11 Most Underrated Costco Kirkland Brand Items You’re Currently Missing Out On

Costco's Kirkland Signature products have an excellent reputation. In fact, one of the best Costco hacks is to try to save money by purchasing Kirkland Signature versions of items instead of splurging on name brands.

Many Costco members swear that they cannot tell the difference between a Kirkland Signature product and the name-brand version of the same item.

But which Kirkland Signature items are best? Here are some underrated products to add to your cart.

These picks span the pantry, the freezer, and the deli case, so there's a good chance at least a few of them are already on your regular shopping list without you realizing they're a Kirkland Signature swap.

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

Price: $8.99

Canned foods can be a great addition to your pantry, especially if you can use them as an ingredient for sauces, soups, chili, salsa, and more.

These come in an 8-count case of 14.5-ounce cans, which works out to a solid price per ounce compared to buying organic diced tomatoes one can at a time at a regular grocery store. 

Because they're certified organic and packed without added preservatives, they're a reasonable base for anything that calls for canned tomatoes, from a quick weeknight marinara to a pot of chili. Keeping a case in the pantry means you're rarely caught without a key ingredient for a last-minute meal.

Buying Kirkland Signature tomatoes is just one example of how you can save more on groceries by skipping the name brands.

Price: $14.99

Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup has only one ingredient: maple syrup. There are no added sweeteners or sugars.

The syrup comes in a 33.8-ounce jug, roughly a liter, which is significantly more than the 12-ounce bottles typically sold at grocery stores for a similar or higher price. It's certified USDA organic and sourced from Canadian sugar bushes, with a flip-cap jug that makes it easy to pour without a funnel. 

Because it's 100% pure syrup rather than a pancake syrup blend, it also works well in marinades, salad dressings, or baked goods where you want real maple flavor rather than an imitation.

The pure maple syrup is sure to make pancakes and waffles delicious. Or, you can add it to recipes to replace other sweeteners.

Remember to refrigerate it after opening.

Price: $12.99

Guacamole can be difficult to make. It can also start turning brown after sitting out for a little while.

So, grab some Kirkland Signature Organic Chunky Guacamole, which comes in a box of 16 2.5-ounce containers. The self-serve containers guarantee that you'll have fresh guacamole every time.

Because each container is individually sealed, you only open what you need, which cuts down on the browning and waste that comes with a single large tub. That makes this option well suited for lunchboxes, quick snacks with chips, or topping tacos and burrito bowls without committing to a whole batch at once. 

It's also a convenient grab for parties, since guests can take their own portion without everyone dipping into the same container.

Price: $16.79

Bacon tastes good, but it can take a while to make. And what happens if you just want a few slices for a BLT or need a slice or two to crumble up for a salad?

Costco has you covered with Kirkland Signature Fully-Cooked Bacon. It merely needs a quick warm-up in the microwave before it's ready to go for breakfast or other recipes.

Each two-slice serving comes in at roughly 90 calories and about 6 grams of protein, according to nutrition data for the product, so it's a reasonably lean option compared to frying up a full package from scratch. 

Because it's already cooked, it also cuts down significantly on morning prep time and the greasy stovetop cleanup that comes with pan-frying raw bacon. It's a handy shortcut for crumbling over salads, baked potatoes, or green beans without heating up the kitchen.

Price: $20.99

Olive oil is a great thing to have on hand in place of cooking spray or butter. It's also a delicious addition to plenty of recipes. Or you can pour a little on to a plate for dipping bread.

This organic version comes in a 2-liter bottle, considerably larger than the 16- to 17-ounce bottles typically found on regular grocery shelves, which is part of why it tends to work out cheaper per ounce. 

It's cold pressed and sourced from a blend of Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish olives, and the cold-press process is meant to preserve more of the flavor and nutrients than heat-extracted oils. Because it comes in such a large bottle, it's worth keeping in a cool, dark cabinet away from the stove to help it stay fresh longer.

Grab some Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil so you'll never run out. 

Price: $18.32

When you stock up on frozen meals from Costco's freezer section, don't forget to try fresh, pre-made meals as well.

One option is Kirkland Signature Chicken Street Tacos, which come as a kit with all the ingredients you need for the best tacos. You get tortillas, chicken, salsa, cheese, and more.

The kit specifically includes seasoned, grilled chicken, shredded vegetables, shredded cheese, a dozen corn and flour tortillas, cilantro lime crema, and tomato salsa, so there's little left to prep beyond warming everything up. 

Costco members have found creative ways to stretch the kit further, including rolling the chicken into enchiladas with the provided cheese and a can of enchilada sauce, or simmering the chicken in broth to bulk up the portions. Because everything comes pre-portioned, it's an easy weeknight dinner that still feels like a fresher option than a frozen meal.

Price: $18.99

Costco is well-known for its sheet cakes that you can order for special occasions. However, some of its other desserts might not get the recognition they deserve.

For example, have you tried the Kirkland Signature Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake? The mousse cake comes with layers of delectable dessert flavors. So, grab one for any occasion.

The cake weighs in at about 42 ounces, or roughly 2.6 pounds, and layers dark and white chocolate mousse over a chocolate cake base, which sets it apart from Costco's fruit-topped or coffee-flavored bar cakes. 

It has also built a strong following online, with Costco shoppers on Reddit warning that it's easy to eat the whole thing within a few days once it's opened. Because it's rich and dense, it tends to hold up well in the fridge for several days, making it a good option if you want dessert on hand without baking anything yourself.

Price: $19.16

Another pre-made meal you shouldn't overlook is the Kirkland Signature Meatloaf with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes.

The pre-made comfort food meal includes all the meatloaf and mashed potatoes you want, and it's ready to cook as soon as you get home.

The kit will cost around $20.

A single serving comes in at about 280 calories with 14 grams of protein, according to nutrition data for the product, making it a fairly substantial portion for a ready-to-cook meal. 

Because the meatloaf and mashed potatoes come together in one tray, there's no need to coordinate separate side dishes or extra pots and pans, which makes it a practical option on nights when cooking from scratch isn't realistic. 

It's also a good candidate for portioning into smaller containers if you want to stretch it across a couple of meals rather than serving it all at once.

Price: $13.69

You might not realize how affordable Kirkland Signature packs of nuts are until you try to buy them at a regular store and pay more per ounce.

One great example of how you can save is by purchasing Kirkland Signature Walnuts, which come in a 3-pound bag.

You can eat them on their own or chop them up to add to plenty of recipes, such as breads and cookies.

Walnuts are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is part of why nutritionists often recommend them as a snack alongside fruit or yogurt rather than eating them alone. Because the bag is resealable, portioning out a handful at a time helps keep the rest fresh rather than leaving the whole 3 pounds exposed to air. 

Toasting them lightly in a dry skillet before adding them to salads or baked goods can also bring out more of their natural flavor.

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Price: $18.99

If you really get excited about cheese, you might be tempted to try Costco's Whole Wheel Parmigiano Reggiano. You can order it from Costco's website at a weight of 72 pounds for almost $1,000.

However, we're guessing most shoppers will stick with the Kirkland Signature version here.

Parmigiano Reggiano is a protected designation of origin cheese, meaning it can only legally carry that name if it's made in a specific region of Italy under strict production standards, which is part of why it commands a higher price than generic parmesan. 

The Kirkland Signature version is imported and aged, giving it a sharper, nuttier flavor than the pre-grated parmesan sold in shaker containers. Because a hard cheese like this keeps well when wrapped tightly and refrigerated, buying a larger wedge is a practical way to always have good parmesan on hand for pasta, risotto, or salads.

Price: $5.79

Stock up on snacks at Costco with Kirkland Signature Organic White and Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips.

The snack food comes in a large 40-ounce bag, so you'll have plenty to munch on yourself. Or, grab a bag for parties and barbecues.

Because the chips are made from a blend of white and yellow corn, they offer a bit more visual variety and flavor depth than a single-corn chip, which can make them a better fit for a snack spread or charcuterie-style board. 

At 40 ounces, one bag can comfortably supply a party without needing a backup, and any leftovers keep well if the bag is resealed tightly or transferred to an airtight container.

As with all the items on this list, you probably will keep more cash in your wallet than if you had purchased a name-brand version of those chips.

Saving money while shopping is an easy way to save money on essentials, and Costco can be a great place to cut costs when you purchase Kirkland Signature items.

So, give the items on this list a second look. You just might find a new favorite Kirkland Signature product the next time you shop at Costco.

Because Kirkland Signature products are made by a rotating list of manufacturers, including some of the same companies that produce well-known name brands, quality can be surprisingly close to what you'd get from a pricier label. 

Trying one or two new items on each Costco run, rather than sticking to the same regular list, is an easy way to find more swaps like these without overhauling your entire shopping routine.