a shopping cart built for a titan.

But navigating those massive aisles can be overwhelming. What’s actually worth the bulk buy? Which snacks will ruin your life in the best way possible? Don’t worry, I’ve done the hard work (aka eating and cleaning my way through the warehouse) to bring you the definitive list of what to buy at Costco in 2026.

Grab your membership card and an empty trunk. You’re gonna need it.

 

 

The Pantry Staples I Can’t Live Without

Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter

This two-pack of organic peanut butter costs just $12.00, and honestly, it’s better than the pricey stuff from Whole Foods. It’s made with just two ingredients: organic dry-roasted peanuts and salt. That’s it. No weird sugars or hydrogenated oils.

The flavor is so pure and roasty, and the texture is perfectly creamy once you give it a good stir. I put it in my smoothies, on my apple slices, and (not sorry) eat it straight from the jar with a spoon. It’s a non-negotiable pantry staple for me.

The Downside: You do have to stir it. The natural oils separate, so when you first open a jar, you’ll need to put in a little arm work to mix it all together. It’s a minor inconvenience for a superior product.

 

 

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Okay, at $34.99 for a giant 1.5 lb tub, this stuff feels like an investment, but trust me, it’s so much cheaper here than anywhere else. I started adding a scoop to my coffee every morning a few months ago, and my hair and nails have never looked better. Seriously, my nails are practically claws now.

It’s completely unflavored and dissolves like a dream, so you won’t even know it’s there. Plus, it’s sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, so you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body.

The Downside: While it’s “unflavored,” it can have a very, *very* slight taste if you’re just mixing it with plain water. I can’t taste it at all in coffee or a smoothie, but it’s something to keep in mind.

 

 

Kirkland Signature Organic Ancient Grain Granola

For $9.00, you get a massive bag of what is, hands down, the best granola on the market. It’s packed with organic oats, quinoa, amaranth, and chia seeds, so it has this amazing crunchy, clumpy texture. It feels healthy but tastes like a treat.

I sprinkle this over Greek yogurt with some berries for a breakfast that actually keeps me full until lunch. It’s got 5 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving, which is way better than your standard sugar-bomb cereal.

The Downside: It’s a little more expensive than other granolas, especially when it’s not on sale. But the bag is huge and the quality is so much better, so I think it’s worth it.

 

 

Snacks That Will Ruin Your Self-Control

Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets

I’m just going to warn you now: do not buy this $10.00 tub of pretzel nuggets unless you are prepared to eat the entire thing in a week. These things are dangerously addictive. The pretzels are perfectly salty and crunchy, and the peanut butter filling is so smooth and creamy.

They are the ultimate sweet-and-salty snack. The giant 55-ounce tub seems like a great deal until you realize you have absolutely zero power to stop eating them. Consider this your official warning.

The Downside: The calorie count is… a lot. It’s way too easy to mindlessly snack on these and accidentally consume a whole meal’s worth of calories in one sitting.

 

 

Lesser Evil Moonions Intergalactic Onion Rings

These are only $5.00 for a giant bag, and they’re basically a healthy Funyun. I said what I said. They’re made with organic corn and cooked in avocado oil, so you get all that satisfying crunch and savory onion flavor without the weird ingredient list.

The bags are actually full, not half-air like some other chip brands I could mention. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and my go-to when I’m craving something crunchy but don’t want to feel gross afterward.

The Downside: Some people find them to have a slightly sweet aftertaste, which might be from the corn base. I don’t mind it, but if you’re expecting a pure salt bomb, this isn’t quite it.

 

 

Farmers Hickory Brand Jalapeño Bacon

This bacon is a revelation, and for $13.99 for a 3 lb pack, it’s an absolute steal. It’s super thick-cut and smoked with applewood, so it gets perfectly crispy without turning into sad, flimsy bacon bits. But the real star is the jalapeño seasoning.

It’s not overwhelmingly spicy, it just has this amazing savory kick that makes everything better. I use it for breakfast, on BLTs, and crumbled over salads. I always buy two packs and throw one in the freezer.

The Downside: The worst part about this bacon is that it’s a regional item, so not every Costco carries it. If you see it, grab it immediately.

 

 

Household Heroes You Need Now

Kirkland Signature Paper Towels

I used to be a brand-name paper towel snob. Then I tried these. For $22.00, you get 12 giant rolls that are so absorbent and strong, they put the fancy brands to shame. They have these quilted pockets that soak up spills like magic.

And the “create-a-size” sheets mean you’re not wasting a whole sheet on a tiny mess. I swear one roll of this stuff lasts me twice as long as a regular roll from the grocery store. I will never go back.

The Downside: This is a LOT of paper towels. The 12-roll pack is bulky, so you’ll need some dedicated pantry or garage space to store it all.

 

 

Shark Stainforce Cordless System

If you have pets, kids, or are just a clumsy human who spills things (hi, it’s me), you need this machine. At $169.99, it’s a bit of a splurge, but it has saved my cream-colored rug more times than I can count. It sprays, scrubs, and sucks up stains from carpet, upholstery, and even car seats.

The best part? It’s CORDLESS. I can grab it and tackle a mess in seconds without having to find an outlet. It literally erased a muddy paw print situation from my couch last week. It’s a true lifesaver.

The Downside: The price is definitely higher than your average can of spot cleaner. It’s an investment, but if you deal with frequent messes, it pays for itself pretty quickly.

 

 

My Final Take on Costco

Look, the key to a successful Costco run is a mix of planning and chaos. Go in with a list of your must-haves—like the paper towels and peanut butter that will save you money all year long. You absolutely need those.

But you also have to leave room for the fun stuff. Let yourself wander the snack aisle, try the samples, and buy the weirdly delicious jalapeño bacon you didn’t know you needed. That’s where the real magic happens.

Just make sure you measure your pantry before you buy the 10-gallon tub of mayonnaise. Trust me on that one.