7 Things From Costco That Make Meal Prep Better (and Cheaper!)

I’m sorry if you’re one of those people who doesn’t like Costco because of all the crazy people/shopping cart warfare. I’m sorry if you don’t like lugging mass quantities of items into your home and placing them inside your cabinets in a Tetris-like fashion. And I’m even more sorry if you aren’t putting your Costco membership to work for meal prepping. I sort of love Costco, and I just wish everyone else did too. So I’ve prepared this list of 7 Things from Costco That Make Meal Prep Better (and Cheaper!).

In addition, I thought I would price check these items at my local grocery store to see how much savings is actually happening. If I’m going to claim it’s cheaper, I think I need to actually prove it. Remember, prices are current as of August 31, 2016 at our local Costco and grocery stores. I’m absolutely positive that selection and prices at your Costco will vary widely. Oh, and we are definitely not sponsored by Costco. We are just huge fans. Here are the 7 Things From Costco That Make Meal Prep Better (and Cheaper!):

1. Frozen Fruit/Berries

  
Price Comparison Example:
Costco: Organic Frozen Blueberries (3 pounds) – Price: $10.39 – Price per pound: $3.46
The other store: Frozen Blueberries (1 pound) – Price: $5.29 – Price per pound: $5.29
Savings Estimate: $1.83 per pound
Why it rocks: Costco provides a wide array of good quality frozen fruit. The bags are resealable, which is good for the freezer. I’ve also noticed the fruit seems to be frozen separately and then bagged, so there are no giant frozen hunks of fruit to chisel apart. Costco seems to be pretty good about providing both organic and non-organic frozen fruit. I’ve also seen mangos, frozen tropical blend, and berry blend.
What I use it for: Berry Protein Smoothies (or any smoothies), or add some blueberries into your Banana Protein Pancakes.

2. Quinoa

Price Comparison Example:
Costco: Organic White Quinoa (4.5 pounds) – Price: $11.99 – Price per pound: $2.66
The other store: Ancient Harvest White Quinoa (12 ounces) – Price: $7.99 – Price per pound: $10.65
Savings Estimate: $7.99 per pound
Why it rocks: It’s quinoa! Must I explain why it rocks? Also, by far the biggest price difference I have encountered. We’ve swapped our rice intake for quinoa which is helping us get a tad more protein. My life was probably changed forever when I discovered that you can cook quinoa in a rice cooker. Seriously, you should try it. All the quinoa, none of the hassle.
What I use it for: My all-time favorite quinoa side dish – The Easiest Cilantro Lime Quinoa, as well as Turkey Taco Quinoa Casserole, and Broccoli Chicken Quinoa Casserole.

3. Chicken Broth

Price Comparison Example:
Costco: 12-pack 14.5 oz. cans of Swanson Chicken Broth – Price: $6.59 – Price per can: $0.55
The other store: 1 -14.5 oz. can of Swanson Chicken Broth – Price: $1.39 – Price per can: $1.39
Savings Estimate: $0.84 per can
Why it rocks: It is always a good idea to keep chicken broth in your pantry since it can be used in so many recipes. At the Costco price, buying chicken broth in bulk is the only way to go.
What I use it for: I use a can of chicken broth when I cook quinoa in the rice cooker (for almost any quinoa recipe). I also use it in casseroles and soups.

4. MEAT

    
Price Comparison Example:
Costco: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (6.5 pounds) – Price: $16.79 – Price per pound: $2.58
The other store: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (3 pounds) – Price: $11.99 – Price per pound: $3.99
Savings Estimate: $1.41 per pound
Why it rocks: Everyone with a Costco membership buys meat (or seafood) at Costco. Pack it, freeze it, prep it, grill it for a party. Buy your favorite hunk of meat, then plan your next week’s meals with it. We buy everything from rotisserie chicken to ground turkey to smoked salmon at Costco.
What I use it for: Almost anything. Homemade Chipotle Grilled Chicken, Turkey Taco Quinoa Casserole, and more.

5. Oils

  
Price Comparison:
Costco: Chosen Foods Avocado Oil (33.8 ounces) – Price: $8.99 – Price per ounce: $0.27
The other store: Chosen Foods Avocado Oil (16 ounces) -Price: $13.49 – Price per ounce: $0.84
Savings Estimate: $0.57 per ounce
Why it rocks: It would be accurate to say about 98% of my cooking is done with coconut oil or avocado oil. I substitute avocado oil in most cases where olive oil is used. Since I use oil for literally all cooking, I think it’s pretty economical to buy it at Costco. See the price difference!
What I use it for: Avocado oil is used for most of our cooking. We use coconut oil for frying (taquitos, homemade tortilla chips), and I use coconut oil for baking and making rice or quinoa in the rice cooker to prevent sticking.

6. Protein (powder, shakes, bars…)

  
Price Comparison:
Costco: 21 g Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (20 bars) – Price: $17.99 – Price per bar: $0.90
The other store: Pure Protein Bar (1 bar) – Price: $1.49 – Price per bar: $1.49
Savings Estimate: $0.59 per bar
Why it rocks: If you like to add extra protein to your snacks, shakes, and recipes, you need to start buying your proteins at Costco! They carry all the main brands of protein powder (Gold Standard, Vega, and more), as well as several varieties of bars and shakes. Our favorite are the Premier Protein bars, that actually taste good.
What I use it for: Getting some extra protein and a quick/easy snack, or adding protein to recipes like Banana Protein Pancakes and Berry Protein Smoothies.

7. Spices

Price Comparison Example:
Costco: Pure Sea Salt (30 ounces) – Price: $2.79 – Price per ounce: $0.093
The other store: Alessi Pure Sea Salt (2.83 ounces) – Price: $3.69 – Price per ounce: $1.30
Savings Estimate: $1.21 per ounce
Why it rocks: From sea salt to Ranch dressing seasoning, Costco has pretty much any spice you could need. Since I started meal prepping (and actually cooking a large majority of our meals at home in general), I have actually been going through spices I never thought of finishing off. Most spices last a pretty long time, so if you have the room for it, purchasing the Costco-sized version could save you a little chunk of change.
What I use it for: Everything!

Anything in particular you buy at Costco and use for meal prepping? Let me know! Leave a comment or tag @projectmealplan on social media. Thanks for reading!

– Danielle

Disclaimer: Again, we are not sponsored by Costco! We just love it (and saving money).