15 Budget-Friendly Costco Staples You Can Score for Under $5

June 21, 2025

Think you need a big budget to shop at Costco? Think again. These 15 must-have Costco staples ring in at under $5 each—proof that bulk shopping can be both smart and affordable. From pantry essentials to produce and even a bottle of wine, here’s your cheat sheet to low-cost Costco finds that are worth tossing in your cart every time.

Bananas $1.49/3 lbs

A Costco classic, these ripe bananas are perfect for smoothies, snacks, or baking. You get more than enough for your weekly fruit fix at a rock-bottom price.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 105
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 27g
Sodium 1mg
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugar 14g
Protein 1g

Ingredients

Bananas

Preparation Instructions

Eat raw, slice into cereal or oatmeal, or blend into smoothies or banana bread batter.

Campari Tomatoes $4.99/2 lbs

Known for their low acidity and sweet taste, Campari tomatoes are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or roasting.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 25
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 5g
Sodium 5mg
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 3g
Protein 1g

Ingredients

Campari tomatoes

Preparation Instructions

Slice for caprese salad, roast with olive oil, or toss into pasta dishes.

Petite Romaine Lettuce $4.99/6 ct

Crisp, crunchy, and ready for Caesar salads or lettuce wraps, this romaine is a produce aisle staple.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 15
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 3g
Sodium 4mg
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugar 1g
Protein 1g

Ingredients

Romaine lettuce

Preparation Instructions

Wash, chop, and use as a salad base or low-carb wrap.

Pineapple $3.39/each

Costco’s whole pineapples are juicy, sweet, and great for snacking or grilling—an affordable tropical treat.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 82
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 22g
Sodium 2mg
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugar 16g
Protein 1g

Ingredients

Pineapple

Preparation Instructions

Slice and eat fresh, blend into smoothies, or grill for caramelized flavor.

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio $4.99/750mL

A crisp, refreshing white wine that pairs beautifully with seafood or light pasta dishes. Shockingly good for the price.

Key Features

Crisp with citrus and green apple notes
12.5% ABV
Product of Italy

Ingredients

Pinot Grigio grapes

Serving Instructions

Serve chilled. Best enjoyed within a few days of opening.

McCormick Garlic Lime Seasoning $4.69/14.5 oz

Bright, zesty, and full of flavor, this seasoning adds a citrusy punch to chicken, veggies, or tacos.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 0
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 0g
Sodium 190mg
Sugar 0g
Protein 0g

Ingredients

Salt, garlic, lime juice solids, spices, and natural flavors

Preparation Instructions

Sprinkle on meats or vegetables before grilling or roasting.

Kirkland Signature Tortilla Strips $4.99/48 oz

Restaurant-style crunch in a giant bag. These strips are ideal for dipping, topping soups, or snacking straight from the bag.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 140
Total Fat 7g
Carbs 18g
Sodium 115mg
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugar 0g
Protein 2g

Ingredients

Corn, vegetable oil, salt, lime

Preparation Instructions

Ready to eat. Enjoy as-is or warm briefly in the oven for extra crispness.

Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken $4.99/each

A fan-favorite, this juicy and seasoned whole chicken is a complete meal or the start of several.

Strawberries $3.99/2 lbs

These juicy, vibrant berries are perfect for snacking, baking, or blending.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 53
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 13g
Sodium 2mg
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugar 8g
Protein 1g

Ingredients

Strawberries

Preparation Instructions

Rinse, hull, and enjoy fresh or in recipes.

Kirkland Signature Baguettes $4.99/2-pack

These artisan-style baguettes are crusty on the outside and soft inside—perfect with butter or for sandwiches.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 120
Total Fat 1g
Carbs 23g
Sodium 210mg
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 0g
Protein 4g

Ingredients

Flour, water, salt, yeast

Preparation Instructions

Serve fresh, toast lightly, or warm in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.

Organic Baby Spinach $3.89/1 lb

Fresh and nutrient-rich, this spinach is great for salads, sautés, or smoothies.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 7
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 1g
Sodium 24mg
Dietary Fiber 0.7g
Sugar 0g
Protein 0.9g

Ingredients

Organic spinach

Preparation Instructions

Wash and use raw in salads or cook for soups and side dishes.

Burger Buns $2.89/12 ct

Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sized for backyard BBQs or weekday sandwiches.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 140
Total Fat 2.5g
Carbs 26g
Sodium 220mg
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 4g
Protein 5g

Ingredients

Enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, salt

Preparation Instructions

Toast or warm before serving with burgers or sandwiches.

Kirkland Signature Sea Salt $3.39/30 oz

Pure, coarse sea salt perfect for seasoning meats, veggies, and finishing dishes.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 0
Total Fat 0g
Carbs 0g
Sodium 590mg
Sugar 0g
Protein 0g

Ingredients

Sea salt

Preparation Instructions

Use as desired for cooking or finishing.

Greek-Style Pita Bread $3.99/12 ct

These soft, fluffy pitas are great for wraps, gyros, or homemade pizza bases.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 160
Total Fat 3g
Carbs 29g
Sodium 330mg
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 2g
Protein 5g

Ingredients

Wheat flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar, vegetable oil

Preparation Instructions

Warm in a pan or oven for 1–2 minutes before use.

Kirkland Signature Crushed Red Pepper $3.99/10.2 oz

Spice up your cooking with this bold, flavorful pantry staple that lasts forever.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 5
Total Fat 0.3g
Carbs 1g
Sodium 0mg
Dietary Fiber 0.7g
Sugar 0g
Protein 0.2g

Ingredients

Crushed red pepper

Preparation Instructions

Add to sauces, pizzas, and marinades for heat.

Conclusion

Costco isn’t just about big spending—it’s about big value. These 15 under-$5 essentials prove that a smart shopper can fill their cart with high-quality, everyday staples without overspending. Whether you’re stocking up on produce, seasoning your meals, or grabbing a satisfying ready-made chicken, Costco delivers more for less.