Are you a Costco member? I’ve had a pretty strong love affair with this store for several years now and am pretty frequently asked about the products I buy there. They seem to be overlooked by most and then coveted. So, I thought I’d put this virtual haul together to share which plant-based products I buy at Costco.

I have not been to a Costco store since February. We are staying home, quarantined, and I hope you are doing the same. But, if you use instacart, you just may snag some of these goodies.

I’m often asked if I think Costco makes sense for my small family and actually, I do. I buy smart. I stock up. I use their gas station for cheap gas and even have their credit card for great rewards. There are certain items I would never need to buy because the quantity is so large but I think that would be the case for any family.

In my opinion, Costco is good for…

• Cost savers - I get a thrill from a good deal

• Bulk buyers

• People who don’t mind shopping at more than one store for their groceries

• People who like to hunt and find amazing deals

• People who live near a Costco gas station because the savings are amazing

The types of products I buy most are…

• Inexpensive, organic bulk produce

• Frozen fruit

• Bulk nuts and seeds

• Canned goods

• Pasta

Without further ado, here is my Costco virtual vegan shopping haul. I included links to those items I could find on their website.

Fridge Items

• Fresh Fruit - Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Watermelon, Peaches, Pineapple, Cotton Candy Grapes

• Fresh Vegetables - Broccoli, Spinach, Romaine, Cucumber, Celery, Bell Peppers, Green Beans

• Asian Cashew Chopped Salad

• Chunky Guacamole

• Sprouted Extra Firm Tofu

• Salsa - Organic Jack’s Cantina

• Ciabatta Rolls

  Freezer Items

• Frozen Fruit - Pineapple, Blueberries, Strawberries

• Vegetable Pot Stickers - Bibigo

• UPDATE: I just learned that the Morning Star Chipotle Black Bean Burgers are going VEGAN! I LOVED these with a passion when I was a vegetarian. They had milk and eggs in them though so I stopped eating them when I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan. Holy cow! I am so excited.

Pantry Items

• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Kirkland Signature

• Rolled Oats - Quaker

• Cheerios

• Cashews - Kirkland Signature, Unsalted

• Mixed Nuts - Kirkland Signature, Unsalted

• Maple Syrup - Kirkland Signature

• Quinoa - Kirkland Signature

• Hemp Seeds - Manitoba

• Chia Seeds

• Canned Black Olives

• Canned Chickpeas

• Medjool Dates

• Millet and Brown Rice Ramen

• White and Whole Wheat Pasta

• Pasta Sauce

• Jarred Artichoke Hearts

• Jarred Hearts of Palm

• Vanilla Extract

Snacks

• RW Garcia Lentil Turmeric Crackers - The best snack in the world

• Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars

• Autumn’s Gold Granola Bars

• E & C Heavenly Hunks

• Harvest Snacks Green Pea Snack Crips

• Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps

• Veggie Straws

• Skinny Pop Popcorn and Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn - Sometimes this size is actually too large for me and they bottom spoils before I finish it so I really only get this if I’m in a super popcorn mood. I don’t let my 2.5 year old eat it because of the threat with it going into the lungs.

• Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar Puffs

• Tortilla Chips

• Stacy’s Pita Chips

• Pouches - At least at my Costco, the brands have rotated. We love Mama Chia, GoGo Squeez Organic Apple Sauce, Kirkland Signature Apple Sauce, Kirkland Signature Organic Fruit and Vegetable

• Pure Organic Fruit Bars

Beverages

• Espresso Coffee Pods - Starbucks

• POM Pomegranate Juice

• IZZE Glass Bottles - My favorite for a backyard BBQ

• Seltzer - But then I got a soda stream

• Suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice

Cooking / Kitchen Items

• Vitamix! - Hands down, my favorite kitchen appliance

• Food Processor - I have a Cuisinart

• Small ceramic bowls - Awesome for kids but also beautiful and not plastic

• Pyrex Food Storage Containers - I only use glass now. I don’t have the snap top personally but they’re probably more secure than the ones I have.

  Household Items

• Trash Bags - Kirkland Signature

• Hand Soap - Home and Body - These amber bottles are just beautiful. Although, I originally got them in a 4 pack.

• Hand Soap Refill - Softsoap brand

• Baking Soda - Arm and Hammer - Yes, I am aware of how huge this is. I use it for cleaning.

• Dishwasher Pods - Cascade - This may be the only item where I do not like the Costco brand. I just find the powder still on the dishes at the end of the cycle and had to do a lot of rinsing afterwards. Wait for a name brand sale.

• Baby Wipes - Kirkland Signature

• Laundry Detergent

• Epsom Salt

• Eye Glasses Wipes

• Lawn Bags

• Eneloop Reusable Batteries

• Light bulbs

Other Departments To Mention

(Not really a haul but I love them for having so many great non-food items)

• Contacts & Glasses

• Gasoline

• Photos in a pinch - The quality is okay for quick things like a birthday party photo banner and things you need the same or next day. My professional career is as a photographer and I cannot stress enough using a professional print house for your large prints. Trust me, there’s a difference. And this isn’t a slight to Costco. They do a great quickie job. I like them more than other megamarts and pharmacies.

• Rugs - I have two large high pile rugs that every single person comments on because they are just so soft. They do shed a bit and like any high pile rug, it takes a bit of muscle to vacuum them, but I’d buy them again for sure.

• Sunglasses - I have both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses from Costco. They were both super inexpensive but great looking.

• Clothing - I have made a bunch of adult and children’s clothing purchases here. I have an awesome white athletic jacket that everyone comments on, yoga pants, a rain coat, decent rain boots, puma socks, and even my favorite undies. They also have good deals for children’s Carter’s PJs and sets. You have to dig. But I usually just loop through the area and see if anything catches my eye.

  
  

Items I Want to Try

• Birthday Cake Granola - I have heard it’s amazing! Has anyone tried it?

• Cauliflower Bites

• Coconut Sticky Rice

• CHAO vegan cheese

• Good Planet Shredded Mozzarella

• Chipotle Bitchin Sauce

• Vegan Ranch Dressing - Primal Kitchen

• Chocolate Fudge Crunch Bars - Daiya

Vegetarian Honorable Mention

Before we switched to plant based, I loved these items for myself and my son.

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Chipotle Black Bean Burgers by Morning Star - These were a fan favorite at BBQs the last few summers - See update above that they are GOING VEGAN!!!

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Tasty Bite Madras Lentils

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Aussie Bites

Items I don’t buy there

• Avocados and Bananas - They are just usually not ripe at the right time for me.

• Apples - They are usually way over priced per pound.

• Almond Milk - I have yet to find an unsweetened original that I like.

Are you a Costco member? What are your favorite buys? Do you love it? Not use it? Have you tried any of the products on my want to try list above? I’d love to know your thoughts! Leave a note in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram.

A note on referrals: This post is not sponsored and the product links are not affiliate links. I just really like this company. Maybe they’ll sponsor me one day in the future!

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