The Essential Refrigerated Item Costco Shoppers Always Grab On Grocery Hauls

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Costco is convenient for those who want bulk items — it typically sells much larger quantities of most foods than standard grocery stores, and the prices are almost always lower by volume. Plus, with its Kirkland Signature line offering some must-buy products, consumers have a few good reasons to shop there. When it comes to shoppers' essentials lists, one product keeps popping up: Greek yogurt.

In a r/Costco Reddit thread about what shoppers always have in their carts, a handful of items were commonly repeated — and many included Greek yogurt on their lists. Most commenters didn't give explanations as to why they always have Greek yogurt, though a handful specifically said they purchase the Kirkland Signature brand. 

Many shoppers find the yogurt to be incredibly tasty, especially for a product without fat, though it does have some mixed reviews on Costco's website, with 3.7 stars out of 5. A few people mention that the flavor and texture are nothing like Fage and Chobani, and there were some concerns about its freshness — but a 48-ounce container is hard to find elsewhere. (Costco also sells a 40-ounce Chobani for those who don't love the Kirkland version.) If the size of Kirkland's Greek yogurt intimidates you, know that there are plenty of reasons to keep such a big tub of it in your fridge.

Greek yogurt is one of those products that's great to keep in the refrigerator at all times, and if you use it regularly, it doesn't hurt to have a Costco-sized container readily available. Greek yogurt is high in protein (Costco's Kirkland version has 18 grams per ⅔-cup serving), and it has probiotics that are good for gut health. Plain Greek yogurt is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and B12. That means it's fantastic in a breakfast bowl or as an "anytime" snack.

Not only is Greek yogurt perfect for eating as-is, it's an excellent cooking ingredient. Flavor-wise, it's tangy, so it's great when paired with rich ingredients like mayonnaise because it offers such a nice balance. It complements a mayo-based dressing or sauce, or it can be a substitute altogether for mayo in a potato salad or other dish, or for cream cheese. The Costco Kirkland Greek yogurt, however, is fat free, so take that into account in dishes that require richness. Greek yogurt also works as a meat marinade and can even be added to tomato sauce, but it does have one flaw compared to higher-fat ingredients: it can separate under high heat. But with such versatility, it's no surprise it's a popular item on Costco shoppers' grocery lists.