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.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
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Mini carrot cakes
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
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
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.
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
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Rotisserie chicken
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
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
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.
Vanilla extract
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
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 chocolate chip 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!
Parmigiano Reggiano wheel cheese
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 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.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
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.
Pizza
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, umami perfection.
Organic extra virgin olive oil
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 $25 for 2 liters. The price alone maximizes your Costco membership perks.
Bottom line
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.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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