I'm a former chef who shops for 2 at Costco. Here are 11 foods I get there that feel gourmet. (2024)

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I love how flavorful the Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is.

As any chef will tell you, fat has flavor — and this butter is more flavorful than many other brands I've tried.

Expectations are high when I'm in the kitchen, so I think it's worth splurging a little to get a high-quality, flavorful ingredient. This 2-pound box easily lasts over a month — unless my husband goes on a baking spree.

Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is quite reasonable at Costco, as a package of four 8-ounce bars costs $14.50 at my store. I find this butter also freezes well, so when it's on sale, I like to stock up.

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We divide and freeze the Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts.

Though we often have vegetarian meals, we still consider these packs of Kirkland Signature boneless and skinless chicken breasts as a staple item.

These chicken breasts are often quite large, so we freeze them individually and halve them before cooking to keep portion sizes under control.

These versatile chicken breasts are a great value at about $3 per pound at my Costco.

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The Kirkland Signature organic large cage-free eggs are a go-to protein in our house.

There's an old story about how the ripples on a chef's toque represent the 100 ways a proper chef can cook an egg. However, I'm fairly certain there are many more ways.

One of my favorite ways to make eggs is in a large frittata with bits of leftover produce or cheese. It's great to serve at a gathering with friends or keep on hand as an easy, reheatable option for weekday lunches.

Each package of eggs is about $7.60 at my Costco.

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The Foppen Norwegian-smoked-salmon slices easily elevate any brunch.

Expectations are high when your friends and family know you're a proper chef. So, for an easy brunch, I get this pack of smoked-salmon slices — it comes with pepper, traditional (plain), and dill flavors.

I serve smoked salmon with capers, crème fraîche, and chopped dill on rye or pumpernickel for a delicious, refined brunch component. I'd also suggest pairing smoked salmon with rosé and a frittata — but you might have some trouble getting your guests to go back home.

A 12-ounce package of smoked salmon is $13.50 at my local Costco.

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A little squeeze of lemon can go a long way.

Besides just looking good in a bowl on the counter, lemons pack a lot of punch. If a meal doesn't taste exactly as you hoped, consider adding a bit of acid — just a little squeeze of lemon can lift and brighten even the most stubborn meal.

To me, nothing says summer quite like fresh-squeezed lemonade, and it's pretty easy to make yourself.

At my Costco, a 5-pound bag of lemons costs $6.50. I usually get an extra bag, as I crave more lemonade once I make a fresh batch.

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Cherries are a sweet snack and a fun addition to lemonade.

Beyond cherry pies, this fruit is also tasty as a sweet bite after dinner. Three or four cherries can often satisfy my taste for dessert without adding many calories or extra effort to my meal.

I also use them in a homemade, elevated lemonade (it's a messy but fun project). I use a chopstick to poke out the pits and add the fruit to a blender with simple syrup and lemon juice. Finally, I pour the beverage through a strainer and serve it over ice or mix it with sparkling water.

I pick up a 2-pound box for $6 at my store.

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The Muga rosado wine offers a great balance of flavors.

This exceptional wine is well-balanced, elegant, and complex. It has notes of peaches, apricots, and white blossoms. It's also pleasantly dry with a long finish (a fruity aftertaste).

This mouthwatering wine is a delightful addition to a summertime picnic or a get-together with friends on the porch.

These bottles are a few dollars cheaper than those I've seen at other stores near me. I like to grab several bottles at Costco, priced at about $12 each.

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If you're looking for something different, I recommend getting a Kirkland Signature frenched rack of lamb.

When we have guests over, I often try to cook a meal that feels a bit fancier. One way to hit that note is to serve lamb — just be careful not to overcook this delicate meat.

I cut this frenched lamb into chops, pan-sear the meat, and serve three pieces with greens and potatoes as a flavorful, bold main course. I also like to coat my lamb in a mustard crust when I'm feeling adventurous.

At about $13 per pound, Costco keeps my fancy dinner parties affordable.

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The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a lot of depth to pasta dishes and frittatas.

In my opinion, this Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano is just as good as the stuff you can find at a fancy cheesemonger. Though the size of the blocks can seem overwhelming, when properly stored, they can last quite a while in the refrigerator.

We love shaving some with a vegetable peeler over a salad or grating some to serve with pasta or in a frittata. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to almost any dish.

My store sells a block for $11.30 per pound, which seems a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.

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This Président Brie cheese is best on crusty bread or as part of a fancy appetizer.

Admittedly, this isn't Brie de Meaux — a fancy French form of Brie — but it's dependable and flavorful.

It's a wonderful crudité (appetizer) or addition to a fancy cheese spread. Your guests probably wouldn't guess you bought it at Costco, either.​

Leftover Brie also makes a delicious, simple lunch when paired with rustic, crusty bread the next day. At my Costco, each round is just $7.

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Skip the hot dogs and grill the Aidells smoked chicken-and-apple sausages.

It's summertime, and, in my book, that means grilling outdoors. Fortunately, an easy and nearly labor-free take on the standard hot dog is delectable and inexpensive.

These chicken-and-apple sausages are especially tasty. They have a satisfying texture, a hint of sweetness from the apples, and a lightly smoky flavor that becomes more pronounced the longer you leave them on the grill.

I like to serve them on standard hot-dog buns. Add a fun slaw, and you're good to go.A 3-pound package of these sausages is $10.70 at my location.

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