The Best Costco Groceries for Your Instant Pot, According to a Nutritionist

You can get just about anything you need (want) at Costco. Gas? Yup. Eyeglasses? Check. An Instant Pot? You betcha! Groceries? Duh. Groceries for your Instant Pot? Of course! In fact, Costco has lots of great — and nutritious! — groceries that you should buy specifically for your Instant Pot.

Here’s a list of my top 10 healthy finds. Some are new to shelves, while others have been around for years — let’s get shopping.

Lentils are a cinch to cook in the Instant Pot. They’re also an excellent source of iron, magnesium, protein, fiber, and potassium. And they’re low in fat. Get a bag and plan on adding some lentils to soups and stews, or just make them on their own.

Brown Basmati rice has a nutty, almost butter-like flavor compared to regular short or long-grain brown rice. It’s also the perfect rice to cook in the Instant Pot because it doesn’t turn gummy or sticky when cooked at high-pressure. Just follow these easy cooking directions.

This frozen Riced Cauliflower Stir-Fry is grain-free, low-carb, and packed with veggies! I love that it’s organic, has great flavor, and doesn’t take up too much room in the freezer (it comes in four packets that don’t turn into a solid block of ice). Just dump a packet into the IP, cook on high for a few minutes using the pressure cook settings, and that’s it. You’ve got stir-fry in just minutes!

Quaker oats are a timeless breakfast classic that belong in any Costco shopper’s cart (at least, they’re always in mine!). Though this is a huge 10-pound box, the price is a steal of a deal, so it’s worth figuring out how to make it work. I split it with my mom and we can each go through our share in about two months. I either cook these on high-pressure for 3 to 4 minutes or use the slow-cooker setting for 2 hours, depending on how my day is looking.

Low-sodium vegetable broth can add flavor and nutrition to just about anything savory you cook in the Instant Pot, but it can be oddly expensive at regular stores. The price at Costco is extremely affordable. Stock up and stash the cartons in the bottom of your pantry — I promise, you’ll be glad to have this stuff on hand.

Brussels sprouts are rich in fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and low in calories and carbs while still being super-filling. They make great Instant Pot additions because they don’t turn to mush. If you have a steamer basket for your Instant Pot, even better! This massive bag at Costco is a great buy and totally budget-savvy compared to the fresh stuff at most grocery stores.

Of all the frozen broccoli I’ve tried, Kirkland Signature’s are my favorite because the bags all have giant florets. They come in four 16-ounce packets, so they don’t get freezer burn like big bulk bags of broccoli do. Again, if you have a steamer basket, use it!

Quinoa is high in protein, magnesium, iron, B vitamins, potassium, and fiber. It’s also low in fat and calories compared to some other sources of protein. Use it instead of rice in a pilaf, add it to oatmeal, or add it to Instant Pot soups and stews.

In case you couldn’t tell by now, I love frozen veggies for the Instant Pot. You couldn’t DIY this blend — featuring carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and yellow squash — for less than this price. Try some PIP cooking and steam these veggies along with your main dish.

Not all frozen fruit works well in the Instant Pot but berries are a perfect choice. I like to use these in oatmeal or porridge and I’ve even snuck them into Instant Pot applesauce. They’re a great price and the quality is always top-notch.

Heather McClees is a nutritionist with a degree in Nutrition Science and Dietetics. She lives in South Carolina and loves browsing the aisles of Aldi, Costco, and Target, in search of the best new, good-for-you groceries to hit shelves.

What are your favorite Costco buys for your Instant Pot?