13 Costco Products Chefs Love

It’s called “culinary arts” because chefs are artists in the kitchen. While we can’t all have a professional chef at home, we can still bring their wisdom into our own kitchens. For example, what are chefs buying at the grocery store? We asked professional chefs who shop at Costco what food items they buy when they’re at the warehouse and how they cook with them. Get your shopping list ready because you’re going to want to try these chef-approved Costco products!

Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

Like olive oil, it can be challenging to find legit balsamic vinegar. Sonali Ruder, DO, a physician and chef in Delray, Florida, uses and recommends the Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena from Costco because it’s the real deal. “It’s a favorite of mine because it’s produced in the Modena region of Italy,” she explains. Plus, it’s not thin and runny like some balsamic vinegars you may have bought before. “It’s thick, rich, and sweet,” Dr. Ruder says. She uses it in salad dressings and marinades. You can also drizzle the sweet vinegar on meat dishes and roasted veggies to balance out the savoriness, she notes.

Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed

You may know them as seaweed snacks, but these packs of Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed aren’t just for snacking. Cindy Chou, RDN, a registered dietitian and chef in Santa Monica, California, says these are always in her pantry because they’re a flavor booster with limitless uses. “Tear them up with your hands and add them to soups, cold noodle dishes, salads, and even popcorn,” she says. She also likes them to enhance easy meals, like a bowl of rice with egg and vegetables.

Costco Bakery Butter Croissants

Chefs are notorious for making things from scratch, but some-store bought products are so good, you don’t need to spend the extra time in the kitchen. For Dr. Ruder, that’s the croissants in Costco’s bakery. “I love the Costco Bakery Butter Croissants,” she says. “They’re baked fresh daily, and they’re just as rich, flakey, and buttery as you’d expect them to be.” You can eat them on their own, but if you want to impress a crowd, Dr. Ruder suggests you use these to make sandwiches.

Kirkland Signature Liquid Egg Whites

Eggs are a staple in households across the country, but with fluctuating prices, they’re not always an affordable option. That’s when Kirkland Signature Liquid Egg Whites come to the rescue. They’re already a budget-friendly alternative to whole eggs, but Costco helps you save even more. “Egg whites are versatile and high in protein,” says Carrie Smith, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles. “I use them to make baked goods like pancakes, cakes, and brownies, as well as breakfast scrambles.”

Jongga Kimchi, Sliced Napa Cabbage

Fermented foods are great sources of probiotics. One of Chou’s favorite fermented foods is kimchi—a Korean dish made from cabbage, fish, and spices—and known for its health benefits. You can get it at your local Korean market, and if you’re a big fan, Chou vouches for the Jongga Kimchi sold at Costco. “Not only can you serve it as an umami-packed side dish, but every cook can use it to flavor broths, soups, and savory pancakes,” she shares. It’s also the perfect way to use up your leftover rice. “Add some roughly chopped kimchi to day-old rice for an easy and delicious fried rice,” she adds. 

Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter

Chefs care about the quality of their ingredients, and sometimes, they prefer ingredients that are as simple and natural as possible. Such is the case with peanut butter, Smith notes. Many peanut butters contain added sugar and oil, which can influence your recipes. “This [Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter] is the only peanut butter my family uses because it’s natural and affordably priced,” she says. It’s made with just dry roasted peanuts that are sprinkled with sea salt. You’ll need to stir it when you first open the jar, Smith points out, but once you do, it can be used in sandwiches, smoothie bites, sauces, and more.

Kirkland Signature Pecorino Romano Cheese

“Costco has the best reasonably priced cheese department,” claims Gigi Gaggero, former Academic Director of French culinary school Le Cordon Bleu. Take a look at the Kirkland Signature Pecorino Romano Cheese—it’s two pounds of mature, salty goodness. “I go through these like crazy,” Gaggero says. She recommends using it in pasta, salads, and bruschetta. 

Kirkland Signature Farm-Raised Raw Shrimp

Chefs use frozen foods too, particularly the Kirkland Signature Farm-Raised Raw Shrimp from Costco. “I always have a bag of Costco’s raw frozen shrimp in my freezer,” Dr. Ruder says. Not only is it a great value, it’s flash-frozen at peak freshness, which locks in flavor and texture. Seafood also has many health benefits. “It’s a versatile and lean protein that you can add to stir fries, pasta, tacos, and salads for a meal that’s quick, easy, and nutritious,” Dr. Ruder adds.

Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base

Even chefs run out of chicken stock, but Costco has a handy backup, according to Chou. The 21-ounce jar of Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base may look small, but it contains 100 servings of chicken stock. It’ll last you a long time, too. “You only need a small amount of this bouillon to liven up a dish,” Chou explains. “I like to use it to add depth and dimension to soups and roasted, braised, or stir-fried proteins and vegetables.” All you do is mix about a ¼ teaspoon with water and you’ve got a single serving of flavorful chicken stock. 

Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend

Buying frozen fruit and vegetables is a tried-and-true hack to lower your grocery bill. Even pricey produce, like berries, become affordable when you go the frozen route. “I love the value and convenience of this Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend,” Dr. Ruder says. “It contains a whopping four pounds of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, which are perfect for smoothies, sauces, desserts, and oats.” The best part is that they’re available year round, so you can enjoy these antioxidant-rich berries no matter the season.

Kirkland Signature Organic Greek Nonfat Yogurt

When shopping at Costco, Smith says she looks for products made with clean and simple ingredients. This tub of Kirkland Signature Organic Greek Nonfat Yogurt checks all her boxes, plus it’s organic. “This Greek yogurt is tangy and has the perfect consistency,” she says, adding that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. “I like adding it to tzatziki sauce, or as the base of a berry parfait.”

Pure Vanilla Extract

If you’re an avid baker, you know that pure vanilla extract can be pricey and hard to find. Costco has an affordable 16-ounce bottle of pure vanilla extract that Dr. Ruder considers a “must have” in your kitchen. “This large bottle is made from premium vanilla beans, yet it’s economical,” she says. “With no artificial additives or preservatives, the authentic vanilla flavor really comes through in baked goods and desserts.”

USDA Prime Beef

According to Gaggero, Costco’s prices on protein can’t be beat. “You can’t go wrong with the prime USDA beef, which is produced from young, well-fed cattle and has abundant marbling,” she says. It may be a little intimidating at first, but Gaggero says a sure-fire way to get the best deals on quality beef is to buy it in bulk at Costco and trim and slice it yourself. She buys Costco’s ribeyes, New York strips, and beef tenderloins. “You can use them in everything from stir fries to steak sandwiches,” she notes, adding that you can also freeze the extras.