The 10 Best Things to Buy at Costco, According to Chefs

Culinary professionals love a bargain just as much as everyone else, so it’s no surprise that many head to wholesale retailer Costco for all sorts of deals on groceries and beyond. We spoke with chefs, caterers and other food pros about the best things to buy at Costco for their homes and businesses. Here’s what they had to say about some of their favorite finds.

By Alice K. Thompson for Food Network Kitchen

Chefs use a lot of olive oil, and some say that they find liters of Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco for the same price as half as much oil at another store. "The Kirkland Signature oil is exceptional for both quality and value," says Nik Fields, owner of Chic Chef 77 wine bar in Phoenix, Arizona. Fields praises its "rich, fruity flavor and versatility both raw and for cooking. And it's consistent, so you can rely on it as a staple."

Costco sells whole, mixed, salted and unsalted nuts in generously sized bags, and they're useful in all sorts of recipes, says Chef Alessandra Madeira of Azzurra Cucina Italiana in Henderson, Nevada. "One item I buy regularly is Kirkland Signature Walnut Halves," she says. "We caramelize the walnuts and use them as crunchy toppings for our salads at the restaurant." While professional kitchens like Madeira's go through Costco's large containers of quality nuts quickly, home cooks can keep theirs fresh by storing them in the freezer.

Big bags of everyday citrus like lemons and limes are popular with many Costco shoppers, but low-priced seasonal fruits are a draw for chefs like Denise Smith of GennieBee Catering in Long Beach, California. "I count on Costco to have some of the best fruit around," she says. "Raspberries, blueberries, pineapples, cantaloupe and honeydew are all excellent. I'm a particular fan of their watermelons... I use cubes of it with feta cheese crumbles and lime vinaigrette for my watermelon salad."

Seltzer and sparkling water are increasingly in-demand alternatives to juices and sodas, and culinary pros say Costco has impressive prices and variety. "I love the selection Costco carries," says Eduardo Garcia, chef-owner of the food brand Montana Mex. "Izzy is one of my favorites, but they really have something for everyone. In the past, the reasonable prices at Costco helped me build my business. Even today, when I'm throwing an event, the store is a great resource for drinks and other ingredients."

Reusable towels often do a better job at wiping up spills than sponges and can be less wasteful than paper towels. "I get big packs of standard, 100% cotton towels from Costco," says Garcia. "I use them for everything from wiping counters to drying fresh herbs to protecting my hands from hot pots and pans. They're just a great everyday tool. I know they're going to be reasonably priced at Costco and I can get the volume I need just by picking up a few bundles."

Chefs often work long hours and need to stock their freezers with staples to make quick, easy meals for themselves and their teams. That's why New York-based culinary instructor and @thechefsmartypants host Erica Wides likes to pick up big bags of frozen wontons at Costco. "I'm a total sucker for this giant bag of tender, thin-skinned, pre-cooked mini wontons from Bibigo, a Korean company with excellent products," she says. "I add them to big bowls of chicken broth with a handful of fresh greens, some sesame oil, ginger and soy sauce. Or I microwave them and eat some over salad for lunch or any time I need a quick, protein-rich snack."

Having a big jar of prepared pesto on hand comes in handy, and Las Vegas-based chef and cookbook author Alicia Shevetone is a fan of Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto. "Think of it as a flavor bomb that will add dimension to whatever you're making," she says. "I add it to mayonnaise for a condiment on Italian sliders. I add it to bechamel to make a quick sauce for pasta dishes. I spoon it into soups to intensify broths. I mix it with mascarpone and smear it on crostini for game-day bites."

Organic ingredients usually have higher price tags than their conventional equivalents, but many culinary pros say their local Costcos sell organic eggs for approximately the same amount as non-organic eggs at other nearby supermarkets. "Chefs often prefer organic eggs due to their superior taste and the assurance of better farming practices," says Fields. "At Costco, they're tops for consistent quality, reasonable cost and ethical sourcing. These eggs are my choice for everything, from baking to making omelets."

Some chefs go beyond groceries and find other great things to buy at Costco — like storage solutions for their kitchens and more. Smith is partial to the Instacrate Collapsable Storage Containers she's picked up at Costco. "They are extremely helpful when transporting items for an event or even for hauling groceries around town," she says. They fold down when not in use so "they take up a quarter of the space a regular crate would."