If you’re a parent, you know the day-to-day jumble: work, school drop-offs, activities, homework, laundry, and then the ubiquitous what’s-for-dinner conundrum. I don’t know about you, but some evenings I don’t even have time to think, much less prepare an entire meal.
That’s where Costco comes in clutch. Sure, it’s easy to get distracted by the jumbo snack bags and tempting samples, but buried between the industrial-sized condiments and rows of granola bars are a bunch of real lifesavers. I’m talking about food that’s healthy-ish, easy to prep, and actually makes dinner doable when your brain is fried.
Here are 14 Costco finds I reach for again and again that help me feed my family without losing my mind.
1. Hand-Pulled Rotisserie Shredded Chicken
This is gold. It’s already shredded and cooked, so you can just add it to tacos, salad, pasta, or soup without having to turn on the oven. I was always in the habit of taking a whole rotisserie chicken and shredding it myself, but this is a total time-saver and dish-saver. It’s not dry at all, and it keeps in the fridge for a few days, which is amazing when it comes to meal prep.
2. Alaskan Salmon Burgers
If you’re looking for a chicken break, these are a good one. They cook directly from frozen (no thawing!) and are good with a nice smoky taste, even if you toss them on the grill or a hot pan. I’ll probably serve them up with a salad or nuke some rice and vegetables to fill it out. Bonus: they’re full of protein and my kids don’t complain.
3. Raw Frozen Shrimp
Shrimp is the quickest protein you can prepare. Costco’s raw frozen shrimp is an excellent value and only takes a few minutes to cook. I have a bag in the freezer for when I don’t plan ahead (which happens a lot). Throw them in a stir-fry, pasta, or even a hurry-up curry less than 20 minutes, max.
4. Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon Filets
These are wrapped separately, so you can grab only what you want and not have to thaw an entire pack. Love it. They’re more expensive than farm-raised, but they taste better, and they’re an excellent source of healthy fats. I bake them with a bit of lemon and olive oil or toss them in the air fryer. Easy and satisfying.
5. Cauliflower Rice
I didn’t expect to get into cauliflower rice, and yet here I am. Costco distributes it in microwave bags, which is an easy low-carb side when you don’t want to go to the trouble of cooking actual rice. I’ve incorporated it into burrito bowls, stir-fries, and even combined it with plain rice to make it go further without anyone being any the wiser.
6. Fresh Berries
Berries don’t last long in our home. We consume a ton between breakfasts, snacks, and school lunches. Costco often has large bins of blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries at reasonable prices when they are in season. I mix them into yogurt, throw them into smoothies, or simply leave them out for a snack.
7. Pre-cut Vegetable Tray
I thought veggie trays were only for parties, but they’re really useful during the week. The veggies are washed and cut up you just open the lid. I’ll add them to lunches, steam them for dinner accompaniments, or serve them out with hummus or ranch when everyone is starving before dinner is done.
8. Apples
Apples are the best no-prep snack. Costco puts them on sale in massive bags that see us through a bit (unless we have a peanut butter and apple binge). I’ll add them to my children’s lunchboxes, cut them up for snack time, or add them to baked oatmeal or muffins. They’re inexpensive, easy to take with us, and they don’t get crushed in school backpacks. Wins all the way around.
9. Spring Mix
I prefer to have salad greens in supply at all times. Spring mix is my favorite because it’s bland and pairs well with anything. Costco’s organic bag is a bargain, and it’s substantial enough to get you a couple of days’ worth of lunches or convenience side salads. When I have extra protein (such as that rotisserie chicken), this is the foundation for a quick meal.
10. Cherry Tomatoes
I add these to salads, pasta, eggs, or just eat them plain out of the container. They’re sweet, juicy, and no prep work is needed. And if you also put them in the oven for 20 minutes with olive oil and salt, they become magical. Costco’s container is huge, but we typically get through it before they spoil.
11. Eggs
I used to avoid Costco eggs because the 5-dozen containers were excessive, but they began selling smaller boxes and that flipped the script. Eggs are a breakfast food, of course, but I also make them into impromptu dinners such as omelets, frittatas, or egg salad. They’re affordable, satisfying, and always stocked in my fridge.
12. Spices
Purchasing spices at Costco is such a good idea. You receive so much for the same amount as a small jar in the supermarket. I always pick up garlic powder, onion flakes, taco seasoning, and Montreal steak seasoning. Having these in bulk makes it convenient to season meals without having to constantly replenish them.
13. Canned Diced Tomatoes
Yet another pantry staple. I add them to soups, stews, chilis, pasta sauce pretty much everything. Costco has huge boxes of organic diced tomatoes for dirt cheap, and it’s comforting to know I always have a few cans available for spur-of-the-moment dinners. They’re easy, wholesome, and incredibly versatile.
14. Raw Honey
This is one of those stealthy MVPs in my cupboard. Costco’s raw organic honey is wonderful on smoothies, yogurt bowls, oatmeal, and tea. I also like to use it when I bake or for small snacks like energy bites. It’s sweet without being too sweet, and it never goes bad.
Final Thoughts
Hey, I’m not going to lie and say that I’m whipping up gourmet dinners every evening. Most evenings, I’m just hoping to get everyone fed before anyone loses their cool (me or the kids). These Costco essentials help me do it. They save me prep time, minimize the “I’m hungry” frequency, and allow me to serve up healthy-ish meals even on the craziest days.
So, if you’re staring down another week of chaos, consider grabbing a few of this next time you’re at Costco. They’ve made my life way easier and maybe they’ll do the same for you.
