My Costco Haul | Kenji's Cooking Show

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  • Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
  • This one is on request! I get to Costco every couple months to restock some basics. Here's what I picked up on my last trip.
    I don't take sponsorships or do promotions of any kind. The best way to support me if you like my work is to buy my books or join my Patreon: / kenjilopezalt
    You can get any of my books, The Food Lab, The Wok and Every Night is Pizza Night) wherever books are sold, or you can order signed and personalized copies to be shipped anywhere in the world from here: booklarder.com...
    Here's my Patreon, where you will find every new video published early and ad-free, typically with fully written step-by-step instructions, along with all kinds of other bonus content such as new recipes, testing notes, and direct interactions: / kenjilopezalt

КОМЕНТАРІ • 686

  • @JKenjiLopezAlt
    @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +2002

    And then I forgot the milk!

    • @DeadlyHorizons
      @DeadlyHorizons 6 місяців тому +37

      Just an excuse to go back and get cookies too!

    • @carlosalvarado2564
      @carlosalvarado2564 6 місяців тому +52

      Lol, that's exactly what I go for, too, milk. It's cheaper for organic milk, only costs me between 200 and 300 dollars every time I buy milk 😅

    • @Andre-Nader
      @Andre-Nader 6 місяців тому +35

      If you run into my dad while buying the milk could you tell him we miss him?

    • @davidmacpherson8710
      @davidmacpherson8710 6 місяців тому +10

      When you go to Costco for milk, they make you buy a cow!

    • @matthewjessop7003
      @matthewjessop7003 6 місяців тому +3

      That is exactly how I shop at Costco! Go for one thing and come back with everything but.

  • @poushboys
    @poushboys 6 місяців тому +1634

    "I went to get some milk, and I got like $400 worth of stuff"
    This is the ideal Costco experience

    • @RoninHLee
      @RoninHLee 6 місяців тому +6

      🤣

    • @R.Akerman-oz1tf
      @R.Akerman-oz1tf 6 місяців тому +11

      I really must say; "Better tan bouillon" is not too salty=My fave.@@RoninHLee

    • @JKenjiLopezAlt
      @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +308

      And then I forgot the milk!!

    • @poushboys
      @poushboys 6 місяців тому +38

      Well its a good thing you have emergency milk! @@JKenjiLopezAlt

    • @ashamancito4630
      @ashamancito4630 6 місяців тому +2

      @@JKenjiLopezAlt My wife loves it when that happens to me.

  • @JKenjiLopezAlt
    @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +589

    Hey everyone. Sorry for the long break in videos. I have a few coming up!

    • @brianfoss6523
      @brianfoss6523 6 місяців тому +25

      The videos are worth the wait because you put a lot of thought into them and switch up the topics. Keep up the great work Kenji!

    • @MikeEswed
      @MikeEswed 6 місяців тому +6

      Any late nights 🤣?

    • @TheAerials
      @TheAerials 6 місяців тому +13

      No sorry Kenji, this is your world, we’re just living in it

    • @turtlepig
      @turtlepig 6 місяців тому

      Hi, the link to your Patreon in the video description is broken. It has an extra closing parenthesis 🙂

    • @green-sd2nn
      @green-sd2nn 6 місяців тому +1

      your videos are always worth the wait.
      your are the GOAT for me. (and chef John of course)

  • @jimglatthaar4053
    @jimglatthaar4053 6 місяців тому +326

    It's always helpful to see what a chef buys at Costco, particularly items which can substitute for premium priced products and where chefs can use store-bought to substitute for from scratch items. Thanks for educating us.

    • @deadfr0g
      @deadfr0g 6 місяців тому +22

      The irrational swell of pride I feel whenever I find out that one of my favourite cooks buys a product that I buy too 😅

    • @andrewpantalones
      @andrewpantalones 6 місяців тому +14

      Yeah I hate watching all these UA-cam chefs using super expensive ingredients. It’s nice to know a talented chef buys his groceries at a regular store like regular folks.

  • @SMorrisRose
    @SMorrisRose 6 місяців тому +71

    For lemons, I often juice them and freeze the juice in silicon ice cube trays. Also, preserved lemons are very handy to have on hand and last mysteriously long refrigerated. I also freeze the peels, removed with a vegetable peeler, because there is so much flavor there and so many dishes profit from some chopped peel.

    • @ruthtorphy2204
      @ruthtorphy2204 6 місяців тому +4

      🙏 for this tip.

    • @elizabethmolter6023
      @elizabethmolter6023 6 місяців тому +4

      You can also freeze whole citrus. Very easy to grate the zest off when frozen, then after a short time on the counter they are thawed enough to squeeze (or microwave slightly)

    • @scottcampbell96
      @scottcampbell96 6 місяців тому +2

      I started making my own limoncello last year. Great use for those lemon peels.

    • @firecrest8154
      @firecrest8154 5 місяців тому +1

      I do this too with juice, and also freeze some peels whole to later make into candied peel, then freeze the rest as zest. Basically just buy a whole load of lemons and spend a couple hours processing them all and you save yourself so much hassle in the future months.

  • @Woodshadow
    @Woodshadow 6 місяців тому +132

    I love this because you have been a successful restaurateur and cook book author and at the end of the day you buy the same things that we buy at costco.

  • @someshwarrao42
    @someshwarrao42 6 місяців тому +129

    I know everyone is commenting on Costco stuff, but Kenji’s daughter has great taste just like her dad. Very wholesome.

  • @Ciunzi
    @Ciunzi 6 місяців тому +175

    pretty incredible being from Parma and seeing the Logo of a cheese factory literally 15 minutes from home in your videos

    • @wtfareperfectplaces
      @wtfareperfectplaces 6 місяців тому +9

      Only the best at Costco 😁

    • @DonOblivious
      @DonOblivious 6 місяців тому +13

      I'm upset he didn't mention it right away and waited until he got to another cheese to talk about government controlled cheeses! A LOT of people will incorrectly state that you can't get good Parmigiano Reggiano in the US. You can. That brand is PDO certified Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy. My local Walmart carries it, for christ's sake, yet I keep seeing "people who identify as an Italian" say that you can't buy PDO cheese in the US. It's infuriating.

    • @swisski
      @swisski 6 місяців тому +12

      Ha, I thought the same thing when I saw the label of the Gruyère. That’s the real deal imported from Switzerland, and it’s available in an American supermarket without any fanfare! Outrageous!

    • @JeremyGabbard
      @JeremyGabbard 6 місяців тому +5

      @@swisski Is the reputation of our grocery stores really *that* bad? I hear the jokes about "american cheese" but figured people knew there was also a normal variety.
      edit to add: this has changed somewhat even during my lifetime. Some of the imported cheese would have been legitimately hard to find where/when I grew up, but now it's common to see imported cheese in regular supermarkets

    • @donatellabrandiberg9342
      @donatellabrandiberg9342 6 місяців тому +4

      to be fair there are cheeses even you cannot have, I believe, because of regulations, which are all the french cheeses made with raw milk

  • @giantpunda2911
    @giantpunda2911 6 місяців тому +81

    I love that Kenji with as much experience and knowledge of food and cooking as he has is still pretty down to earth when it comes to the ingredients he buys. No real sign of pretention where he only purchases the most quality of ingredients shipped from around the world.

    • @Lisa-vb3fu
      @Lisa-vb3fu 6 місяців тому +8

      Just what I was thinking. I love that he's a world class chef, but still uses Kirkland brands and isn't afraid to admit he sometimes uses pre-packaged ingredients instead of from scratch. One of the reasons I love him so much.

  • @hannaht921
    @hannaht921 6 місяців тому +181

    Would love to see how you make and season your popcorn!

    • @alicestella
      @alicestella 6 місяців тому +7

      I was thinking the same thing!

    • @trynadyna9662
      @trynadyna9662 6 місяців тому +5

      He already has at least one popcorn video on this channel. "Late Night Popcorn With Chorizo and Pecorino"

    • @trynadyna9662
      @trynadyna9662 6 місяців тому +4

      @@alicestella He already has at least one popcorn video on this channel. "Late Night Popcorn With Chorizo and Pecorino"

    • @carolm3469
      @carolm3469 6 місяців тому

      We used to buy that popcorn from Costco but in Los Angeles they don’t have it in our warehouses anymore. Now we get the 7-8lb Orville Redenbacher online from Amazon. Much better deal than supermarkets.
      Have you tried popping on the stovetop with EVOO and some Flavacol? It’s our “go-to”! 🍿

  • @willjay916
    @willjay916 6 місяців тому +24

    Kenji shops like us mere mortals. Note the tip on household harmony: when you use the last pound of ground, beef replace it with three pounds. Also a delight to see the care for his family's tastes (well, at least his daughter's) and patterns at this stage of their lives.

  • @carlwolf5923
    @carlwolf5923 6 місяців тому +59

    Somehow how the universe managed to combine two of my favorite things: Kenji videos and Costco

  • @adragland
    @adragland 6 місяців тому +36

    I can’t decide if I am a bigger costco fan or kenji fan and my wife makes fun of me for it. I think her eyes rolled into the back of her head when she saw the notification for this video pop up on my phone 😂

  • @abmorse1
    @abmorse1 6 місяців тому +107

    "When I take a pound, I replace it with three" Ahhh... I see you've met my scale.

  • @jpitt57488
    @jpitt57488 6 місяців тому +42

    I read on America's test kitchen that most chicken stock you purchase is made from a concentrate like Better Than Bouillon. So, you can just use the BTB and save money and storage space.

    • @ylimeasil
      @ylimeasil 6 місяців тому +2

      I’m a big fan myself

    • @m.theresa1385
      @m.theresa1385 6 місяців тому +1

      I use Better than bullion, but hate all the different jars taking up refrigerator space. I still keep shelf stable containers of stock for soups and such.

    • @jellybean6778
      @jellybean6778 6 місяців тому +12

      BTB is very good and I know they make a lower sodium version but so wish they made a salt-free version for time when I am reducing a liquid and even a small amount makes the final product too salty.

    • @hilleri8
      @hilleri8 6 місяців тому +4

      I love BTB and always have it on hand, but I have started moving over to a liquid concentrate that I found that I really like from a brand called Kitchen Accomplice. I think that the BTB probably tastes a little better when making a lot of stock (although I haven't done a blind test yet), but I love how convenient it is to add a squirt of the liquid stuff when using small amounts.

    • @carolm3469
      @carolm3469 6 місяців тому +3

      I miss the Low Sodium versions of Better Than Bouillon at Costco. They changed to organic, but it’s not low sodium.

  • @kenmacinnis
    @kenmacinnis 6 місяців тому +25

    The Bologna producers all say Costco is the best place to get Parm in the states, due to how they package it (airtight) and the quantity they deal with (for freshness).

  • @Lost_Hwasal
    @Lost_Hwasal 6 місяців тому +81

    Sounds like Kenji broke the #1 rule. Don't go to Costco hungry!

    • @milkjugs4771
      @milkjugs4771 6 місяців тому +1

      always get a $1.50 hot dog BEFORE shopping 🤣

  • @mrfroopy
    @mrfroopy 6 місяців тому +10

    Sometimes they have the giant jars of capers.. I love that.

    • @m.theresa1385
      @m.theresa1385 6 місяців тому

      Love those capers, but they take up too much room in the fridge (I need a huge fridge for all the goodies I keep in there). Now I’m into their olives.. yum!

  • @user-nb7dz1my4q
    @user-nb7dz1my4q 6 місяців тому +4

    Watched this last night and went to Costco this morning. And saw Kenji at Costco with a shopping cart full. As I went through the aisles, I noticed that many items mentioned were on the end caps but I resisted.

    • @JKenjiLopezAlt
      @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +5

      We were loading up for a little vacation with a few other families this weekend!

  • @rumbleinthekitchen_Amy
    @rumbleinthekitchen_Amy 6 місяців тому +53

    We're Costco addicts. Plus, Costco is just amazing. Pro tip: their pharmacies are top notch & you don't need to be a member to use them. They're less expensive than most other pharmacies & you'll get WAY better service! No long hold times, staff that actually cares... it's a gem that we've come to love in our 15 years of membership.

    • @eddhernandez9410
      @eddhernandez9410 6 місяців тому +2

      Yes! Costco pharmacy is the best!

    • @marybratton5514
      @marybratton5514 6 місяців тому +2

      They carry pet meds, too!

    • @rumbleinthekitchen_Amy
      @rumbleinthekitchen_Amy 6 місяців тому +2

      @marybratton5514 YEP! And at a fraction of the cost. At one point my kiddo & our dog were taking the same dosage of the same med. We all got a chuckle.

    • @m.theresa1385
      @m.theresa1385 6 місяців тому +1

      Yuppers. My insurance co. just let me know that Costco is in their network and that the one prescription that I currently refill is free there. Pretty cool.

    • @JRiddelle
      @JRiddelle 6 місяців тому +2

      Same if they have a vision center. You won't be able to buy glasses, but you can see an optometrist without being a member.

  • @iriegirl5517
    @iriegirl5517 6 місяців тому +11

    I love that Ardent Mills flour! I make bread, cookies, cakes, and pastries. Works well for all of those! Great haul!

  • @rubixx1418
    @rubixx1418 6 місяців тому +10

    I was very happy with the kirkland feta. It also kept well in the brine for a few weeks in the fridge before getting too funky!

    • @McNasty43
      @McNasty43 6 місяців тому +5

      Same here. My wife and I love feta, and the Costco one is the only fresh one we can find reliably. It's a little tough to finish before the brine gets funky, but we've never wasted more than half a brick. One thing we like to do is crumble some of it up, and smash burger patties into the crumbled cheese. Sear them up, serve them on a burger bun with tzatziki and various gyro toppings, and you have a delicious burger..

  • @zacharymweil
    @zacharymweil 6 місяців тому +10

    I am such a fan that I will watch (and thoroughly enjoy) you unpacking your groceries. I find this strange but also awesome!

  • @DirkFedermann
    @DirkFedermann 6 місяців тому +11

    When I know I don't get through all of the lemons I've bought, I cut them into pieces in freeze them.
    Great for some lemon flavored water.

    • @jennm3708
      @jennm3708 6 місяців тому +2

      They can also be frozen whole and zested straight from frozen. I zest what I need and put the frozen lemon back in the freezer. If I need juice, I'll zest, then let the lemon thaw and juice it. they thaw out pretty fast and freezing them whole keeps the flesh from getting freezer burn. The peel has enough oil in it to protect the zest from freezer burn.

  • @bendeleo6848
    @bendeleo6848 6 місяців тому +3

    4:38 I used to work for Ardent Mills (the flour you bought)! Great company based in Denver CO. I was part of their shipping & operations team for an internship and was very impressed with their standard of excellence in their products. Hope you enjoy!

  • @StephenMcCallister
    @StephenMcCallister 6 місяців тому +4

    We love the small "artisan" romaine heads at costco, each small head good for an entree salad for two. Buying produce at Costco can lead to spoilage before finishing things, but we always get through these and they're good and there's little waste.

  • @mikesheehan
    @mikesheehan 6 місяців тому +9

    I'd love to see a follow-up where you give your thoughts on the items that were new to you.

  • @FatsquatchPNW
    @FatsquatchPNW 6 місяців тому +6

    I was super surprised the first time I came across that ground Wagyu. It's good stuff, just watch out. It's 75/25, so have a strainer or some extra paper towels ready to get rid of the lake of grease.

  • @Buzzkill-wn7tf
    @Buzzkill-wn7tf 6 місяців тому +10

    I live alone right now. Last time I went to Costco with a relative who needed a truck, I ended up leaving with a bale of toilet paper, 2 pairs of flannel pajamas, a couple of hard cover books, a giant box of breakfast cereal (went stale before consumed), a ridiculous package of pork tenderloin, giant standing rib roast, a sound bar and a television. All good value and quality but not all "necessary". Costco is a drug, lol!

  • @nickmarsh4176
    @nickmarsh4176 6 місяців тому +35

    Glad to see more people enjoying NA beer, they've been improving lately by leaps and bounds, and the more profitable they get the more they'll improve.
    Like, to be clear I still enjoy drinking regular beer, wine, and whiskey. But, as I get older I'm noticing it's just about as satisfying after my kids go to sleep to wind down with an NA beer, just for the flavor and bubbles. Plus it's better for my belly and my liver.

    • @bstrac77
      @bstrac77 6 місяців тому

      Same here. I don't like drinking water with dinner, so often times NA beer fits the bill. The options are much much better than they were 2-3 years ago

  • @matthewmoore5934
    @matthewmoore5934 6 місяців тому +27

    We buy the Costco bag of lemons and refrigerate them in a ziplock or two - they’ll keep for 4-6 weeks easily.

  • @MrXiaoqiao
    @MrXiaoqiao 6 місяців тому +5

    This is the first video I have seen of you on your channel (not just as a guest on another person´s channel) and I LOVE your outro! So lovely to see our nonbinary pals included in your farewell!

  • @francinecorry633
    @francinecorry633 6 місяців тому +4

    The parm is a long,long standing screaming deal.Ditto on the EVOO and Better than Bouillon.Two other items we go exclusively for are whole bean coffee and butter as well as too many to list.

  • @jamiecallahan1911
    @jamiecallahan1911 6 місяців тому +17

    If you want a good quality flour that you can use for all types of baking, Cairnspring Mills is located in Burlington (about 45 minutes north of Seattle) and they supply for bakeries like Tartine & Macrina. You can order a 50# bag and pick it up on Saturdays.

    • @aloumun
      @aloumun 6 місяців тому +3

      The Seattle Costco also stocks Cairnspring Mills right next to the brand he bought

    • @jamiecallahan1911
      @jamiecallahan1911 6 місяців тому

      I've never seen Cairnspring Mills flour at Costco. Do you mean the green and white packages of AP Flour?

    • @jamiecallahan1911
      @jamiecallahan1911 6 місяців тому

      @@aloumun Do you know which Cairnspring flour it is? It could save me a couple hours drive every 6 months or so. :P

    • @aloumun
      @aloumun 6 місяців тому

      @@jamiecallahan1911 all I remember is that it is an AP flour blend and I believe it’s a 50# bag. I emptied out my bag into a container a few months ago so I don’t have the bag anymore.

  • @Catriona30
    @Catriona30 6 місяців тому +3

    I slice lemons into wedges and freeze them. Great for adding to drinks or you can defrost in the microwave for 10 seconds and squeeze into a recipe.

  • @tectorgorch8698
    @tectorgorch8698 6 місяців тому +5

    An excellent haul. Their British Coastal Cheddar cheese is also a staple at my place. And pasta, Garafolo organic pasta, A+.

  • @nicktuck3407
    @nicktuck3407 6 місяців тому +4

    My Yugoslavian grandma absolutely loved that Kirkland Signature feta if that is any kind of indication. If you're in Seattle and looking for a larger variety of fetas and specialty Mediterranean foods you should check out Big John's PFI in the ID if you haven't already

    • @nokateno
      @nokateno 6 місяців тому

      It’d be great if vandals could stop terrorizing Big John’s

  • @MillerFourFingers
    @MillerFourFingers 6 місяців тому +1

    I went to Costco alone ONCE. I had a list. It was written by She Who Runs My World. I was doing fine. I was following the list and getting stuff and then one single line caused much joy and happiness...for me, "snacks"...I am no longer allowed to go to Costco without an adult.

  • @jimbubbatube
    @jimbubbatube 6 місяців тому +4

    Great point about cheese pricing! I usually buy what I can find on sale when it is on sale, but sometimes you just need Feta, or Gruyère, or Parmesan, and you just can’t wait for it to go on sale.

  • @aortiz6203
    @aortiz6203 6 місяців тому +1

    I frickin' love my Whirley Pop. I don't like single use kitchen gadgets that are that size, but I use it 2x+ a week and it basically sits out on the back burner 24/7. In my quest for better than theater popcorn I've found that the best kernels are the white ones. They're smaller, more tender, and while not "hull less" they're about as close as I've found. Popping in coconut oil, topping with Flavacol and a drizzle of melted ghee rounds it all out. So good.

  • @TheRobyMann
    @TheRobyMann 6 місяців тому +14

    Only Kenji could make a Costco haul exciting. Love it ❤

  • @swisski
    @swisski 6 місяців тому +13

    Speaking of lemonade, I highly recommend State Fair lemonade. Chef John has an excellent recipe which involves making an oleo saccharum with the sugar and zest, and it is hands down the best lemonade I have ever tasted.

    • @GREENHALGH6969
      @GREENHALGH6969 6 місяців тому +1

      chef john is hands down the best ive tasted

    • @HolaMindy
      @HolaMindy 6 місяців тому

      That lemonade is so good.

    • @hilleri8
      @hilleri8 6 місяців тому

      Agree! that recipe changed how I usually make it. If you use citric acid powder to make an oleo citrate, you don't even need to juice the lemons (although it is in your interest to do so) and you can make a ton of lemonade from just as few lemons that has a nice bright flavor.

    • @dirtyketchup
      @dirtyketchup 6 місяців тому +1

      YESSS!!! When Kenji said lemonade, that's the first thought I had as well. Really does taste like state fair lemonade, and my wife always asks me to make batches in the summer to bottle up for a picnic. I'd tweaked his recipe a touch, and here's what I go with now:
      Lemonade
      Makes about 750ml
      - [ ] 3 lemons (about 440g)
      - [ ] Sugar - 110g
      - [ ] Water - 325g
      - [ ] Ice - 275g
      Peel lemon zest in thin ribbons, being careful not to take off pith (about 35g+). Place in bowl with the sugar and mix to combine. Cover and let sit for at least 12 hours.
      Transfer sugar/zest mixture to pot and cover with water. Bring to just below simmer. Stir to dissolve sugar. Fill pitcher with ice. Strain hot water into pitcher, and push on zest to squeeze lemon oils out. Stir to help the ice melt and cool down mixture. Once mixture is cooled, juice the lemons (≈150g-160g) and add the juice to pitcher.

  • @missimagoodlady
    @missimagoodlady 6 місяців тому +1

    I freeze lemon zest and lemon juice in ice cube trays. Lasts forever, super easy to use.

  • @jimdavidson3345
    @jimdavidson3345 6 місяців тому +2

    Didn’t know about shelf stable milk. Lemons - what a good price. Just recently learned to keep extra lemons covered with filtered water in fridge. They last for many weeks. Thanks Kenji. We live very near Seattle and have been enjoying your Seattle focused videos

  • @readyplayer2
    @readyplayer2 6 місяців тому +3

    Oberto used to be from Seattle but the family business was sold to a Canadian conglomerate a few years ago. That’s why they have the weasel word “Est.” in front of Seattle on the packaging. They shut down the factory store that used to be on Rainier Ave near I-90 around the same time. Not sure if they kept any production in the Seattle area. Oberto was one of many Italian American family businesses and farms that were established in the “garlic gulch”, Rainier Valley, back in the early part of the 20th century. RIP Borachinni’s Bakery. If you haven’t been to Big John’s PFI in their new digs on Rainier & Dearborn , you should check it out. Imported foods, great cheese counter, good selection of bulk flours and interesting ingredients. There’s underground parking accessible from the alley half a block east of Rainier.

    • @FatsquatchPNW
      @FatsquatchPNW 6 місяців тому

      Oberto still has a production facility/warehouse and a factory store in Kent. You can see the warehouse from 167, and sometimes even smell the sausages being made. The aroma is MADDENING. 🤤

    • @nokateno
      @nokateno 6 місяців тому

      Big John’s is AMAZING (if you are willing to brave that area).

    • @readyplayer2
      @readyplayer2 6 місяців тому

      @@nokatenoThere's nothing unusual or particularly risky safety wise with "that area". The 7, 9, and 106 stop right in front of the building. If you're not comfortable with riding public transit, there's an underground parking lot.

  • @obijuan42
    @obijuan42 6 місяців тому +2

    If you like the Oberto stuff, give the Lil Landjaeger from Bavarian Meats a try. Great little smokey sausages. They're also a local company (based in Kent, but they used to have a store near Pike Place).

    • @nokateno
      @nokateno 6 місяців тому

      Yes, they rule

    • @JKenjiLopezAlt
      @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +1

      Oh I love those. They have gone moldy on me a few times though so we stopped picking them up. Just don’t go through them fast enough I guess.

  • @psychoyaker
    @psychoyaker 6 місяців тому +2

    That feta is really good! It doesn’t have the astringency of a lot of cow fetas and lasts a decently long time in the fridge 6:13

  • @Michael-wj9wx
    @Michael-wj9wx 6 місяців тому +2

    The sheep’s milk feta is quite excellent. It’s hard to find reasonably priced sheep’s milk feta, not to mention Greek sheep’s milk feta. We use it all the time for the uni feta pasta.

  • @timtoado106
    @timtoado106 6 місяців тому +18

    Costco Kirkland brand organic maple syrup is a can't miss.

  • @jamesdonson139
    @jamesdonson139 6 місяців тому +1

    I miss the Richmond/Point Isabell Costco. Dog park + costco run was my favorite part of living in the bay area.

  • @SweenyMarc
    @SweenyMarc 6 місяців тому +6

    Kenji making a big chunk beef chilli is the most exciting news here for me. One of my favourite dishes and I'm yet to find a truly great recipe for it. (That doesn't involve a TON of effort and washing up!)

    • @retropulpmonkey
      @retropulpmonkey 6 місяців тому +2

      Check out his video from last year, it's great!

  • @danielwerger5641
    @danielwerger5641 6 місяців тому +4

    WOW Kenji, I buy much of the same products from Costco...!! Mind you, Canadian Costco doesn't have exactly the same products or packaging, but still, love Costco... Cheers, from Vancouver...!

  • @yvonnecusmano7971
    @yvonnecusmano7971 6 місяців тому +3

    We love the Kirkland Organic Greek Feta. We used to buy Dodoni brand from Costco but they stopped carrying it during the pandemic. The Kirkland is very close in quality imo.

  • @ukgroucho
    @ukgroucho 6 місяців тому +3

    Fascinating view into somonne else's shopping trolley I'm in the UK (so my comments are UK CostCo) but I'be used my card in US CostCo's and (if I recall) one in Sydney .. any way Cheese - absolutely - big wheels of French Brie, Grand Pedano is my preference to Parmeggiano (cheaper and still good flavour) and Halloumi. What I did not see were paper goods... we buy kitchen paper towels and bathrookms towels. So cheap - but we have storage. Vegetables I sometimes get the big packs of onions and garlic but you need to stay on top of them. French onion soup in an emergency where they are starting to look 'old'. Oil.. yeah their olive oil is good but their choosen foods Avocado oil is brilliant. That is my go to high temp oil... I also always get Lavazza coffee beans and cat litter and so on.

  • @Zelmel
    @Zelmel 6 місяців тому +1

    Gotta say, I'm extremely pleased with how you say "Costco" as someone from the Pacific Northwest who sometimes says the "T" in it with exaggerated silliness. It should have an actual T sound, even though it mostly gets absorbed. Hooray weird linguistic stuff!

  • @isagoldfield7393
    @isagoldfield7393 6 місяців тому +2

    ♥️♥️♥️ this Costco haul, we’ve been waiting for this, thanks Kenji! Our family loves MONCHEGO CHEESE best price of course at Costco. KIRKLAND GRASSFED BUTTER, pasture eggs, frozen fruits & vegetables, BIBIGO BEEF MANDU 🥟 so good, just some of our Costco staple.

  • @chestergregg8668
    @chestergregg8668 6 місяців тому +3

    I have a local Italian grocery store that sells grated parmesan for $8/lb. The real deal, with nothing added that would prevent it from incorporating properly into a sauce, and it saves me a ton of time.

    • @GreekBatman007
      @GreekBatman007 6 місяців тому +1

      Is this in Italy or America? I work in a cheese shop and $8/lb sounds very low

    • @chestergregg8668
      @chestergregg8668 6 місяців тому +1

      ​@@GreekBatman007 Midwest America. I can't speak to the provenance, and I think it's safe to say it's not DOP. But it's good enough for my cacio e pepe (they also sell grated romano for the same price).

  • @yasmagicals
    @yasmagicals Місяць тому

    I shed a tear when I saw the guava. I grew up eating guava, but have yet to find really good ones. I've since moved from FL and now it's impossible. Yet, here you are with some good looking guavas out in the PNW. 😭😭

  • @stratking86
    @stratking86 6 місяців тому +2

    Those fruit bars are fantastic. Wonderful way to quickly and easily get some real fruit in a portable package.

  • @judithknevitt
    @judithknevitt 6 місяців тому +31

    Costco is like my multivitamins , Maybe could do without , I just feel better when i have my Costco's in the pantry!

  • @cbernard72
    @cbernard72 6 місяців тому +63

    Hey Kenji, curious why the Better than Bullion chicken AND the chicken stock? Do you use them both for different applications? I stopped buying regular chicken stock after I discovered BtB and wondering if I'm missing something.

    • @vinodrao572
      @vinodrao572 6 місяців тому +7

      Same question! @JKenjiLopezAlt Thank you for this content!

    • @adamhoffer3346
      @adamhoffer3346 6 місяців тому +13

      I think he's mentioned it in other videos but they get used in combination. Store bought stock as the base and the BtB or even just bouillon cubes added in to bump up the flavors.

    • @drtbantha
      @drtbantha 6 місяців тому +9

      Not sure it’s Kenji’s answer, but sometimes BtB is too salty for recipes with salty ingredients in them.

    • @m.theresa1385
      @m.theresa1385 6 місяців тому +3

      @@drtbanthaI only buy low sodium everything. I’m supposed to be on a low sodium diet, plus I can always add if I need to. (I usually bump up spices and black pepper instead ;))

    • @KarenCurr
      @KarenCurr 6 місяців тому +4

      @@drtbantha True. I've been a fan of B&B for years... but if you wanted to reduce a broth made with it, it will get too salty. I usually have a jar of my own stock that is unsalted, but a freezer can only hold so much, and it takes a long time to defrost a quart. I'm going to check out this one that Kenji bought and see if it makes life easier.

  • @etm567
    @etm567 6 місяців тому +2

    We do shop at Costco, but our Costco has no alcohol. Since your cookbook and cooking show are our favorite, I’m sure they will enjoy this.

  • @joyatwood6670
    @joyatwood6670 6 місяців тому +4

    ❤ Excited for the podcast! I love That’s It fruit bars; they are one of the few bars I’ll buy. Strong burst of fruit flavor and few ingredients. Thanks for sharing your Costco haul.

  • @steevetheone4680
    @steevetheone4680 6 місяців тому +2

    I really love your cooking show.
    Because i'm from Québec Canada, most cooking we learn in cooking school is french...

    • @mckenziereed9501
      @mckenziereed9501 6 місяців тому

      I love Québec! I go a few times a year and make sure to stock up my freezer with bread and pastries when I return home. Not to mention the nice local cheese!

  • @pattic.9393
    @pattic.9393 6 місяців тому

    We’ve been members since 1990, raised 4 kids on what we could buy in bulk at Costco, and as a retired couple who might just run in for canned tomato sauce or paste (a staple for our spaghetti sauce) still come out with $400 worth of stuff!

  • @matt_wilson
    @matt_wilson 6 місяців тому +2

    I like the packages of chicken thighs and drumsticks. I don't recall seeing those in Canada. I'll have to check for them though as I always have to re-package the chicken I buy from Costco.

  • @maddyc5938
    @maddyc5938 6 місяців тому +1

    I would watch weekly videos of your Costco hauls! Great to see what you buy and recommend

  • @janelevy8906
    @janelevy8906 6 місяців тому +1

    Costco sells Central Milling Organic Flour. 2 10# bags. Good flour from Utah.

  • @hilleri8
    @hilleri8 6 місяців тому +2

    "Went to get milk and bought $400 of stuff!" Hah, classic Costco move and why I am sometimes afraid of going there.

  • @SHRIVER.MATT.A
    @SHRIVER.MATT.A 6 місяців тому +10

    make sure you cut the chicken pouches before freezing! if not i find they freeze into this massive block and it's pain to get apart.

  • @ceruleanbandit1692
    @ceruleanbandit1692 6 місяців тому +3

    Oh also, that feta cheese is amazing. We bought it once and never looked back. Don't buy feta anywhere else anymore.

  • @BrianMiller1973
    @BrianMiller1973 6 місяців тому +1

    We really like the “That’s It” fruit bars.

  • @nicholassok5797
    @nicholassok5797 6 місяців тому +31

    A Costco haul isn’t complete without a rotisserie chicken and hot dog

    • @nokateno
      @nokateno 6 місяців тому +3

      the roast chicken is full of corn starch and does not keep very well… still at $4 🤷‍♀️

    • @sanachanto
      @sanachanto 6 місяців тому

      I second this.

    • @JKenjiLopezAlt
      @JKenjiLopezAlt  6 місяців тому +14

      The rotisserie chicken I find to be pretty… not good. I can’t stomach it.
      I do get a slice of pizza and a Diet Pepsi typically though.

    • @nicholassok5797
      @nicholassok5797 6 місяців тому +2

      @@nokateno there’s corn starch in fried chicken, what’s the difference? For $5 can’t complain

    • @nokateno
      @nokateno 6 місяців тому +1

      @@nicholassok5797not in my fried chicken… and the difference is one is wet while the other is crisp/dry

  • @MeanderBot
    @MeanderBot 6 місяців тому +4

    I'm interested in hearing what you have to say about the non-alcoholic beer. As someone who is the primary driver in a family and is becoming more susceptible to hangovers every day, my discovery of IPA near beers has been revelatory.

  • @123craftygal
    @123craftygal 6 місяців тому +1

    I love to get the Arlo Havarti cheese at CC, and I forgot to grab some Gruyère when I was there a week ago! It melts like a dream. Yrs ago a Fella at the cheese counter at Giant Eagle turned me on to Gruyère and I never looked back😋.

  • @chudpunter
    @chudpunter 6 місяців тому +1

    I like the price on their parm a lot, but you can tell it hasn't aged as long as some of the nicer blocks carried by other grocers. the flavor is milder and less complex. _granted_ it still tastes quite good, and you probably wouldn't notice in most dishes, rather than eating it plain. (also the nicer ones can easily be twice the price by weight)

    • @McNasty43
      @McNasty43 6 місяців тому +1

      I have a couple Italian delis near me that carry the good stuff. The Costco parm is so cheap that it's hard to justify getting the longer aged stuff.

    • @chudpunter
      @chudpunter 6 місяців тому +1

      yeah fair enough. I'll complain _a little_ about the costco one, but that doesn't mean I won't buy it when I go, lol.

  • @raffaelah
    @raffaelah 6 місяців тому +2

    That Costco Feta cheese is amazing. Hands down one of the best.

  • @andrewpoon9167
    @andrewpoon9167 5 місяців тому

    A friend recommended.. If I wanted to buy less things I don't need at Costco, to shop through the store in a backwards rotation (in most stores that means starting at the pharmacy and make your way to the TVs). I have tested this thoroughly and it doesn't work. I just end up buying different things I don't need LOL

  • @Melissa_P_462
    @Melissa_P_462 6 місяців тому

    Thanks Kenji!! dang I just bought a jar of better than bouillon . Next time Costco.
    It’s just me and my dog and cat, so I order online pantry items. Just got Chicken stock! I regularly order the following items: Raw Almonds 5lb, Kirkland shelled, roasted, salted pistachios. Kirkland Turkey Jerky(my favorite Snacks), San Pellegrino, Momenti, sparkling peach, Clementine, 6/4 packs. And for my pets, my dog gets canned Kirkland salmon, and my cat gets canned tuna. And my cat since eating the tuna as part of her meal has been running around the house jumping everywhere she’s 12 years old!!

  • @agnieszkaczerwinska6640
    @agnieszkaczerwinska6640 6 місяців тому +2

    Yes, to granola (and cereal) with yoghurt - so much better than with milk!

  • @garthvater
    @garthvater 6 місяців тому +3

    I refuse to buy better than bouillon at Costco because they put yeast extract in the costco containers only. The better than bouillon stuff from the grocery is more expensive but tastes better.

    • @MG-et7qw
      @MG-et7qw 6 місяців тому

      Good to know!

  • @smithpoq
    @smithpoq 6 місяців тому +1

    My costco shares thank you for your patronage

  • @TheELminio
    @TheELminio 6 місяців тому +6

    As a European im chocked regarding the sizes of everything

    • @Luke.Cooking
      @Luke.Cooking 6 місяців тому +2

      Bless the USA! lol

    • @XBluDiamondX
      @XBluDiamondX 6 місяців тому +7

      Costco tends to sell items in bulk, so that is a large reason why and why it's such a great bargain for shoppers.

    • @underscoreMino
      @underscoreMino 6 місяців тому +1

      This feels just like Makro/Metro sizes to me. And I think it's meant to be a similar type of store as well.

    • @chestergregg8668
      @chestergregg8668 6 місяців тому +1

      Costco is a warehouse club, for selling items in bulk. A lot of smaller businesses will buy product there, but retail consumers can also purchase a membership. You just have to be careful when buying things that aren't shelf stable or able to be frozen, because you're buying in quantities that the average family won't consume in a single grocery period. And due to car dependent nonsense, many of us don't have small markets nearby to buy a couple days worth of groceries at a time, it's more of a weekly or even monthly grocery trip.

    • @tedsteiner
      @tedsteiner 6 місяців тому +2

      > mfw everytime someone outside the US thinks Costco is our average grocery store experience 💀

  • @ddfjejk5003
    @ddfjejk5003 6 місяців тому +9

    Babe wake up, new Kenji grocery haul just dropped

  • @ssj3gohan456
    @ssj3gohan456 6 місяців тому +2

    that amount of pine nuts would legit cost $200 by itself here. Holy shit, if I'd have access to that I'd use it in all my salads and sandwiches;.

  • @HolaMindy
    @HolaMindy 6 місяців тому +2

    We call it park milk! It's great for taking to the park.

  • @petek5523
    @petek5523 6 місяців тому +5

    No one has a better price on Parmigiano Reggiano than Costco

  • @sirbixalot73
    @sirbixalot73 6 місяців тому +2

    Kenji...you are my brother from another mother. We buy the same stuff and we like the same things.

  • @sahkanoodo
    @sahkanoodo 6 місяців тому +1

    would watch every single one of these if u made it a series

  • @davidweaver5940
    @davidweaver5940 6 місяців тому

    I do the same thing. Each week to get 2 gal milk. The not as often certain items are Kirkland OJ and lemonade and eggs. Then it’s go crazy (or not). I buy 80% of the things you showed.

  • @sphinx245
    @sphinx245 6 місяців тому +4

    When do you use the Better than Bouillon vs the boxed chicken stock? I've only been using the BtB for years

  • @Cryosxify
    @Cryosxify 6 місяців тому +1

    Costco is really Italian food friendly. got them cheeses, sliced meats, olive oil, and san marzano tomatoes. if only they carried the tipo 00 flour

  • @KurtisRader
    @KurtisRader 6 місяців тому

    I don't drink milk and don't eat cold cereal. So I seldom have milk in the fridge. Which is annoying when I want to make something, like oatmeal, where I want/need some milk. It never occurred to me to purchase shelf stable "emergency" milk. Thanks for the tip!

  • @butlermusic7937
    @butlermusic7937 6 місяців тому +2

    I wish we had that much Kirkland choices at our Costco in Canada (QC) 😢

  • @_soothsayer_
    @_soothsayer_ 6 місяців тому +3

    emergency milk is definitely something id need in my house

  • @davidklein7103
    @davidklein7103 6 місяців тому +3

    This, this is content.

  • @MichaelHughes124
    @MichaelHughes124 6 місяців тому +1

    Never go to Costco when you're hungry, Kenji! Haha.

  • @MDKellogg1836
    @MDKellogg1836 6 місяців тому

    Hey @JKenjiLopezAlt I too love popcorn as a snack. I have a Nordic Ware microwave popcorn popper that I use the Orville's in and it works very well. After it is done I spray the popped kernels with spray coconut oil and whatever herb or seasoning that I want and toss it in a bowl. You can use yeast, dried herbs, ranch dressing mix, or sometimes I will use my barbecue rub. Do what you like!

  • @madid5398
    @madid5398 6 місяців тому

    I do almost all the grocery shopping for my family so I really like to try to get things from specific stores either because it's the best deal or I just really like the store brand. Probably number one on my Costco list is the Kirkland vanilla ice cream. It's a lot better than most brands at the grocery store. To me, it's closest to Haagen Daz but much more affordable.

  • @rockthejustice
    @rockthejustice 6 місяців тому +1

    Curious why you don't make stock from the better than bouillon, and opt for cartons of stock?
    Great video, always helpful for me as a family home cook even when you're just talking through a grocery haul.