July has arrived, and with it, Costco’s towering pallets of summer temptations calling your name as you push your oversized cart under those fluorescent lights. But before you stock up on everything that screams “BBQ season” or “pool party essential,” take a moment to shop smarter. While some Costco summer finds deliver unbeatable value and flavors that match the season’s energy, others are lurking on the shelves, ready to drain your wallet or spoil before the fun begins. We’ve sifted through the chatter, reviews, and real shopper experiences to reveal exactly what to grab—and what to skip this month.
1. Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Costco’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that scream summer. Real strawberry chunks add a fruity punch to this icy treat, making it more satisfying than regular lemonade.
After pushing your cart through endless aisles, nothing beats the refreshing zing waiting at the food court. Kids especially love the bright pink color and berry bits they can chase with their straws.
At under $3, it’s an affordable luxury that cools you down faster than air conditioning. Many shoppers make a special trip just for this seasonal favorite!
2. Afters’ Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
Social media can’t stop buzzing about these decadent treats that bring a taste of luxury to your freezer. The combination of smooth pistachio ice cream wrapped in delicate kataifi pastry and coated with rich Dubai milk chocolate creates an unforgettable flavor explosion.
Each bar offers a perfect textural contrast – creamy, crunchy, and silky all at once. The exotic flavor profile elevates backyard gatherings or poolside snacking to something special.
While pricier than standard ice cream bars, the unique ingredients and impressive presentation make these worth the splurge for summer entertaining or treating yourself after a long hot day.
3. Kirkland Greek Yogurt
Morning workouts and busy summer days demand proper fuel. Kirkland’s Greek yogurt packs an impressive protein punch – often containing twice the protein of regular yogurt while delivering gut-friendly probiotics.
The versatility makes this a summer MVP. Mix with fresh berries and honey for breakfast, blend into smoothies, or use as a healthier substitute for sour cream in dips and dressings for backyard gatherings.
Costco’s price point beats specialty grocery stores by a mile. The large container size means you’ll have plenty on hand for quick, cooling snacks when temperatures soar without constant trips to the store.
4. Bubbies Neapolitan Mochi Ice Cream
Tiny frozen treasures await in Costco’s freezer section! These colorful mochi balls wrap chewy rice dough around classic Neapolitan ice cream flavors – strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla all in one convenient box.
The genius of these treats lies in their portion control. Each piece delivers just enough creamy satisfaction without the guilt of a full ice cream serving. The chewy outer layer adds a fun textural element kids and adults both love.
Perfect for poolside snacking or after-dinner treats, they thaw to the ideal consistency in minutes. No bowls or spoons needed means less cleanup during busy summer evenings when you’d rather be outside enjoying the longer daylight hours.
5. Jonny Pops Organic Freezer Pops
Remember racing outside when you heard the ice cream truck? Jonny Pops brings that same excitement but with better ingredients. These shelf-stable pops transform into icy magic once frozen, coming in kid-approved cherry, fruit punch, and grape flavors.
Parents appreciate the organic ingredients and reasonable sugar content compared to many commercial alternatives. The convenient packaging makes them easy to store until needed – just pop them in the freezer a few hours before your backyard gathering.
Buying in bulk at Costco means you’ll have plenty on hand for impromptu neighborhood playdates or cooling down after sports practice. The individual wrappers make these perfect for sharing without worrying about sticky hands touching the whole batch.
6. Kirkland Organic Coconut Water
Hydration gets an upgrade with Kirkland’s refrigerated coconut water. Sourced from Thailand and pressure-pasteurized rather than heat-treated, it retains more natural electrolytes and that authentic tropical flavor that makes you feel like you’re sipping straight from the coconut.
Summer activities drain your body of essential minerals faster than you might realize. The potassium-rich formula replenishes what you lose through sweat more effectively than plain water alone. Unlike many commercial sports drinks, this contains no artificial colors or added sugars.
The bulk packaging at Costco makes it economical to keep your family properly hydrated through heat waves, beach days, and outdoor adventures all season long.
7. SunGold Kiwis
Golden treasures hide inside these yellow-skinned fruits that outshine their green cousins in sweetness and tropical flavor. Unlike traditional kiwis, SunGolds feature an edible skin – meaning no peeling required for busy summer days!
Packed with more vitamin C than oranges, these little powerhouses boost your immune system while tasting like a candy-sweet treat. The convenient clamshell packaging keeps them protected until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Slice them into summer salads, blend into smoothies, or simply eat them whole as a portable snack for beach days. Costco’s bulk pricing makes these specialty fruits much more affordable than specialty grocery stores, allowing your family to enjoy them all season long.
1. Pepsi Mini Cans
Those cute little 7.5-ounce Pepsi cans might seem perfect for summer portion control, but your wallet won’t thank you. Despite the smaller size, Costco’s 30-pack actually costs more per ounce than what you’d pay at regular grocery stores or big box competitors.
Summer entertaining often means providing drinks for guests. The price premium on these mini cans adds up quickly when serving a crowd at your backyard gathering. Smart shoppers know to watch for soda sales at local supermarkets instead.
Regular 12-ounce cans frequently go on sale for significantly less, making them a better value even if you don’t finish the whole can. Save your Costco budget for items that actually deliver warehouse savings.
2. Kellogg’s Special K Red Berries
Summer mornings call for quick breakfasts, but Costco isn’t the place to stock up on this popular cereal. Surprisingly, the warehouse giant charges premium prices for Special K Red Berries compared to competitors like BJ’s, Target, or even regular grocery stores during sale weeks.
The large double-pack might seem convenient, but cereal freshness diminishes after opening. Unless you’re feeding a large family who devours cereal daily, the second box might lose its crispness before you finish it.
Better summer breakfast deals await elsewhere. Watch weekly circulars for cereal sales that often drop prices to half what Costco charges, or consider Costco’s Kirkland brand granola instead for genuine savings on your morning meal.
3. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mega-Pack
Ranch dressing might be America’s favorite, but Costco’s twin-pack of 40-ounce bottles creates more problems than it solves. Once opened, that massive bottle starts its quality countdown – even refrigerated, ranch develops off-flavors after about a month.
Summer salads deserve fresh-tasting dressings. Unless you’re operating a small restaurant or feeding a ranch-obsessed family of ten, these giant bottles often result in half-used containers getting tossed. Smart shoppers buy smaller bottles from regular grocery stores instead.
You’ll pay slightly more per ounce but waste significantly less in the long run. For summer gatherings, consider making fresh ranch with Hidden Valley packets mixed with buttermilk and mayo – tastier and more economical.
4. Large Packs of Soda
Summer gatherings call for plenty of refreshments, but Costco’s soda pricing might surprise you. Regular price comparisons reveal that the warehouse giant often charges more per can than grocery stores running weekly sales.
Savvy shoppers know that supermarkets frequently offer dramatic discounts on name-brand sodas, especially around summer holidays. These targeted sales often drop prices to half what Costco charges, making those bulky 36-packs less appealing. The convenience factor doesn’t justify the premium.
Rather than lugging home massive soda flats from Costco, watch local grocery ads during summer months. Stock up during genuine sales, and you’ll save significantly while still having plenty of fizzy options for backyard barbecues and pool parties throughout the season.
5. Fresh Strawberries
Red, juicy, and gone bad before you get home. Costco’s strawberries might look tempting in their giant plastic containers, but shoppers consistently report finding fuzzy green surprises hiding among the berries.
The problem seems to be how they’re stored and transported. Even refrigerating them immediately doesn’t always save these berries from their speedy demise.
Your better bet? Visit your local farmers market where the berries were likely picked that morning. Save yourself the frustration of tossing half a container of moldy fruit and the disappointment of canceling those strawberry shortcake plans.
6. Bulk Cucumbers
Yesterday’s crisp cucumbers become today’s science experiment in your Costco shopping cart. The multi-pack might seem like a stellar deal until you discover them transforming into slimy green tubes within 48 hours of purchase.
Many customers note these tend to spoil quickly, often becoming soggy and soft within a day or two. This rapid deterioration makes it challenging to enjoy them before they lose freshness and texture.
Unless you’re planning a cucumber-themed party for twenty people tonight, skip this bulk buy. Your salads deserve better than mushy cucumbers, and your wallet deserves better than throwing money in the compost bin.
7. Rotisserie Chicken
Remember when Costco’s rotisserie chickens were plump birds of juicy goodness? Those days might be behind us. Long-time customers have noticed these famous $4.99 chickens gradually shrinking while losing their signature flavor punch.
They once easily fed a family with plenty left for next-day meals. Now, portions barely cover dinner, and many note the chickens seem smaller, drier, and less seasoned than they were in the past.
While still technically a deal at under five bucks, the value proposition has diminished. Consider whether these diminutive birds still merit the special trip or if your local grocery store now offers comparable quality.
Leave a comment