Memorial Day is fast approaching.
That means it's the start of the cookout season. Get the charcoal ready. Or maybe your a propane person. It's time for grilling.
This month's edition of our Costco Food Finds series will be focused on some items you can pick up that will help make your cookouts better this summer through better tasting and sometimes healthier choices.
The Meat
Choice Top Sirloin Steak | $6.79/lb | 44504
A top sirloin is one of my favorite steaks. I love it because it has good flavor but it cheaper in price than a Ribeye or New York strip.
This summer I am excited about cooking my sirloin steaks via Sous Vide. Then I will finishithe steaks on the grill. I have written about cooking a steak via sous vide and why it is so good.
One huge advantage you can try this summer if you have a Sous Vide cooker (I highly recommend the Anova model I own) is that you can get your steaks right to the perfect temperature, then throw them on the grill for that char right before eating. The steak is read in mere minutes.
You can actually spend your time giving other foods the grill treatment and still have time to thrown on the steaks.
Gilbert's Caprese Chicken Sausage | 40oz for $12.99 | 1146331
If you are looking to cut down on the red meat you put on the grill then try Gilbert's Chicken Sausage. These guys know how to craft sausage that won't leave you missing the red meat. The sausage comes individually wrapped making it easier to use just what you need for that night.
The Condiments
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce | $6.99 for 2-20 bottles | 935019
I am not sure what compliments a good steak or a burger more than a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce. While it could be a condiment you could try to make on your own, the anchovies might throw you off.
Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil Mayo | $7.88 for 32oz | 1231086
Whether you will be mayo as part of potato or pasta salad or you want to slap some on the bread of your burger, you might want to consider Sir Keningston's Avocado Oil Mayo. I like the use of avocado oil instead of the low quality soybean oils that you find in most named brand mayo.
I trust Sir Keningston's has they are one of the best bigger condiments companies around. Maybe Costco will carry their ketchup or mustard as well sometime this year.
Kerrygold Irish Butter | 2lbs for $10.99 | 1172471
I know I have mentioned Kerrygold in food finds post but I couldn't help but mention that I love having it for fresh corn on the cob. Since the best corn only comes for a small part of the year, you might as well live it up and go with the better butter.
Really savor the moment that is fresh corn season.
Make Your Own Pickles
Are pickles a regular part of your summer cookout plans? This is one thing I encourage you to make yourself. You can make refrigerator pickles in no time at all and they will taste better than the majority of the pickles you find at the grocery store.
You can start with these ingredients from Costco. You can follow the same instructions I used to make my wild ramp pickles.
Sunset Snacking Cucumbers | 1.5 lbs for $5.49 | 720650
If you want to make small sliced pickles that can easily go on a burger, the snacking size cucumbers from Sunset work really well. They are seedless too.
Kirkland Organic Apple Cider Vinegar | 3-32oz for $6.99 | 121911
Vinegar is the key component to pickle making. The apple cider vinegar from Costco is both organic and contains the mother. To simply put it the mother is the bacterial that is used to turn apple cider into vinegar. It's good stuff health wise and usually means a better quality vinegar.
You can also get regular white vinegar at Costco and it will work as well. I think the apple cider vinegar will make for a better flavor and you get the health benefits of the apple cider vinegar, which you don't find in the squeak clean white vinegar.
The Salads
Eating healthy can be a big problem with summer cookouts. We tend to just chow down on burgers, hot dogs, chips, and pasta salad. While I know most people are probably busy doing other things than think about heaving a healthy salad, I suggest that you buy one of the Taylor Farms chopped salads available at Costco.
These salads require no more prep before hand that bringing the salad, a bowl, and a serving utensil with you. The Sweet Kale one is my favorite.
Asian Cashew Chopped Salad | 23.58oz for $4.49 | 899632
Organic Cherry Almond Blue Salad | 24oz for $6.99 | 1268367
Organic Mediterranean Crunch Chopped Salad | 24.02oz for $5.99 | 1142830
Sweet Kale Salad | 28oz for $4.99 | 675153
The Chips
I know you are going to want to have chips. They are a part of the experience just as such as what goes on the grill.
If you are in the market for more nutritious options here are a couple recommendations you can give a try. If you aren't sure how your crowd will respond bring some standard potato chips (like the Kirkland Kettle potato chips) too and see how it goes.
Terra Classic Chips | $6.59 for 18 oz | 1141945
Terra is known for their chips made out of roots that you may never have had before. The colors only may be attractive enough to convince your guest to give them a try.
Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps | $5.99 for 20oz | 1150023
I polled my Instagram audience and they weren't into giving these crisps a chance. They are definitely different but do pack of lot of good things like peas and black beans. Would you try them?
I would love to hear what you like to buy at Costco for summer cookouts. Leave a comment below.
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