We all know about the bulk buying aspects of shopping at Costco. But did you know that many Costco locations let you buy meats, bakery items, and even some fruits and veggies “by the case” or in “cryovac bags” at highly reduced prices? If you have the freezer space, this Costco hack can really save you and your family some money.

Many Items Can Be Bought “By the Case”

I recently had a Costco employee tell me that many items come into the warehouse frozen and are thawed and repackaged for sale.

She went on to say that many of these items can be bought by the case before they are repackaged for BIG savings.

What types of stuff you’re probably asking…well let’s break it down.

PRO TIP: TIPS TO AVOID WASTE FOR ONLY 2 PEOPLE

I get this question all the time, “Is a Costco membership worth it for only 2 people?”

And I always tell them that if you shop smart and plan accordingly, a Costco membership is ABSOLUTELY worth it.

Here are some of my favorite tips if you’re only shopping for 1 or 2 people….

Stick to Non-Perishables & Freezables – Avoid buying large quantities of fresh produce or dairy at Costco unless you can eat them quickly.

Split Items with Friends/Family – Share bulk goods with others to maximize savings.

Buy Only What You’ll Use – Even if it’s a good deal, wasted food isn’t a saving.

Use a Vacuum Sealer – This extends the shelf life of meat, cheese, and even some vegetables in the fridge or freezer.

Portion & Freeze Immediately – Divide large packs of meat, bread, or cheese into meal-sized portions and store them in freezer-safe bags.

Label Everything – Write the date and contents on freezer bags or containers so you know when items were stored.

Store Dry Goods Properly – Use airtight containers for bulk items like rice, flour, nuts, and cereal to keep them fresh and avoid pests. I learned this one the hard way with weevils in our pantry.

Repurpose Leftovers Creatively – Rotisserie chicken today? Use leftovers for sandwiches, soups, or salads to stretch the meal.

Keep an Inventory List – Write down what you have in your freezer and pantry to prevent overbuying and forgetting items.

Think Bakery and Deli Items

Did you know that most Costco locations actually post the price for buying the original box items arrive in?

The employee showed me the “Bakery by the Case” board posted in the Costco bakery which breaks down the price for buying items this way.

I was immediately intrigued as the savings on most items was in the 20-40% range on various breads and bakery items.

Look for this posted information the next time you’re in your Costco, and IF you have the freezer space at home, it just might be a great way to save money.

Or better yet, go in with a family or 2 and buy the entire base box and split it among yourselves.

She also told me that Costco does a similar thing on some meat and deli items. Ask about it!

Give Me Some Specifics…

After some further research, I discovered a Reddit thread where Costco employees talked about this tip too.

One Costco employee, Reddit user 84awkm, used the cookie example. He said you can buy a box of 24 for $7.99 ($0.33/cookie) or a case of 180 frozen cookies for $34.99 ($0.19/cookie). The frozen cookies come raw and you just bake them at home when you want them.

He said similar examples for savings exist with bagels, baguettes, and bread too.

See Also: 7 Ways to Essentially Get a Costco Membership for Free

Costco Deals on Bulk Meat Too

Many Costco locations (NOT ALL) sell meat in bulk as well.

Costco sells very high quality meat and many locations let warehouse members buy the entire “Cryovac” bag.

The cryovac bag is what many meats are delivered to Costco in and you can buy the ENTIRE bag for a reduced price.

Cryovac is a vacuum sealed bag that allows meat to be frozen for a longer period of time and keeps it freshness when thawed.

If they are not in the cryovac bag, they are in a “case” which is usually also available for sale.

Could be a case of rib eyes, case of New York’s, case of crab legs, etc.

BUT…according to one employee, you’ll get “3 or so times the meat for the same price”.

Great deal for sure if you have the freezer space.

Keep in mind that the meat will be untrimmed and you’ll have to do that yourself. 

Bottom line: Ask if your local Costco sells in bulk like this and save BIG money in the process.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)