I'm a die-hard Costco fan with an executive membership. Here are the 9 items I can't leave the store without.

Amylu is my favorite brand from Costco. As a home cook and food scientist by trade, I prioritize making homemade meals weekly. But trust me when I say this brand is worth buying.

All of Amylu's products are filled with ingredients I'd use if I were making them from scratch. I use the chicken meatballs with basil and Parmesan for lunch bowls and the organic maple chicken patties to bump up the protein in my breakfast.

This creamy, natural, organic peanut butter only contains two ingredients: peanuts and salt.

I love that the Kirkland Signature peanut butter doesn't don't have an oily, oxidized aftertaste like others on the market.

The Kirkland Signature Italian sparkling mineral water is a staple in my house.

We like to flavor it ourselves by adding lemon, lime, or pomegranate molasses to make our own beverages. However, it's also perfectly refreshing on its own.

Although Costco offers great, affordable options for chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks in value packs, I find the organic variety is often higher quality.

These chicken breasts are the backbone of my meal prep. As soon as I arrive home, I marinate and freeze them so that when they defrost, they're ready to go.

Costco has a variety of great yogurt options. However, my favorite is the enormous container of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt because everyone in my household — including my dog — can enjoy it.

I like to flavor it in batches and can sweeten it myself since I usually pile on the toppings.

I also use this as a swap for sour cream, or as a base for my Ninja Creami.

I make oatmeal all year long, but I also use rolled oats as a base for baking to amp up the fiber. The oats can be used whole, but sometimes, I blend them to make my own oat flour.

In a pinch, it's also ideal for a soothing bath.

This huge wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano is worth its weight in gold.

We shave it over our salads and pasta dishes but keep the rind for brothy beans, homemade marinara sauce, and soup stock.

The Columbus hickory-smoked turkey bacon is another one of my favorite items to buy at Costco. It comes in a pack of four, and we usually freeze each one until we're ready to use it.

We like to bake it on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper.

This bacon is great for making breakfast burritos or for when we're serving a crowd.

Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce is super versatile and cuts my time in the kitchen in half. It works as a marinade, a dip, and so much more.

It's an easy way to pack a punch of sweet and savory goodness into any meal. We like to use it on all our proteins, from chicken to tofu.

This story was originally published on March 24, 2025, and most recently updated on October 15, 2026.

Curious to know what other shoppers put in their carts? Check out our other Costco diaries here.