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."