The Greek Products You Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy at Costco, According to an Expert

There’s never a bad time for Greek food, but I’d argue that this bright Mediterranean cuisine is even more delicious in the summer. With the briny flavors of feta and olives, refreshing ingredients like tomatoes and cucumbers, and plenty of tart lemon juice, Greek food will transport you to the sea even when you can’t book a flight.

As temperatures rise, it’s time to stock up on quality staples that will make cooking Greek dishes even easier at home. But I’m not an expert in this cuisine; just an avid fan. So, I consulted someone who is to find out which Greek groceries I should be buying in bulk from my supermarket of choice, Costco.

Maria Koutsogiannis is a Greek food blogger and cookbook author who shares recipes inspired by her Greek heritage and Mediterranean roots, ranging from Greek Spinach Pie to Lahanodolmades (stuffed cabbage rolls). Whether you’re following a specific recipe or just winging it in your kitchen, Koutsogiannis recommends keeping several Costco staples on hand to make infusing your food with Greek flavor even easier — and there are a few ingredients she suggests avoiding if you want to achieve the most delicious results possible.

The Greek items you should buy from Costco

Kalamata olives

Koutsogiannis tells Food & Wine these are “a pantry essential.” These dark purple olives have a deep, fruity, and almost meaty flavor. To qualify as “Kalamata” olives, they must be grown in the Peloponnese region of Greece, which is home to the city of Kalamata, hence their name. (If you’re not in the United States or European Union, you may come across olives grown outside of Greece labeled as Kalamata.)

Kalamatas are a versatile ingredient and a core part of Greek cuisine, but you don’t need to visit a specialty store to source some good ones. Koutsogiannis recommends the olives from Costco, saying, “I love the big jars they carry — perfect for salads, cooking, or snacking.” Considering that the retailer sells jars of more than 52 ounces of Kalamata olives, it’s safe to say you’ll have plenty in stock for summer.

Spiceology Greek Freak Seasoning

This seasoning blend makes it easy to instantly add a Greek flavor profile to a wide variety of ingredients and dishes. Per Koutsogiannis, it’s “a flavorful blend that’s great for a quick Greek-style marinade or grilled veggies,” but you could use it in salad dressings, pasta salads, and more.

The ingredient list includes oregano, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, orange peel, dried tomato, salt, garlic, and onion, so you can expect it to impart savory flavor, herbaceous notes, and subtle aromatics from the citrus and alliums.

Frozen spanakopita

Spanakopita is undoubtedly one of the Greek dishes that’s most familiar around the world, and it’s easy to see why. Flaky layers of filo dough encase spinach, feta, and spices to form a salty, buttery pastry that can be rolled up into a coil or simply layered into a pan. But all those perfect layers require effort to create and lay down, and making your own spanakopita takes time.

Luckily, the frozen spanakopita at Costco is approved by Koutsogiannis for when you’re craving it in a pinch. The cookbook author says “Don’t tell my yiayia, but Costco’s version is actually really good! Crisp, flaky, and super convenient for entertaining.”

Extra virgin olive oil

The array of olive oil options at Costco is endless, and while not every one is excellent, the store does have some outstanding offerings. As Koutsogiannis explains, “They carry high-quality options in dark glass bottles or tins, which is important for preserving freshness and flavor.”

When it comes to preserving the quality of olive oil, light is your enemy. Exposure to light won’t immediately ruin extra virgin olive oil, but it will cause it to oxidize and go rancid more quickly than if it were stored in an opaque container.

Koutsogiannis points out that you should also “Avoid olive oil in plastic bottles — it degrades the oil. Always go for dark glass or metal tins.” She also notes that the “Greek olive oil, Myrtos Extra Virgin Olive Oil, might only be at select [Costco] locations or online. But it’s worth seeking out!”

Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is characterized by its extra thick and creamy texture, tangy flavor, and higher protein content. This results from the additional whey being strained out, leading to a denser product and a greater concentration of flavor.

Koutsogiannis gives Costco’s Greek yogurt the seal of approval, saying it’s “ideal for making homemade tzatziki or just enjoying with honey and walnuts for breakfast.” Yogurt also tends to be expensive, making the bulk retailer the perfect place to snag a 48-ounce tub for a reasonable price.

The Greek items you shouldn’t buy at Costco

Pre-crumbled feta cheese

This rule undoubtedly applies to all grocery stores because pre-crumbled feta cheese — convenient as it may be — lacks the brine that is so important for keeping feta moist and flavorful. When purchasing feta, Koutsogiannis emphasizes that you should “always go for a block of feta in brine. The texture and flavor are far superior. Crumbled versions tend to be dry and overly salty.”

Feta is aged in brine, and you can buy blocks of it in rectangular containers that still include this salty liquid, which keeps the cheese moist, creamy, and flavorful. (The brine itself can even be used for cooking — it makes a delicious chicken marinade.) Many pre-crumbled fetas contain extra anti-caking agents to prevent the cheese from clumping together, which will further affect its final texture. Koutsogiannis recommends looking for imported feta still in the brine, emphasizing “If you find it, grab it!”

Premade Greek salad dressings

If you’ve tasted both a homemade Greek dressing and a bottled version, it’s clear which one is superior. Besides lacking fresh ingredients — like freshly squeezed lemon juice — Koutsogiannis explains that most premade dressings “are made with poor-quality oils and ingredients that don’t come close to traditional Greek flavors.” It’s worth taking the time to make your own and serve it with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and some of that feta from the brine in a Greek salad.

Premade chicken souvlaki skewers

For those unfamiliar, chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish featuring marinated chicken cut into smaller pieces and grilled on skewers. Similar to salad dressings, Koutsogiannis points out that you’ll benefit from using fresh ingredients here. She details that “making your own marinade with lemon, garlic, oregano, and good olive oil will deliver a way more authentic and flavorful result.” If you’re grilling lemony, garlicky chicken souvlaki outside this summer, you’ll want to ensure it’s the best version possible.