10 Popular Products to buy at Costco

I obviously love Costco and am familiar with the layout and the sizes and variety of items. However, I can see how the first experience at Costco could be very overwhelming. What is good? What to try first? Sure, some people buy way too much but others may prefer to be more strategic and get a few items at a time. I came across an article mentioning 10 items that are among the most popular among member. I thought it would make sense to discuss them in case readers are new members (or longer term members looking for new-to-them popular items.)

10 Member Favorites

1. Chicken Bake

The first item on the list is the chicken bake, which is an individually wrapped, hand-rolled crust stuffed with chicken breast strips, mozzarella, provolone, parmesean, smoky bacon, Caesar dressing, and green onions.  The bakes can be cooked in the microwave.

Definitely not an item for me! I actually did not know that chicken bakes were an item in the store separate from the food court. For years, I have joked with my family that the food court chicken bake is one of the foods I would be least likely to ever eat (both for kosher reasons and because it just does not appeal). Now that I know they are sold in the store, I can definitely see people liking the convenience of these bakes.

2. KirklandThree Berry Blend Frozen Fruit

The article mentions the popularity of the Kirkland Three Berry Blend Frozen Fruit. Sold in 4 lb bags, the mix consists of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. 

I’m a little surprised that this item made the list. I bet it is delicious when defrosted and eaten on yogurt, heated, and eaten on waffles or pancakes, or blended into smoothies. However, given all the items at Costco, I find it hard to believe it makes the top 10. I have mentioned my smoothie phase in high school and I do like some types of berries. For kosher reasons, I would not buy this blend but I am sure it is delicious.

3. Rotisserie Chicken

The author lists the rotisserie chicken as another very popular item. These chickens are precooked and sold for $4.99. Although the chicken itself is apparently a favorite, the article points out that the change in packaging from a plastic carton to a bag has irritated many members due to its tendency to rip and/or leak.

I have mentioned these chickens several times in prior posts (Costco Questions); (Costco Surprises)).

4. Kirkland Milk Chocolate Almonds

Another item on the list is the milk chocolate almonds. 

I am not surprised that these are a very popular item. However, I am surprised that I have never tried them! Although I very much like nuts of all types and I like chocolate a lot, I only like a few types of nuts with chocolate. Almonds are one of the few. I sometimes mix almonds with chocolate chips and I like the chocolate almond bark. However, I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate now (as a kid it was the opposite) so I would be more inclined to buy these if they were coated in dark chocolate. Nevertheless, these may still be worth a try as long as the milk chocolate is not overly sweet.

5. KirklandPeanutButter-FilledPretzelNuggets

The article lists the Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets as another member favorite. The pretzels are described as having a salty outer pretzel shell surrounding creamy peanut butter. 

Another item that I am not surprised is very popular and one that apparently members were excited to see return this year (New Snacks for 2024). I have never tried them, because I prefer sweet to salty snacks. However, I started eating pretzels a little more recently (with hummus) and remember liking them with peanut butter so they may be worth a try. 

6. Cape Cod Chicken Salad

The author writes about this chicken salad, made from white meat chicken breast, cranberries, pecans, and honey. 

I wouldn’t eat this salad and I have never seen it (not hat I would be looking for it.) I wonder if it is made with the rotisserie chicken that was not sold within the two hours (Costco Surprises).  I know these unsold chickens are used for chicken soup in the winter and chicken salad in the summer. However, I didn’t know about this salad. So maybe this is the only chicken salad or maybe they have a few varieties of chicken salad. I like the name and think it’s funny that it seems that Cape cod and cranberries always seem to go together. In 7th grade, my class went to Cape Cod for a few days. We were divided into groups to explore different parts of the Cape. I was in the cranberry group and we visited a cranberry bog. I always think of the trip when I see the cranberry-Cape connection.

7. AnimalCrackers

Apparently another popular item is the Kirkland Signature Organic Animal Crackers. The author suggests eating them by themselves, dipping them into peanut butter or icing, or on top of yogurt. 

I have written about taking animal crackers to college and eating way too many of them (often with hot chocolate) while I did schoolwork. I think they used to come in bear jars. I actually greatly preferred the graham cookies and the vanilla cookies (both since discontinued…of course (It’s Gone? Discontinued Products)) but the animal crackers were not bad. I know that frosted animal crackers are sold in grocery stores but I don’t think I’ve ever had them. I’ve never thought about eating them with peanut butter, icing or yogurt. I think I’d prefer them plain or with milk or hot chocolate.

8. KirklandEgg Bites

The article mentions that Costco added Kirkland brand egg bites even though they have sold the Starbucks ones for a long time. There are two flavors sold:  Egg White with Cheese Trio & Roasted Red Pepper and Uncured Bacon & Gouda. 

These are not for me but given the popularity of egg sandwiches and the desire for convenient, transportable breakfasts, I am not surprised that they are popular. I am a little surprised that Costco sells these in addition to Starbucks version because they sell so few items that it’s surprising when they sell multiple versions of any given item.

9. KirklandNut Bars

Another item on the list is Kirkland Signature Nut Bars. These bars, that are sweet and salty, with a cocoa drizzle and sea salt, are suggested for breakfast or snack

I think these are the Costco brand of Kind bars.  I have never had the Kirkland version but I reviewed the Kind bars (Product Review x2: KIND bars (Dark Chocolate, Nuts, & Sea Salt and Salted caramel and dark chocolate almond). I looked up the Kirkland product and saw they contain cashews, pecans, and almonds. They may not be exact replicas of Kind bars but I imagine they are very good. 

10. KirklandWholeBeanCoffee

The article mentions Kirkland Signature Whole Bean Coffee as another popular item. Apparently, this coffee is very tasty as well as a good deal. 

Not a coffee drinker but I can see why this would be a popular item. 

Do you buy these items? If new to Costco, might you start with some of these most popular items?