Our Favorite Grilling Shortcuts to Buy at Costco

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.
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updated May 1, 2019
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Costco is a beacon of hope during a summer packed with neighborhood water fights (post-fight Popsicles required) and backyard barbecues. No other store helps you plan more summer camp snacks and feed crowds of pool-dwellers more economically than this big-box retailer. (Also, Costco seems to crush it when it comes to in-store air conditioning!)

While not everyone can use a mass quantity of water balloons or an 11-person inflatable raft from Costco, at least once this summer we’ll all need to quickly feed a cookout crowd.

Here are three of my favorite grilling shortcuts from Costco, plus two other top buys for the grill.

(Image credit: Meghan Splawn)

1. Burger Patties

Let’s be honest — its hard to find pre-made burger patties that actually cook up well. (Most are just so bland and dry!) The butchers at Costco grind everything in house and shape these pre-formed patties with a hole in the center so they cook completely without a hump in the middle. Grab buns from the bakery and some sliced cheese and you have all the makings of a near-instant burger bash.

(Image credit: Meghan Splawn)

2. Ribs

I was incredibly excited to find these rubbed and ready to smoke or grill St. Louis-style ribs at Costco. Mixing up a dry rub for ribs and letting them sit for a day or more with that salt and those spices creates a ton of flavor. Sadly, I almost never have time to do it before a rib craving strikes. These ribs eliminate the need for planning and prepping.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between Baby Back Ribs and Spareribs?

(Image credit: Meghan Splawn)

3. Veggie Burgers

My Fantasy Self always has homemade veggie burgers in the freezer, ready for when my vegetarian friends come by for dinner, but my Real-Life Self stocks up on the frozen veggie burgers from Costco. This Dr. Praeger brand is one we reviewed and loved in our veggie burger taste test.

More on Veggie Burgers

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2 other Grilling Essentials I Love from Costco

Bad Byron’s Butt Rub

Admittedly this rub is intended for pork butts headed for the smoker, but it’s also amazing on pork tenderloins, grilled chicken breasts, and grilled mushrooms.

(Image credit: Meghan Splawn)

Cedar Planks

Costco has the cheapest packages of cedar planks I’ve found anywhere. They’re inexpensive without sacrificing quality. Don’t forget to soak them before grilling!

Read more: How To Grill Salmon on a Cedar Plank

What do you pick up from Costco this time of year to make your backyard cookouts even easier and tastier?

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