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Five years ago, finding vegan and vegetarian products was tough. Sure, you could go to Whole Foods and Sprouts, but other than that, the products were confined to one small section of grocery stores and were limited to the usual suspects, like vegan cheeses, meatless substitutes, and tofu. But over the past few years, veganism and vegetarianism boomed, and retailers, in response, rapidly improved upon and increased their vegan and vegetarian offerings, even at Costco.
As an increasing number of Americans adopted the vegetarian and vegan lifestyles — according to the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2019, 4 percent of American adults are vegetarian, with half of those vegetarians also vegan — Costco was quick to add new vegan- and vegetarian-friendly products. Now, Costco has become, much to many vegan and vegetarian shoppers’ surprise, a dream grocer.
Ahead, take a look at the best of the best vegetarian (and, for some of them, vegan) finds at Costco.
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Madras Lentils
Image Credit: Tasty Bite. Lentils are a staple in any vegetarian household. They are incredibly versatile, but can take a long time to prepare and cook. Luckily, these Madras Lentils from Tasty Bite take all of the prep work out of the equation and all you need to do is heat up one of the pouches. The only downside is they’re only available in warehouses, and not online.
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Aussie Bites
Image Credit: Aussie Bites. Aussie Bites are the perfect alternative to cookies or other sweet treats. And if you have kids, these bite-sized snacks will be a huge hit! They’re made with Oats, flax seeds, honey, and dried fruits so you can also feel good about eating them.
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Yakisoba
Image Credit: Ajinomoto. Sometimes you just want a meal you can grab out of the freezer and heat up without any extensive prep or clean up. Finding a freezer meal that’s fully vegetarian can be challenging, but this vegetable Yakisoba from Costco is the perfect solution. It contains Japanese-style lo mein noodles with crisp veggies and a savory sauce. Dinner can’t get easier than this! This one is also warehouse-only so you’ll have to grab it during your next Costco haul.
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Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders
Image Credit: Gardein. Gardein is one of North America’s most popular vegan meat brands, and for good reason. Their plant-based chicken tender product is a vegan staple, whether eaten with fries and some dip, added to sandwiches, or tossed with bottled kung pao sauce to make a crispy take on a quick stir-fry. Costco sells 2-pound boxes of these vegan chicken fingers. These are also available at Target if you can’t find them at your local Costco!
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Texas Tamale Company’s Hatch Green Chile Tamales
Image Credit: Texas Tamale Company. Tamales are delicious, but they’re often made with lard, so even the veggie-filled flavors are a no-go for plant-based eaters. Not so with the Texas Tamale Co.’s hatch chili tamales. This 72-count box of vegetarian green chile and cheese tamales will satisfy your cravings, no lard needed.
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Califia Farms Cafe Oat Milk
Image Credit: Califia Farms. If you’re dairy-free and usually feel plant-based milks lacking, then this creamy oat milk from Califia Farms will change things. It’s designed to be used to make luscious lattes, cappucinos, and more that are just as creamy as the real thing.
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Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa and Brown Rice
Image Credit: Seeds of Change. These heat and eat pouces of brown rice and quinoa, seasoned with garlic, are the perfect side dish or base for your favorite meat-free meals, from chili to curry.
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Thai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Image Credit: Thai Kitchen. Pick up a six-pack of organic coconut milk for the low, low price of $14.99 at Costco. You can use it in baking, add it to coffee, or use it as the base for creamy vegan sauces.
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Bitchin’ Sauce Chipotle
Image Credit: Bitchin' Sauce. Also now sold at stores such as Target, Bitchin’ Sauce has become a favorite among avid dippers. (It’s seriously good on everything.) This popular creamy sauce (with a subtle kick) is made with almonds and other healthy ingredients, like lemon juice, garlic, and spices, among others. You’ll find the best deal on it, obviously, at Costco.
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Explore Cuisine Edamame Spaghetti
Image Credit: Explore Cuisine. Protein-rich and Vegan Society approved, Explore Cuisine’s Edamame Spaghetti is loaded with 25 grams of plant-based protein; and you can buy a 2-pound box of it at Costco.
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