Exactly What to Buy From Costco for Your Best Beach Vacation Ever
You finally pulled the trigger on a beach rental or are lucky enough to have a beach getaway you can drive to without too much risk, given the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Congratulations! Now to the planning, and while the floaties and sun hats are on you, I’m here with how to stock up that beach house for minimum money and maximum fun. Which means, it’s time to hit Costco!
RELATED: 18 Brilliant Beach House Meals
Here are my 9 picks from America’s favorite wholesale shopping mecca to make your beach vacation its best ever (and easy links to order via Instacart!).
Don Miguel Breakfast Burritos
Costco has lots of great grab-and-go options for the first meal of the day, but if you want something beyond the usual bars or donuts, consider Don Miguel Egg and Sausage Breakfast Burritos. These heat-and-eat, one-handed wonders will get some protein in your crew before hitting the sand.
Buy it: Don Miguel Egg and Sausage Breakfast Burritos, $10, instacart.com
Wholly Guacamole
We all know that the lifespan of any avocado is 15 seconds of perfect ripeness preceded by a lengthy unripe hardness and immediately followed by brown mushiness. Skip the tragedy with Wholly Guacamole, one of my all-time favorite Costco brands. Snag a three-pack of guac tubs at Costco for instant gratification with your tortilla chips, but also look for mini cups: little tubs that contain just enough pure avocado to make your morning avocado toast or to spread on a sandwich. No additives or preservatives, not even a grain of salt, just pre-smooshed peak of ripeness avocado, and all the convenience in the world.
Buy it: Wholly Guacamole Organic Guacamole, $17, instacart.com
Kirkland Signature Variety Snack Box
Beach vacations are all about snacking, sometimes all day long. Whether it is a little appetite tamer between meals, or something to pair with cocktails at sunset, you are going to want some great nibbles with you. I love the Kirkland Signature Variety Snack Box, which has a combination of individually portioned bags of almonds, cashews, peanuts, and trail mix, as well as three different kinds of nut and fruit bars, granola bars, and chewy bars, so there is literally something for everyone.
Buy it: Kirkland Signature Variety Snack Box, $33, instacart.com
Busseto Foods Salami & Provolone
Want some grown-up snacks to enjoy at wine o’clock? Busseto’s bite-size salami and provolone cheese packs mean you don’t have to bust out your cheese and charcuterie board building skills and can get right to the enjoyment. They also make for a great protein boost between meals if you are trying to manage your carbs.
Buy it: Busseto Foods Salami & Provolone, $14, instacart.com
RELATED: How to Meal Prep for a Vacation
Roller sandwich trays
Packing lunches can be a huge pain, but Costco has your back with trays of roller sandwiches at the deli counter. You can even custom order the fillings you want if you call ahead. These handy rolled sandwiches are easy to grab, and even easier to eat: perfect for a picnic lunch with no muss and no fuss.
Buy it: Kirkland Signature 12 Piece Roasted Chicken & Swiss Roller Tray, $12, instacart.com
Prepared proteins for taco night
Tacos can be a wonderful easy to assemble beach dinner, and if you stock up on Del Real Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas or Big Shoulders Unsauced Pulled Chicken, then all you need are the tortillas and toppings. The hard work is already done!
Buy it: Del Real Foods Pork Carnitas, $17, instacart.com; Big Shoulders Unsauced Pulled Chicken, $15, instacart.com
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Variety Pack
Let���s face it: Making s’mores and going out for ice cream rule the beach vacation dessert game. But you’ll want alternatives (or a way to stay out of long lines during a pandemic), so here’s where Costco’s got your back. The Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats Variety Pack offers chocolate drizzle, M&M and Cocoa Krispie bars. That soft serve not looking so good now, right?
Buy it: Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Variety Pack, $14, instacart.com
Donsuemor Traditional Madeleines Cookies
Want something a bit fancier on the sweet side? I love Costco’s Donsuemor Madeleines. These little individually wrapped vanilla cakelets can be the base for a fast strawberry shortcake, a great pairing for a cup of tea or coffee, or a bonus treat next to a scoop of ice cream or sorbet.
Buy it: Donsuemor Traditional Madeleines, $9, instacart.com
Ready To Freeze Cocktail Pops
Pair nostalgia with a boozy little kick, and now your vacation is complete. You’ve got two great options at Costco: Kirkland Signature Ready to Freeze Vodka Cocktails, and Slim Chillers Frozen Vodka Martinis. Think about those flavored ice sticks from your childhood, but boozy. Bring them with you at room temp then toss in the freezer for an extra fun way to cool off. Just be sure the kids can’t get to them!
Buy it: Kirkland Signature Ready to Freeze Vodka Cocktails, $17, instacart.com; Slim Chillers Frozen Vodka Martinis, $22, instacart.com
