The 78-Cent Costco Pantry Staple I Always Stock Up On

We go through a gallon of milk and then some every week. And by we, I mean my 15-year-old son. He's just grown out of his latest pair of gym shoes and eats second dinners like a hobbit, so it's no surprise we run out quite frequently. Fortunately, I've found a product that helps me out of a milk-less pinch at Costco.

Why I Love Costco’s  Kirkland Organic Whole Milk Cartons

I discovered Costco's shelf-stable Kirkland Organic Whole Milk by accident. It took me a moment as I wheeled my cart past it and did a double-take. It's the first time I've seen shelf-stable milk outside of Europe, so I had to grab a package.

A case of 18 mini cartons—each holds eight ounces—costs $13.99, which is just a little more per serving than what milk costs at my son's school. Though I still buy milk by the gallon or half-gallon, these little cartons have saved me and my son numerous times.

Due to my son's voracious appetite, we often run out of milk. If I'm working on a big deadline and my husband is working late or out of town on business, we might not get a chance to run to the grocery store to get another gallon.

That's where these Kirkland milk minis come in handy. They're shelf-stable, so I almost always have one or two on hand. My son loves to grab them when he's running out the door to one of his many sports practices, but mostly I keep them on hand because we run out of milk more often than I ever would have imagined.

How My Family Uses Kirkland Organic Whole Milk Cartons

The milk tastes fresh and creamy right out of the carton. While I like it cold from the refrigerator, my son doesn't care if it's straight from the pantry at room temperature. "It tastes fine, Mom," he tells me.

Having this milk in my pantry buys me time to get to the grocery store instead of having to run to the nearby gas station, where the milk is more expensive.

And my son, though he's the biggest consumer of this delicious, organic milk in our house, isn't the only one who loves it. I'll add it to my morning coffee or use it in a recipe, like alfredo sauce, if we've run out of the fresh stuff.

Besides being a time-saver, it's great for traveling, and it would be perfect for summer camp and camping as well.

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