I’m a Nutritionist and These Are the 12 Costco Groceries I Buy to Eat More Veggies

Even as someone who shops for one, Costco is my preferred place to stock up on vegetables. The bulk warehouse consistently has great deals on my favorite fresh items, like mushrooms and itty-bitty potatoes. But my veggie-related shopping isn’t limited to the produce section. I load up on finds from nearly every section of the store: frozen dinner shortcuts, grab-and-go snacks, dried and oven-roasted ingredients, and more. For me, variety and versatility are key to eating more veggies. And these 12 help me do just that.

I’m a fan of frozen veggies, but when it comes to Brussels sprouts I always opt for fresh over frozen (it’s a texture preference). These will easily last a week in the fridge if stored in a plastic bag or an airtight container once prepped. I like to cook them in two batches: I’ll oven-roast the first half (it adds a nice caramelized texture and removes some of their bitterness) and eat them as a dinner side or for lunch along with leftovers. By day four (at most!), they’re gone, and then I cook the remaining half of the bag. And don’t limit your Brussels sprouts cooking to the oven — they’re also great on the grill.

How cute are these? I love cucumbers as a snack in the summer — they’re incredibly refreshing. And (bonus!) these minis gets rid of the need for chopping. I especially love that they’re seedless and come in a relatively small package. But if you’re concerned about finishing them all before they spoil, I have a trick to make them last longer: Transfer the cucumbers to a glass storage container and before you seal the container, line the top with a paper towel. This helps absorb excess moisture that can causes spoilage, so you can snack on these cute cukes all week long.

Another great mini option! While these aren’t organic, they are fresh, delicious, and versatile. Pair them with the little cucumbers above or serve them as a side for a sandwich. And I love, love, love them in salads of all kinds — especially tuna salad! If you haven’t tried it yet, I can’t recommend it enough.

These were new to my local Costco this month and I was elated to spot them in the shelf-stable section. With zero artificial preservatives, the oven-roasted marinated tomatoes would be a fantastic addition to pasta salads, braised cauliflower, dips, and more.

Don’t be deceived by the photo; this bag is big! I love that they’re organic dried mushrooms and minimal seasonings. These mushrooms add serious meatiness and deep, rich flavor to whatever you add them to. Eat them as a snack, add them to salads, or serve them with (or on) burgers.

These were also new at my local Costco and I instantly thought how cool they would be in place of the fried onions you find on burgers. I also knew my brother — who’s a massive jalapeño-lover — would be a great judge, so I picked up a package for him to try. Turns out I was right! He’s a huge fan, and said they have great flavor with a hint of spice and are super crunchy.

I immediately put these in my cart when I saw them. Pickles are one of the best snacks of all time, IMHO. I grew up eating them right out of the jar on our front porch during the summer, and they continue hit the spot. These have tons of flavor and come in a large 46-ounce jar, so they may just last you all summer long!

I wasn’t familiar with this brand, but I took a chance on this grilled veggie mix and I’m glad I did. At first glance, I liked the variety of vegetables — zucchini, piquillo peppers, artichokes, and eggplant — and that they are marinated in sunflower oil. Plus there aren’t any artificial preservatives or high amounts of sodium. They’re great puréed into dips and add lots of flavor when layered on sandwiches. You could even use the leftover oil as an ingredient in pasta salad dressings.

I spotted other flavors of this nori at my local Costco, but was surprised (and delighted!) to see this new Korean-BBQ flavored version on shelves during a recent visit. You can snack on these right out of the bag, crumble them up for a soup or rice topper, or use them as a fun way to serve sushi bake.

Made with cold-pressed veggies, no added sugar, and zero artificial anything, this variety pack instantly went into my cart when I saw them — especially considering their very reasonable price tag. This brand was started by Jennifer Garner, and the packs are great to keep as snacks for when you’re on the go. They’re particularly refreshing in the warm summer heat. For a fun treat, use them as a topping for Jenn-approved yogurt bark.

This grain-and-veggie combo is a great plant-based option if you’re cooking for vegetarians or vegans or trying to eat less meat. Made with organic quinoa, brown rice, broccoli, onion, and sun-dried tomato pesto seasoning, it’s a light-yet-hearty meal that satisfies. Bonus: It’s ready in minutes in the microwave, although you can also heat it on the stovetop in a pot (or in an Instant Pot or slow cooker).

I’m a huge fan of cauliflower rice; I find it easier to prepare than whole cauliflower, and this frozen variety has all the nutrients of its fresh counterpart. This mix also includes peas, corn, and red bell peppers tossed in a sesame-ginger sauce. It’s gluten-free and vegan, making it a great stand-alone meal for plant-based eaters. If you want to add a protein, tofu, grilled fish or shrimp, or eggs (scrambled, fried, or jammy eggs) would all be delicious additions.

What new groceries are helping you eat more veggies? Let’s hear it!