The $10 Costco Pantry Staple I Always Stock up On

Even though I'm a professionally trained cook, I rely on small hacks to make cooking easier. I believe in making chicken stock from the leftover bones of a rotisserie chicken or building a good beef stock base for a rich French onion soup. However, I'll be the first to take advantage of a shortcut that doesn't compromise flavor. Even with all my training, I'm still a busy, working mom, and I don't always have time to make stock from scratch on a Tuesday night. That's why I always have Better Than Bouillon in my fridge.

Better Than Bouillon first caught my attention during a typical Costco run. For $10.20 and a name that included the words "Better Than," I figured it was worth trying. That was almost a decade ago, and it's been a staple in my fridge ever since. This little container of concentrated, umami flavor is one of my go-to ingredients for making everything taste better. (And I’m not the only one who thinks so!)

Why I Always Buy Better Than Bouillon From Costco

If you're familiar with the Better Than Bouillon brand, you already know it's available everywhere. What you might not know is that the value is unmatched at Costco, which carries 21-ounce jars for around $10.20. Other grocery stores sell eight-ounce jars for between $5 and $7. When you do the math, that translates to $0.49 per ounce from Costco or $0.63 to $0.88 per ounce elsewhere. As someone who uses it frequently, buying it at Costco makes financial sense. 

Beyond the incredible value, this organic paste is my secret to consistent, high-quality flavor at home. Unlike dry bouillon cubes, which I find overly salty and difficult to mix in, this concentrated paste, made from roasted chicken, beef, or vegetables, contains a deep, rich, and authentic flavor. 

This is especially helpful when I'm making a quick soup or stew. I stir a spoonful into the pot instead of spending hours simmering bones or opening another carton of store-bought broth that never delivers the depth I'm looking for.

When my rice, quinoa, millet, or other grains need more personality, I add a bit to the cooking water, a trick I learned in professional kitchens. Even my mashed potatoes sometimes get a small dollop mixed right in, transforming them from a basic side into something that my kids gobble up.

While I still keep stock in my freezer for dishes that don't do well with substitutions, I rely on Better Than Bouillon for just about everything else. What I love most is how it cuts out the need to always have homemade stock on hand.

And because I only need a small amount each time, a single jar can live in my fridge for months. I use it in pan sauces after searing proteins, and mix it with a bit of water to create glazes for roasted vegetables. It works wonders in plant-forward dishes, adding richness, depth, and umami.

This $10 jar from Costco has become a relied-upon shortcut that allows me to deliver consistent, flavorful results without compromising my standards or schedule. 

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