10 Essential Costco Items to Host Your Best Summer Barbecue

Nothing says summer like a barbecue. It’s officially that time of year, and whether it’s a special occasion celebration or just a casual backyard gathering, it's important to have your cookout essentials on hand. After all, planning is half the battle when it comes to entertaining, and the more prepared you are, the more time you have to enjoy a great time later on.

Most people would agree that when it comes to shopping for any large gathering and get-together, Costco simply shines—and that includes barbecue season. Costco is a one-stop shop for picking up grilling essentials in bulk, making the prep process smooth and stress free. We’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite food-related essentials from Costco, including some prepared dishes and shortcuts, to help you host your most delicious summer barbecues ever.

The Best Summer Barbecue Products at Costco

Kirkland Signature 100% Grass Fed Burgers

Let’s kick off the list with a barbecue must: burgers! Costco’s 15-pack of 1/3-pound burgers costs just $24.99 and because they’re frozen, you can save any you don’t need for future use. Pick these up on your next Costco run and stash them away in the freezer for any time barbecue plans arise. When you’re ready to cook, shoppers say to let the frozen burgers thaw in the refrigerator completely beforehand to ensure evenly cooked and juicy burgers.

Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs

While the $1.50 hot dog sold at the Costco food court may be the most iconic option when it comes to shopping at the superstore, that’s unfortunately not the most practical game plan for a barbecue. But fear not—Costco offers a 36-pack of those exact beef-based franks for you to take home and make your own. Whether you grill or boil these hot dogs, they’re juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious. You can freeze whatever you don’t use from the package for the next time that Costco food court hot dog craving strikes.

St. Louis Style Pork Spareribs

Costco’s ribs are prepared St. Louis style, which means they are a meatier cut from the belly of the hog, and prepared with a savory dry rub. With a higher amount of fat, they’re incredibly tender and flavorful. All you have to do is place them in the oven or on the grill to reheat and enjoy. For the price of just $21, this rack of ribs is a deal for your next barbecue, and I can guarantee there will be little to no leftovers.

Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

I love a generous filet of freshly grilled fish at a barbecue. Kirkland Signature offers an amazing deal (just $45!) for three meaty pounds of this gorgeous, quality sockeye salmon. I’ve made many different versions of this salmon at my barbecues, and it’s delicious every single time. Vibrant, and tender yet flaky, it cooks beautifully on the grill. A fish option is always a good idea at a barbecue, just in case you have any guests who are unable to, or prefer not to, eat beef.

Bush’s Best Baked Beans

Baked beans are such a classic summer staple, and the perfect side for a burger or a hot dog. These baked beans are so easy to prepare, and you can opt for the stovetop, slow cooker, Instant Pot, or even a pot on the grill. Dress them up if you’d like with some chopped bacon or kielbasa, or add some brown sugar for a hint of rich sweetness. This summer staple is available in bulk at Costco (eight 16.5-ounce cans for just $9.99!) and one case could just last the entire summer season. The best part is that they’re shelf stable, so even if you have a few cans remaining, no one ever said they didn’t love a football Sunday bowl of baked beans come October.

Mac and Cheese

When it comes to entertaining, we’re all about shortcuts. And when it comes to summer barbecuing, Costco’s prepared mac and cheese happens to be one of them. The 3.5-pound platter is so easy to prepare and great for sharing with a group. Simply place it in the oven until it’s bubbling and melty, and serve. If you feel like making it your own, dress it up with some chopped bacon, burnt ends, or even a spoonful of Dijon mustard for a bit of tang to balance out the cheesy richness.

La Terra Fina Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip & Spread

Costco has a wide array of dips and spreads to choose from, so it can become overwhelming to choose just one or two. I’ve done the research over the years, and La Terra's dip has always been a consistent crowd favorite among my friends and family. Another great thing about this dip is that it can withstand the harsh heat of a summer day. Even if it becomes a bit warm from sitting in the sun, it remains tasty, and the texture holds up nicely for scooping and spreading.

Stacy’s Organic Pita Chips

If you’re looking for something to serve with that spinach and artichoke dip, this jumbo bag of pita chips provides the perfect vehicle. They’re hearty and strong, so they won’t break with scooping and dipping, and the toasty flavor and crunchy texture make for an enjoyable combo with a rich and creamy dip.

Heinz Grill Pack

You can’t serve up those burgers and hot dogs without some classic toppings! This Heinz grill pack sets you up perfectly for all of your barbecuing condiment needs. With two bottles of ketchup, one bottle of mustard, and one bottle of relish, this entire grill pack is shelf stable and each one is generously sized, so it may very well last the entire barbecue season.

Chocolate Honeycomb Ice Cream Sandwiches

Full disclosure: You may drool over these ice cream sandwiches. This is the perfect warm-weather dessert to serve when you’re rounding out a big, hearty meal. The frozen treat is next level, featuring two Biscoff cookies sandwiching vanilla ice cream. Half of the sandwich is then dipped in chocolate. You may want to stash one away for yourself to enjoy later on.