Costco is quite possibly America’s favorite retailing giant, and for good reasons. Where else can you search for a diamond engagement ring, nibble on free food samples, and find a rotisserie chicken for the unbelievable price of $4.99? It’s not just a shopping outing it’s an adventure that’s half treasure hunt, half pantry replenishment.
At the center of Costco’s popularity is its philosophy of buying in bulk. Looming over the aisles are tubs of mayonnaise, jugs of olive oil, and enormous 50-pound sacks of flour that give shopping there the sensation of supplying an army. With food prices rising, buying in bulk is the most sensible strategy to make each dollar go further.
But here’s the thing: not all bulk buys are a bargain. Certain things may be a steal at the checkout line but wind up being more expensive in the long term because they go bad, become stale, or just drown you in quantity. To spare you (and yourself) the disappointment (and waste), here are 15 Costco bulk buys that are better left on the shelf.
1. Spices
Large jars of spices such as a 24-ounce jar of Old Bay seasoning might seem like a dream for the home cook, but flavor has a short shelf life. Ground spices lose their oomph within six months, and you’ll be left with dull, lifeless seasoning. Unless you’re preparing gigantic seafood boils on a regular basis, you’ll never finish off the entire jar before it’s nothing but colored dust.
2. Flour
A 50-pound bag of flour might sound like a baker’s jackpot, but it’s a lot more than most kitchens can handle. Flour absorbs moisture easily and can turn rancid, especially whole wheat and nut flours. White flour lasts longer (about a year), but unless you’re baking daily, that huge sack is likely to go stale before you’re done.
3. Coffee
Three-pound sacks of beans look so inviting at Costco, but coffee is optimal within two weeks of roasting. You’d have to consume six cups a day to use up that much before flavor drops off. Small packages will provide you with a fresher, superior cup for dedicated coffee aficionados concerned about aroma and flavor.
4. Avocados
A bag of six for under $9 feels like a score until they all ripen on the same day. Unless you’re hosting a guacamole party, it’s tough to eat them before they turn brown and mushy. The fridge can only slow the process, not stop it.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds healthy, yes, but also oily. And those oils go rancid surprisingly quickly. Even sealed and stored well, they lose freshness within a couple of months. Unless you’re feeding a crowd, that giant bag will end in waste.
6. Whole Grains
Quinoa and brown rice are wonderful choices for wholesome meals, but do not store as well as white rice since their oils naturally go bad. That 12-pound bag may appear to be a bargain, but unless you use it every day, it will probably spoil before you get through the whole thing.
7. Large Condiment Jars
That gigantic container of mayonnaise or jug of ketchup seems convenient until it goes bad half way through. Even with preservatives, opened condiments become rancid in no time. A jar of mayonnaise containing 64 ounces is too much for well over 120 sandwiches, more than most households can consume before the taste goes bad.
8. Jerky
Beef jerky appears to be the ideal shelf life snack, but after opening it lasts for only a week or two even when kept in the refrigerator. It is hard to consume Costco’s 14-ounce packs on time, unless you consume it every day. Smaller quantities are the intelligent choice for freshness.
9. Oil
Olive, sesame, canola whatever kind, oil only lasts a few months after the bottle is opened, typically one to three months. A three-liter bottle might be an economy size, but most families will use it before it goes bad. Bigger bottles keep both taste and your finances safe.
10. Root Vegetables
Ten pounds of potatoes or bags of carrots appear convenient until they begin sprouting or getting slimy. Unless daily meals are being prepared for a big family, small quantities from a store are more convenient to use without wastage.
11. Shredded Cheese
Costco’s 32-ounce shredded cheese bags are convenient, but the shelf life after opening is just five days. Even if you’re a quesadilla fan, that’s a lot to get through. Buying blocks and shredding as needed keeps cheese fresher and tastier.
12. Milk
Costco’s gallon containers are inexpensive, but milk only lasts about a week after opening. Things are made even worse because Costco’s container shape causes milk to spill when pouring. Because milk is usually less expensive per gallon elsewhere, half-gallons may be a more practical purchase.
13. Hummus
That 32-ounce container may be a party star, but hummus will only last a week after opening. Single-serve packs are a better choice for small families, keeping your dips fresh and your fridge clean.
14. Baking Powder & Yeast
These baking staples lose effectiveness within six months to a year. Buying in bulk may seem economical, but if your baking isn’t on a near-professional scale, you’ll end up with flat cookies and bread. Smaller packs ensure reliable results.
15. Fresh Baked Goods
Costco muffins, croissants, and cakes are legendary and gigantic. Short of sharing or freezing them, they’ll turn stale in a hurry. And the huge portions make it way too easy to overeat.
The Bottom Line
Bulk buying can be genius but only if you’ll consume what you purchase before it goes bad. Just because something appears more affordable at first doesn’t make it a good bargain if most of it winds up in the dumpster. With some forethought, you can still reap Costco’s gems without falling into the trap of wastefulness.
