11 Great Costco Buys Even Experienced Shoppers Overlook

Costco may be well known for its rotisserie chicken and food court hot dog deal, but there are also some hidden gems you're missing out on. Many of the best values sit in the frozen aisle, the pantry and even the pet section, and a lot of them carry the store's own Kirkland Signature label. Store-brand staples like shampoo, cheese and diapers can cost noticeably less per unit than name brands, while bulk sizes mean fewer trips to the store.

So to help you save money at Costco, keep an eye out for these underrated buys that may have slipped under your radar. From weeknight dinners to treats for your dog, these are the items worth adding to your cart on your next warehouse run.

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

Price: $39.49

The boneless and skinless salmon filets from Costco are raised without antibiotics and are a great quick and easy dinner option. Each center-cut portion weighs 6 to 8 ounces, and the fish is sourced from Norway, according to Costco's product listing.

You can pick up a three-pound bag with filets individually wrapped, so it's easy to take out only what you need without worrying about freezer burn. The bag is resealable, and each portion is vacuum-packed. Thaw a fillet overnight in the fridge, then bake, pan-sear or air-fry it for a protein-packed meal. Pair it with rice and roasted vegetables, or flake it over a salad for lunch the next day.

Price: $499.99

Costco has some good options for blenders to help you make homemade smoothies, milkshakes, or other goodies. Check out the Vitamix Venturist 1200, which features variable speed and pulse controls, allowing you to customize textures for everything from silky smoothies to chunky salsas. 

It also includes a built-in timer to prevent over-blending, plus 20-ounce and 8-ounce SELF-DETECT™ containers for convenient single-serve drinks and small-batch recipes, all backed by a 10-year warranty. The blender runs on a 2.2-peak horsepower motor and comes with a 64-ounce low-profile container and tamper, according to Vitamix, so it can handle family-size batches of soup, nut butter or frozen drinks.

Price: $24.99

Babies and toddlers can run up big bills, but Costco has you covered with its Kirkland Signature Diapers. The warehouse's own-brand diapers come in a 160-count pack, bringing the cost per diaper to 16 cents a piece. That's the size 1 pack. Size 2 comes in a 144-count pack for the same price.

Compare it to a pack of Huggies at Target, which runs at 27 cents a piece, and realize you can be cutting your diaper costs by more than 40% with Costco. Kirkland Signature diapers offer up to 12 hours of absorbent protection, a hypoallergenic liner, a wetness indicator and a pocketed waistband to help contain blowouts, according to Costco.

Price: $11.99

There's no need to spend money on expensive shampoos when you can grab Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo. Costco describes it as a sulfate-free, salon-style formula with avocado and argan oils to help hydrate hair. It's also free of parabens, phosphates and dyes, and it's 100% vegan.

The big 33.8-ounce bottle is safe for color-treated hair. You can also grab a bottle of Kirkland Signature conditioner for the same price and have both handy when you need them. Shoppers seem to agree it's a solid buy: The shampoo has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 1,000 reviews on Costco's website.

Price: $17.99

Don't pay for name-brand parmesan when you can pick up the Kirkland Signature Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano for less. This Parmigiano Reggiano is imported from Italy and aged more than 24 months, according to Costco, and it's made without rBGH.

The Costco version of shredded parmesan comes in a 16-ounce container and is perfect for topping your favorite Italian dishes to give them an extra boost of flavor. Costco shoppers give it a 4.6-star average rating. Sprinkle it over pasta, risotto, roasted vegetables or Caesar salad, or stir it into soups for extra richness. Keep it refrigerated, and the big container should last through plenty of dinners.

Price: $10.99

Costco's thin-crust pizza is a great staple to have in your freezer for an easy meal any night of the week. Each pizza is made with whole milk mozzarella, a hearth-baked crust and Italian-style tomato sauce, and the pizzas are made in the USA, according to Costco.

Grab the four-pack of cheese pizza from your local warehouse retailer. And don't forget to grab your favorite pizza toppings so you can customize your cheese pizzas each night. Each pizza weighs 18.25 ounces, for more than 4.5 pounds of pizza in the box. At $10.99 for four, that's less than $3 per pizza, which is hard to beat for family movie night.

Price: $14.99

Bakers will love getting this bottle of Kirkland Signature Pure Vanilla Extract for all their baking needs, from cookies to muffins and more. The extract comes in a 16-ounce bottle. That's a much bigger bottle than you'll find in many grocery store baking aisles, so you won't have to restock before every holiday baking session. 

The extract is kosher, and Costco shoppers give it a 4.8-star average rating. Use it in cakes, frosting, pancakes, French toast or homemade whipped cream. It also makes a thoughtful gift for the bakers in your life. Store it in a cool, dark place with the cap tightly closed to keep the flavor fresh.

Price: $19.99

Instead of the typical cuts of beef at Costco, check out Kevin's Natural Foods Korean BBQ-Style Beef.

The beef strips are in a mild, soy-free bulgogi-style beef sauce to give them a unique taste. The beef is grass-fed sirloin raised without antibiotics, and the dish is certified paleo and gluten-free, according to Costco.

Eat them on their own or put them on top of rice or noodles for a delicious dinner. The 32-ounce package is ready in about five minutes, so it's an easy option for busy weeknights. Add steamed broccoli, kimchi or a fried egg to round out the meal.

Price: $41.99

Need coffee K-Cups for your coffee maker? Costco has you covered. The Kirkland Signature Breakfast Blend Organic K-Cup Pods amount to 120 cups of coffee. That's about 35 cents per pod at the regular price. This light roast is made from 100% Arabica coffee and is organic, Fair Trade Certified and kosher. Costco describes it as having a toasted walnut and malty brown sugar aroma.

If the Breakfast Blend isn't your favorite flavor, check out some of Costco's other flavor options, like Pacific Bold or French Roast. The pods work with Keurig K-Cup brewers, and the Breakfast Blend has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 3,000 reviews on Costco's website.

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Compare car insurance rates in Ohio

See if lower rates are available

Currently Insured?

Yes

No

Multiple Cars?

Yes

No

Homeowner

Yes

No

Age

30-39

• 18-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Great News! We’ve located some excellent quote options just for you.

Where can we send you info and recommendations?

Enter Email

Bundle Home & Auto to Save More?

Yes

No

Active Military?

No

Yes

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Price: $20.19

If you like a lasagna that's packed with meat, check out the Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna. It's made with 100% USDA Choice ground beef chuck, vine-ripened tomatoes and whole milk ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, according to Costco.

The lasagna comes in a two-pack and cooks in its container, so it's easy to pull one out of the freezer and into the oven for a simple meal after a long day. Plus, it helps you save money on groceries rather than making lasagna from scratch. Each tray weighs 3 pounds, for 6 pounds total, which works out to $3 a pound. It's also microwavable and made in the USA.

Price: $79.99

Don't forget about your furry friends when you go on your next Costco run. Cadet Bull Sticks come in a two-pack of 1.32-pound bags for your favorite pooches. The dog chews measure 9 to 12 inches long to ensure your dog will be happy with their yummy treats. They're made from a single ingredient, 100% beef, and are grain-free and gluten-free with no artificial colors, fillers or flavors, according to Costco. 

The chews are high in protein, and chewing can help clean your dog's teeth. Cadet recommends them for adult dogs over 5 pounds. They're sold online and have a 4.7-star average rating from more than 2,900 reviews.

Costco is a great place to save money on gas or pick up a cheap rotisserie chicken, but there are some other products you may have overlooked that you can add to your cart.

Kirkland Signature staples like diapers, shampoo and Parmigiano Reggiano can cost less than name brands, and freezer-friendly picks like salmon, pizza and lasagna make it easy to skip takeout on busy nights. Prices and stock can vary by warehouse, so check the Costco app or your local store before you shop.

Make sure you have the best cash back credit cards in your wallet before you go, which could earn you extra perks on the savings you already get from the warehouse retailer.