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    Home » Recipes » Paleo Shopping Lists

    The Only Whole30 Costco Shopping List You'll Ever Need

    Published: Jun 1, 2017 · Modified: May 4, 2022 by Jessica · This post may contain affiliate links · 43 Comments

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    Embarking on a Whole30? Need to know what Whole30 Costco items are the must-haves and the best purchases? Look no further - this post has it all!

    Embarking on a Whole30 can be incredibly intimidating if you're not prepared for what lies ahead of you.

    Costco can be an amazing resource for your Whole30, as long as you know what you're looking for!

    What is Whole30

    Whole30 is a 30 day "challenge" of sorts that requires you to eliminate a number of food groups out of your diet. It works as a reset for your entire body, and teaches you what your body reacts to in both positive and negative ways.

    If this is your first ever Whole30, you may want to check out my posts on Tips and Tricks for an Easy Whole30 and Whole30 Q&A.

    What to buy for Whole30

    Prepping freezer meals, cooking in bulk, and making sure you have options on hand are always great ways to stay on track for your Whole30. But the thing that I've always found to be tough is knowing what to buy at what store.

    With options at Amazon, Trader Joe's, Costco, Aldi, Whole Foods, and all your local regular grocery stores, there's a sea of possibilities.

    Costco is a great option when you're prepping for a Whole30. Sure, you're not going to be able to make it through 5 pounds of asparagus by yourself before it goes bad, but they have lots of other awesome things available for your Whole30 list!

    Whole30 options at Costco

    Jump to:
    • 🥜 Nuts & Seeds
    • 🍎 Dried Fruits & Snacks
    • 🥘 Sauces, Oils, Condiments, Garnishes and Spices
    • 🐖 Meat & Protein
    • 🥦 Fresh & Frozen Produce
    • 🥤 Beverages and Food Storage
    • 📋 What should go on my Whole30 Costco Shopping List?
    Whole30 Costco Shopping List

    Depending on where you live, your Whole30 Costco shopping cart might vary, as all the stores don't always carry all of the same things. I did a quick roundup at my local store here in Charleston, SC.

    Even if your store doesn't carry all these exact items, it should give you some good ideas of the type of things available to you.

    🥜 Nuts & Seeds

    There were quite a few more bags of nuts and seeds I could have taken photos of, but I figure you guys get the point with these.

    Pumpkin seeds, pistachios, cashews, almonds, walnuts, sliced almonds, pine nuts, pecans, chia seeds, and more. Just make sure you check the ingredients list before you buy. Many of the raw nuts will just contain nuts, and the roasted ones will contain salt and sometimes an oil (make sure it's a Whole30 compliant one!)

    I usually just prefer to roast them myself and add some spices and flavoring. With this many different options, there's no excuse not to get in your healthy fats on Whole30!

    🍎 Dried Fruits & Snacks

    Remember, you've got to be careful with dried fruit on Whole30, as they can pack a decent punch of sugar, but snacks like these can be incredibly handy in a pinch.

    I'll often grab a handful of dried apricots and raw cashews on my way out the door if I need a quick snack. My Costco had raisins, dried broccoli, apricots, apple rings, figs, and dates.

    (Whole30 tip: I like to use these pre-pitted dates to make my Nutty Espresso Bars and my Sweet and Spicy Date Bars, which are great snacks to have on hand!)

    🥘 Sauces, Oils, Condiments, Garnishes and Spices

    Ok, I might have been a little sauce/condiment/garnish happy. But really, sauces and spices are the things that truly make or break a Whole30 for me. There's so much potential flavor to be added to your meals!

    This is definitely a wide category, but I love the tomato & basil pasta sauce pictured for an easy meal with some spaghetti squash and ground beef (totally Whole30 compliant, even snapped a photo of the ingredient list for you)!

    I use the Kerrygold to make ghee, the Frank's Red Hot to make my Buffalo Chicken Casserole, and the avocado oil to make my 5 Minute Mayo and/or my Homemade Ranch Dressing.

    I cook almost everything in coconut oil on a Whole30, and you can use things like olives, garlic, salsa, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and capers to add flavor and interest to any meat and veggie combo.

    Olive Oil Confession: I don't buy my olive oil at a store, for two reasons. One, because I've found literally the best olive oil ever, and will never go back to another kind ever again.

    Two, because most olive oil that you purchase from a 3rd party (not directly from the source) is not actually olive oil. You can read all about it, and find my favorite olive oil that I recommend, in this post.

    🐖 Meat & Protein

    Again, maybe a little photo happy? The options are pretty widely varied on this one too. The point here is to show you that there are LOTS of options when it comes to protein at Costco.

    They have organic options, non-organic, fresh, frozen, and even a few Whole30 compliant pre-cooked meats, such as the chicken & apple sausage, the packaged prosciutto, and the roasted red pepper & spinach chicken sausage.

    As always, just make sure you read your ingredient labels. The chicken & apple is Whole30 approved, but other flavors by the same brand contain sugar and are not!

    🥦 Fresh & Frozen Produce

    If you're flying solo, you might want to steer clear of purchasing things like a 10 pound bag of sweet potatoes from Costco for your Whole30 - I've found they end up going bad faster than you can get through them.

    Some of the frozen vegetable options there are great, though, as you can use them only as you need them and keep the rest frozen. I particularly love the frozen stir-fry mix - toss some of that with some sliced steak or chicken in a skillet with some coconut oil, top with some salsa and avocado, and you've got an easy meal!

    If you prefer to purchase fresh, buy in bulk, then cook and freeze what you're not going to eat in a week or so. Ingredient prep is key on a Whole30!

    🥤 Beverages and Food Storage

    Random category, I know. But drinking plain tap water for 30 days can get boring in a hurry. Try some flavored seltzer water (watch out for the ones with added sugar!) to give you some different options.

    You'll also find yourself cooking a LOT on Whole30, and need an efficient way to store your leftovers. We use these stackable Rubbermaid containers.

    I actually label them with some painter's tape and a Sharpie that I keep near the fridge so we know what we have. The painter's tape peels right off and doesn't leave any residue.

    📋 What should go on my Whole30 Costco Shopping List?

    I created a handy-dandy printable for you, with ideas of things to look for in your Costco, right here in my free resource library.

    Even if they don't have the exact things on the list, it will give you some ideas of where to look and what to look for. Just enter your name and email address below to sign up for my Resource Library, and you'll have access in your inbox in no time.

    Happy shopping!

    Don't miss my other Whole30 Shopping Lists:

    Aldi Whole30 Shopping List

    Trader Joe's Whole30 Shopping List

    Amazon Whole30 Shopping List

    Get Access To My Free Resource Library!
    Includes tips for clean eating, a Paleo staples checklist, bodyweight workouts, and more - all with a side of awesome sauce!

    This form collects information we will use to send you updates about promotions, special offers, and news. We will not share or sell your personal information. You can unsubscribe at any time.

     
    Did you find something awesome to add to your Whole30 Costco list? Share it in the comments so we all know to look for it! 

    Enjoyed this post? Be sure to also check out our Top 10 List for on-the-go Whole30 snacks, Tips & Tricks for an Easy Whole30, and Whole30 Q&A.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie Ott

      June 22, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      I too would like a whole 30 shopping list!
      Thank you : )

      Reply
      • Jessica

        July 07, 2021 at 9:26 pm

        HI Julie - this can be found in my resource library, which you can sign up for in the bottom of the post!

        Reply
    2. Ava

      May 21, 2021 at 10:09 pm

      A list for shopping, please

      Reply
      • Jessica

        June 12, 2021 at 6:36 am

        Hi Ava, the list is in my full resource library - once you sign up for the library you'll get access to all the shopping lists and more!

        Reply
    3. Dawn Hall

      April 15, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      I'd love to have a list. Thank you for this article!

      Reply
    4. Deb Frederick

      April 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Costco whole 30 shopping list?

      Reply
      • Jessica

        May 04, 2021 at 10:42 am

        Sorry about that, there was an issue with the form. It's corrected now!

        Reply
    5. Debbie Knepp

      April 05, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      thanks for this great list!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        April 10, 2021 at 8:00 am

        You're so very welcome, Debbie!

        Reply
    6. D duigou

      March 27, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      Where is the printable list?

      Reply
      • Jessica

        April 10, 2021 at 7:57 am

        They are located in my resource library. Simply fill out the form at the bottom of the post to gain access!

        Reply
    7. Maria

      March 26, 2021 at 7:11 pm

      I’m interested in knowing more about whole 30

      Reply
      • Jessica

        April 10, 2021 at 8:24 am

        Hi Maria,
        I recommend starting here: https://www.paleoscaleo.com/whole30-recipes-roundup/

        Reply
    8. Terri Kissane

      March 26, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      Please send me the Costco Whole printable shopping list.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        April 10, 2021 at 7:57 am

        HI Terri,

        These are located in my resource library! Simply fill out the form at the bottom of the post to gain access.

        Reply
      • Jessica

        April 10, 2021 at 8:38 am

        Hi Terri,

        Sorry about that! The shopping list is located in my resource library. You can fill out the form at the bottom of the post to gain access to all of my Whole30 shopping lists!

        Reply
    9. Jim Archambault

      January 09, 2020 at 8:59 pm

      FYI you are missing the link for the containers

      You’ll also find yourself cooking a LOT on Whole30, and need an efficient way to store your leftovers. We use these stackable Rubbermaid containers.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 13, 2020 at 1:35 pm

        Hi Jim, thanks so much for reaching out about that! I've linked up the containers I recommend for you.

        Reply
    10. Sara

      January 02, 2020 at 10:37 pm

      Hello, thanks for the list. Is the Rotisserie chicken Whole30 compliant?

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 04, 2020 at 1:58 pm

        Hi Sara,

        That's hard to say without me seeing the ingredients list on your particular Costco's rotisserie chicken. I would hate to tell you the wrong thing! I would recommend checking the ingredients list and making sure all the ingredients are compliant to determine!

        Reply
      • Raven

        September 15, 2020 at 8:26 pm

        Hi Sara,
        Costco's rotisserie chicken (both whole and shredded) contain carrageenan, (which is a thickener derived from seaweed) and is not approved for the Whole30. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    11. Gina

      February 06, 2019 at 1:03 pm

      I found the Costco in California has cauliflower rice in individual serving sizes in the freezer section. 1 bag has 5 servings (which feeds 2-3) ? I don’t ever really buy frozen vegetables but this was way less expensive than buying fresh and tastes good !

      Reply
    12. Diane

      January 10, 2019 at 10:48 pm

      Costco's newly labeled " Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack" ingredients are: organic seaweed, organic sunflower oil, organic sesame oil, sea salt. I'm assuming that the snack is now Whole30 compliant. If you could verify, that would be awesome.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 12, 2019 at 9:00 pm

        Hi Diane! Based on that ingredient list, it is technically a compliant snack! They do recommend limiting the amount of sunflower oil ("So, we ban the seed oils specifically off-limits according to the Whole30 “no grains, no legumes” rules (corn oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil), and encourage you to limit your use of the others (like safflower, sunflower, canola, grapeseed, or sesame) at home, while not specifically excluding them.")

        Based on "true" Whole30 rules, processed snacks and chips are technically non-compliant (they want you to make your own), but let's be real - we don't all have hours a day to make our own chips! If I were on a Whole30 round, I would be fine with consuming this snack.

        Reply
    13. Ashley

      December 27, 2018 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks for the great list and photos Jessica! My husband and I are starting our Whole 30 on January 1st, so I am in planning mode. This will help us stock up on some great options.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        December 27, 2018 at 8:44 pm

        So glad it's useful! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if I can help in any way. You've got this!

        Reply
    14. Nichole

      November 28, 2018 at 11:24 am

      I’m in Canada and the broth has cane sugar here. 🙁

      Reply
    15. Patrick

      July 29, 2018 at 11:23 am

      The Almond Butter is not whole 30 approved. The ingredients are "roasted Almonds". That means roasted in a solution that has sugar.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        July 30, 2018 at 9:36 am

        Hi Patrick,
        Thanks for your comment! The definition of roasted is simply, "prolonged exposure to heat in an oven or over a fire." This does not include sugar in any way. If the almonds were roasted in any type of solution, including one with sugar, they would be required to list that in the ingredients list. Hope that helps!

        Reply
        • Tedde

          October 25, 2018 at 7:20 am

          Thank youo again for your eloquent response to an Almond butter "expert".

          Reply
          • Jessica

            October 25, 2018 at 9:24 am

            You betcha. 😀

            Reply
    16. Meghann

      May 04, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks for a great list! I did notice that you have the sun-dried tomatoes on here, which actually have added sulfites so they wouldn't be Whole30 complaint. Just don't want anyone else to discover that the hard way like I did!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        August 08, 2018 at 12:12 pm

        https://www.target.com/p/mezzetta-julienne-sun-dried-tomato-in-olive-oil-8-oz/-/A-15360327?sid=1819S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BEssentials%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9031995&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItZLinOzd3AIVENVkCh3nhAgZEAQYBSABEgJ57vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

        These ones are a good alternative. I haven't seen the ones from Costco, but I use these

        Reply
    17. Christine

      January 22, 2018 at 1:52 pm

      Is Kerry Gold butter whole 30 approved? If so, what do you use it for the most?

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 22, 2018 at 2:06 pm

        Hi Christine, no butter is allowed on Whole30, even grassfed butter. You can, however, make your own ghee from Kerrygold, which is W30 approved, and delicious!

        Reply
    18. Brandon

      January 20, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      You're actually wrong about Costco's olive oil. The Kirkland Signature Olive Oil is Bureau Veritas certified. They use fully verified, only Italian olives. You can read more here: http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201608/?pm=2&u1=friend&pg=125#pg125

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 22, 2018 at 2:08 pm

        Hi Brandon,

        Thanks for your comment! I didn't actually say anything about Costco's olive oil, only that I choose to purchase mine from a small family business, as the taste and quality are far superior to anything I've ever tried. That's great to know that Costco is conscientious about where their olive oil is sourced from, however; thanks so much for linking that article as a reference for everyone!

        Reply
    19. Emily

      January 15, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      Are the Apple rings and broccoli still approved? I read somewhere that pre-packaged “chips” were no longer approved despite appearing Whole30 from the ingredients.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 16, 2018 at 1:20 pm

        Hi Emily,

        Here's the quote from the W30 Website (https://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/):

        "Chips: Not if they’re store-bought

        While we recognize that potatoes are a real food, we also know that eating them in the form of fries and chips has turned them from “produce” into an adulterated commercial “product.” It’s easy to find potato, tortilla, or plantain chips that meet the Whole30 ingredient standards. It is not easy, however, to consume those chips in a way that’s true to the spirit of the Whole30. For most of us, deep-fried, salted, crunchy chips are a bonafide food-with-no-brakes, and fall into that deep, dark area of less-healthy foods with technically compliant ingredients. For that reason, no store-bought chips of any nature (potato, plantain, tortilla, beet… not even kale) on the Whole30. Feel free to roast your own kale, pan-fry your own plantains, or bake your own sweet potato spears at home, however."

        That being said, for me, baked apples and dried broccoli don't fall in the "chip" category for me. They're just a dried, crunchy, portable version of an approved food. However, if you have strong feelings about chips when you're not on W30, these might be one to steer clear of, as they might generate an association for you that you're looking to break.

        Hope that helps!

        Reply
    20. Hilary

      January 03, 2018 at 1:36 am

      This is phenomenal, thank you!! My husband and I are headed to Costco this weekend to stock up for our second Whole30, and this list is incredibly helpful. Costco has varying ingredient lists (even for Kirkland brand) depending on the store, which can be frustrating. But, this list is a great start for items to check! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 04, 2018 at 11:09 am

        Hi Hilary,
        So glad to help! It is sometimes frustrating that what each Costco has varies, but its such a big and overwhelming store. If you find something at your store that's not on the list, please feel free to add a comment for others to reference! Happy Whole30ing!

        Reply
        • Patricia

          August 20, 2018 at 7:52 am

          Öi saw that the Costco list could be printed. I did not see any link to print the Aldi list. Please advise if it is possible to print a list. Thank you.

          Reply
          • Jessica

            August 20, 2018 at 1:17 pm

            Hi Patricia, I don't have a printable version on the Aldi or Trader Joe's posts, but I can certainly add them! I will put it on my to-do list and let you know when it's up. 🙂

            Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a former cereal addict turned health food blogger. I live in Charleston, SC with my husband and son, and probably eat more ice cream than most would consider "a reasonable amount."

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