I Worked at Costco for 19 Years: My Absolute Must-Buys

Alright, shoppers. Listen up: at Costco, we know and love those incredible deals and simply exploring huge aisles. Did you ever wonder what the real pros, the people navigating the warehouse daily, think is the absolute best to get?

Warehouse employees have their own lists of must-haves, it seems. A worker with 19 years in the Costco family shared secrets on items mixing quality and price just right. Another long-time staff member, Veronica Thatcher, who also worked for 19 years, shared what she likes now, including fun things for the season.

Forget walking around without knowing where you are going unless that’s what makes you happy—no judging anyway. We are looking into the carts of Costco insiders to find some very great items and maybe a few surprising finds along the way. Let’s find out what the experts stock up on today.

1. Kirkland Rotisserie Chicken This item is practically a legend in Costco aisles, with good reason too, really. The Kirkland rotisserie chicken is consistently one of the items people like most you can find here.

Priced at a super affordable $4.99, this chicken saves you when a quick dinner is needed. It’s cheap, yes, though the taste is truly delicious. The meat stays wonderfully moist for eating.

Its versatility helps you a lot. You can shred it for salads and sandwiches or just serve it whole alongside rice and vegetables for a full meal. This is truly an economical and yummy option that can feed your whole family with no fuss involved ever.

Product on Costco: Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken
Brand: Kirkland
Price: 9.99 USD
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2. Chicken Noodle Soup Do you need comfort from a bowl without hours in your kitchen? This chicken noodle soup is exactly what you need right now. One employee said it’s perfect when cooking is not happening.

A wonderful feature of soup is you can freeze it easily, you see. This means you can store warm, ready-made meals for unexpected busy days. Or when feeling sick with low energy to prepare anything at all.

The taste is genuinely delicious straight from the container too. So adding more ingredients or seasoning isn’t always necessary to make it taste good. This truly quick, no-fuss meal everyone could use in the pantry for emergencies sometimes.

Fairlife Protein Drinks — We Tasted Costco’s Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter And It Gives Kerrygold A Run For Its Money, Photo by tastingtable.com, is licensed under CC BY 2.0

3. Kirkland Grass-Fed Butter Here is another item a long-time employee recommends absolutely without thinking. This Kirkland brand butter, produced all the way in New Zealand, always receives very big thumbs-up on quality.

People say it has a smooth and creamy taste, you see, which is perfect for butter; that is good butter to have. It is clear the quality here stands up against options in many other places.

What really sets it apart is how much it costs, though. It is much more affordable than many other national or specialty butter brands found. If you spread it on toast or use it in cooking and baking, putting this butter on your list is a good choice to make.

Product on Amazon: Kirkland Signature USDA Organic Creamy Almond Butter, 27 Ounce, 1.69 Pound (Pack of 1)
Brand: KIRKLAND
Price: 19.65 USD
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comfortable clothes that does not cost too much money — Fashion-identity: “Too Much Money ain’t Enough Money”/graphic tees, Photo by amazon.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

4. Fairlife Protein Drinks For anyone looking for a health boost that’s super convenient anyway, Fairlife protein drinks are highlighted as a good choice too. They are designed to be a nutritious option that fits into your busy lifestyle easily.

Each bottle is packed with a significant 30 grams of protein inside it. Keeping the calorie count pretty low at just 150 is good. This makes them perfect for after a workout to help with recovery or just as a snack between meals.

Besides nutritional benefits, these drinks also taste good for you. Their flavor is described as very pleasant, you should know. Staying healthy does not mean sacrificing enjoyment when having these drinks. They offer an attractive way to prioritize your health goals without having to compromise on taste ever at all.

Product on Amazon: Fairlife Nutrition Plan High Protein Shake Variety Pack- 11.5 Fl Oz (8 Pack) In Sanisco Packaging. (Chocolate & Vanilla) : Amazon.sg: Grocery
Brand: Fairlife
Price: 69.88 USD
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Ready-to-Eat Deli Items (General) — Kirkland Signature Ladies’ Travel Pant | eBay, Photo by i.ebayimg.com/images, is licensed under CC Zero

5. Kirkland Travel Pants Let’s talk about comfortable clothes that do not cost too much money. If you are looking for high-quality pants that are comfortable but not expensive, Kirkland travel pants are presented as a good option for you. They sound pretty good, right, people?

The employee notes that these pants feel similar to ones from expensive sports brands out there. But they come with a much more accessible price tag indeed. This is good news for your wallet, everyone.

They offer a great combination of comfort, and they last a long time too. Making them versatile for many different things in your life. Whether traveling or needing something comfy for your everyday, these pants sound like an excellent buy you will find. They provide both value and quality.

Product on Amazon: Kirkland Signature Womens Hiking Pants – Travel Pants Women (Black, 12)
Brand: Kirkland Signature
Binding: Apparel Product Group: Apparel
Price: 38.5 USD
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Chicken and salami sandwiches — Delicious Italian Sub Sandwiches on Rustic Board · Free Stock Photo, Photo by tastingtable.com, is licensed under CC Zero

6. Ready-to-Eat Deli Items (General) Beyond specific items, employees mention there is a category in the deli section offering great value always. These are items already prepared; grab and enjoy them.

These ready-to-eat options are highlighted as perfect solutions for times when you press for it. But still you want something tasting good inside it. The convenience is huge here, saving you cooking time sometimes.

While the chicken and salami sandwich is mentioned separately, the context also points to other things like street tacos. And meat pies as examples of these tasty deli finds. Employees feel they always offer value for people.

7. Chocovia Dubai-style chocolates Okay, prepare for some intrigue with the next item, Chocovia Dubai-style chocolates you can buy at Costco now, you see. Priced at $11.89 per bag, you will find. They seem to be the topic of conversation too much.

These chocolates received mixed reviews from Reddit users online anyway. However, Veronica Thatcher, with years of experience, believes they are always worth buying, you know. This suggests something special there despite debate online.

Thatcher’s own observation from her store is a telling story for us all. She noticed lots of people coming in specifically to buy this item. She even shared that when they first stocked chocolates, they sold out fast within two days. This speaks loudly about their popularity among people buying them. Definitely sounds like an item worth trying if you see it around the store.