Introduction
If you’re looking to upgrade your backyard BBQ game this summer, look no further than Costco. The warehouse giant has everything you need to make your outdoor cooking experience a success. From grills and smokers to sauces and seasonings, Costco has all the basics you need to make your backyard BBQ a hit. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Costco backyard BBQ basics right now, so you can get the most out of your outdoor cooking experience.
The Best Costco Backyard BBQ Basics Right Now — Eat This Not That
Costco is a great place to stock up on all the essentials for your backyard BBQ. From grills and smokers to sauces and seasonings, you can find everything you need to make your summer cookouts a success. Here are some of the best Costco backyard BBQ basics you should be stocking up on right now.
Grills and Smokers
Costco has a great selection of grills and smokers to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a gas grill, charcoal grill, or pellet smoker, you’ll find something that fits your needs. Some of the top-rated grills and smokers at Costco include the Traeger Pro Series 22 Wood Pellet Grill, the Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill, and the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill.
Sauces and Seasonings
No backyard BBQ is complete without the right sauces and seasonings. Costco has a great selection of sauces and seasonings to choose from, including BBQ sauces, marinades, rubs, and more. Some of the top-rated sauces and seasonings at Costco include the Traeger Signature BBQ Sauce, the Weber Kick’n Chicken Seasoning, and the Char-Broil Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce.
Grilling Tools and Accessories
Costco also has a great selection of grilling tools and accessories to make your backyard BBQ a success. From spatulas and tongs to grilling baskets and skewers, you’ll find everything you need to make your cookouts a success. Some of the top-rated grilling tools and accessories at Costco include the Weber Grill Brush, the Char-Broil Grill Basket, and the Traeger Grill Mat.
So if you’re looking for the best Costco backyard BBQ basics, you’ll find everything you need to make your summer cookouts a success. From grills and smokers to sauces and seasonings, you’ll find everything you need to make your backyard BBQ a success.
It’s BBQ season and you can find everything you need for a summer backyard party at Costco, from burgers and chicken to chips and salads. Not everything you can find is going to keep everyone energetic and hydrated, though. That’s why we got in touch with some experts to help us choose the best items.
We consulted two registered dietitians: Lauren Harris-Pincus and founder of Nutrition Starring YOU and Julia Denison, founder of Running On Cupcakes. Read on to see what you should be throwing in your shopping cart at Costco right now as Memorial Day and Summer vacation gets closer.
Per 1 burger: 240 calories, 13 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 105 mg cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 30 g protein
The Columbus Turkey burgers at Costco for just over $12 are conveniently seasoned and ready to cook. Just plop them on the grill and enjoy. Plus, the ingredients are dietitian-approved.
“These delicious turkey burgers are made from wholesome ingredients with a fraction of the saturated fat of a burger while maintaining a lot of flavor. One burger packs 30 grams of protein into 240 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrate and 390mg of sodium,” says Harris-Pincus.
Denison agrees. She says these burgers are a healthy option because of the low saturated fat and high protein and iron.
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Per 1 bag: 100 calories, 3.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 1 g protein
This box of 30 snack-sized bags of Popchips for just below $15 should be enough to feed the whole crew at your next BBQ. Both registered dietitians we spoke to give them a thumbs up.
Harris-Pincus loves the single-serving bags. Denison likes these for the low saturated fat and sodium. She also likes the variety of flavors.
“If you are like most people, it’s tough to manage your portion of chips, especially when there’s a large party bowl in front of you. These baked, gluten-free Popchips come in single-serving 100-calorie bags with only 160-170 mg of sodium so you can thoroughly enjoy your tasty snack,” she says.
Per 2 skewers: 150 calories, 3.5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 60 mg cholesterol, 690 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 24 g protein
Grab some of your favorite combinations (onions, peppers, etc.) to grill up with these WestEnd Cuisine chicken skewers that the warehouse has in the freezer section at around $20 for 14 2-ounce skewers.
Harris-Pincus likes them for their versatility. “They are a huge time saver and can be enjoyed in sandwiches, salads, wraps and so much more,” she says. “They have simple ingredients and only 75 calories per skewer with 12 grams of protein.”
Per ½ cup: 140 calories, 4.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 21 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 4 g protein
Bean salad is a must-have for any BBQ, and this one combines seasonal flavors and nutritious benefits—so you’ll get plant-based protein and all the nutrients that come with it.
“Beans are some of the healthiest foods on the planet and are consumed daily in the Blue Zones which are areas of the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives. This Tuscan Bean Salad brings 4 grams of plant-based protein and 5 grams of fiber from barley, navy beans, and chickpeas per 1/2 cup serving,” says Harris-Pincus, and Denison agrees.
For a non-leafy salad that can be found in the Costco deli, try out the Quinoa Salad.
Harris-Pincus likes it for its convenience and nutrition and Denison loves that there’s a variety of colorful foods as well as tons of flavor and nutrients. She notes the whole grains from the quinoa offer fiber, B vitamins, and iron—all of which are essential on hot days.
“BBQ side dishes are usually swimming in mayo, not this Costco Quinoa Salad,” she says. “Save yourself the chopping and enjoy the benefits of quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, mung bean, red peppers, brown rice, kale, and red lentils.”
Speaking of this section of the warehouse, there are some options to skip, and others to try out. Here are The Best and Worst Costco Deli Items Right Now.
Nicole LaMarco