The Staple Meat That's Almost Always More Affordable At Costco Than The Grocery Store

With the prices of groceries constantly shooting up, anything that's affordable is heaven-sent. That's why a chain like Costco, which is brimming with tempting prices, remains a go-to for a lot of Americans — so much so that Costco is even considered the best grocery store to buy meat, partly due to its reasonable value. For instance, the Kirkland Signature Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is almost always more affordable at Costco than at other grocery stores, so if shopping with more ease on your wallet is your top priority, you know where to go. 

Data from the Federal Reserve of St. Louis shows an average of over $4 per pound for chicken breasts, but Costco's Kirkland Signature Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts ring up at $3.39 per pound. At competing stores like the Fresh Market, chicken breasts are almost twice the price at $6.99 per pound — though that's one of the more expensive ones. Options at Central Market and Winn-Dixie are on the cheaper margin at $4.99 each, and Wegmans offers them at $4.79.

Evidently, Costco remains the price-per-pound winner. If there's a grocery store that could level with Costco's bargain, it's McCaffrey's, with its $3.99 price tag (yet Costco's prices remain cheaper by a couple of cents). While it doesn't seem like much, a few cents can be a significant difference if you're buying in bulk.

A whole bag of chicken breasts from Costco comes in vacuum-sealed packaging, which means it can remain fresh for a long time, allowing you to reduce food waste as much as possible — but it still helps to know how to pick the best chicken at the grocery store. Buying the chicken breast from Costco means getting a product with a shiny label indicating it was processed in the United States, and according to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), all meat should undergo proper inspection before it hits the shelves, ensuring that what you get from Costco meets quality standards.

Another highlight of Costco's Kirkland Signature chicken breast is that it doesn't contain bones or skin, which can be a hassle to remove otherwise. This easy cut of chicken can star in several recipes, including chicken-fried chicken with gravy or creamy Tuscan chicken pasta. Given the size of the leak-resistant packaging, you can leave some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest for later use without worrying about the contents spilling. Whether you're grilling, baking, or roasting, you can shop for this versatile kitchen staple without overpaying.