5 Totally Basic Grocery Essentials That Are So Much Better At Costco

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a half-empty container of Kirkland Signature ice cream,  gigantic bottle of olive oil, or oversized box of freshly-baked croissants, you’ve probably had the same thought as us: how is it that some of the most basic grocery essentials are so much better at Costco?

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Costco isn’t just popular because it sells products in bulk. Plenty of items found on the shelves of this warehouse retailer’s stores are downright fantastic. And that includes essential items like pantry staples, cooking must-haves, and basic, no-frills foods. So, if you’re looking to stock up on essentials during your next grocery store trip, these are the items we find to be significantly better at Costco—thanks to their flavor, value, or versatility.

Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup

Your breakfasts will be so much better—and reasonably priced!—if you switch from your plain ol’ grocery store syrups to Costco’s very own Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup.

This syrup is a winner not only because it’s sold in a downright massive 33.8oz jug, but also because it delivers true maple syrup at a very reasonable price. Usually, maple syrup carries a much higher price tag than other types of syrup (and it’s also often sold in teeny-tiny bottles due to its higher price). But for less than $15, or approximately $0.43 per ounce, you’ll be able to level up your waffles, pancakes, French toast, and other syrup-topped favorites.

Plus, this maple syrup really is great quality. You can use it solo or for baking, since you’ll have so much of it right on hand. You won’t want to go back to “fake” non-maple syrups after trying it.

Kirkland Signature Italian Parmigiano Reggiano

If you’re looking for a quality cheese to finish your pasta dishes, soups, or any other situation in which you might want a little Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, you’ve got to start buying a block from Costco and not your local grocery store. This cheese checks all the boxes: it’s reasonably-priced, sold in a sizable (or large) portion, and is excellent quality.

In fact, I stopped springing for any kind of Parmesan outside of this Costco cheese. You can pick up a 1.5-pound (or heavier) block for around $18 per pound, which is typically cheaper than smaller blocks’ per-ounce pricing outside of Costco. Plus, it’s aged for 24 months and tastes high-quality.

This block of cheese is versatile, too. Shred yourself at home to save money on the pre-shredded stuff, or shave it for a thicker finishing touch. Personally, I’ll even cut it into cubes for a snack. You can always freeze the block in smaller portions to make it last, too.

Kirkland Signature, Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil

You might think a 2-liter bottle of EVOO is an awful lot of olive oil, but frankly, this is the only way I’ll buy it anymore. I’ve spent enough time blowing through the tiny bottles sold at most grocery stores (and had to improvise halfway through recipes, too) to know that Costco’s version is not only longer-lasting, but also great quality.

Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil is wonderfully consistent, so you don’t need to worry about the flavor varying significantly from bottle to bottle over time. It’ll never surprise you, and as long as you follow smart olive oil storage rules (a dark container, kept away from the heat of your stove), the giant bottle will last you quite a while. 

Pro tip: once you grab this from your local Costco, portion the oil out into a smaller bottle or container so you aren’t working with (or cracking open) the entire jug every time you need a little pour. 

Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Beef Base

If you rely on Better Than Bouillon’s products to intensify flavors, start sauces, or whip up any recipes regularly, you need to stop buying it from your local grocery store and start purchasing it at Costco instead. 

That’s because Better Than Bouillon is the cheapest at Costco. While a small jar of beef, chicken, or vegetable base will run you about $8 to $10 at a typical grocery store, Costco sells larger ones for just over $10. That’s a serious price difference, and you can do a whole lot more with the extra-large jars offered at the warehouse retailer. 

As an added perk, you probably already know that a little bit of a Better Than Bouillon base goes quite a long way. Grab a Costco-sized jar, and it’ll last you for what feels like an eternity.

Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream

Every vanilla ice cream is a little bit different from the rest across the crowded freezer aisle, and everyone has their own personal favorite. But if you ask a Costco shopper for their preference, odds are they’re going to point you to Kirkland Signature’s Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream.

Costco shoppers rave about the quality and flavor of this ice cream, and I’m among them. This really does taste like a top-tier vanilla, with a dense, smooth, and rich taste that adds a depth you won’t find in most grocery store pints or quarts. Swapping out the cheapest, most basic vanilla ice cream you can find for this seriously upgraded alternative will make a world of difference in your desserts—milkshakes will taste richer, root beer floats will feel more decadent, and you might even find yourself digging a spoon into the container with no toppings or extras.