Additional Coverage:
- I’m a diehard Costco fan with an executive membership. Here are the 9 items I can’t leave the store without. (businessinsider.com)
Costco Superfan Shares Her Must-Have Items
A self-proclaimed “Costco girl,” Gabrielle Lenart, reveals her top picks for nutritious and affordable meals from the wholesale giant. Having grown up exploring the aisles with her mom and now starting her own family, Lenart’s Costco trips are a weekly ritual. While the rotisserie chicken is a given, she shared some lesser-known favorites.
For convenient and healthy protein, Lenart swears by Amylu brand products. The chicken meatballs and maple chicken patties are staples in her meal prep routine. Another go-to is Kirkland Signature organic chicken breasts, which she marinates and freezes upon returning home.
Lenart’s beverage of choice? Kirkland Signature Italian sparkling mineral water. She enjoys it plain or adds her own flavors like lemon, lime, or pomegranate molasses.
Pantry staples include Kirkland Signature rolled oats, perfect for oatmeal, baking, and even a soothing bath in a pinch! The Kirkland Signature plain Greek yogurt is another versatile item, enjoyed by her family and even their dog. She flavors it in batches and uses it as a substitute for sour cream.
For adding flavor and depth to dishes, Lenart recommends the Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano. She uses the rind in beans, marinara sauce, and soup stock. Columbus hickory-smoked turkey bacon, baked on a parchment-lined sheet tray, is another favorite for breakfast burritos or feeding a crowd.
Finally, two must-haves round out her list: Kirkland Signature organic creamy peanut butter, made with just peanuts and salt, and Bachan’s Japanese barbecue sauce, a versatile marinade and dipping sauce that adds a sweet and savory kick to any protein.