Costco Is Now Selling Açaí Bowls—and We Love It!
Updated: May 30, 2018
We love Costco for the deals, but the samples and ready-to-eat foods (rotisserie chicken, anyone?), make the trip even better!
Costco locations in select markets are now serving up something that’s even better than the chain’s amazing $4.99 rotisserie chickens and the best pizza in the world. It’s true! You can now buy açaí bowls—healthy, spoonable smoothie bowls—to cool you off while you do your grocery shopping at Costco.
Wait—What Is Açaí?
It’s a superfood berry that’s red/deep purple in color and grows on the açaí palm tree, which is native to Central and South America. It’s packed with antioxidants (which help you look younger) and is super tasty when blended from frozen into a thick smoothie-like texture. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the Costco açaí bowls!
Here’s how to pronounce “açaí” the right way.
What’s All the Hype?
These bright purple superfood bowls are trendy on Instagram already (like lattes made with turmeric!), with specialty juice bars and restaurants selling them for around $10 a pop. Thankfully, like with most other things at Costco, you don’t have to worry about the price. You’ll get a great deal on this bowl because it’s only $4.99.
Looks like the frozen delights are made with a classic açaí blend (usually berries blended with more fruit and/or non-dairy milk), and topped with fresh fruit, banana chips and granola. Not too shabby for less than $5!
Where Can I Get One?
The bowls have already been introduced to Costco food courts in California, Oregon and Hawaii, but don’t fret if you’re not on the West Coast. Word is there are plans to expand nationwide by mid-June, so you can get your refreshing fix very soon.
Just can’t wait? Check your local grocery store for frozen açaí packets, which is how açaí tends to be sold here. Blend the fruit up with a little coconut water or non-dairy milk, add your choice of tasty toppings and enjoy. If you’re on the go, throw frozen açaí into one of your favorite smoothie recipes for an extra boost of color and nutrients!
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Pina Coladas
Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make drink can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Morning Orange Drink
I love to treat overnight guests to this creamy orange frappe. Just blitz a few basic ingredients in your blender and enjoy. —Joyce Mummau, Mount Airy, Maryland
Strawberry-Peach Milk Shakes
You'll either need thick drinking straws or spoons to enjoy this refreshing shake that combines two favorite fruits—strawberries and peaches—for a thirst-quenching treat. —Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine
Favorite Banana Split Smoothies
I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade
This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Thick Strawberry Shakes
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cranberry-Banana Smoothies
When the big meal is over, I make a smoothie using leftover cranberry sauce. Don’t have a frozen banana? Use a regular banana and add more ice. —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Horchata
In this Horchata recipe, the mixture of ground rice and almonds is accented with a hint of lime. Depending on your preference, you can use more or less water for a thinner or creamier beverage. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie
We love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It's so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack. — Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota
Strawberry-Carrot Smoothies
My children resist veggies, but they love this carrot smoothie. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
So-Healthy Smoothies
This tastes like a milk shake, but it doesn't have the guilt or fat. My husband and I look forward to it in the morning. It's so good for you, and it will keep you energized for hours. —Jessica Gerschitz, Jericho, New York
Cherry Cobbler Smoothies
It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I want to make it count, so I created this fruity and refreshing smoothie packed with good-for-you cherries and vanilla yogurt. —Sherry Mote, Marietta, Georgia
Strawberry Lime Smoothies
Peak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
Coconut Lover's Frappe
I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Makeover Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Milk Shake
I’m not a big sweets person, but I’ll slurp down a milk shake from Steak ‘n Shake any day! —Sarah Cowley, Houston, Texas
Red and Blue Berry Lemonade Slush
This delightfully sweet-tart beverage showcases fresh raspberries and blueberries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Fruity Smoothies
Strawberry or blueberry yogurt also work with the flavors in this smoothie. —Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, Pennsylvania
Creamy Lemon Milk Shakes
Several different recipes inspired the combination of ingredients I use in these shakes, and I'm glad they did! They're so refreshing. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Mango-Peach Smoothies
This is my toddler son's favorite breakfast—he'll take one of these over pancakes any day! Get creative when mixing fruits and fruit-flavored yogurts; we love peach yogurt with mango, strawberry yogurt with blueberries or pina colada yogurt with mango and banana. —Dana Herra, DeKalb, Illinois
Cherry Fruit Smoothies
You need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
Mango Melba Shakes
When we go camping in our trailer, we like to serve this vitamin-packed, refreshing drink when company pops in. —John Slivon, Milton, Florida
