The 5 Kirkland Products I Can’t Leave Costco Without

Costco is known for carrying quality bulk products at a discounted rate. And their in-house label, Kirkland Signature, might be the best of the best in this category. Many of the Kirkland products are popular and established products from other well-known companies that have just been re-labelled. This allows Costco to bring in a wide variety of exclusive, celebrated items for a much lower price, from pantry and fridge staples to alcohol, coffee, household essentials, clothing, and even gas and pharmaceuticals. These five Kirkland gems are staples in my kitchen that I could not live without.

1. Raw Nuts

Costco carries the full gamut of nuts; and the price and quality can't be beat. At any given time, I have the Kirkland cashews, almonds (whole and sliced), pistachios, and hazelnuts stocked in my kitchen. I love using them to add crunch, texture, and flavor to what could otherwise be a boring meal.

Most of these nuts blend easily to add heft and creaminess to curries or sauces. But I also use them to make the occasional nut butter, which is always exponentially better than its premade counterparts. Outside of that, I love chopping them up finely and using them as a swap for breadcrumbs, making a creamy homemade plant milk for my coffee, and adding them to almost every muffin, quick bread, and baked oatmeal coming out of my kitchen. 

For an easy meal-prep hack, I always keep some toasted and ready to add to leafy greens and heartier grain or legume-based salads, oatmeal, and yogurt bowls. This morning I made chia pudding for breakfast and whipped up a quick walnut cream with dates and oat milk to top it with. It was delightful! And having the nuts on hand makes this kind of impromptu breakfast possible.

2. Coffee Beans

Another must-buy for me is Kirkland's espresso blend coffee beans, which I’ve been in a long-term relationship with for over a decade now. The Kirkland beans produce a smooth, robust espresso that my partner and I use every morning to make flat whites, cortados, lattes, and americanos with our truly beloved espresso machine. A two and a half pound bag lasts us a few weeks and the quality doesn’t diminish in that time. But the value is even more noticeable when we make cold brew. Because cold brewing requires a larger amount of coffee beans, the $18.99 price tag feels like a steal of a deal. 

3. Sparkling Water

My beige flag is that I'm a devoted bubbles-lover obsessed with that perfect combination of flavor and carbonation. While some people might end their workday with a glass of wine or a cocktail, I transition into evening by cracking open a can of sparkling water. I pour it over loads of ice, which I often flavor and/or freeze in a range of shapes and sizes, add a reusable straw, and savor every sip. 

This small but mighty daily ritual has become a highlight for me, so maintaining a stock of sparkling water is a priority. I also love using them to boost the flavor of low-alcohol cocktails or mocktails, while limiting the sugar. It’s speculated that the Kirkland brand of sparkling water is a LaCroix dupe and I think it might be true! A flat offers an assortment of lemon, lime, and grapefruit bevvies at around 23 cents a can–far cheaper than brands like LaCroix or Spindrift. 

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4. Parmigiano Reggiano

Do you remember that Ikea commercial where a woman comes running out of the store with bags of stuff yelling, “start the car?” The premise is that even though she’s already paid, she thinks she needs to make a quick getaway because it feels like she’s stealing. The parm is Costco’s “start the car” item.

Parmigiano Reggiano is highly regulated and only produced in Italy. Because it’s imported, it comes with a hefty price tag. But Kirkland offers it for around 40 percent less than the standard retail price. Aged for 24 months, this real-deal Italian parm has the perfect nutty, crystalline texture that’s great for simply cutting up and snacking on. 

But like any responsible adult, I shower this flavor powerhouse onto pastas, pizzas, soups, salads, roasted veggies, and into vinaigrettes. A wedge lasts ages when properly wrapped and refrigerated. And I transform the rinds into puffy croutons in my microwave or save extras to impart an umami richness into soup.

5. Maple Syrup

Finally, one indulgent Kirkland product I never skip out on is the Kirkland organic maple syrup. That aromatic, woodsy flavor is reminiscent of the charming Canadian sugar shacks I grew up around. I love it in a cozy pot of slow-cooked beans and as an alternative sweetener in cakes, muffins, and breads. I'll use it in place of honey to achieve maximum maple flavor in granola or a batch of breakfast cookies, but breakfast is where this sweetener really shines. Hot pancakes or crispy-edged waffles drizzled with real maple syrup is one of the best starts to a weekend morning. 

With the utmost quality and value across these five Kirkland items, I always make sure to allot space in my cart before leaving Costco. They've absolutely earned their keep as kitchen must-haves.