Global inflation rates in various countries have declined since reaching their peak in 2022, but food prices remain high in some countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Shopping for food at the well-known warehouse-style chain store Costco is a choice for saving daily expenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), by 2025, the average food prices paid by Americans are projected to increase by 1.9%. While overall inflation in Taiwan has dropped to 2.18%, the annual food price increase rate remains high at 3.69%, slightly lower than Japan and South Korea but higher than in Europe and the United States.
People consider food essential, and if rising grocery prices are causing frustration, a visit to a local Costco store might offer the most cost-effective food options to fill the stomachs of the whole family.
Looking to spend less and stock up your fridge? “Finance Buzz” website has compiled a list of affordable foods available at Costco this month, ranging from essential items like chicken rice to sweets and smoothies, covering everything from meals to drinks. (Note: Prices and availability may vary and differ by location).
In the realm of healthy eating, the name “Whole30” is already well-known. Whole30 isn’t just a dietary plan but also a strong brand.
For instance, Costco offers a convenient and affordable option with their pre-seasoned chicken breast, providing 31 grams of protein and no added sugars. Priced at $14.99 at Costco.
For less than $15, you can get two 23-ounce breakfast pies, one featuring spinach and artichoke, and the other with cheddar cheese and broccoli, priced at $14.79 in total.
Compared to a 15-ounce Whole Foods Market’s broccoli and cheddar quiche priced at $10.99.
For under $15, you can enjoy a hearty Italian dinner by adding this three-pound pack of fully-cooked and refrigerated meatballs to your pasta.
Reddit user “DawnOfDreams21” praises these keto-friendly foods, saying, “These products are great! Especially as a keto dieter, I was pleasantly surprised to find this meatball’s low net carb content. The ingredients are clean too.”
Keto diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, very low-carb diet.
Costco also offers fully cooked pork weighing 32 ounces, raised without antibiotics and smoked with hickory wood, priced at under $15, making it not only cheaper than restaurants but also more affordable compared to some other supermarkets.
A 16-ounce box of Jack Daniels pulled pork by Walmart Online is priced at $8.47.
Costco customers on subreddit highly praise this product. Reddit user “warriordude07” writes, “Great all-around nutrition food, veggies look very fresh, and after freezing, the colors are still vibrant…a great quick and easy lunch prep!”
A pack containing six 12.5-ounce bowls of teriyaki chicken rice, priced at under $15, is available for purchase at Costco.
Bibigo focuses on the “Globalization of Korean Dining,” emphasizing “fresh, healthy” concepts with traditional Korean flavors tailored to customers worldwide, creating a new concept in Korean dining.
These boneless and skinless tilapia fillets can be baked, broiled, or grilled, paired with fresh veggies and healthy brown rice for a nutritious and filling dinner.
In comparison, Costco’s 36-ounce tilapia is priced at $18.69, while a similar product at Kroger costs nearly $25.
The U.S. government describes tilapia as one of the lowest mercury fish (alongside sardines), and the USDA also notes that tilapia is a low-fat, high-protein, high in amino acids, potassium, selenium, vitamin K fish.
Smoothies or drinks from juice shops or cafes can be expensive, but using Costco’s Superfood Freezer Blend, you can make your own smoothies at home.
For just $12.99, you can purchase six small bags of 8-ounce frozen blend ingredients, including blueberries, kale, strawberries, bananas, raspberries, and spinach.
In the winter days when you’re too tired to cook a complicated dinner after work, a bowl of Kevin’s refrigerated ready-to-eat chicken soup noodles to warm you up is also a great option. This noodle soup is gluten-free.
The noodles in this soup are made from cauliflower and other ingredients. A Reddit user mentioned, “I caught a cold, bought Kevin’s chicken soup cauliflower noodles. The soup has chicken, noodles, and carrots. The noodle doesn’t taste like cauliflower and is really delicious.”
A similar quantity of chicken soup noodles costs nearly $16.50 at Target.
Costco’s own Italian sausage pizza, a pack of four slices, is priced slightly above $14, offering a cost-effective option to save money on takeout.
Reddit user “calicoskys” posts, “These pizzas are cheap and tasty. I mean, they’re frozen pizzas, but they’re better than most.”
These mini cheesecakes are both affordable and adorable, with each cheesecake containing only 140 calories. A pack of 24 cheesecakes is priced at $19.49, averaging to $0.81 per slice.
Target sells a box of six Noosa versions for $5.99, making each cheesecake cost $0.99.