I'm a mom of 6 who hates cooking. Here are 8 things I buy at Costco to make meal planning simple.

Lindy VogelMar 19, 2024, 00:17 IST

I love picking up Kirkland Signature products like the Sunsweet dried plums.Lindy Vogel

As a mom of six who hates cooking, I turn to Costco products to make meal planning simple.
My family and I follow a gluten-free diet after learning that some of us are sensitive to gluten.

My husband, Joe, and I are celebrating 20 years as Costco members this year.

As a family of eight, we eat a lot. Even with our oldest two sons away at college, we're more into Costco than ever. The thing is, I hate to cook, so meal kits and simple ingredients are requirements in our household.

To complicate things, I recently found out that some of the kids and I are sensitive to gluten. Fortunately, there are lots of great gluten-free items at Costco that are simple to throw together for an easy meal.

Here are eight of my favorite Costco items that make cooking for my family more convenient.

Kirkland Signature Sunsweet dried plums are an iron-rich breakfast food.

I love picking up Kirkland Signature products like the Sunsweet dried plums.Lindy Vogel

Following a gluten-free diet means we have few breakfast options for bagels, toast, or traditional cereals.

Instead, I put a serving of Kirkland Signature Sunsweet dried plums, a few slices of cheese, and some fresh, sliced fruit into a bowl to bring to school drop-off.

Following a gluten-free diet means we have few breakfast options for bagels, toast, or traditional cereals.

Instead, I put a serving of Kirkland Signature Sunsweet dried plums, a few slices of cheese, and some fresh, sliced fruit into a bowl to bring to school drop-off.

Costco's chicken street-taco kit has everything we need to make great tacos.

Our kids love assembling their own tacos.Lindy Vogel

My husband and I are obsessed with anything the kids can make themselves, so Costco's chicken street-taco kit is a lifesaver. Even our preschoolers enjoy assembling their own tacos.

I especially enjoy the included cabbage, which gives the tacos an authentic feel.

My husband and I are obsessed with anything the kids can make themselves, so Costco's chicken street-taco kit is a lifesaver. Even our preschoolers enjoy assembling their own tacos.

I especially enjoy the included cabbage, which gives the tacos an authentic feel.

The Siete almond-flour grain-free tortillas have a nice texture.

We use the Siete almond-flour grain-free tortillas to make quesadillas. Lindy Vogel

The Siete almond-flour grain-free tortillas taste and feel just like the standard-flour variety. We use them to make crispy, shredded-cheese quesadillas in the frying pan and serve them with salsa.

Tasty Bite organic madras lentils are the perfect one-package meal for chaotic days.

The pouches of Tasty Bite organic madras lentils make great lunches.Lindy Vogel

For families with teens in extracurricular activities, these microwavable pouches of Tasty Bite organic madras lentils make ideal pre-practice dinners.

I love being able to serve my kids a hot meal, even though we can't always eat dinner together as a family.

For families with teens in extracurricular activities, these microwavable pouches of Tasty Bite organic madras lentils make ideal pre-practice dinners.

I love being able to serve my kids a hot meal, even though we can't always eat dinner together as a family.

I lean on the Kirkland Signature organic diced tomatoes to make vegetarian chili.

I use Kirkland Signature organic diced tomatoes to make a base for vegetarian chili. Lindy Vogel

One of my favorite simple slow-cooker recipes is plant-based chili. The best part is that I don't even have to monitor the meal as it cooks.

The recipe consists of Kirkland Signature organic diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and crushed-red-pepper flakes.

In the morning, I make the base of the chili using diced tomatoes. Then, I season it to taste, turn the Crockpot on low, and run off for my day.

One of my favorite simple slow-cooker recipes is plant-based chili. The best part is that I don't even have to monitor the meal as it cooks.

The recipe consists of Kirkland Signature organic diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and crushed-red-pepper flakes.

In the morning, I make the base of the chili using diced tomatoes. Then, I season it to taste, turn the Crockpot on low, and run off for my day.

Kirkland Signature's chicken drumsticks with garlic seasoning could pass for a restaurant dish.

I bake Kirkland Signature's chicken drumsticks in the oven.Lindy Vogel

In my experience, it doesn't get any easier than the Kirkland Signature pre-seasoned chicken I can oven-bake in one step. The flavorful drumsticks are easy for the kids to nibble on, too.

To save time, I set an oven timer while I bake them and multitask with other chores.

In my experience, it doesn't get any easier than the Kirkland Signature pre-seasoned chicken I can oven-bake in one step. The flavorful drumsticks are easy for the kids to nibble on, too.

To save time, I set an oven timer while I bake them and multitask with other chores.

The EastWest Cuisine chicken-and-vegetable curry has a mild amount of spice.

Even my picky kids love the EastWest Cuisine vegetable-and-chicken curry.Lindy Vogel

With microwave and boil-in-bag options, it's fairly effortless to prepare the EastWest Cuisine vegetable-and-chicken curry. The mild amount of spice also means my picky kids will eat it.

Another thing I like about the recipe is that it contains cauliflower and peas — which are veggies we otherwise don't eat enough of.

With microwave and boil-in-bag options, it's fairly effortless to prepare the EastWest Cuisine vegetable-and-chicken curry. The mild amount of spice also means my picky kids will eat it.

Another thing I like about the recipe is that it contains cauliflower and peas — which are veggies we otherwise don't eat enough of.

My family is obsessed with the Earthbound Farm organic Caesar-salad kit.

The Earthbound Farm organic Caesar-salad kit comes with a zesty-herb seasoning packet.Lindy Vogel

In my opinion, the Earthbound Farm organic Caesar-salad kit is the tastiest salad for your buck. I love the zesty-herb seasoning pack that gets added after dressing the salad. We leave the croutons out to keep this meal gluten-free.

When used as a side dish with dinner, this kit feeds my whole family.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.