Costco’s $21 Mousse Cake Is Rich and Decadent, Plus 9 More Food Deals That Taste Gourmet

Saving money on everyday staples is the most obvious Costco membership perk, especially at a time when grocery bills feel higher than ever. But if low prices were the only draw, the bulk retailer likely wouldn't enjoy its near-legendary status.

Another benefit is access to Costco's Kirkland Signature food line, which arguably delivers flavors that taste more expensive than their price tags may suggest. Here's a curated selection of our favorites that could practically be gourmet.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $27.23

Two 12-ounce filets of smoked Chilean salmon come in this two-pack, which some shoppers claim they devour within a day.

This find is a favorite brand of smoked salmon, thanks to a smooth and buttery texture. The smokiness isn't overpowering, either. Compared to $59.99 for one pound from Harry & David, it's also a great deal.

Price: $22.69

Costco's generously-sized, 12-inch cheesecake is a classic example of doing something simple 100% correctly with incredible results. The flavor isn't too sweet, the tang is on point, the texture is smooth, the crust is crumbly, and the topping is luscious. Foodies sing its praises with gusto.

Harry & David's signature offering sells for twice the price, while Junior's sells for nearly $60.

Price: $16.79 per pound

Beloved by Redditors and foodies all over the Internet, Costco's house brand Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is the real deal.

It's made in Italy under the careful eye of cheese masters who certify its authenticity, age, and quality. Experts say the flavor is "distinctly sweet, slightly nutty, and pleasantly fruity," and that the texture is spot on.

Price: $14.74

Costco members keep this two-pack of pasta (three pounds total) on hand for weeknight dinners, but experts say it's higher-end (and cheaper) than mainstream brands. Redditors prefer it to Amy's prepared 9.5-ounce pesto bowls, which sell for nearly $6 at Walmart.

Enjoy it in pasta salads, air-fried, or with sauces, aromatics, and greens.

Price: $15.88

Vanilla ice cream isn't often expected to be the star, but Redditors swear that Costco's is singular in its deliciousness. Perhaps that's because it's manufactured by Humboldt Creamery, which adheres to extremely high standards of dairy farming and cultivation.

At this price for two half gallons, that's approximately half of the price of dominant mainstream brands.

Price: $11.34

Bright, fresh, and herbaceous, Costco's basil pesto is a hit with customers and connoisseurs alike. This versatile condiment beats out grocery store options thanks to its lack of preservatives.

"We've had pesto all over the world and it is very good when it is fresh," one member shared. "However, this is the best pesto in a jar we've ever had."

Price: $13.61 per pound

To be authentic Manchego cheese, the product must be cultivated from sheep's milk in the La Mancha region of Spain, and this crowd-pleasing Costco offering is.

Its flavor and texture pass muster with well-traveled Manchego lovers and regular shoppers alike, with all of the creaminess and nuttiness you'd expect. "It's the best cheese I've ever had," one shopper raved.

Price: $6.80

Could a dozen croissants at such a low price actually be worthy of space in your gourmet pantry? Croissant aficionados enthusiastically say yes.

Croissants are supposed to be buttery yet light, rich yet flaky, and soft yet chewy in just the right way. Costco's croissants are all of that to the point of almost being fresh from the corner bakery delicious. Almost.

Price: $20.99

Hundreds of Redditors praise this find, and over 6,000 Costco members give it 4.8 stars. Even esteemed Chef Samin Nosrat uses it in her kitchen.

But this humble 2-liter bottle costs a fraction of what premium olive oils can sell for, despite the fact that it checks all of the boxes of a high-quality offering.

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Price: $21.55

You'd be hard-pressed to find a negative comment about this decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert. It's chocolate upon chocolate upon chocolate, but balanced perfectly so it feels light all while tasting more expensive than its price tag.

The trick is the combination of mousse with ganache, dense and creamy, and light and dark. The totality creates a texture-flavor combination that results from having every layer in the right order.

Costco is well-known for helping shoppers save on groceries, but that's only part of its appeal. The big box juggernaut is also packed with food finds that taste far more gourmet than you'd ever expect from a grocery store.

And it's not just Kirkland Signature that's ripe for exploring; Costco also carries a standout mix of exceptional brands and products. There's something to satisfy every discerning palate.