So, let me start by saying that I’ll always be an advocate for buying from local farms or growing your own food as much as possible. Still, there are some items moms will need to purchase from a grocery store. That’s where Costco comes in!
Despite my best efforts to keep our grocery budget under control, it had gone sky-high over the past few years. We were quickly approaching the point where I was going to have to buy lower-quality items to feed my family. But that’s when I discovered Costco! For the longest time, I just assumed Costco only carried packaged junk food full of ingredients we were trying to avoid. Boy, was I wrong! Costco might just be a Crunchy Mama’s dream come true! They offer so many healthy choices and a great price. It’s great way to reign in your grocery budget while still feeding your family real food.
So, let’s dive in shall we? And if you’ve missed the Part 1 & Part 2 of this series, go back and check them out for even more Costco items you’ll want to grab.
1. Siete Tortilla Chips
Oh, my goodness, these chips are fantastic!! Siete Tortilla chips are made with just a few simple ingredients. You won’t find any seed oils here! Instead, they use avocado oil.
They are perfect for Taco Tuesday. My kids also love to make a “Nacho Plate” for snack with a layer of chips, a layer of shredded cheese, and a scoop of salsa on top. Great with guacamole, great to toss in a lunchbox…just great! It’s so nice to find a chip brand that isn’t ultra-processed junk, ya know? And to find it at Costco prices…winner!!
2. Frozen Organic Mixed Veggies
I always buy a bag of these Organic Mixed Veggies at Costco. They make a great in-a-hurry side dish for dinner. I top them with plenty of grass-fed butter and pink Himalayan salt, and my kids love them. True story, one of my son’s friends always asks if we are having mixed veggies when he spends the night. I guess his mom hasn’t discovered this easy side dish from Costco just yet!
These mixed veggies are also perfect for tossing in a big pot of vegetable soup or a quick stir-fry. Remember, green beans are on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list, so it’s best to buy them in organic form to avoid the massive amounts of pesticides.
3. Teton Polish Sausages
If your kids love hot dogs, you’re going to want to grab a few packages of these Teton Polish Sausages. They freeze well, so you can toss them in the freezer until you need them.
The ingredients that Teton uses are amazing…just grass fed beef and a few simple spices. No mystery ingredients like your typical hotdog!
With 18 grams of protein per sausage link, these are a great option for my growing boys. Not only do they make a filling snack, but paired with a healthy hotdog bun (like Dave’s Killer brand), they make a quick, packable lunch option.
Sometimes I’ll slice some up and toss them on a cookie sheet along with some sliced bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, and squash. Roast at about 400 for around 25 minutes, and you’ve a yummy, healthy, one-dish meal.
4. Frozen Organic Strawberries
Strawberries always make the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list, which means if you aren’t buying organic, the strawberries you are buying probably have large amounts of pesticide contamination. That’s why I won’t buy strawberries unless they’re organic. However, I live in a small-ish town that sometimes has a limited produce selection. I’m pretty sure that the first time I spotted this giant bag of organic strawberries at Costco, I did a happy dance!
I use the strawberries in my Greek Yogurt Tubes and in my Almond Flour Muffins (just sub for the blueberries). We sometimes toss them in our chocolate protein shakes (think chocolate-covered strawberries). They’re also great to use if you are making a strawberry cake or pie.
5. Organic Flour Tortillas
Taco night just got a little healthier! These organic tortillas were such a great find. Local grocery stores don’t carry any remotely healthy tortilla options. But Costco can save Taco Tuesday! I was also shocked at the fantastic price. There are a LOT of tortillas in that package, so it’s a great deal. Tortillas freeze well, so I usually put half in the freezer and half in the fridge.
In full disclosure, while these tortillas are certified organic, they do contain some seed oils like canola oil. No doubt, making your own tortillas from scratch is still the best choice. But in the real world where we sometimes have to make compromises, I’d choose these over typical grocery store options any day.
These are also a great choice for a quick lunch time ham and cheese wrap!
6. Organic Charbroiled Chicken Burgers
These Amylu Organic Charbroiled Chicken Burgers were another great high-protein find! They contain organic chicken, organic kale, organic mozzarella, and a few other spices. We eat the patties by themselves for a high-protein snack (21 grams!), and we sometimes add them to buns for a quick burger.
Some might say that these are a little pricey, but compared to going to the drive-thru, they are a bargain. If you need some super-quick meal options on hand that you can throw together faster than you can drive-thru, grab these! A chicken burger + baby carrots + piece of fruit = a faster, healthier, cheaper meal than you can possibly get at any fast food restaurant.
Your local Costco may have different options besides the kale and mozzarella variety.
7. Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese
I’m not going to try to convince you that organic mac and cheese is health food…it’s not! But this boxed mac and cheese is so handy to keep in your pantry. Busy nights come along, and sometimes you just a quick side dish. Annie’s has got you covered! No weird ingredients here. Ready in about 10 minutes!
I use Grass-fed butter, homemade bone broth, and raw milk to make mine, so I can up the nutrition factor a little.
8. Safe Catch Wild Tuna
This tuna is seriously yummy! And it packs 43 grams of protein per can! The only ingredient is yellowfin tuna plus a little sea salt. Safe Catch tests every tuna for mercury, which has earned them the title of “American Pregnancy Association Official Tuna”.
I love having these in the cabinet for days when I haven’t cooked and there’s not much in the house to eat. I can also throw a can of tuna, a couple of boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and some string cheese in my husband’s lunchbox when I’m otherwise unprepared to send his lunch.
Tuna could also make a quick snack that’s packable and portable.
9. Fully Cooked & Sliced Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin
This grass-fed sirloin is another one of those “faster than a drive-thru” meals. Just dump the meat in your skillet and warm it up for a few minutes. Serve with a side salad, and you’re good to go! You could also make a quick steak and cheese sandwich.
The only ingredients are beef and a few simple spices…yay!
10. Poppi
Did you know that Costco carries Poppi soda?! I gave up sodas years ago, and I simply don’t buy soda to bring into our home. So, I’m always looking for healthier alternatives for a sweet treat drink. (Here’s an article here I show you ALL the best soda alternatives I’ve found!).
Poppi comes in so many yummy flavors, and thanks to Costco’s variety pack, you can try multiple flavors. With prebiotics, apple cider vinegar, 5 grams of sugar or less, and 25 calories or less, there’s so much to love about Poppi!
So there you have it! 10 more items this Crunchy Mama buys from Costco. If you want to add even more items to your Costco shopping list, be sure to go back and check out PART ONE and PART TWO of this Costco series.
