My Partner And I Bought A Costco Membership Earlier This Year; Here Are The Things We've Kept Stocked Ever Since

(Plus, their samples are back!)

At 50 cents a roll, how could I not try these? When split open and toasted, the airy interiors become crispy and chewy, perfect for breakfast sandwiches or last-minute garlic bread. I store extras in the freezer and re-heat them in my air fryer, where they instantly perk back up. 

Give me a jar of these pretzels and some reality TV, and I’ll be happy for the rest of the night. They're delicious as-is, scooped into hummus, or if I'm feeling indulgent, dipped straight into the jar of cookie butter. They're also great packed into smaller bags for roadtrips. 

At any given time, the best thing in my freezer are the homemade pierogis made by my fiancé's aunt’s church. But in the event we run out, I keep these Costco ones on hand — after all, you can't be pierogi-less in Pittsburgh! Try them topped with caramelized onions. 

Fun fact: I once met Giovanni Rana himself in his hometown of Verona, Italy, and I've been loyal to his brand ever since. The company prides itself on using fresh, high-quality ingredients, which is evident when you bite into these squash-stuffed ravioli. They barely even need a sauce: just a drizzle of olive oil or brown butter and Parmesan. 

There are very few Costco items that I wish were bigger, but this pickle jar is one of them. When I've eaten all the full-sized spears, I chop up all the broken ones and stir them into my not-so-secret burger sauce (mayo, yellow mustard, ketchup, and pickle juice). 

These ready-to-eat falafel make for the easiest 10-minute dinner. I warm them in the air fryer while I scrounge my fridge for hummus, raw veggies, and feta cheese, then stuff everything into a pita or pile it onto salad greens. For an even easier meal, I start with Costco's Mediterranean Salad Kit. 

Extra-firm tofu has been hard to come by at other grocery stores, so I like to stock up when I’m at Costco. The best part about buying it in bulk? It actually benefits from being frozen and thawed, so I pop at least two of the packs in the freezer when I get home. As it thaws and the ice crystals melt, small holes form in the tofu, making it more porous and ready to absorb flavor. Win, win! 

Having kombucha stocked in the fridge always feels like a treat. I’m partial to this slightly-spicy ginger flavor, but Costco has all sorts of variety packs if you want to switch it up. They also have endless seltzer options! 

Cara cara oranges taste better than any other oranges, period. They're sweet, juicy, and have a pretty pinkish-red color, too. Grab them while they're in season! 

I crave chocolate at multiple points throughout the day, so finishing an oversized bag is never an issue for me. I like that every piece of bark is a slightly different shape, and the almond pieces add delicious crunch. Plus, sea salt + dark chocolate = *chef's kiss*.

Rao's is, without question, the best store-bought marinara sauce — but it’s also notoriously expensive. This two-pack cost me $11.89, which is closer to the price of a single jar at most grocery stores. I feel at peace whenever it's in my pantry, ready to help me make a restaurant-worthy pasta. 

I've tried several brands of tuna, and I always return to Wild Planet — which is why buying it in bulk just makes sense. Its firm texture and mild flavor means it barely needs mayo: just some Dijon, lots of celery, and Grillo's pickles, of course. 

Trust me: I like real-deal peanut butter as much as the rest of them. But have you ever tried dusting PB powder on top of yogurt? (Just do it). It’s also great mixed into protein shakes, or stirred into overnight oats. 

I hate throwing out half-opened cartons of vegetable broth, which is why I've made the switch to this umami-packed bouillon paste. (One jar yields 100 cups of broth). The brand also makes a “no chicken” flavor that’s great for vegetarian gravies and meat-like stocks. 

While I was initially hesitant to buy a three-pound bag of beans, we drink so much coffee in my house that it doesn't have time to go bad. If you don't have a grinder at home, good news: Costco has one available to shoppers. 

This is my ride-or-die bread for breakfast toast, PB&J's, and mile-high veggie sandwiches. I love its hearty texture, seedy crust, and nutty whole grain flavor. Plus, each serving is packed with 5 grams of protein. Did I mention it freezes well? (Yeah, I'm obsessed.) 

Sungold kiwis > regular kiwis. They’re plump and extra sweet, perfect for cutting in half and eating with a spoon. 

Most shrimp are frozen right after they're caught, which locks in their flavor and makes them a better option than fresh. With this bag in my freezer, I'm mere minutes away from stir-fries, grilled shrimp skewers, or spicy shrimp tacos. 

As a recipe developer entering the holiday season, I'm about to be using a lot of parchment paper on baked goods. My future self will thank me for stocking up.

After receiving a cauliflower crust pizza in a grocery delivery by accident, I've sort of fallen in love with them. This one from Milton's didn't let me down: The crust gets super crispy in the oven, and the toppings are flavorful. I can't wait to try more varieties.

You should have seen my fiancé's face when he saw these giant bottles. Just like the slogan says, he puts Frank's on everything — from mac and cheese to the aforementioned pierogis. I love using it for buffalo cauliflower bites. 

Full disclosure: I haven't tried this product yet — but I've regretted not buying them ever since my last shopping trip. The fact that they're served in real fruit skins is incredibly unique and appealing, and it doesn't hurt that I've heard rave reviews. Let's all vow to pick up a box next time we're at Costco, yes?