My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II)

This post is by blog team member, Amy. Check out our team page and her blog Spunky Avocado to learn more about her!


Well, here it is as promised—Part II of my Costco real food love fest. This time I am going to be dishing on my favorite items from Costco’s freezers, along with meat, dairy, seafood, and poultry, as well a few real food rule benders.

And because I care, a brief word of caution: As you know or as you will certainly learn the first time you walk through those doors, Costco is full of extras. Part of the art of shopping there (without breaking the bank) is wearing a pair of make-believe blinders and sticking militantly to your shopping list. So make sure you print out your free copy at the end of this post to take with you.

If you are a Costco newbie, you might want to review the little primer I included in Part I.

Costco Real Food Shopping List on 100 Days of #RealFood

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My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II)

I have to admit to a bit of trepidation as I entered Costco last week. My family just completed our Suburban Smackdown Challenge where we purchased NOTHING but food and very basic necessities for six months.

As I alluded to above, Costco is also a veritable smorgasbord of material goods, and this was to be my first visit without the constraints of the Smackdown to reign in my wants. I’m proud to say that I entered with an iron will and left with that will only mildly softened. I stuck to my list….for the most part. :)

So without further ado, let’s get to that list, starting with the freezer section. Oh and you can download a printable version using the button below!

 
My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II) at 100 Days of #RealFood

Frozen Vegetables and Fruit I Buy at Costco

A well stocked freezer full of whole foods is an essential tool for feeding a family, and there is no shortage of great frozen finds at Costco. Most of my take-homes include veggies, fruit, and seafood, but you will find a couple frozen real food rule benders in my cart as well. I’ll share those a bit later.

Let’s begin with vegetables and fruit. You may remember from my last post that as a health coach, I’m very big on the concept of “crowding out” other food groups with nutrient and antioxidant-packed vegetables and fruit (heavy on the veggies).

The good news is that vegetables and fruit retain most of their nutrients if frozen soon after they have been picked. So bring on the frozen produce!

Frozen Seafood I Buy at Costco*

My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II) at 100 Days of #RealFood

Ah, the bounty of the sea! Costco offers a good selection of frozen fish and other seafood which can add much needed variety to your weekly meal plans. Fish (especially fatty fish) and seafood are important sources of essential long-chain omega-3 fats. Fish are high in protein and also good sources of vitamin D and selenium.

If you do not eat fish regularly, a high-quality fish oil supplement is a good idea. Your brain and body will thank you for it.*Be sure to shop for fish/seafood that is sourced sustainably. Fresh Seafood I Buy at Costco*I admit to not being the best planner in the world, so many of our meals are pulled together out of the air at the last moment.

Therefore, fresh seafood is not terribly frequent in our household. There are a few items here that I do pick up occasionally.*Be sure to shop for fish/seafood that is sourced sustainably.

Meat and Poultry I Buy at Costco

My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II) at 100 Days of #RealFood

This, along with dairy, is the area where I think our Costco could offer better choices. While there are organic options, pastured and grass-fed are not descriptors on any of the packaging.

In fact, I asked the very nice butcher if they had any grass-fed options outside of bison, and he referred me to Matthews Farmer’s Market. I thought that was very sweet (and accurate) of him. That said, some of these organic meats do make their way into my cart from time to time.

Dairy Items I Buy at Costco

My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II) at 100 Days of #RealFood

Again, this is a shorter list. While Costco does offer whole organic omega 3 milk, we are almond and coconut milk drinkers for the most part. As for cheese, I’m very picky about the quality since my husband and boys seem to inhale it. And before anyone corrects me with, “but eggs aren’t dairy,” please know I am aware of this. Eggs are, however, located in the dairy cooler at Costco. So forgive them.

A Few Real Food Rule Benders

There ya have it. Don’t forget to download your printable version of this list using the button at the beginning of the post. While this list is not comprehensive, it does represent most of the tried and true grocery items that make the job of feeding my family three+ meals a day a little easier. The hard part is keeping those blinders on…and keeping my husband out of the tool isle.

Frozen VegetablesQuantityPrice
Kirkland Organic Normandy Vegetables
This classic combination of carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower is great in casseroles or on its own served over a bit of quinoa.
5.5 lbs.$8.99
Bybbe Foods Organic Mixed Vegetables with Shelled Edamame
This is a huge time saver as far as winter vegetable soup making goes. The edamame adds extra protein. The combo is also yummy mixed into brown rice, quinoa, barley, or farro.
5.5 lbs.$6.89
Path of Life Organic Quinoa and Kale
As a rule, I do not use plastic steamer bags. I heat this in a pan or steam it using a fine mesh stainless strainer. I love this pairing of super-foods as a quick and complete meal but have yet to get my boys on board for this one. Kale, not disguised in smoothies, is still a hard sell for them.
5 10-oz. steamer bags$12.49
Bybee Organic Green Beans
Caramelize some onion in a bit of avocado oil or grass fed butter, then add these carotenoid-rich beans and chicken or veggie broth. Simmer to desired tenderness. Salt to taste. Delish!
5 lbs.$6.89
Path of Life Broccoli Florets
A great source of fiber, Vitamin C, calcium, and antioxidants. I use frozen broccoli in lieu of fresh broccoli for soups, casseroles, and stir-fry.
4 1-lb. bags$6.49
Frozen FruitQuantityPrice
Sunrise Growers Organic Sweet Cherries
Give me a big handful of these with some raw cocao (“ao” not “oa”) and I’ve the got the start of a decadent tasting and deceptively nutritious smoothie.
3 lbs.$12.99
Wyman’s of Maine Organic Blueberries
Blueberries are associated with better memory and brain function. I could list a whole load of healthy facts on this little power berry, but better memory and brain function should be motivation enough. (Besides, I forgot the rest.)
3 lbs.$11.99
Pure Nature Organic Strawberries
I’ve never met a strawberry I didn’t like, but these in particular are really large and really sweet. They are the base of most of the smoothies that make it into my kids’ bellies.
4 lbs.$11.39
Radar Farms Organic Island Mix (Strawberry, Blueberry, and Mango)
This is a new item, but sounds like a fab combination.
4 lbs.$11.49
Cascadian Farms Antioxidant Blend (Berry)
Um, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry….mucho berries…muy bueno….need I say more?
3 lbs.$10.99
Frozen SeafoodQuantityPrice
Cox’s Seafood Wild Caught Shrimp40-50 ct. 2 lbs.$20.99
 16-20 ct. 2 lbs.$24.99
Cox’s Raw Peeled Wild Caught Shrimp16-20 ct. 2 lbs.$36.99
Kirkland Raw Sea Scallops15-20 ct. 2 lbs.$35.99
Kirkland Wild Caught Mahi Mahi3 lbs.$17.99
Kirkland Wild Caught Pacific Sockeye Salmon
3 lbs.$34.99
Orca Bay (Pacific) Flounder3 lbs.$13.99
Kirkland Wild Caught Hake Loins3 lbs.$13.99
Fresh SeafoodQuantityPrice
Fresh Wild Mahi Mahiper lb.$8.99
Fresh Wild Caught White Shrimp
I don’t have pricing because it was unavailable this visit.
  
Wild Cooked Red King Crab (a rare splurge)per lb.$19.99
Wild Cooked Cold Water Lobster Arm/Clawper lb.$9.99
Meat and PoultryQuantity__Price
Kirkland Organic Ground Beef
While I don’t use beef often, the grass-fed option I would typically buy is $9.99/lb. So every once in a while this beef, at half the cost, comes home to my freezer.
4 lbs.$19.99
High Plains Ground Bison
I’ve bought bison a couple times, but my husband has to handle and cook it. I eat 95% vegetarian, and it is hard for me to add a once endangered animal to our menu (yes, showing my bias here). However, these animals who graze on grass and other natural Great Plains vegetation boast a very lean meat, which is high in protein and rich in iron. If you are going to eat a red meat and can get past eating this national treasure, bison is a healthier choice.
2.5 lbs.$17.99
Coleman Fresh Organic Whole Chicken 2-Pack
When I don’t have access to a pastured bird, these guys are always available. Each chicken is in the 5-6 lb. range. I have used them for Lisa’s Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot and have fed my family for days from one chicken.
per lb.$2.49
Coleman Fresh Organic Chicken Drumsticksper lb.$1.99
Coleman Fresh Organic Chicken Breastsper lb.$4.99
Coleman Fresh Organic Chicken Thighsper lb.$4.79
Coleman Fresh Organic Chicken Wingsper lb.$2.99
Dairy and EggsQuantityPrice
Kerrygold Imported Irish Butter (from grass-fed cows)1.5 lbs.$6.99
Kerrygold Imported Dubliner Cheese2.18 lbs.$13.99
Coastal Rugged Mature English Cheddar
(I once dated a guy I would have described with those exact words.)
per lb.$7.59
Kirkland Large Organic Brown Eggs
While not pastured, these eggs are certified humane and are sourced locally according to packaging, but I’d describe it as regionally since the farm is in Georgia and we’re in North Carolina.
24 ct.$6.99
Rule BendersQuantityPrice
Jack’s Special Salsa
I’ll be honest, this stuff is ALWAYS in my fridge. It’s only offense is a little added cane sugar.
48 oz.$5.39
Dr. Praeger’s Organic Harvest Veggie Burgers
While the ingredient list is long, it is made up of whole organic veggies and grains. The only true rule breaker in these otherwise healthful patties is a bit of canola oil.
 12 $11.99
Kirkland Basil Pesto
Yes, I prefer to make my own, but this is a tasty version to have on hand. When I use it, I have to look past the added sunflower oil and ascorbic acid.
22 oz.$7.99
Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk
We drink a lot of almond milk, and I cook with it almost exclusively. Making it myself is not always feasible. Silk is one of the few brands without carrageenan, though it’s ingredient list goes way beyond the almonds, water, and vanilla that I would use.
3 64-oz.$7.99
Green Chopsticks Organic Chicken Dumplings
These are flavor-packed and full of whole, all organic ingredients, along with a smidge of sugar as well as refined organic flour.
2 lbs.$11.69

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153 thoughts on “My Go-To Costco Shopping List (Part II)”

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  1. I’ve got the part 2 list, but the button is gone on the first posting for the part 1 list. Is there an active link to it?

    Thanks!

  2. Fish oil supplements are recommended in this article for those who do not eat fish regularly. Can you recommend a good one?

  3. Costco deeply discounts case quantities of poultry–whole chickens come down to $1.99/lb when you buy a case! Just ask someone in the department to find you a case and print you a discounted sticker :)

  4. Hi Lisa,
    Once again it is grading time for my fall semester college classes and three of my classes had your food challenge as a quiz grade. Here is a comment from one of my Saudi students who has fallen in love with your web site.”I really loved this challenge, because it helps me to eat real food not junk food or process food. I found out that, healthy food made me feel happy and fresh. Moreover, I know how to cook after this challenge, my family and friends are happy with that and that surprises them.” OK he has a few idiom issues, but don’t you love his enthusiasm?

    I also bought your cookbook for my daughter’s birthday (she has two boys 9 and 12) and she told me she uses it everyday!!!

    I have a few more challenges coming in before our Christmas break. I’ll let you know how converted they were to healthy living. (lol)

    Your friend,
    Joan Dahlen

  5. Thank you so much for this list. It’s so important that people have access to quality foods- so many tell me the reason they don’t eat the way y family does is due to expense!

  6. I was shopping Costco today and found that my store now sells Kirkland Signature Organic 1% milk. However, I found some conflicting information when I searched for more details on this product (https://www.facebook.com/Costco/posts/10151160219529947) from 2012. Do you have any idea as to whether this is as good as Organic Valley (or maybe even made by them?) or Horizon? What does “animal welfare certified” actually mean? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

  7. Hello! I found the link to print on your Part I version, but not Part II…where is it located? Thank you! This is a very useful list!

  8. We don’t have a Costgo but we do have, and belong to, Sam’s Club. Very similar in many ways. Some foods just can’t be gotten locally…if you live in the midwest all seafood will be shipped in. However, I can get local honey in HUGE jugs at my Sam’s Club. I can also find organic coconut oil and organic coconut palm sugar and a few other cool finds. They also carry the Kerry Gold butter you mentioned though I finally can get a nice organic butter at WalMart. :) But if they’re ever out or I’m at Sam’s, need butter, and don’t want to make an extra stop, I’m thrilled to know this. I can also get Kerry Gold cheese (I could die for their white cheddar).
    Really nice thing about our Sam’s…it’s next door to a natural market. If Sam’s doesn’t have it, I can go next door. :)

  9. I can’t seem to find button for printable version. Anyone else having issues finding? Thank you for the list! We were just at Costco the other day with two babes and my oh my how overwhelming that place can be, with two little ones to top it off.

      1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

        Hi Jamie. It should be there with that link. Can you try from another computer? So sorry you are having trouble. I’ll email you. :)

  10. I love the list. I will have to double check now on the seafood I’ve been going crazy to find some wild seafood that doesn’t contain any soy/canola oil. I had checked a while back and there was only one brand of the wild seafood and they all had added oils. I might try those veggie burgers if they carry them here in UT; glad they are non-gmo. I’ve recently watched Fed Up and as a family we are paying more attention to all the added sugar…it’s in everything, especially cereals. I haven’t found one brand yet that is low on sugar so I’ve been making it at home.

  11. Don’t feel bad about not buying fresh seafood. Frozen seafood is often fresher then fresh seafood, as it is flash frozen directly on boats within hours of being caught. “Fresh” seafood is often thawed fish that was previously frozen. Also, grocery store fish can have a chemical added to it to “plump” the fish up to look more appealing. Sellers are not required to disclose this chemical.

  12. The Kale & Quinoa caught my eye, because we too get that item (among many others listed). I have a husband that wasn’t crazy about kale for a while. My son on the other hand took to it right away. Indoctrination started with homemade Kale Chips, but the one that won them both over and is ASKED for are my Potato-Kale Tacos (or burritos – however you want to wrap it up). I finely dice red or golden potatoes and toss in avocado oil (higher smoke point) until about halfway done, then toss in the kale (we prefer curly green kale best) and “coat” slightly with a bit more oil as needed. Once well mixed, I set the tortillas on top to help “steam” the kale a bit. Set the tortillas to the side of the pan to help crisp up a bit then fill. Variations include a stronger/sharper cheese melted on the tortilla before filling and other veggies I add to the mix have been carrots (great color) celery, fennel, zucchini whatever you like and want to use up.

  13. You say this is real food but you are buying processed food. Plus the food at Costco is as far from local as possible with the beef coming from Uruguay and Australia. I think there are much better options available.

    1. really??? Does all of your “real food” come from your town or even state? Do you have all raw fruits and veggies, even in the middle of winter? You must have a large income and a lot of time if you are concerned about this. I don’t care what anyone says it is super expensive/time consuming to feed your family all truly real foods. Lets take pictures of your cabinets and see what’s in them…..Oh, I’m eating Tostitos while typing this :-)

      Forgive me father for I have sinned…

    2. I did not mean to sound so negative when I wrote this. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Most people I have spoken to are not aware that the beef at Costco travels 9000 miles to reach your store and appreciate the info. I really try to avoid processed foods other than my grains – bread, tortillas, pasta. I appreciate everything posted here and think it is a great resource. I’m sorry for the negative sounding post. :)

      1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

        No biggie. I think we just have to remember that we are on in a different place on our real food journeys. Our goal should be to keep doing better with how we eat and feed our families. Some people are just starting to understand why it is important to stop eating processed foods. It’s important to help people no matter where they fall on the real food continuum. :)

    1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

      Hi Renata. We don’t eat much cereal in my family outside of oats. I do buy the Nature’s Path Granola (I think that is the brand) sometimes. ;)

  14. Nice article, Amy! I am so thrilled to see markets and stores offering better food choices. Even Walmart (which I am cautious with) is offering their own organic brand now, but also many more organic brands to choose from. It is an awesome sight!

  15. As I had stated in one of my fb comments, I would never buy Colemans chicken because yes, although they may feed those birds organic grains, they are not free range chickens which is what most uneducated people envision when they see the word ‘organic’. Colemans breeds their chickens in mobs allowing only 1 sq ft of space per bird. Therefore I choose not to purchase it. Our Target now sells the brand Bare where you can trace the product to the family farm.

    1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

      Hi there. Do you need to avoid cows’s milk. If so, Costco sells organic soy milk as well as coconut milk.

  16. When purhasing the frozen veggies and fruit (organic), should I be concerned where is manufactured from? I’ve noticed a lot of the frozen organic items are not made or manufactured in America. The organic authenticity has concerns me with stuff manufactured outside of the U.S.. Thanks for list, very helpful!

    1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

      Hi Chrystal. I think you have to be comfortable with what you purchase and if that requires more investigation, then I totally get it. I believe that Costco works hard to maintain integrity and transparency but no company gets it 100% right all the time. :)

  17. Sad to say, but our Costco is no longer carrying the Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts. So many of the healthier foods seem to have a very short time on Costco shelves before they disappear. Really missing the almond flour too. I understand they need to put good sellers on the shelves, but these products were tucked so far out of general traffic that it is amazing I ever found them. Would probably be better sellers if they were given a more prominent shelf space.

  18. Great list! I wanted to let other readers know that you can buy organic whole chicken and Dubliner cheese for around those same prices at Trader Joes. Maybe when my husband and I have kids we’ll get a Costco membership :)

    1. Organic GRASS FED Ground beef is also cheaper at Trader Joe’s then your $9.99/lb ( Farmer’s market?) price. I think it’s $6.99. Thankfully I can get it from my Farmer’s Market for $5.99.

  19. I have been a loyal shopper and a walking commercial for Costco since the fed-mart days. But, in the last few years I see a decline in giving good products to their customers. This may seem trivial but I see a trend. 30 gallon kitchen trash bags with ties, changed to cheaper ones that tear easily. Kirkland cranberry-grape juice, that was called very healthy, discontinued!
    Kirkland canned frozen orange juice, discontinued! Looks like a bean counter took over when original CEO retired. Whats next discontinue the $1.50 Hotdog?

  20. Good list. Just curious why you cook with almond milk as opposed to say organic milk? In general if you could do a post or direct me to a post about why you do certain substitutions that would be great. Some of them I understand and others not as much.

    1. Amy Taylor (comment moderator)

      Hi Amanda. I use almond milk because cow’s milk makes me not feel well and my 8 years old is a little sensitive to dairy, too. What other subs are you wanting to know about?

      1. Hi Amy– Wanted to let you know that Trader Joes has an organic soy milk tat doesn’t have any gumr or added ingredients. You’d have to be careful about making sure you get calcium and vitamin D as it’s not fortified though. Just a though!

  21. Our Costco(s) in Northern CA carry VERKA Organic Plain Whole Milk yogurt. 64 oz. for $5.49! We use it for dessert or snacks mixed with a little Costco Organic maple syrup, on baked potatoes, mixed with Dijon mustard and fresh dill as a hollaindaise sauce, etc…

  22. There is no Costco where I live so I do my shopping at Trader Joes and Sprouts.
    Here’s my list for the week:
    TJ’s Mediterranean Hummus (I know but who has the time to make it from scratch) that I eat with schug that I have to have shipped special from the east coast because no one carries it here.
    organic arugula
    organic carrots
    organic cherry tomatoes
    sugar peas
    raw unsalted pumpkin seeds
    ==========================
    organic garlic
    organic baby broccoli
    organic spinach
    organic power greens
    organic cherry tomatoes
    pomegranates (when they aren’t in season I buy berries)
    tangerines
    lemons
    seitan
    tempeh (yes, I’m a vegetarian)
    part skim mozarella (this will last me for weeks)
    sprouted multi-grain bread (got to have that grilled cheese sandwich once in a while so this will also last me for weeks)

    The only non whole food I buy on a regular basis is a protein shake that has 30gramsof protein/9g of carbs/ 190 calories. I need the protein boost after a serious workout.

    The first few items I keep in my office. The pumpkin seeds and sugar peas are breakfast, the hummus and veggies are lunch. I also have some organic apples and raw unsalted trek mix in my office for snacks but those don’t need to be replenished every week.

    I admit that I spend too much on food but you are what you eat.

    1. You know that West Coast Canadians would give up some of our territory for a Trader Joes, right? I’ll trade you all our costcos :)

  23. Hi Amy! You’re right that they carry organic cow’s milk at Costco, but readers need to be careful with that one. I did a detailed price comparison of real food items at Costco vs. mainstream grocery stores on my blog, and organic milk is one of the few items that’s much more expensive at Costco. Even Whole Foods sells it for a lot less. It’s important to compare unit prices before putting things on your Costco list. :)

  24. Do you shop at the costco on tryon st. or the Matthews location? I’ve found the tryon st location organic selection lacking. We just moved here and our old costco had so much more.

  25. Thanks so much for this info! I still don’t see a way to print the Costco II list? Am I missing something?
    Thanks!

  26. Thank you for sharing this list. Unfortunately, I have found that not all Costco’s sell the same things. Additionally, I have found, much to my dismay, that my local Costco will sell something good such as the organic blueberries then decide not to purchase again. I recently asked the manager about this and he had nothing to say. There is another Costco that is about 30minutes more away and I think when I have the time I’ll go and check it out.

  27. The other day, my Costco had pasture raised organic eggs. Very new and Super exciting! I also buy the organic ground turkey and Organic Valley white cheddar. We are organic on a budget and these items fit in very nicely.

      1. I cannot find how to print it out. I have looked this page over from top to bottom! Where is the print located?