This may come as a shock, but not all Costco buys are a good idea
Spices and seasonings are the unsung heroes of the kitchen. The right amount can elevate a dish in an instant, and usually all it takes is a pinch here and a dash there. Which is a good thing because those spices aren’t cheap! The prices for those tiny jars can be enough to make you wonder if you really need that dried tarragon, or if you can swap in something else for marjoram. And those items don’t even remotely touch the price of saffron, the most expensive spice on the block.
With that in mind, you might think that Costco is the best place to stock up on those flavorful little jars. After all, Costco is the place to go for great deals—or at least it is for most things. But the reality is, not everything should be purchased in bulk, including soda, bread and, yep, spices.
So what’s the issue? Read on to find out.
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Why shouldn’t you buy spices in bulk at Costco?
There are a few reasons why buying spices in bulk at Costco (or anywhere, for that matter) isn’t a great idea, even when the price per ounce is so, so tempting. Here’s what you need to know.
Spices lose flavor over time
That giant canister of paprika might deliver loads of flavor when you first open it, but over time, that flavor will weaken. Will you use it all before that happens? Probably not.
“The majority of recipes use only a small amount of spices,” says Amy Casey, a personal chef and food blogger. “You add a teaspoon here and a half teaspoon there. It will take literally months and even years to use up a large container of spices. Over time, spices lose their flavor and vibrancy. They will still add seasoning to your cooking, but it won’t be with the same punch of flavor as you get from newer spices.”
Bulk spices aren’t really that great of a deal
Hold on—isn’t Costco all about low prices? It is, but the math isn’t mathing in this case. At Costco, a 20.1-ounce canister of Olde Thompson Ground Nutmeg costs $11.99. That’s roughly 60 cents per ounce. At Walmart, a 1.5-ounce jar of Great Value Ground Nutmeg is priced at $2.58. That’s $1.72 per ounce. At first glance, the bulk buy seems like the better per-ounce deal. However, the chances of you finishing that oversized canister of nutmeg before it goes flat is unlikely, so that per-ounce price doesn’t quite add up.
“Spices carry essential oils that hold their flavor and aroma. Once exposed to air, light or heat, those oils start to fade. So that ‘deal’ often turns into wasted flavor and wasted money,” explains Maricel Gentile, a professional chef and restaurateur. “I show students in my cooking classes that even in my commercial kitchen, I keep only small amounts of what I need and buy fresh on a regular basis.”
Large, bulky spice canisters take up a lot of space
Let’s factor in storage space when considering whether Costco’s bulk spices are a good buy. Relatively compact spice racks can hold around 16 spice jars. But if you’re filling your kitchen or pantry with 20-ounce containers? Now we’re talking about serious shelf space. And considering how long it will take for you to use up those bulk spices, the oversized canisters will be sitting on those shelves for quite a while.
Similarly, this is why Costco’s bulk ground beef isn’t necessarily a great buy either. You need a lot of freezer space to store that stuff!
How long do spices typically last?
This depends on the spice and the form it comes in. “Spices have a recommended shelf life,” Casey says. “It’s a good idea to take an inventory of your spice cabinet every six months. Spices don’t spoil or go bad in the same sense as traditional food. Take a pinch of spice, and rub it in your hand. If it smells faint and a small taste is bland, it’s time to buy some new spices.”
Here’s a quick overview of a few popular types of spices so you can get a sense of how much this can vary:
- Ground spices (such as sage and ginger): These ground-up spices have a shelf life of up to three years.
- Dried “leafy” spices (like basil and thyme): Casey says these are best used within about one year.
- Whole spices (like peppercorns, cumin seeds and whole nutmeg): These can last up to four years.
- Kosher salt: “This is the one spice that can be used forever,” Casey says. “It’s the one I recommend buying in bulk.”
Is it ever a good idea to buy bulk spices at Costco?
Like Casey, Gentile agrees that buying salt at Costco is a good idea. And that’s not the only bulk buy they recommend—though they don’t have a simple answer for you.
“The only time I suggest buying larger amounts is when it is something you use every day—like black peppercorns, sea salt or even garlic powder, if that is part of your cooking style,” Gentile says. “In my Filipino kitchen, I go through a lot of annatto seeds and whole peppercorns, so it makes sense to keep a bigger bag. But I still store them properly, in airtight jars away from heat and light. For most spices, smaller, fresher portions will always give you better results.”
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Sources:
- Amy Casey, personal chef and blogger at Amy Casey Cooks; interviewed, August 2025
- Maricel Gentile, chef and owner of Maricel’s Kitchen; interviewed, August 2025
