17 Things to Buy Your First Time at Costco

So you finally did it. You convinced yourself to get that Costco membership and see what the bulk-shopping hype is all about. But now you’re standing there wondering what to actually buy first, because you’ve also heard this is the kind of place where you go in for toilet paper and somehow leave with a gazebo.

Costco regulars have their go-to picks for a reason. Here are 17 of the items they recommend to buy your first time at Costco.

Rotisserie Chicken

We’re being very Captain Obvious here, but if you’re heading to the warehouse for the first time, you should do it properly — by leaving with a greasy rotisserie chicken that will tempt you on the ride home. The $4.99 bird enjoys near-mythical status among grocery store poultry, and Costco sells more than 100 million of them each year. It’s also one of the top suggestions from Costco veterans to newcomers.

If you don’t devour it immediately, you can shred it while it’s still warm for meals like soups, sandwiches, or tacos. Devoted fans also recommend saving the carcass for an out-of-this-world broth.

“I buy a $5 rotisserie chicken at Costco once a week, whether I have plans for it or not. I take all the meat off the bone and save the carcass in the freezer. The chicken pieces in the fridge get added to spaghetti, used on sandwiches, or added to quesadillas,” shared one user on Reddit. “If by the end of the week there’s anything left, it’s added to the bag in the freezer. The carcass in the freezer gets vegetable ends and corn husks. After a week or two, you’ve got the base for a really awesome chicken stock.”

Kirkland Maple Syrup

If you’re someone who puts maple syrup on just about anything short of your shoes, Kirkland has a pick that won’t drain your wallet. The Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup comes in a large 33.8-ounce jug for $14.99, which works out to about $0.44 per ounce — well below what you’ll usually pay for pure maple syrup. You’re getting a lot of syrup for the price, and shoppers say it tastes great.

“It’s so good and such good value,” said one shopper.

Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper

Kirkland Signature toilet paper is also one of the most recommended items by Costco fans, and it gets a surprising amount of attention and praise for something you usually don’t overthink (unless it’s 2020 and you are panic-buying it).

Each pack comes with 30 rolls, with 380 sheets per roll, and it’s made with two-ply layers designed to be both comfortable and absorbent. It’s known for balancing softness and strength, which is really all anyone wants here.

Kirkland Signature Frozen Lasagna

First-time Costco shoppers with big families shouldn’t overlook Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna. It’s built to feed a crowd without much prep, and shoppers are very into it.

“Sweet little baby Jesus this is the most delicious food on the planet. TRY IT,” one Reddit user summed it up pretty dramatically.

Each pack comes with two 3-pound trays. The lasagna is made with USDA Choice ground beef, Italian sausage, vine-ripened tomatoes, and plenty of ricotta and mozzarella. It’s microwavable, but most fans stick with the oven for better texture.

$1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

Bet you don’t need an introduction to the legendary $1.50 hot dog and soda deal, which probably half the membership alone feels worth the yearly fee. Costco has resisted every temptation to raise the price on this combo and has even committed to keeping it that way.

Frozen Shrimp Tempura

If you want something in your freezer that makes you look like you planned ahead, Kirkland’s Tempura Shrimp is an easy grab that gives you a real taste of Costco value. You get 30 pieces in a box, each with a crispy tempura coating and a solid, meaty shrimp inside. A soy dipping sauce is included.

Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants

Over at the bakery, every member will recommend the Costco croissants. They’re sold in a 12-pack for around $6, which is hard to beat. They’re soft, buttery, and go fast. And if you picked up that rotisserie chicken, just slice one open and you’ve got an easy chicken sandwich.

Kirkland Signature Olive oil

If you’re new to buying in bulk, olive oil is where you’ll actually notice the difference—and where that yearly fee starts to pay off. Prices have gotten pretty wild, so getting a 2-liter bottle of organic extra virgin olive oil for about $20 is a deal.

Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs

Eggs are one of the most recommended picks for first-time Costco shoppers, especially if you’re trying to get a feel for what’s actually worth buying in bulk. You’re getting two dozen Grade AA organic, cage-free eggs in one pack, which is the kind of everyday item where the value adds up quickly.

Kirkland Organic Blueberries

Costco has a strong game when it comes to its private-label frozen fruit, and shoppers keep calling it out for the value. The Kirkland Signature Organic Blueberries come in a big 3-pound bag, and since they’re individually quick frozen, you can use exactly what you need without wasting any.

“The big bag of frozen organic blueberries is such a great savings and they’re delicious,” shared one shopper.

“The organic blueberries are on my list almost every trip,” said another.

Kirkland Signature Supreme Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Cauliflower pizza is a tricky thing to get right, and many grocery store versions are spectacularly failing at it, but Costco miraculously succeeds. The Kirkland Signature Cauliflower Crust Pizza comes as a two-pack and is topped with pepperoni, sausage, roasted vegetables, and a three-cheese blend, so it doesn’t feel like a compromise. Despite being gluten-free, it’s an easy freezer pick that still tastes like real pizza.

“It is better than the regular crust frozen pizza,” reads one comment on Reddit.

“I think it’s the best frozen pizza I’ve ever had. Fingers crossed Costco won’t discontinue,” said another user.

Food Court Pepperoni Pizza

But if you prefer your gluten and grease fresh, you can always hit the food court. Costco’s pizza is known for its ginormous size and bang for your buck, with whole pies going for about $9.95 and slices available as well.

Kirkland Signature Meatballs

Kirkland’s Italian Style Beef Meatballs get a lot of love from both taste-testers and shoppers. They’re fully cooked, well-seasoned, and stay moist even when you’re just heating them up, which is part of why people keep them on repeat.

“Kirkland Italian Style Meatballs deserve all the praise in the world,” wrote one shopper on Reddit.

Kirkland Plain Greek Yogurt

Kirkland’s Organic Greek Yogurt is another staple shoppers keep coming back to, especially if you want something versatile that actually gets used. It’s thick and tangy, and has about 18 grams of protein per serving. At around $6.99 for a large 48-ounce tub, it’s hard to ignore the value.

Rao’s Homemade

People go out of their way to grab Rao’s Marinara at Costco, mostly because the of the price difference. You’re getting a two-pack for about $10.59, which comes out to a little over $5 per jar — cheaper than what most stores charge for just one.

Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Pretzels

One of Costco’s favorite snacks, these peanut butter pretzels come in a 55-ounce tub for about $11.99, which makes them easy to keep around and just as easy to go through. Costco keeps pulling these off shelves and bringing them back, so don’t get too attached if you end up loving them.

Kirkland Signature Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

If you want something that feels a little more put together without much effort, the Kirkland Salmon Milano is an easy pick. It comes already prepped with basil pesto butter on top, so you just put it in the oven and let it cook.