These Are the 5 Canned Foods Our Editors Never Leave Costco Without

When EatingWell editors go shopping at Costco, it’s a guarantee that we swing by the canned foods section. Not only can we save money by buying cans of our go-to products in bulk, but those cans will also last a long time in our pantries. With their extended shelf-life, these cans ensure that we always have the ingredients on hand to make some of our favorite recipes. Here are our five must-have canned foods to buy at Costco.

1. Fish

There are plenty of fish in the sea, and half of them just might be in our editors’ kitchen cabinets! My colleagues and I love to stock up on canned fish, including salmon, sardines and tuna. Canned fish is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, so it’s great to keep on hand for quick lunches and dinners. In fact, tuna is my favorite high-protein canned food, and I use it frequently in dishes like our 10-Minute Tuna Melt and Easy Tuna Cakes with Greens & Lemon Dressing. Grabbing a pack of canned fish from Costco ensures I’m never more than a few ingredients away from a tasty meal. My go-to brand is Genova Seafood’s yellowfin tuna, while Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, EatingWell’s nutrition editor, likes to buy albacore tuna from Wild Planet.

2. Coconut Milk

Penelope Wall, EatingWell’s assistant general manager, says, “If you cook a lot of curries, definitely grab the Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut Milk.” It’s a great deal at Costco—Wall can get a 6-pack for $12.99, which comes out to about $2.17 per can compared to $3.99 per can at her local grocery store. One recipe that she makes is our One-Pot Potato Curry, where the coconut milk adds a nice creaminess to balance the warming spices. 

You can also use the canned coconut milk in sweet dishes. Wall uses it to make Coquito, a creamy coconut rum-based drink. It’s a cozy beverage from Puerto Rico that’s perfect for fall and around the holidays (although once you try it, you’ll want to make it year-round!).

3. Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are a staple for many, including Ball and Carolyn Malcoun, EatingWell’s associate editorial director. Malcoun raves about Costco’s diced tomatoes: “They’re not only high quality, but clocking in at $1 a can, they’re an incredible deal, too.” She keeps them in her pantry at all times, making everything from soups, like our Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan, to pastas, like our Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes.

4. Pumpkin

When fall rolls around, Wall keeps an eye out for Green Valley Organic Pumpkin. “It’s so convenient, and you can use it in so many things,” she says. From smoothies and overnight oats to baked goods like muffins and pies, canned pumpkin is an essential ingredient at her house. “I like to always have a few cans of pumpkin in my pantry, so I have what I need to whip up a loaf of pumpkin bread or blender mini muffins.” Her go-to recipe is Pumpkin-Oat Mini Muffins, which are packed with oats and chocolate chips. They make the perfect snack for her kids, who like to enjoy them throughout the week.

5. Beans

Canned beans like chickpeas and black beans are a must-have ingredient in Ball’s household thanks to their versatility. “I can simmer them in a soup or curry or toss them directly into a salad or grain bowl to help round out any meal,” says Ball, who also loves the fiber and protein they add to any dish. One recipe that she makes on an almost weekly basis is our Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach using both the canned chickpeas and the canned tomatoes she picks up at the warehouse store. And if it’s football season, you can expect those black beans to go to good use in our Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili. These ingredients are used on such a frequent basis that Ball says, “Running out of any one of these ingredients is usually my reason for another trip.”