Costco is Delish's favorite destination for stocking our pantry with snacks, grocery essentials, liquor, and so much more. With so many new deals hitting the shelves every week, it's hard to keep up. But Laura Lamb, the creator of the Costco Hot Finds Instagram account, keeps her fingers on the pulse to find all of the best deals for us. We got in touch in Lamb to ask about her favorite items and secret Costco shopping strategies.
But first: How does one become the unofficial queen of Costco? It begins by falling in love with the store itself. “I first started shopping at my local Costco, and that’s where the obsession started,” says Lamb. “I knew every time I went in there I could get essentials and things I didn’t even know that I needed.”
Cut to years later, and now Lamb is a bona fide Costco expert. Here are her tips for getting the most out of your membership.
When To Shop At Costco
Lamb visits her local Costco six or seven days a week, so she can confidently determine which days are optimal for having the best shopping experience. With Costco, you never have to worry about the quality or quantity of products when you visit. “The stock is definitely constant, and I think most locations bring in new products daily,” she says.
The biggest thing to consider when you shop is the crowds. And if you’ve ever gone to Costco on a weekend, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
“It can be really overwhelming,” Lamb says. “If you go to Costco once every week or two and you’re going on a Saturday at noon, you’re probably not getting the best experience.”
Lamb says the ideal days to shop at Costco are Tuesday through Thursday, between 1 and 4 p.m. That way, the crowds will be small enough for you to push your cart through the aisles with ease.
However, she also acknowledges that not everyone has the ability to shop on weekday afternoons. “Really, any weekday, at any time, is a good time to shop,” Lamb says. “Even if you can go in the evening between 6 and 8, before they close."
But what if you can only shop on the weekends? Lamb has some solutions that’ll work for you, too. You’ll have better luck avoiding hordes of shoppers by showing up in the late afternoon; just be aware that Costco closes earlier on the weekends.
Her next weekend tip is specific to her home in Dallas, but works for any city with lots of sports fans. “In Dallas, the best time to go is while the Cowboys are playing.”
What To Buy At Costco
Some items she picks up on her weekly hauls include essentials like eggs, milk, and coffee. One of her all-time favorites, though, can be used to spice up nearly any recipe.
“I always buy the Kirkland Signature basil pesto. It's the best, in my opinion,” Lamb says. “And it goes on everything from pizza to veggie dip. My family loves it.”
Lamb’s extensive Costco knowledge also includes what products get you the best bang for your buck. One of the best places to get a good deal? The meat section.
“The steaks, chicken, and salmon are some of the best deals in the entire warehouse,” she says. “My family loves the pre-portioned frozen salmon and cod, but you can even get wild-caught fresh salmon for a great price.”
The organic chicken breast is also especially affordable. “You can get it for around $5.99 a pound—I stock up on it almost every week,” Lamb says.
Costco’s bakery is also a great spot for deals—but you need to store their products carefully. Lamb buys bags of their freshly baked bagels and stores them in the freezer. Since their baked goods are made without preservatives, it’s essential to keep them in the freezer to prevent them from going stale.
Some of the lesser known deals are hiding in plain sight. One under-the-radar area you should visit is the gift card display.
“Generally, the gift cards come with around a 20 percent discount. That’s $79.99 for $100 gift cards,” she says. That means they practically make you money. You can find gift cards for nearly any retailer, from travel companies to local restaurants and spas in your area.
Another item people don’t talk about enough? The build-your-own taco kit. For around $15, you can take home a dozen corn tortillas, cooked chicken, and a variety of different toppings—all in one box.
You can load your tacos with the included cheese, cabbage slaw, salsa, and even a cilantro lime crema. It takes all of the guesswork out of making dinner. “If it ever goes away, I’d be devastated,” she says.
What To Avoid At Costco
Not every product in the store is worth buying in bulk, however. “It’s not worth it to get fresh vegetables,” Lamb says. “Unless you’re someone who’s going to eat a whole bag of fresh Brussels sprouts in a week, you’re going to be throwing half of them away.”
Her two exceptions are the avocados and their pre-cut vegetable tray. “As soon as my avocados are ripe enough to eat, I throw them in the fridge and they’ll last another week or 10 days,” she says.
As for the vegetable tray, the combination of carrots, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and other vegetables makes for easy snacking or making school lunches. And, according to Lamb, the everything-seasoned ranch dip that comes with it is a must try.
Secret Costco Tips
While generally the best deals are found in-person at the warehouses, you can also strategically shop on Costco's website too. "The prices are higher online because you pay for shipping," she says, "but if you can't easily bring products home, it's worth buying on their website." For things like appliances and furniture, the website typically has a wider selection.
If you're looking to revamp your wardrobe, keep your eyes on Costco's website. Sometimes they'll put clothing items on sale after being listed for a week or two.
You can also get access to different products (and different sales) by shopping at different Costco locations. Managers mark down products based on demand at their local store, so you'll be able to find sales that aren't offered at your go-to location.
The most important Costco tip is stopping by the food court. From their inflation-defying hot dog combo to a wide variety of sandwiches, you can have a celebratory post-shopping meal without spending too much. Lamb's favorite item at the food court is the obvious pick: the pepperoni pizza.
What are your favorite products at Costco? Let us know in the comments.
