Costco certainly has a lot of great, well-praised products on shelves—but what about the incredible items that don’t frequently get hyped up?
We all have our go-to shopping items. Maybe like my household, you always make sure to stock up on butter, eggs, and some of the delicious frozen foods the warehouse has to offer when you stop at Costco. And of course, no one should leave without a hot dog combo or a rotisserie chicken. But have you ever wondered what you might be missing out on? With such a wide selection, you’re bound to overlook some goodies. That’s where the help of the internet comes in.
Across the ‘net, Costco shoppers love to swap tips about their favorite must-have products, including the “underrated” ones you may have never tried. Below, we’re rounding up four of the best ones you should consider picking up next time you go to the warehouse, as recommended by superfans.
1. Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto
If you love to cook Italian food, you've got to try out the Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto. Whether you toss pasta in it, dip bread in it, or whip up a delicious caprese salad, you can't go wrong with this sauce, which features basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. You can get 22oz for just around $10—and at such a great price, the taste is amazing, too.
"It's hard to imagine a more versatile sauce," writes Costco shopper Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD in EatingWell. "You can use it as a spread on sandwiches, stirred into soup, tossed with pasta or potatoes, or as the base for pizza. Since you only need a little to impart a lot of flavor, this container from Costco goes a long way."
3. Kirkland American Vodka
If you haven't hopped on the Kirkland Vodka train yet, consider this your sign. Sure, we all know about the sprawling wine collection at every warehouse. But don't let that keep you away from Kirkland American Vodka, which has been gaining praise across the internet.
One Reddit post asked, "What is the most underrated item at Costco that folks are truly missing out on?" and many people jumped to share their enthusiasm over the vodka. In fact, some say the taste is comparable to a much more expensive brand: Absolut. But you'll have to try it for yourself to be the judge of that.
2. Kirkland Virginia-Style Peanuts
Costco shopper Katie Workman swears by these Virginia-Style peanuts. To be fair, it's hard to go wrong with peanuts. This simple food is salty and satiating—basically everything we look for when we're seeking out our ideal afternoon pick-me-up. But when you find a really good nut, that's the jackpot. And that seems to be the case with these nuts from Costco, which are larger (and apparently tastier) than your run-of-the-mill peanuts.
"Kirkland Virginia-style peanuts taste like perfection," Workman wrote for The Kitchn. "They are generously salted, deeply nutty, and super crunchy. Back when we worked in the office, my colleague and I used to have joint custody of a can in a desk drawer and go in for handfuls several times a day. The drawer part was meant to slow us down, but it has only been somewhat successful." Ha!
4. Pre-Cooked Kirkland Bacon
Okay, okay, pre-cooked bacon may not sound as appetizing as a fresh-cooked piece straight from the skillet, but hear us out: it can be extremely convenient! And Kirkland's variety definitely delivers in terms of flavor. One Reddit comment on the previously mentioned post made sure to give kudos to this underrated item.
"You just stick em in the microwave for a minute for some nice bacon, no oil mess to clean up!! and the package comes with like 50 bacon strips it really lasts a while," they wrote. Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it. BLT, anyone?
READ MORE: 10 Costco Items That Have The Highest Ratings And Reviews: 'So Good'
