Kirkland’s Best and Worst
Millions of Americans shop at Costco, and it’s hard to beat in terms of quantity for price. Kirkland is Costco’s signature brand, but not all products are made equally. In fact, some Kirkland products have a reputation for being notoriously bad, while others are must-haves. Do you agree with these product picks?
1. Scented Laundry Beads
When it comes to laundry, you want to pull those clothes out smelling fresh and clean. Laundry beads are a great help with this, but you’ll want to avoid Kirkland’s. This is because the Kirkland ones don’t dissolve and instead create a goo that can complicate the process. That being said, you might be able to get away with it at high heat temperatures.
2. Burnt Ends
If you’re not familiar with burnt ends, they’re essentially a smoked and seasoned beef brisket. The packaging is a bit deceiving, as they look tender and tantalizing. However, this product is notoriously tough and chewy, and it’s a widely known fact that they’re pretty bad.
3. Kirkland Light Beer
When it comes to buying beer for a party, going for Kirkland is a great way to ensure a lot of stock for a reasonable price. But unfortunately, it tastes awful. Some people even report using it as a gag gift or exclusively for drinking games.
4. Bakery Cinnamon Rolls
This one is like playing the lottery, as some places report good cinnamon, while others don’t. For most people, the cinnamon rolls are very dry and have a sandy texture. Just be sure the ones you’re buying are baked fresh, and you’ll be good to go.
5. Original Spiced Rum
Kirkland seems to struggle a bit when it comes to alcoholic drinks, and to that end, the spiced rum also has quite a reputation. Some people report it smelling like hand sanitizer. Luckily, Costco has other rum options that are way better, so stick to those.
6. Marinara Sauce
Costco is absolutely loaded with plenty of tomato sauce options, and unfortunately, in comparison, Kirkland falls painfully short. Lots of people report it being very bland. However, it’s a solid starter sauce, just be ready to add your own ingredients to elevate it.
7. Dishwasher Pods
It’s argued that the quality of the dishwasher pods is dependent on your machine, as some machines struggle, but others don’t. Either way, a lot of people report that the Kirkland dishwasher detergent packs just don’t get the job done. They wouldn’t dissolve and didn’t do much to clean the dishes.
8. Pomegranate Juice
When it comes to pomegranate juice, it’s hard to beat brands like POM. But if you do decide to give Kirkland a try, just be ready for a watered-down taste. But hey, maybe that’s what you prefer.
9. Bath Tissue
If you’ve been shopping at Costco long time, you’ve probably heard the drama around the bath tissue. Sure, you get a lot for your money, but the quality just isn’t there. It’s very light and practically dissolves due to how thin it is.
10. Protein Bars
There are so many protein bars to choose from, all varying in taste, nutritional value, and packaging. But if you decide to go with Kirkland, just be ready for the texture. It comes across as pretty hard and can be difficult to snap off.
Now that we talked about lackluster products, here are 10 that won’t disappoint!
1. Extra Virgin Oil
When it comes to healthy eating, one of the first steps is to switch up your cooking oil. Extra virgin is certainly the best of the best, and luckily, Kirkland offers great bottles. The quality is there, making it all the more worthwhile.
2. Stretch Wrap
If you want a stretch wrap that’s super strong and durable, then Kirkland has you covered. Plus, they seem to last forever and are so easy to handle. Kirkland thought of everything when designing this product.
3. Cheese Tortellini
Sometimes you’re just not in the mood to cook a big meal. That’s totally understandable, especially after a long day. Luckily, the cheese tortellini at Kirkland is all you need. It comes together in minutes, tastes pretty great, and you can throw in some Kirkland pesto for extra fun.
4. Trash Bags
Trash bags can get a bit expensive, which is unfortunate considering how absolutely essential they are. Luckily, Kirkland offers great deals, and the boxes feel like they last forever. Plus, they’re quite durable, so you’re unlikely to tear them when you use them.
5. Premium Vanilla Ice Cream
Sometimes you just want to stock up on plain vanilla ice cream. After all, it goes with everything from cakes to pies to waffles. For the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to grab Kirkland’s. It’s actually quite tasty too, making it even better.
6. Chocolate Covered Treats
Kirkland comes to the rescue for sweet tooths as well. Both the chocolate-covered raisins and seasonal chocolate-covered dried mangoes are some of the favorites. They’re pretty tasty, and you can stash them around for when you feel like snacking.
7. Baby Wipes
For busy parents looking for easy products and affordability, the baby wipes are pretty solid. Even the diapers are worthwhile, as you get a lot for a reasonable price. Plus, they’ve got that quality and fit pretty well.
8. Liquid Egg Whites
Egg whites are certainly the healthiest part of the egg, so you might as well take out the middleman and just buy them in liquid form. At Costco, you can get up to 60 servings, and it’s actually cheaper than buying eggs. Additionally, Costco stocks cage-free egg whites, so you can feel even better about your decision.
9. Greek Non-fat Yogurt
One other healthy must-have is yogurt, especially the non-fat kind! Kirkland’s Greek yogurt is also sugar-free and unflavored, and offers up plenty of protein. Fair warning, though, it only lasts so long in the fridge, but it’s so good you’ll eat it up pretty fast.
10. Smoked Salmon
When it comes to food, the smoked salmon certainly stands out. Despite the quantity you get, you’ll probably end up eating these faster than expected. They just taste that good, and you can use them in all sorts of recipes.
