The 7 Top Picks from Costco That Professional Chefs Swear By

Chefs are just like us.

Even if you're enamored with trying the newest products food court offerings and wandering through the aisles to catch what’s new It’s hard to dismiss that even the most experienced Costco shoppers might find themselves overwhelmed by the multitude of choices. What should a home chef do when faced with selecting among numerous distinct barbecue sauces? Out of all the large-sized staple items, which ones are actually worth it—so what’s better to purchase in small quantities at an everyday grocery store?

Previously, we have reached out to GudangMovies21team members with extensive experience as Costco members and combed through Reddit discussions and social media posts to uncover the details. 10 items that Costco enthusiasts absolutely love However, what about the professionals? It turns out, many of them are also experienced members with all the necessary credentials.

Our Group of Costco Product-Evaluating Cooks

• Anthony Castro, who serves as the executive chef at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa in Palmetto, Florida
• Has been a Costco member for approximately a decade.
• Suzy Karadsheh, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia, New York Times bestselling author, founder of Th Mediterranean Dish and authored the forthcoming cookbook The Mediterranean Dish: A Simple Dinner
• Has been a Costco member for approximately a decade.
• Sonny Pache, who serves as the executive chef at The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio
• Has been a Costco member for five years now.
• Michelle Rounsaville, chef/owner of My Michelle’s in Oxford, Mississippi
• Has been a Costco member for 13 years now.
• Jacob Schroeder, chef/owner of Crafted Food Services and Moxie Kitchen + Events in Des Moines, Iowa
• Has been a Costco member for five years now.

The 7 Costco Items Chefs Recommend

The chefs acknowledge that they frequently buy goods for their eateries, special occasions, and personal needs, with an extensive list of preferred choices. In order to streamline our selection process, we requested that each one reveal which Costco items consistently find their way into their shopping baskets during nearly every trip. Maybe these hidden gems will motivate you to follow suit.

Kirkland Signature Pecan Halves

According to Schroeder, “the Kirkland brand pecan halves These products boast excellent quality. The pecan halves remain whole without being crushed into smaller bits; they are exceptionally clean, and have very low levels of tannins," he notes, pointing out the element that could cause certain nuts and other edibles to have a bitter or harsh flavor. Additionally, the pricing is quite reasonable at $12.99 for two pounds. To put it in perspective, this cost is lower than what you would typically pay for just one pound of pecans at many grocery stores.

How to use them: Schroeder is sweet on candied pecans For snacking or adding to salads, he recommends turning the pecans into a flour to use as the foundation for an impressive dessert. financier .

Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If Castro had to pick his single favorite item from Costco, he would go for the Kirkland Signature 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy “It provides consistent quality, exceptional taste, and is priced excellently relative to other brands,” he shares with us, gesturing towards the notable 2-liter cost of $22.99. Pache mentions that this EVOO is also among his favorites. pantry staples .

How to use it: Castro utilizes this oil for drizzling over salads, cooking vegetables, topping off pasta dishes, or serving as an ingredient in homemade dressings. salad dressings .

Kirkland Signature Patagonian Toothfish from Chili

Karadsheh admits that fresh, wild-caught fish can be challenging to source in her current home of Atlanta, Georgia. “Being far away from my original Mediterranean home, the freezer section at Costco comes in handy” to source stellar seafood, she says. Deeming it “mild and buttery” and applauding its fair price point as well as the fact that it “really plays well with most seasonings,” Karadsheh adds that this allows her to “make a mean fish dinner in less than 30 minutes with simple sides to accompany.”

How to use it: Karadsheh has a particular affinity for using this freezer-section discovery for a 20-minute period. Basil Pesto Chilean Sea Bass Recipe . GudangMovies21has many sea bass dinner ideas including stews, one-pan meals, sheet pan dinners, and more.

Kirkland Signature Organic Free-Range Eggs

Along with olive oil, Pache mentions that "during every trip to Costco, I make sure to restock on eggs ." Costco provides various pack sizes, spanning from two dozen up to an impressive fifteen dozen (that’s 180!) eggs. These egg packs come with differing labels such as "free-range," "cage-free," "organic," and "pasture-raised." Pick the one that suits you best. All options are quite budget-friendly and perfect for big households, baking enthusiasts, or people who consume lots of eggs. egg breakfasts frequently.

How to use them: At his eatery, Pache eggs feature prominently across his morning offerings—with the lobster and eggs dish particularly enticing us! Apart from frying, boiling, poaching, and scrambling, our experts ensure an ample supply of eggs is always available. meringue , custards , DIY mayo , and fried rice .

Kirkland Signature Wines

I have to spend an entire hour driving to Memphis just to get to Costco, which shows how dedicated I am," states Rounsaville, residing in Oxford, Mississippi. "There’s one item from Costco that I absolutely can’t do without. Kirkland Signature Wine It offers an ideal price range and consistently wins over everyone. The affordably priced store-brand wines come in various types such as Bordeaux, Brunello, Sancerre, and Chardonnay, typically costing up to $26.99 per bottle.

How to use it: Rounsaville purchases them by the case for catering events, but Kirkland wines can also be bought individually.

Kirkland Signature Organic Blueberries

Many individuals might be unaware that Costco offers a substantial selection of organic fruits and vegetables," Karadsheh states. Given this, during their peak seasons, "I always make sure to grab boxes of fresh items. organic blueberries When it's not during peak time, blueberry season During the months from April to July, which span spring into early summer in the Southern region where he resides, Castro allocates resources for purchasing bags. frozen wild blueberries and describes them as an "integral" component of his shopping list.

How to use them: Fresh blueberries shine in salads , fruit salsas , and one of Karadsheh’s distinctive cocktail creations: sangria . Frozen blueberries add an antioxidant-packed element to smoothies , scones , sauces , and more.

Kirkland Signature Organic Dairy-Free Oat Drink

Milk and non-dairy substitutes vary widely in texture and flavor, with the "best" choice typically depending on individual taste. Given the option, Pache prefers to go for Costco’s oat milk I really enjoy the Kirkland Signature Organic Non-Dairy Oat Drink. It doesn’t separate, plus its taste, price point, consistency, and how long it lasts on shelves make it hard to surpass.

How to use it: Pache opts for this oat-derived milk alternative to add creaminess. creamy soups It’s also part of his daily coffee routine, and proves invaluable when needed. smoothies and as a dairy alternative when baking , he explains.

Read the initial article on All Recipes .