My Honest Costco Haul Breakdown: Is Costco Worth It for Singles?

I finally did it—I took the plunge and got a Costco membership. As someone who mostly cooks for myself, I’ve always assumed Costco was better suited for families or people hosting big gatherings. I mean, bulk-sized everything? How would I ever use it all before it went bad?

But with grocery prices climbing and the promise of bulk savings calling my name, I decided it was time to see if shopping at Costco as a single person was actually worth it.

So, let me take you along on my first-ever Costco haul and share what I learned, what I bought, and whether or not I’d do it again.

Why I Finally Gave Costco a Shot

I’ll be honest—Costco kind of intimidated me at first. The oversized carts, massive portions, and people leaving with carts full of enough food to feed a small army made me question if it was the right fit for someone like me.

What Held Me Back

• Wasting food: Would I be able to use large quantities before they spoiled?
• Limited storage space: My freezer is a decent size, but it’s not built for restaurant-level stockpiling.
• Cost-effectiveness: Would I actually save money, or would I end up spending more just because it was bulk?

What Pushed Me to Go for It

• Rising grocery prices made the idea of bulk savings more appealing.
• I realized I could portion and freeze items, making them last longer.
• I was curious about whether Costco’s quality and selection were worth the hype.

My First Costco Haul: What I Bought and Why

Since this was my first time doing a Costco haul as a single person, I went in with a game plan:

• Stick to versatile proteins, produce, and pantry staples.
• Look for individually packaged items or foods I could easily portion and freeze.
• Avoid things that might spoil quickly or require a crowd to finish.

Protein Selections

I wanted to stock up on affordable, high-quality proteins that I could meal prep and freeze. Here’s what I grabbed:

• Smoked salmon & wild-caught salmon → Perfect for quick, healthy meals. I froze one pack of the smoked salmon, as it came with two. For the fresh salmon, I just froze it whole since I will probably cook it all at once.
• Grass-fed ground beef → Budget-friendly and versatile. It already came separated in three packs, so this was easy to store.
• Pork loin chops & chicken thighs → Great for batch cooking or grilling. I separated the pork loin chops into serving-size packs and froze them individually. The chicken thighs already came in separate packages of maybe three to four chicken thighs per pack.
• Sous vide grass-fed beef sirloin slices → Pre-cooked and tender, making them perfect for easy weeknight meals. This is the product I’m most nervous about because I’m not sure that you get the most bang for your buck.
• Fully cooked chicken breast bites → Convenient and individually packaged—great for quick salads or wraps.
• Turkey bacon → Lower fat option for breakfast or meal prep. I put one pack in the fridge and froze the others.
• Rotisserie chicken → A classic Costco steal. It’s great for shredding and using in multiple meals throughout the week.
• Kirkland lightly breaded chicken breast chunks → Freezer-friendly and ideal for air frying.

💡 Single-person tip: Pre-cooked proteins and individually portioned packs are a lifesaver. They make it easy to grab just what you need without committing to a whole package.

Fresh Produce

Buying produce in bulk can be risky for singles, but I went for items with a longer shelf life or that I could freeze:

• Apples → Great for snacking and meal prep. They stay fresh for weeks in the fridge.
• Onions & bell peppers → Versatile for cooking. I use these ingredients in almost everything that I cook, so I’m not worried about them going bad.
• Cucumbers → Perfect for salads and snacking. It came in a pack of three, which is good for just one person.
• Big jar of minced garlic → More affordable than buying small jars frequently. I hope this lasts me at least three months.
• Avocado mash cups → Individually packed and portioned—no more wasting half an avocado!

💡 Single-person tip: Freeze what you can if you’re worried about wasting. Bell peppers, onions, and garlic all freeze beautifully, helping you avoid waste.

Pantry Staples & Miscellaneous Items

I also grabbed some bulk pantry staples and condiments to make meal prep easier:

• Bibigo cooked sticky white rice → Individually packaged and microwaveable—perfect for quick meals.
• Chicken stock → Ideal for soups and sauces. I use chicken stock a lot, and it has a pretty good shelf life.
• Olive oil → A staple that lasts a long time, making it worth buying in bulk.
• Basil pesto → Great for easy pasta dishes or spreading on sandwiches.
• Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce → A flavorful, versatile marinade or dipping sauce.
• Cilantro lime crema → Adds a tangy kick to tacos, bowls, and wraps.
• Nurri protein milkshakes → Ready-to-drink and convenient for busy mornings. I got a sample of this at the store and decided to buy it because it contains 30g of protein per shake!

💡 Single-person tip: Pantry items and condiments are safe bulk buys because they have a long shelf life and add variety to simple meals.

How I Stored and Used My Costco Haul

The key to making a Costco haul work for one person is all about smart storage and portioning. Here’s how I handled it:

Protein Prep & Freezing:

• I divided the larger protein packs into individual servings using freezer quart bags.
• Fortunately, a lot of Costco’s protein already comes in portioned packaging so you can just separate the servings easily.

Fresh Produce & Meal Prep:

• Used the rotisserie chicken for salads, wraps, and quick dinners.
• Snacked on the avocado mash for easy breakfasts and cucumbers throughout the week.

Meal Ideas Using My Costco Haul:

• Rotisserie chicken tacos: Shredded chicken + cilantro lime crema + avocado mash = easy and flavorful tacos.
• Salmon rice bowls: Smoked salmon + sticky rice + cucumbers + Bachan’s BBQ sauce.
• Turkey bacon & avocado toast: A quick and easy breakfast option.
• Pesto chicken pasta: Chicken breast bites + basil pesto + pasta of choice.

What I Learned From My First Costco Haul

After my first experience, here’s what I realized:

✅ The Wins:

• Bulk savings on essentials: Proteins, pantry staples, and household items were definitely worth it.
• Meal prep became easier: Having pre-cooked and frozen proteins on hand saved me time during the week.
• Quality exceeded my expectations: The meat and seafood were high quality and flavorful.

❌ The Challenges:

• Limited freezer space: My freezer filled up fast, so I’ll need to be mindful of how much I buy next time.
• Produce waste risk: Some produce may spoil before I can finish it, even with meal prep, so a meal plan is extremely important.

Tips for Singles Shopping at Costco

If you’re a single person considering a Costco membership, here are my tips:

• Prioritize freezer-friendly proteins: You’ll avoid waste and have easy meal prep options.
• Choose long-lasting produce: Opt for heartier veggies (like bell peppers and onions) that can be frozen or last long in the fridge.
• Buy individually portioned items: Things like avocado mash or chicken breast bites reduce waste.
• Freeze in portions immediately: Don’t wait—portion and freeze bulk proteins right after shopping.
• Split bulk buys with a friend: If you’re worried about spoilage, consider splitting large packs with someone.

Is Costco Worth It for a Single Person?

After my first Costco haul for one person, I can confidently say: yes, it’s worth it—if you’re strategic. This is my first trip so keep checking back to see if my opinion changes. Sign up for my newsletter, so you don’t miss out on my next post.

The key is to focus on freezer-friendly proteins, long-lasting pantry items, and pre-portioned products. Plus, the quality and convenience of Costco’s items (like the rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked proteins) made meal prep a breeze.

Have you ever done a solo Costco haul? Let me know your favorite finds and tips for shopping at Costco as a single person!