5 Totally Basic Costco Grocery Essentials We’d Buy Even Without The Bulk Discount

Before you head out the door to make your weekly Costco trip (and hit up that iconic food court for its best items), don’t forget about the essentials. Costco might constantly introduce new, limited-time treats to taste, but in our opinion, the chance to buy delicious seasonal items and basic grocery items in bulk is perhaps the store’s biggest perk. Honestly, so many of Costco’s staples are so high-quality that we’d pick them up even if they weren’t cheaper than other stores thanks to their cheaper bulk pricing.

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If you’re looking for grocery essentials that’ll keep your pantry, fridge, or freezer stocked up for the week ahead and offer perks beyond their bulk-buy value, these are the items we’d absolutely buy even if they weren’t cheaper at Costco.

Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken

If you’ve ever squinted at a regular grocery store’s take on rotisserie chicken because it seemed so darn small, you’re not alone. Costco’s Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken might be sold individually, but these chickens are bigger and beefier than your average ones. 

But even if they weren’t, the quality and flavor of this always-moist and perfectly-seasoned comfort food-worthy chicken at Costco make it a must-buy at any price point. Plus, you’re getting a lot of meat — enough to transform a single chicken into multiple meals or feed a family.

Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants

Are croissants a must-have? For some people, maybe not. But once you try Costco’s Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants, you’re going to want to make them part of your regular haul must-haves. Costco’s bakery consistently churns out hits, and these buttery, flaky, and never dry croissants are one of them. 

I love picking them up to turn into a batch of breakfast sandwiches, but you can also serve them as a side, use them as a stand-in for your usual lunchtime sandwich bread, or chop them up and use them in casseroles and other recipes. Even if they were sold in smaller batches, they’d still offer so many use cases (and their incredible taste).

Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese

Costco’s prepared meals can be absolutely incredible, both in flavor and in their ability to feed a family (or a crowd… because I have definitely relied on them for get-togethers). They’re large, but even if you only enjoy a small portion, they’re well worth buying. One of the best is the Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese, which is a comfort food classic and surprisingly versatile.

Keep one (or more) of these prepared meals in your freezer, and you’ve got ready-made meals you can bake to perfection in no time. And if you want to level up the flavor of this simple mac and cheese, it’s easy to do so by mixing in crumbled bacon, bread crumbs, or even some shredded rotisserie chicken, all of which you can also find at Costco.

Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is a must-have when it comes to grocery staples, and Costco offers multiple options in bulk. But you’re not just getting a couple of jars of sauce; at Costco, you’re getting multiple jars and larger jar sizes so there’s more sauce in every way possible. And that’s exactly why it’s an essential we’d always pick up, regardless of whether or not it’s discounted here. 

If you’re frequently whipping up pasta dishes, Costco’s marinara options can’t be beat when it comes to quantity. Plus, they stock some standout brands. Classico is always a solid choice whether you’re going basic or planning to zhuzh up your sauce. Costco also stocks two-packs of Rao’s, which needs no tweaking at all in our opinion. Sometimes, depending on your local store, you can even find more regional options to mix into your rotation.

Breaded Chicken Chunks (AKA Nuggets)

Chicken nuggets are a freezer essential, and you really can’t go wrong at Costco. Yes, you can buy nuggets by the literal pound here thanks to the bulk bags lining the frozen food aisles. But there’s also so much variety — and every option is downright delicious.

One of the best is Costco’s own Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, which are flawless. They never disappoint whether you bake them in the oven, crisp them in the air fryer, or even microwave them in a pinch. Similarly, Costco stocks Just Bare nuggets, which are pretty similar, albeit with a slightly different seasoning blend. Real Good nuggets can be found here, too, for another real breast meat (not processed meat) option.