I've had a Costco membership for years but discovered even more must-haves when my family grew. Here are 10 things I always get there.
Each month, I head to my UK Costco to stock up on big-box items for my family of four.
My daughter is a big fan of the Bearfields honey-roasted sliced ham, which we use in sandwiches.
I use the Kirkland Signature British bone-in pork-belly ribs to make delicious, meaty main courses.
Before we had kids, my partner and I would make an occasional trip to Costco, stocking up on our favorite items and splitting bulk buys between the two of us.
Now, with a family of four and more mouths to feed, we head to Costco every month to buy items in bulk.
Here are a few must-buy items I get for my family every month at my UK-based Costco.
We have the Bearfields honey-roasted sliced ham as a snack or in sandwiches.
Our oldest child loves ham sandwiches, so she often has one as a snack (or, upon her request, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner).
The Bearfields ham slices are great for filling a sandwich, though I also throw the meat into a soup, salad, or fried-rice dish. If I'm in a hurry, I'll grab a slice before heading out the door.
I also like that this package comes with two individually wrapped portions of ham, so I don't have to worry about eating it all at once.
I love the flavor of the Goldstein smoked salmon.
Eggs Benedict might traditionally call for ham, but we like to mix it up and add smoked salmon.
Goldstein smoked salmon is also a wonderful, salty accompaniment to leek-and-potato soup, and it instantly makes a slice of toast feel much fancier.
We use garlic almost daily, so we grab a big pack of organic bulbs.
Whether I'm making a curry, spaghetti, or tzatziki, I always add garlic. If recipes call for two or three garlic cloves, I usually add at least two more portions to bump up the flavor.
I even have a tiny casserole dish exclusively for roasting garlic for creamy mashed potatoes or toasted bread. Sometimes I feel like our family is single-handedly propping up the garlic industry.
Ramona's jalapeño hummus has a delicious spiciness.
When it comes to hummus, this stuff is a game changer. It's rich and creamy, with a gentle jalapeño kick that instantly elevates our dipping veggies, chips, and wraps.
This hummus comes in a two-pack of 500-gram (about 17 ounces) tubs, though you'll likely regret not buying more.
The nashi pears from Costco are refreshing and juicy.
Nashi, or Asian, pears are crisp, refreshing, and super juicy. They have more bite and tanginess than European pears, though they're not usually as smooth or sweet.
They're also great for mixing up the fruit bowl if you've only had apples and grapes for a while.
The Kirkland Signature British bone-in pork-belly ribs are full of meaty flavor.
Barbecue season might be over, but there's always space for a hearty plate of pork ribs. The Kirkland Signature pork ribs are very thick, so when the fat renders, they're super juicy.
I've been making char-siu-style (sweet, Cantonese-style barbecue) pork ribs, but next time, I think I'll try a simple salt-and-pepper recipe.
This variety pack of Kirkland Signature Danish pastries is great for a lazy Sunday morning.
If I don't feel like making breakfast, I opt for these delicious Danish pastries.
Each 12-pack contains raspberry, vanilla-and-apple, and caramel-custard flavors. I like to heat them in the oven for 10 minutes to warm the filling and crisp up the pastry.
The watermelon at Costco is deliciously juicy.
Watermelon keeps me feeling full and satisfied. I also recently enjoyed using the fruit for a quick and easy watermelon sorbet, which was very refreshing.
If you ask me, the best watermelons are dull, dark green, heavy for their size, and have a large yellow or orange spot (indicating they've spent lots of time ripening in the fields).
No trip to Costco is complete without a Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken.
The Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken is juicy, tender, and huge.
We'll serve one with a feta salad and bread for dinner, slice the breast meat for lunchtime sandwiches, and strip the bones to use in a curry or stir fry.
The Cartmel Village Shop sticky toffee pudding is a sublime treat for dessert.
Sticky toffee pudding is a favorite in our house. I like to serve it with vanilla ice cream, as it's the perfect accompaniment to soften the pudding's sweetness.
This package comes with two trays of pudding that are easily enough for four adults. However, we like to stretch one tray into enough servings for our family of four.
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