The 4 Best Costco Buys for Your Memorial Day Weekend Cookout

Memorial Day weekend is approaching. In addition to honoring those who have lost their lives in service to our country, it's a time to relax with friends and family. For many, the long weekend signals the start of summer. And if the weather cooperates, it's an ideal time to gather for a cookout.

If you're feeling the squeeze of everyday price hikes, you're probably looking for a way to get your holiday weekend essentials without draining your checking account. Shoppers with Costco memberships can score deals on picnic-perfect finds. I'll share a few of the best Costco buys for your Memorial Day weekend cookout.

1. Four-Count Heinz Ketchup, Relish, and Mustard Picnic Pack

No holiday cookout is complete without all the classic condiments. Whether grilling hot dogs or hamburgers, this four-count Heinz Ketchup, Relish, and Mustard Picnic Pack is an ideal addition to your event. You can purchase this pack in-club or online.

The pack includes two 31-ounce bottles of ketchup, one 26-ounce bottle of sweet relish, and one 28-ounce bottle of yellow mustard. Even better, it costs only $10.99. Target sells 32-ounce Heinz Ketchup bottles for $4.99 each. So, this is a solid deal if you need to restock your condiments before your next gathering.

2. 186-count Dixie Ultra 10.0625-inch Paper Plates

If you want to make clean-up easier after your get-together, buy some disposable plates. Costco sells its 186-count pack of Dixie Ultra Paper Plates for $23.99. Members can score an additional $4 discount through June 9, 2024, making the price $19.99.

That works out to a cost of around $0.11 per plate. At Target, you'd pay $9.19 for a 64-pack of these plates or just over $0.14 per plate. Getting this cookout essential at Costco to save money is worthwhile.

3. 12 pounds of Pederson Natural Farms 100% Grass-Fed Organic Ground Beef: Less than $11 per pound

Are you planning to grill up some burgers for the holiday? Costco has you covered.

Here's an item you may want to shop online only.

For $129.99, you can get a 12-pack of one-pound packages of Pederson Natural Farms 100% Grass-Fed Organic Ground Beef, which is about $10.83 a pound. Each pack contains 85% lean/15% fat ground beef. Shipping is included.

If you were to buy 12 pounds of this beef directly from Pederson Natural Farms, you'd pay $187.96. This Costco deal will save you almost $60 (the annual cost of a basic membership!). If you prefer to shop in-club, Costco has great deals on meat that you can shop locally. Visit your local club to learn how much money you can save.

4. 30-count 7.5-ounce Pepsi Mini Cans: $16.49

Don't forget the beverages. Costco sells a 30-count pack of 7.5-ounce Pepsi Mini Cans for $16.49, about $0.55 per can. These adorable mini-sized sodas are ideal for a cookout. With smaller-sized cans, there's less chance of drinks going to waste. Target sells a 10-pack of these cans for $6.39, or about $0.64 per can. Costco saves the day again!

Maximize your savings this summer

You can host enjoyable gatherings this summer without spending beyond your means. Becoming a Costco member is one way to stay on budget. Review our ultimate Costco guide for some helpful tips on getting the most out of your membership perks.

Another tip is to use cash back credit cards. You can earn rewards when you swipe your card for everyday purchases like groceries and household goods. While you won't get a direct discount on your shopping bill, you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit to your credit card account or make other valuable redemptions.