The $8 Costco Grocery I Never Leave the Store Without (I Use It for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

I love everything about food — the smells, the sizzle, and even the shopping — so it’s a major bummer that tightening the household expenses often means limiting my “fun food funds.” Even when my budget is tight, Costco is my first stop for groceries each month. As a loyal Costco member for over 12 years, I know how to stretch those bulk buys. 

Knowing that I can stock up on quality, staple ingredients at affordable prices is what keeps me a warehouse regular. This month, I’m keeping a close eye on my grocery budget so I’m picking up Kirkland Signature Rolled Oats, and here’s why I think you should too. 

Kirkland Signature’s Rolled Oats, like others of its kind, contain just a single ingredient: whole grain rolled oats. (If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between rolled, instant, and steel-cut oats, we break it down for you.) What makes this a brilliant bulk buy comes down to the bottom line. At Costco, a 10-pound bag costs just under $8, or a mere five cents per ounce. At other grocery stores in my area in Georgia, rolled oats can cost from 22 cents per ounce for the store brand to 32 cents per ounce for national brands. That makes this Costco buy an unbelievable deal.

The oats come in a resealable bag, but decanting them into an airtight container keeps them fresh for longer. Rolled oats can last from one to two years if stored properly, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you can cook through a bag of this breakfast staple.

A bowl of warm oatmeal is one of the best ways to start the day, but butter and syrup is just the beginning. You can stir peanut butter into just-cooked oats for a nutty protein boost that is sure to satisfy. And for a bowl of oatmeal that will make you wonder why you ever served them sweet, you have got to try this recipe for cheesy, savory oatmeal with kimchi.

If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen a variety of viral baked oatmeal recipes, and our take — banana bread baked oatmeal — is among the best we’ve tried. If you prefer cold breakfast, then overnight oats are probably a staple at your house. Try dressing up the oats with fruit and nuts that taste just like morning glory muffins or stir in fresh blueberries and walnuts for a sweet and simple pairing.

Toast sweetened oats and toss with dried fruit and nuts for a delicious homemade granola or easy muesli. (What’s the difference between granola and muesli? We’re glad you asked.) Granola isn’t the only way to bake with oats. Try this hearty homemade oatmeal bread or these blueberry oatmeal muffins.

Oats also add body and fiber to smoothies to keep you full, or include in pancake batter for a heartier breakfast (with bananas!). Don’t forget that oats are essential to some of the very best snacks, like apple and peanut butter sandwiches, old-fashioned date bars, and jammy granola bars.

Did you know that you can use oats in place of breadcrumbs in your go-to meatloaf recipe? Then follow it up with 3-ingredient oatmeal cookies, bus stop breakfast cookies, or a bubbling fruit crisp for dessert. 

Buy it in stores: Kirkland Signature Rolled Oats, $7.99 for 10 pounds

What Costco staples are you stocking up on this spring? Tell us about it in the comments below.