If you have read my blog for some time, you know that I am a huge fan of Costco.    If you are one of the 85 million customers that shop there, read on.  In today’s post I am sharing my Costco favorites – some new items as well as some standbys that are always in my cart.

Costco Wholesale

Many of the items below are Costco Wholesale’s own brand, which goes by the label Kirkland Signature.  I have always found their signature brand to be of great quality.  It’s good to know though that they have a great return policy.  If you don’t like it, return it!

Following are some of my favorites – let me know in the comments below what you are buying at Costco these days.

Fall Mums

It wouldn’t be fall without buying jumbo sized mums from Costco.  This year they are only $13.99 for these healthy plants!

Organic Shelled Pumpkin Seeds

These Harvested for You shelled pumpkin seeds would be great added to a chocolate bark candy recipe such as the one from Bon Appétit below.  I could eat these by the handful!

via bon appétit

Marcona Almonds

I still remember the first time I had Marcona Almonds.  I was at a wedding in gorgeous Sonoma.  These delicious almonds were spilled out over the wood cheese board, next to a big wedge of Manchego Cheese.  OMG!  They are delicious and so is the Manchego.  If you are having a party, try the combination and add some dried apricots or figs to your cheeseboard.  Over the top delicious!

Pine Nuts

I use a lot of Pine Nuts in my Lebanese and Italian cooking.  I also like to toast them and add them to pasta dishes.  They are expensive but Costco has the best price in town.

Chocolates

I have purchased these Kirkland Belgian Chocolates from Costco before and they are delicious.  The price is amazing for the quality of chocolate!

These are the same Truffettes de France Truffles I have purchased from Costco in the past but they changed their packaging from last year.

I think these Pralibel Belgian Chocolates are the same chocolate cups from last year but are also packaged differently.   If they are the same, they are delicious and make a great hostess gift.

Kind Bars

Costco has a large  variety of snack bars available but if you look at the list of ingredients, it will stop you in your tracks!  You can’t pronounce half of them.   I especially don’t like it when the protein is from soy isolate.  You won’t find that in Kind Bars.  Their motto is “Ingredients you can see and pronounce.”

Roasted Red Peppers

These Nestos Roasted Red Peppers are new at my local Costco.  We love using roasted peppers in a variety of recipes but I have been known to eat them right out of the jar.   I just bought these so I haven’t tried this brand yet.  Just wanted to share since it was a new item.

Crumbled Feta Cheese

I have been buying this Président brand of crumbled feta cheese for years.  I have used it in my recipe for my Fabulous Feta Dip as a shortcut instead of buying bricks of feta and crumbling them myself.

Fabulous Feta Dip

Jumbo Lump Crab

Costco’s Chicken of the Sea Premium Crab is great for crab cakes.  I like making them for a weekend lunch and also in smaller cakes for appetizers.

French Rack of Lamb

We love lamb and especially a French Rack of Lamb.  I have a fool-proof way of making it and will share on the blog soon.  The Costco Kirkland Signature brand is a great quality of New Zealand lamb.

Ready to Cook Butternut Squash

One of my favorite things about fall are all of the winter squashes.  I love roasting them with small pats of butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.  It’s a huge timesaver to buy it already peeled and chopped.

Campari Tomatoes

Sadly summer tomatoes are long gone.  For the winter months, I find the Sunset Campari Tomato’s at Costco to be flavorful.  Have you tried them?

Non-Stick Fry Pans

I have purchased expensive nonstick frying pans at Williams Sonoma and other fine retailers.  Regardless of the price, they only last a few years as I use them a lot and they end up getting scratched and worn.  I recently purchased these Tramontina pans from Costco from their restaurant section.  They are commercial grade and I really like them.  I bought both 10″ and their larger size.

Silicone Baking Liners (Not just for baking)

My mom taught me to keep silicone baking liners in the trunk of my car.  Yes, the trunk of my car!  Why?  Whatever you place on top of them won’t budge!  She came up with this hack because she is a baker and often takes dessert to others.  If she places her dessert on the silicone mat, it won’t slide around the trunk.

When my husband saw this hack, he asked me to purchase some for his car.  He hated when his briefcase would slide around his trunk and then it would end up way in the back of the trunk.  Now his briefcase stays put.

Costco sells a package of three by Miu.  You will want these for baking and your trunk!

Mini Bluetooth Speaker

This little Bose wireless speaker is such a treat to have.  I like to listen to podcasts while working in the kitchen and it is ideal for that.  You can also play your music from your phone or iPad wherever you want – backyard, tailgating, boating, etc.

iTunes Gift Cards for Netflix!

Yes, you can purchase these iTunes gift cards at a discount and use for the obvious – apps and music from iTunes.  But if you have Apple TV and a subscription to Netflix, you can use these to pay for Netflix at a discount.

Cookbooks

I am a self-confessed cookbook junkie.  I always check out the cookbook section at Costco.  Right now they have this Martha Stewart appetizer cookbook which I have added to my collection.  I am anxiously awaiting the release of Ina Garten’s new cookbook next month.  I am hoping Costco will be carrying it.  Her cookbooks retail for $35 and Costco sells them for $19.

Makeup Remover Towelettes

I have tried a lot of different brands of makeup remover towelettes and don’t like many of them because they have a strong fragrance.  I like the Kirkland brand which doesn’t have a strong smell.

Olay Total Effect Moisturizer

I have been using this Olay Total Effect moisturizer for a couple of years and really like it.

Neutrogena Rainbath

This is one of those products that Costco does not carry on a regular basis, so when they do, we stock up!  Especially when they have a coupon with additional savings!  We pour the bath gel into our bath dispenser which hangs on the wall of our shower.

Cotton Blend Cardigan Sweaters

Let me start by saying this picture doesn’t do this sweater justice!  I bought a small which is more form-fitting.  My favorite colors were charcoal gray and teal.  They also had other colors to choose from.  This long Leo & Nicole sweater is perfect with leggings or skinny jeans.  They are only $19.99 and great additions for my fall wardrobe.

Thermal Underwear

Last year I purchased the 32°Heat Top from  Costco to wear to football games.  I loved that it was thin and looked like a tee-shirt if I took off my heavier sweater.  This year I purchased the pants.  Again, they are thin and will fit under jeans.

More Costco Finds

You may find other items of interest in my previous posts.  Many of the items can be found at Costco on a regular basis.

Costco Finds for Spring

My Costco Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Great Costco Finds

What are some of your favorite finds at Costco?