25 Costco Foods You Should Try (At Least) Once In Your Lifetime

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There are countless reasons people love Costco. The deals, the food court, the ever-changing inventory of household goods and groceries — it all rocks. Kirkland Signature products are another major draw. In fact, many of the proprietary products have developed a cult following thanks to their superior quality, delicious tastes, and fantastic prices. With so many options bearing the Kirkland label, though, it can be challenging to determine which to add to your cart. No need to worry, though. I rounded up a list of Costco foods everyone should have the pleasure of trying at least once in their life, and it's sure to point you in the right direction.

From irresistible bakery items and pre-made meals to the best bang-for-your-buck frozen items, these are the Costco products you don't want to miss on your next trip to the warehouse store. In fact, if you only buy these items, your membership will still be worth it in our book.

Not every ready-made meal at Costco hits the mark, but the Kirkland Signature Chicken Street Tacos kit is one you can feel confident purchasing. Not only can it feed quite a few people, but it oozes lots of authentic flavor to keep you coming back for more.

The kit comes with 12 corn and flour tortillas, a hearty amount of grilled chicken (seasoned perfectly with taco-style spices), shredded cheese, salsa, cilantro lime crema, lime wedges, and shredded veggies to add a bit of crunch. Every ingredient is fresh, and the tacos are deconstructed, so you can build them however you choose.

Whether you need a quick refuel or you want to feed a crowd, Costco's food court pizza is there for the win. You can score a single slice for $1.99 or an entire 18-inch pie for just under $10 (before tax). Both the plain and pepperoni varieties are solid pies of consistent quality.

While it isn't a gourmet pie — not by a long shot — it has a nostalgic taste that just about anyone can enjoy. It reminds me of school pizza parties, which I recall fondly. Plus, for the price, it's hard to find anything to truly complain about.

The Kirkland Signature label boasts many cheese options; some of these Costco cheeses you should buy, and others you should skip. The Coastal Rugged Mature English Cheddar, however, is one cheese that shouldn't be missed.

Unlike a run-of-the-mill cheddar, this English Cheddar is a farmhouse-style cheese that's aged for up to 15 months. As a result, it boasts a lovely sweetness, lots of sharp flavor, and naturally occurring calcium chunks throughout that add a lovely, slightly crunchy textural variation. It's far from your average cheddar, in the best way possible, and it has enough punch to amplify any dish you add it to.

Costco's bakery butter croissants have a cult following for a reason. For starters, they come at a stellar price — about $6 for a dozen. They are also baked fresh and deliver all the buttery, flaky goodness you could want. Whether you eat them as-is, turn them into sandwiches, or stuff them with sweet ingredients, they won't disappoint.

The chocolate-filled croissants are another shining star in Costco's bakery department. They have all the delicious traits of the plain ones, but are also sprinkled with powdered sugar and overflowing with chocolatey goodness from the inside out. Give them a try, and they'll instantly make you a lifelong fan. Ask me how I know.

Another thing I urge you not to skip in Costco's bakery is the Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake. Made with layers of chocolate cake, both white and classic chocolate mousse, brownie chunks, chocolate ganache, and a smattering of chocolate shavings, it is the stuff chocolate dreams are made of. 

Decadent beyond belief, moist, and creamy enough to make any chocolate fanatic start drooling by sight alone, it is a master class in what cake should taste like. It is also large enough to feed a party. However, if you don't make your way through the entire thing as quickly as you'd like, it also holds up exceptionally well in the freezer. Winning!

Not all frozen fries are made alike; Kirkland Signature Extra Crispy French Fries are proof of that. In fact, they are one item I'll go out of my way for.

Unlike many other competing brands, the fries truly come out of the air fryer or oven incredibly crispy on the outside and deliciously soft in the center, almost like they just emerged from a restaurant's deep fryer. Obviously, they make a wonderful side dish for countless meals too, so keeping them on hand will serve you well. That won't be hard to do, either, because they come in a massive 5-pound bag.

Typically, I'm the first person to complain about vanilla ice cream being a waste of a flavor. Not Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream, though. It's so tasty that it made me a true believer in the flavor's potential.

Delectably rich and creamy, and overflowing with vanilla, Kirkland Signature's recipe is something to be marveled. It's anything but boring, and it puts other brands' poor renditions of the flavor to shame. It may not be one of the top three cold treats the store has to offer — I've ranked the best and worst Costco frozen desserts – but if you're after a versatile, crowd-pleasing ice cream that comes at a fantastic value, it will blow you away.

Of all the cheeses sold at Costco, Kirkland Signature Imported Double Crème French Brie is another one I strongly urge you to try at least once. Firstly, it brings a premium taste to the table that other store brands simply don't achieve. It's rich, creamy, and has funky undertones that any fan of brie will swoon for — and it melts like a champ when heated.

To top it all off, it also comes at a low price. You get a 1.32-pound wheel for about $11, and considering how well it performs in the flavor and texture arenas, that's a steal.

Many store-bought pesto sauces are excessively oily and lack any semblance of fresh flavor, but you won't find anyone saying that about the Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto. Instead, it tastes like it was made mere moments ago, and it is far from greasy. It's got plenty of salty cheese to round out the fresh, bright taste of basil, and it clings to pasta and anything else you choose to put it on like a pro.

If you are looking for grocery store pasta sauces that taste homemade, look no further. I always have a jar of it in my fridge, and I doubt that will ever change.

Tortilla chips are a standard item in many homes, and luckily for us, Costco has us covered in that regard as well. There are several options on store shelves, but my favorite is the Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Strips. They are sturdy enough to hold up to a thick dip, like guacamole, yet still thin enough to be delightfully crispy. They also have the right amount of salt, something that makes or breaks many tortilla chips in my book.

Possibly best of all, Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Strips are one of several must-have Costco products that cost less than $5. You can buy an extra-large 3-pound bag for just $4.99. To keep them fresh after opening, I recommend putting them in a sealed bag in the fridge. If you do, they'll stay fresh for about a month, maybe longer.  

The Food Court pizza is one thing, but Costco's frozen pizza section is a sight to behold. There are several Kirkland Signature options to consider, and thankfully, the plain cheese, the cauliflower crust, and the pepperoni pizzas all have what it takes to satisfy both your wallet and your belly.

My top pick is the four-pack of cheese pizzas, which costs just over $12, because they taste great as-is. They also leave plenty of room for you to upgrade them with toppings at home. Regardless, my Costco-loving friends rave about the other two options as well, particularly the cauliflower crust variety, for its crispy texture and close resemblance to a typical flour-based dough.

Circling back to Costco's bakery, you'll find another product that everyone needs to try: Kirkland Signature Gourmet Chocolate Chunk Cookies. When it comes to cookies, they are phenomenal. Heck, I'd even go so far as to say that they beat a lot of homemade versions. They remain deliciously soft, feature tons of chocolate throughout, and have a slight touch of salt that makes all the flavors pop.

Buyer beware: Costco also sells a tub of mini chocolate chip cookies, and it's easy to think they would make a comparable choice. They do not. They are significantly worse, so make sure to go for the full-sized ones.

If you have never heard of Costco's Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken, you're in for a treat. It's another food product that has a legendary following. In-store, it costs less than $5 (slightly more if you do same-day delivery), but that's just the first reason members like it so much.

Customers also rave about the rotisserie chicken because it is always freshly made, loaded with savory seasonings, juicy, and marvelously tender to boot. Of course, there are plenty of ways to put it to good use as well. It easily makes a main course but can also be pulled off the bone and used to bulk up sandwiches, soups, pasta dishes, and more.

Inexpensive wine often lacks flavor, or, at its worst, has an unappealing one. However, Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio Friuli proves this isn't always the case. In-store, a bottle costs just under $7 in most locations, but don't let that dissuade you; it punches well above its weight.

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio Friuli is bright, crisp, smooth, and refreshing. It is also the epitome of a drinkable wine, making it ideal for just about any preference and perfect for sipping on a warm day. Plus, since it is priced so low, it makes a wonderful cooking wine.

Another gem to consider in the pre-made meal section of Costco is the Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese. It may not look like much in the package, but after heating, it transforms into the most gooey, cheesy, creamy mac and cheese. Talk about flavor, too. I'm drooling just thinking about it, and if I were served it at a top-notch restaurant, I'd be thrilled.

The final price of Costco's pre-made mac is determined by the weight of each package. In my experience, though, they tend to run between $15 and $18, and you get more than enough to make complete meals for at least four people.

Extra dry, light, fruity, and wonderfully effervescent, Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG is another bottle that deserves a spot in every shopper's cart. In addition to being an outstanding representation of a quality Prosecco, it is priced right.

In-store, a bottle of the Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG comes at the low price of under $10 (depending on location). As a result, it is ideal for entertaining a crowd without breaking the bank. No one will be the wiser that it is a more affordable bottle, either.

Whether you are looking for a drink that comes with serious hydration benefits, something to mix into smoothies, or just a bit of tropical flavor, Kirkland Signature Organic Coconut Water has your back. In-store, you can buy a case of 12 11.1-ounce cartons for just over $11.

Price aside, Costco's Organic Coconut Water is top-tier. It isn't made from concentrate, and unlike so many other popular brands, no sugar is added. The flavor is so pure that it doesn't need any help in that department from pesky additives. Instead, you get a bold coconut flavor with a hint of funkiness, and that's exactly what you want from a premium, pure product of this sort.

We've already covered some of Costco's most iconic deals, but the food court $1.50 hot dog combo is arguably the most beloved. The low price alone is enough to make many people instant fans, but after tasting, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with complaints.

Costco's combo comes with a soda or a bottle of water, and an all-beef dog that weighs ¼ pound or more on a soft bun. Depending on the store, the bun might even have sesame seeds on it. There are also plenty of fixings for you to load it up with, including freshly diced onions.

You don't have to be from New England to appreciate pure maple syrup. However, it can be a bit pricey — unless, of course, you buy it from Costco. A large 1-liter jug of Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup only costs $12.99, and that's just the first reason it should be on your shopping list.

Costco's Organic Pure Maple Syrup tastes phenomenal. Every drop is rich, sweet, and bursting with fresh maple flavor. It is also thick enough to cling to waffles and such, but not so thick that it won't pour over a stack of pancakes. 

For caffeine lovers, another must-try product at Costco has to be Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee. Thanks to it being made with coffee concentrate and water, nothing else, it boasts a potent coffee flavor that is undeniably robust. No surprises there since it isn't hiding behind cream or sugar. You could always add your own, but even without, the taste is smooth and satisfying.

In addition, a 12-pack of 11-ounce Colombian Cold Brew Coffee cans costs just under $18 in-store, or less in some locations. The cans make it easy to take with you on the go, and the low price means you won't have to overspend at a coffee shop.

Smooth, rich in flavor, and ultra-creamy, Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter is one of the best butters around (at least stateside). It doesn't matter what store you're shopping at, either. I credit the mouth-watering taste to the fact that it is made with 95% grass-fed butter, something that gives it a yummy rustic flavor, backed up by a smooth saltiness.

Pro tip: This is one Costco product you should be adding into your morning cup of coffee for a richer, creamier take. Don't knock it until you try it. Regardless, suffice it to say that it'll make just about anything it touches taste better.

Honey that comes in a cute little bear-shaped container is something many of us remember fondly. I know I do. However, even if you don't, Costco will show you exactly why so many people are drawn to the packaging with its Kirkland Signature Organic Raw Honey. Cuteness aside, it has the deliciously sweet, rich flavor that you only get from an organic, raw product.

Kirkland Signature Organic Raw Honey comes in a pack of three that costs just under $20. That may sound like a lot of honey, but once you get a taste, you'll see why having that much on hand is a smart move. 

The final Costco cheese I can't recommend enough is Kirkland Signature Fresh Mozzarella. The first pro is that you get two 18-ounce logs of it for less than $8, and that's a stellar deal. They are also pre-sliced and come in separately wrapped packages, so you don't have to power through the entire product super quickly. However, once you try it, you might want to.

Costco's Fresh Mozzarella tastes so fresh it'll make you question whether you've ever had a store-brand product that even comes close in terms of quality. It's also soft, juicy, and melts like it's its job. 

Costco sells two types of Kirkland Signature Vodka, an American and a French version. While both have their own redeeming qualities, the latter blows the former out of the water in terms of quality and flavor. I should know; I wrote an ultimate guide to Costco's vodka options.

Kirkland Signature Five Times Distilled French Vodka tastes like a premium pick, because it is. Both the nose and palate are smooth and inviting. I have no qualms about drinking it over ice, either, so you won't need a mixer to make it palatable. Surprisingly, a 1.75-liter bottle only costs about $20. With this in mind, it is a value pick that won't leave you feeling like you sacrificed quality for a low price.

We already know the rotisserie chicken at Costco is a fan favorite. Iif you want some of that same great flavor in a more complete meal, the Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Enchilada Bake is the way to go.

Made with a mix of black and pinto beans, tri-colored bell peppers, cheddar cheese, cilantro and chipotle sauce, and, of course, the store's famous rotisserie chicken, it is a flavorful delight. In fact, more than one of my friends told me they purchase it on a regular basis. It also comes in a ready-to-bake container, so it is perfect whenever a hassle-free lunch or dinner is in order.

As a Costco fan myself, I have experience with almost every product mentioned in this list. There are a few exceptions, but rest assured I consulted several of my membership card-carrying friends to verify that the foods I haven't tasted still fit the bill in terms of must-try items.