<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Because I know exactly what I want to buy, I can be in and out of Costco in under 10 minutes.Jessica Tzikas</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I make 10-minute weekly <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-at-costco-this-month-employee-reveals-2024-4">Costco runs</a> for protein-heavy, nutritious items for my family of four.</li><li>The Just Bare breaded-chicken-breast chunks are a great <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-to-make-popular-fast-food-recipes-in-air-fryer-2021-5">Chick-fil-A dupe</a>.</li></ul><p>My husband and I have always been <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-coscto-buys-for-dinner-executive-membership-2024-3">Costco shoppers</a>, but after having our two girls, our once-a-month Costco runs turned into once-a-week trips.</p><p>With a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old who can empty a strawberry container in no time, we've learned that Costco was our best option for keeping our groceries within a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-best-costco-buys-budget-three-ingredient-meals-2024-1">reasonable budget</a>.</p><p>Costco has also been ideal in meeting two of our most important dietary requirements: protein-heavy items for my husband and me and dye-free, nutritious items for the kids.</p><p>After shopping at the retailer every week for years, I've learned which products are ideal for our lifestyle. In fact, by knowing exactly what I need, I can be in and out of Costco in 10 minutes flat.</p><p>Here are the 11 staples I always pick up.</p>