24 Costco Foods With Cult Followings

Costco's recent entry into the chicken-sandwich wars — sadly, only in Canada — has U.S. Costco devotees taking to social media to express their jealousy. The uninitiated may wonder what the fuss is about, but veteran Costco shoppers probably aren't surprised. After all, Costco is full of foods that have long pleased the palates and stoked the passions of devoted members, most of them sold under the chain's own Kirkland Signature label. Need a primer? We've rounded up some of the most beloved items to watch for on your next bulk buying spree.

Prices and availability are subject to change. Select prices may be lower in-store.

Related: The Best Finds at Costco

Price: CA$4.89

Only available at Costco food courts in Canada, the new fried chicken sandwich has U.S. Costco fans drooling in hopeful anticipation. The sandwich has a not-insubstantial 800 calories and reportedly comes on Costco's own cheesy buns, which are tasty enough in their own right. Also worth noting: Canadian shoppers can order chicken wings at Costco food courts, only deepening Americans’ south-of-the-border envy.

Related: Fast Food Dishes With Downright Obsessive Followings

Price: $12
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As with most things Costco, these muffins are big. Really big. And though Money rightly warns that they're close to 700 calories a piece, that doesn't make them any less tasty. As Costco reviewer Costcuisine raves, they're moist, cake-like, and not overly sweet. Just don't forget the glass of milk. If you get them in-store, you can get two packages of just chocolate (or just blueberry), but you're stuck with one of both when buying online.

Related: Costco Brand Products That Shoppers Love

Price: $6
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It's the granddaddy of all Costco food buys: The mouthwatering rotisserie chicken. At 3 pounds, it's bigger (and as most fans would argue, much tastier) than the more expensive birds at other supermarkets.

Price: $18
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A staple of this author's Costco list, the Kirkland sausage and beef lasagna is an ideal weeknight meal for a busy family. Each 3-pound tray is easy to prepare, hearty, and much tastier than your typical frozen lasagna. But don't take my word for it: It nails a taste test by The (San Jose) Mercury News, easily shrugging off other brands.

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Price: $20
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This product is among the most budget-friendly of Costco's many store-brand coffee choices, but that doesn't mean it's no good. In fact, quite the contrary — and you'll save quite a bit if it replaces a Starbucks habit. "The coffee is dark, robust, fragrant and tastes REAL GOOD!" one Amazon reviewer says. "Cost is close to one-tenth of the snarky coffee shop coffee prices."

Price: $16
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Attention, discerning cooks: There's no need to overspend on that small, fancy bottle of extra virgin olive oil at the gourmet grocery store. Experts say the Kirkland Signature brand, sold at Costco in a big green 2-liter bottle, is its equal in every way, and perhaps even superior. It has also earns a recommendation from chef Samin Nosrat of Netflix's "Salt Fat Acid Heat."

Price: $13
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As loyal customers on Reddit note, since it's organic, you'll need to stir this peanut butter to distribute the oil. But if you're willing to expend a little elbow grease, you'll be rewarded with peanut butter that actually tastes like peanuts, not sugar.

Price: $10
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It's hard to compete with the king of breakfast, Dunkin', when it comes to bagels. But Consumer Reports says Costco manages, offering just the right balance of crispy and chewy. It's also hard to beat the price, as long as you're OK with buying a dozen at a time.

Price: $20 (varies by weight)
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This taco kit, available with the prepared foods, may seem pricey, but that's still a lot cheaper than a family Chipotle run. It also gets a huge thumbs-up from nearly everyone who's shelled out for this convenient, no-prep dinner. As one Redditor raves, "I have to say, they are delicious. And this is coming from someone who thinks of tacos as its own food group."

Price: $37 for 2-pack
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A good balsamic is a must for any foodie, and Costco's certainly qualifies. A nutritionist tells The Kitchn that it's one of her go-to warehouse buys, saying it's one of the best she’s tried. “I use it on salads and to finish soups or stews, and I even drizzle some on top of strawberries for a nice, light dessert.”

Price: $25 for 4-pack
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Kirkland's basic sliced bacon took the crown in a Consumer Reports taste test, though the experts note you'll need some freezer space since you have to buy four 1-pound packs at a time. (That's a sacrifice we're willing to make.)

Price: $15
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You can get a feel for the popularity of nonperishable Kirkland Signature products by seeing how many resellers hawk them at a big markup on Amazon. In the case of these raisins, the answer is over a dozen. And yes, they are that tasty: "You get a nice thick coating of smooth, sweet milk, luscious chocolate around a delicious plump non-shriveled, non-tough raisin," says Costcuisine, a Costco food review site. "These are simple, not complicated, not fancy, but oh so good."

Price: $25
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These make a great appetizer — one of the best you can buy from Costco, according to The Kitchn — and the 6-pound bag ensures you're getting enough to feed your hungry guests. But we keep them on hand for family pasta nights, too, and even the occasional meatball sandwich.

Price: $21
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Move over, Cheesecake Factory: Costco beats you at your own game when it comes to this popular bakery basic. It's also the perfect canvas for any toppings you desire, whether that's fresh fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel. Best of all, it weighs in at 4.5 pounds, so there's plenty to go around … or horde to accompany your late-night binge-watching.

Price: $55
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Cheap protein bars often taste like cardboard, but that's not the case with this Costco staple. You'll get 21 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and a shockingly small amount of sugar — just 2 grams. "In the clean bar market, I used to rely on Quest," one reviewer says. "These bars taste better AND are significantly cheaper (?!?). Seems too good to be true — I'm not complaining."

Price: $6
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Cinnamon is one of those staples you expect to be the same wherever you get it, but Costco's cinnamon is a cut above the norm, devotees say. "The most flavorful cinnamon I've ever had, it has a bit of heat and a seriously cinnamon flavor," one Amazon reviewer says. "I wish I could make my whole house smell like this. Sounds kind of nuts to rave about a cinnamon, but once you smell it then taste it you will notice a huge difference. Regular cinnamon is very bland in comparison."

Price: $14
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If you've stopped by the Costco food court lately, you may already be familiar with the decadent chicken bakes, a glorious mashup of pizza dough, Caesar dressing, bacon, cheese, and of course, chicken. What you might not know is that you can find them in the freezer aisle, too. As Mashed notes, they aren't as good as the fresh ones, but we can personally vouch that they're still pretty good.

Price: $19
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How does "full and dense with big dairy flavor" sound? That's how Consumer Reports describes Costco's vanilla ice cream, which beat out name brands like Breyers and even Baskin-Robbins in its testing. Just make sure you have enough room in the freezer: You can typically only buy these half-gallon containers in twin packs.

Price: $17
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That vanilla ice cream would be awfully boring without a fun topping. Costco's praline pecans should do the trick, though they're equally good on salads or in baked goods. Devotees say they're the ultimate sweet, crunchy snack, though some are more enthusiastic than others. "These are so delicious that I actually weep when they are unavailable," one reviewer says. "Legit having a religious experience with these pecans, guys," another says.

Price: $13 (varies by weight)
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Here's one Costco standout you won't feel guilty about tossing in the cart. A longtime staple in the prepared foods section, Costco’s quinoa salad is tasty enough on its own, but as CostCuisine notes, it’s also an ideal base for other ingredients, like chicken or hard-boiled eggs, that make it heartier.

Price: $27
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Kirkland's vodka is almost the stuff of legend, and many buyers insist it's actually the same as Grey Goose — a claim that Grey Goose denies, and Costco won't comment either way. Whatever the truth, a taste test by The Kitchn says that it's much better than that iconic brand, and it’s also much cheaper.

Price: $7
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Smoothie lovers would do well to stock up on Costco's popular Greek yogurt, not just because it's a good value, but because it's darn tasty, especially for a nonfat version.

Price: $7
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Consumer Reports testers confirm what many buyers already know: Costco's almond butter is just as good, if not better than, many other top brands. They give it high marks for its slightly roasted, naturally sweet taste. "I'm completely obsessed," one Influenster reviewer says. "It's such a healthy way to make your snacks taste so yummy."

Price: $15
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A product that frequently lands on "what to buy at Costco" lists, the organic, 100% pure maple syrup is everything your regular supermarket brand probably isn't: namely, free of additives like corn syrup. It's a favorite of Consumer Reports and customers, too. "Tastes smooth and rich like maple syrup should with a beautiful, clear color," one Amazon reviewer says. "Infinitely better in taste, texture, and even appearance than those fake syrups like Aunt Jemima."