Navigating the expansive produce aisles of Costco can be overwhelming with its seemingly endless variety of fruits and vegetables. In this guide, we’ll help you make the most of your membership by revealing the top 10 produce items to buy and the 10 items you might want to skip on your next shopping trip.
Whether you’re stocking up for a week of healthy eating or planning a special meal, knowing what to pick and what to pass on can save you both time and money.
Buy: Whole Garlic Bulbs $4.99/3 lbs
Essential for any kitchen, whole garlic bulbs at Costco offer both quality and quantity. With their robust flavor, these garlic bulbs are perfect for enhancing any dish.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 4
- Fats: 0g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
Ingredients
Garlic
Preparation Instructions
Peel and chop, crush, or mince as required by your recipe.
Skip: Leafy Greens $5.49/1 lb
While typically a healthy choice, the leafy greens at Costco can sometimes wilt quickly due to the bulk packaging.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 7
- Fats: 0.1g
- Carbs: 1.4g
- Sodium: 28mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.9g
Ingredients
Mixed leafy greens
Preparation Instructions
Rinse thoroughly before use, but best used within a day or two of purchase.
Buy: Artisan Romaine Heads $3.49/5 heads
Artisan romaine heads from Costco are crisp, delicious, and perfect for salads and sandwiches. They tend to last longer than other leafy greens.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 15
- Fats: 0g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
Preparation Instructions
Wash before chopping for salads or as a crunchy addition to sandwiches.
Skip: Celery Sticks $3.99/2.5 lbs
Although convenient, the pre-cut celery sticks at Costco may lack the crispness and freshness of whole celery stalks.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 6
- Fats: 0.1g
- Carbs: 1.2g
- Sodium: 32mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.3g
Ingredients
Celery
Preparation Instructions
Best consumed soon after purchase to maintain crispness.
Buy: English Cucumbers $3.99 for 3-pack
These long, seedless cucumbers are known for their mild flavor and versatility, perfect for salads, sandwiches, or snacking.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 16
- Fats: 0.1g
- Carbs: 3.8g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 1.7g
- Protein: 0.7g
Ingredients
English cucumbers
Preparation Instructions
Rinse and slice as desired; no peeling necessary.
Skip: Berries $6.99/2 lbs
While appealing, berries at Costco can sometimes be inconsistent in taste and spoil quickly due to their delicate nature.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 32
- Fats: 0.3g
- Carbs: 7.6g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4.9g
- Protein: 0.7g
Ingredients
Mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Preparation Instructions
Best eaten soon after purchasing or stored properly in the refrigerator.
Buy: Bell Peppers $6.49/6-pack
A staple in many kitchens, bell peppers from Costco are vibrant, crunchy, and full of flavor, perfect for cooking or raw snacks.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 25
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 4.8g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugar: 3.2g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
Preparation Instructions
Wash thoroughly before slicing for cooking or as a fresh snack.
Skip: Bananas $1.39/3 lbs
While economical, the bananas at Costco often ripen unevenly and can quickly turn overripe.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 105
- Fats: 0.3g
- Carbs: 27g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3.1g
- Sugar: 14.4g
- Protein: 1.3g
Ingredients
Bananas
Preparation Instructions
Monitor closely and consume when ripe; ideal for baking or smoothies if overripe.
Buy: Russet Potatoes $5.99/10 lbs
These large, starchy potatoes are ideal for baking, mashing, or frying, offering great texture and flavor.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 168
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 38g
- Sodium: 24mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2.8g
- Sugar: 1.7g
- Protein: 4.6g
Ingredients
Russet potatoes
Preparation Instructions
Wash thoroughly before cooking; can be baked, mashed, or fried.
Skip: Onions $4.49/10 lbs
While usually a kitchen staple, the onions at Costco can vary greatly in quality and sometimes lack freshness.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 40
- Fats: 0.1g
- Carbs: 9g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
- Sugar: 4.2g
- Protein: 1.1g
Ingredients
Onions
Preparation Instructions
Inspect carefully before use; store in a cool, dry place to maximize shelf life.
Buy: Citrus $7.99/5 lbs
The citrus selection at Costco, including oranges, lemons, and limes, is consistently fresh, juicy, and full of flavor.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 62 (oranges)
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 15.4g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3.1g
- Sugar: 12.2g
- Protein: 1.2g
Ingredients
Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes)
Preparation Instructions
Rinse well before eating or using in recipes; ideal for juicing or as a zesty addition to dishes.
Skip: Vine Ripe Tomatoes $5.99/2 lbs
While visually appealing, the vine ripe tomatoes at Costco can be somewhat flavorless and watery compared to other options available.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 18
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 3.9g
- Sodium: 6mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
- Sugar: 2.6g
- Protein: 0.9g
Ingredients
Tomatoes
Preparation Instructions
Best used in cooking rather than fresh; consider roasting to enhance flavor.
Buy: Carrots $4.99/5 lbs
The carrots at Costco are fresh, crunchy, and ideal for a variety of uses from snacking to cooking.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 41
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 9.6g
- Sodium: 69mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2.8g
- Sugar: 4.7g
- Protein: 0.9g
Ingredients
Carrots
Preparation Instructions
Peel if desired and rinse well; can be chopped, roasted, or eaten raw.
Skip: Baby Bok Choy $3.99/1.5 lbs
Although nutritious, baby bok choy at Costco can sometimes suffer from poor shelf life and may wilt or discolor quickly.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 13
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 2.2g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1.2g
- Protein: 1.5g
Ingredients
Baby bok choy
Preparation Instructions
Best used soon after purchase; rinse thoroughly and can be stir-fried or steamed.
Buy: Brussels Sprouts $4.99/2 lbs
Brussels sprouts from Costco are sold fresh and have a sweet, nutty flavor when cooked, perfect for roasting or sautéing.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 38
- Fats: 0.3g
- Carbs: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3.3g
- Sugar: 1.9g
- Protein: 2.9g
Ingredients
Brussels sprouts
Preparation Instructions
Wash well, trim the ends, and slice in half for even cooking; roast for best flavor.
Skip: French-style Green Beans $4.49/2 lbs
These pre-trimmed green beans are convenient, but often lack the crispness and freshness expected of green beans.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 31
- Fats: 0.1g
- Carbs: 7g
- Sodium: 6mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3.4g
- Sugar: 1.4g
- Protein: 1.8g
Ingredients
Green beans
Preparation Instructions
Best cooked fresh; consider steaming or quick sautéing to preserve crispness.
Buy: Winter Squash $1.99/piece
The winter squash available at Costco is versatile and long-lasting, suitable for baking, roasting, or making soups.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 75
- Fats: 0.7g
- Carbs: 18g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Protein: 1.4g
Ingredients
Winter squash (varieties include butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
Preparation Instructions
Peel, seed, and cut into chunks; roast or steam to bring out its sweet, nutty flavor.
Skip: Fresh Fruit Bowl $9.99/3 lbs
While convenient for immediate consumption, the pre-prepared fresh fruit bowls at Costco can be overpriced and the fruit may not be at its peak freshness.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 60
- Fats: 0.2g
- Carbs: 15g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 0.8g
Ingredients
Mixed fresh fruit (may include melons, grapes, berries, pineapple)
Preparation Instructions
Best enjoyed immediately; store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Buy: Shiitake Mushrooms $6.99/1 lb
Costco’s shiitake mushrooms are flavorful and ideal for enhancing soups, stir-fries, and other dishes with their rich, earthy taste.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 34
- Fats: 0.5g
- Carbs: 6.8g
- Sodium: 9mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2.5g
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Protein: 2.2g
Ingredients
Shiitake mushrooms
Preparation Instructions
Clean gently with a damp cloth, trim the stems, and cook as desired; perfect for deep flavors in Asian cuisine.
Skip: Whole Avocados $6.49/6-pack
The avocados at Costco are often either too ripe or not ripe enough, making it challenging to use them at their peak.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 240
- Fats: 22g
- Carbs: 13g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Dietary Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients
Avocados
Preparation Instructions
Monitor ripeness closely; best used for guacamole or spreads when adequately ripe.
Conclusion
With this detailed guide, you’re now equipped to make the best choices when shopping for produce at Costco. Remember, while bulk buying can be convenient and cost-effective, it’s essential to choose items that will maintain their quality throughout their shelf life. Use this list to avoid common pitfalls and enjoy the best fruits and vegetables Costco has to offer. Happy shopping!
