I'm a mom and food writer. Here are 12 things that make my Costco executive membership worth it.

I love using my Costco executive membership to buy snacks, frozen meals, and other kitchen staples for my family.Apple MandyI'm a busy mom of two and a food writer who loves my Costco executive membership.Kirkland Signature's tempura shrimp and Ajinomoto's yakitori chicken fried rice are easy to prepare.I also buy Season sardine fillets, Kirkland Signature guacamole, and Made Good granola bites.As a food writer, I love trying new recipes and putting together delicious homemade meals for my family.However, I sometimes find it tiring to prepare fresh dishes every single day, so I started embracing frozen meals. They're the epitome of convenience — and Costco has a great selection of them.The wholesale retailer also has tons of convenient on-the-go snacks and easy breakfast options that the whole family can enjoy.Beyond that, as an executive member, I earn 2% reward annually on all of my purchases — I often get almost $200 back at the end of the year.Here are a few of my favorite things to buy at Costco.I have a high metabolism, so these nutrient-rich granola bites keep me going.Apple MandyI easily get hungry, so I bring snacks everywhere. One of my favorites is Made Good granola bites, which are poppable morsels.I like that they're not overly sweet, with less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving. My toddler also loves them so much that he'll try to snatch mine whenever he sees me eating them.Each $12 package contains 12 packs of two flavors: chocolate chip and mixed berry.That's It fruit bars satisfy my sweet tooth when I'm looking for a whole-food snack.Apple MandyI'm all for eating fresh fruits, but they're not always the most convenient when you're in a hurry.That's It mini fruit bars are individually wrapped and contain real fruit — no added sugars, purees, juices, or concentrates. They make the perfect snacks, which I can easily tuck into my pocket or my son's lunchbox.Each bag has 24 bars divided into three flavors — strawberry, mango, and blueberry — and costs $14.A bag of Kirkland Signature quinoa lasts me a long time.Apple MandyQuinoa comes in various types and colors, but I find the Kirkland Signature organic variety to be one of the best.When cooked, it offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor and fluffy texture that's incredibly versatile, whether it's paired with rice, mixed greens, soup, or on its own.It's also a good source of protein (about 8 grams per serving) that's high in fiber and packed with nutrients.To make, just boil water or broth for about 10 minutes and add quinoa. I use 2 cups of chicken broth for every 1 cup of quinoa.Each 4 ½ pound bag costs $10.This umami-rich sauce makes everything taste better.Apple MandyBachan's Japanese barbecue sauce is my favorite condiment to use when I'm completely at a loss for what to cook.I simply marinate chicken or salmon using its original flavor — a mix of soy, mirin, ginger, garlic, and green onion. It has a savory-sweet flavor profile, with a teriyaki-like consistency but lighter, and a bit of herbal character to it.At Costco, a 34-ounce bottle costs $10.I keep tinned fish in my pantry all year long.Apple MandyWith the rising food costs, I constantly need to find ways to make family meals more budget-friendly.One way I do so is by stocking my kitchen with tinned fish like sardines — they're versatile with a long shelf life at a relatively low cost.I love the brand Season, in particular, as it offers skinless and boneless sardine fillets wild caught in the Atlantic Ocean. They're plump and meaty, and I usually add them to a quick pasta with lemon, capers, and chili flakes, or layer them into sandwiches.Each pack contains six tins and costs $12.I love a bowl of non-sugary cereal in the morning.Apple MandyWhen mornings feel rushed, my husband and I usually go for a bowl of cereal. We don't settle for sugar-loaded ones, though — instead, we have Cascadian Farm organic blueberry almond crunch.Sweetened with dried date powder, it contains a medley of organic blueberries, almonds, blueberry granola, and whole-grain flakes.It's delicious and I like that it doesn't have added sugar — my little ones enjoy eating the cereal pieces alone with or without milk.Each box is 2 pounds and costs $14.Ajinomoto's carb-rich fried rice fuels my energy after an active play with my toddler.Apple MandyOne of the best ways to clean out the fridge is to turn leftover ingredients into fried rice. However, when there are time constraints or I'm craving fried rice for one, I heat up a packet of Ajinomoto's.Each serving is individually wrapped and can be microwaved in just three minutes. With grilled chicken, bell peppers, carrots, and edamame, this is a good option for a quick energy boost, especially after rigorous physical activity with my toddler.Each $15 box has six packs.Don Miguel's egg and sausage burritos come in handy when I have busy mornings.Apple MandyWhen I don't have time to eat a full breakfast, I grab one of these breakfast burritos from Don Miguel.Filled with cage-free scrambled eggs, pork sausage, cheese, green chiles, and potatoes, these keep me sustained in the morning.Each pack has six burritos and costs $12I love that Kirkland Signature tempura shrimp saves me time in the kitchen.Apple MandyKirkland Signature is one of the brands that's nearly perfected the art of making tempura.Inside each package, you'll find plump, juicy shrimp enveloped in a crisp, flaky layer of slightly thick batter. It tastes delicious — like something I'd be served at a mid-range Japanese restaurant.They're not as oily as I expected, and they're crunchy when baked to perfection (just 14 minutes in the oven). I like eating the shrimp with a bowl of udon noodles or steamed rice.Each $19 box contains 30 tempura shrimp.These French macarons are ready to steal everyone's attention at a party.Apple MandyI still remember the first time I tried Tipiak's French macarons. I instantly fell in love with the well-balanced flavors and how the filling complements the shells without overpowering them.The combination of delicate, crispy shell and soft, chewy interior creates a delightful mouthfeel. I'm also impressed by the macaron's glossy, smooth shells and well-defined "feet" (the ruffled edge at the base).Each box of 36 macarons costs $12.Kirkland Signature has a nice chunky guacamole.Apple MandyWhen I want guacamole and the avocados in the supermarket are not perfectly ripe, I get premade containers of it from Kirkland Signature.Its creamy guac has a fresh taste of lime juice, cilantro, and red onions, plus a hint of spice from jalapeños.Plus, the single-serve cups are convenient for lunches, picnics, or road trips. Each box of 16 containers costs $14.My kids enjoy the fresh steelhead salmon for its milder flavor with a buttery taste.Apple MandyWe regularly eat salmon on busy weeknights because my family loves it and it's fairly easy to prepare.I often buy it from Trader Joe's, but the chain only sells smaller portions. So, I love to grab a large pack of farmed steelhead salmon at Costco whenever we go.It has a delicate, soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements steamed rice, mixed greens, or roasted potatoes. You'll find them a bit fatty compared to wild salmon.Packages tend to be about 3 pounds, priced at $11 a pound.Read the original article on Business Insider

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