By Kate PrinceBusiness
Costco is the place where dreams are made for any shopper with a keen eye for a bargain. From moms on the run to dads doing a quick grocery shop at the weekend, there’s something for everyone. For years, consumers have been buying Costco’s own Kirkland label thinking they were getting a good deal, but perhaps a slightly lower-quality product.
In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Costco ’s Kirkland products might not have the same packaging as some higher-end brands, but underneath it all they may be exactly the same – we just didn’t know it. From Duracell batteries to Starbucks coffee, you can pick up some absolute steals at Costco without even noticing.
- Starbucks Coffee
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Espresso Blend
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $14.89*
Verdict: Confirmed
Starbucks is a gargantuan coffee chain. While their stores are popular, so are their take-home products, including their ground beans. Customers can get their hands on a 2 and a half-pound bag of Kirkland’s Espresso Blend “Custom roasted by Starbucks” for just $14.89.
Buying a similar product straight from the coffee house would cost you significantly more, which is why Costco struck gold with this one. It comes in medium roast, dark roast, and decaf medium roast to cater for all tastes. Buyers say it’s just as good and a fraction of the cost.
- Sonova Hearing Aids
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature (KS9) 9.0 Digital Hearing Instruments
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $1,499*
Verdict: Confirmed
For those hard of hearing, Costco provides a free of charge hearing test in their stores. This is a great way to entice customers to spend money on their own products while they’re at their appointment. Those making a purchase can also rest assured that they’re getting top quality.
Sonova produces Costco’s Kirkland Signature (KS9) 9.0 Digital Hearing Instruments. This was confirmed by the brand a couple of years ago as they are listed as the manufacturer on the leaflet. Walmart sells a pair of hearing aids for $600, but are they as good? Unlikely.
- Duracell Batteries
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $16.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
Batteries are always handy to have lying around in the house, even in this digital age where most things are rechargeable. Thankfully, Costco has got us covered. Customers can purchase a 48-pack of Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries for just $16.99. Some cheap batteries can run out quickly, but these have the same power as Duracell.
Costco’s CEO Craig Jelinek let the cat out of the bag back in 2016 when he confirmed that Berkshire Hathaway’s Duracell was the manufacturer of the Kirkland brand. Considering a pack of 48 Duracell batteries will cost almost $10 more, it seems like a great deal.
- Diamond Naturals Dog Food
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Small Dog
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $24.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Pet owners like to think that feeding their four-legged friends expensive food makes a difference, but that isn’t always the case. Some cheaper brands, like Costco’s Kirkland Signature Small Dog, are even made by the same companies. Customers are just blissfully unaware.
It’s likely that Schell and Kampeter Inc.’s Diamond Pet Foods is behind Costco’s brand. Although it’s never been confirmed, when there was a recall of Diamond’s dog food in 2012, the Kirkland brand was recalled too, with Costco even named in a subsequent lawsuit.
- Acetum Balsamic Vinegar
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $6*
Verdict: Confirmed
Partnerships can be lucrative for everyone involved, so Costco tries to seal the deal on as many as possible. A few years ago they shook hands with Acetum Balsamic Vinegar to produce a Kirkland-branded product called Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. The 100-year-old dressing is a big hit.
Other stores like Amazon’s Whole Foods might market Acetum’s version, but they don’t have the same connection that Costco did. For just a few bucks customers can get the product that has Acetum’s name on it, in just a slightly different style of packaging.
- Perrigo Infant Formula
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature ProCare
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $37.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
It’s important to consider quality when selecting baby formula, but just because something is cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not as good. When it comes to Kirkland Signature ProCare, it was made by Abbott Laboratories AKA the people behind Similac.
The partnership between Costco and Abbott Laboratories was longlasting, but it’s now looking like Perrigo has taken the lead on this one. It’s a publicly-known fact that Perrigo and Costco are in business together, which might explain the change of packaging. It’s still a fantastic product that helps families across America.
- Ehrmann Yogurt
Kirkland Name: Kirkman Signature Organic Greek Yogurt
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $3.80*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Greek yogurt is a popular refrigerator staple, so it’s no surprise that there are multiple brands out there. Picking up a tub of Ehrmann’s from Kroger might be the easiest option for many, but it’s cheaper elsewhere – it’s just hidden in plain sight.
It’s likely that Costco’s Kirkland’s Organic Greek Yogurt is actually made by the same company behind such products as Yoginos and LACTO Zero. According to businessman Peter Cohan, the yogurt giant supplied numerous stores with the same products to trade under different names. Not only does Costco do it, but so do some other US retailers who know a deal when they see one.
- Warren Motor Oil
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic SAE 54-30
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $24.39*
Verdict: Confirmed
Motor oil can be a saturated market, leading many to just grab the nearest one they see and hope for the best. In reality, a lot of different brands are made by the same company. In Costco’s case, their oil is manufactured by Warren Oil.
Warren also supposedly produces Amazon’s AmazonBasics motor oil. It’s confirmed in writing on the back of the jug, so we don’t need any more proof. The product sells well for Costco, which is unsurprising given the price tag. At just $24.39 for five quarts, it’s a bargain purchase that will last.
- Jelly Belly
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Jelly Belly Gourmet Jelly Beans
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $16.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
Jelly Belly jelly beans are the perfect way to satiate sweet cravings, but they can be very expensive. Safeway sells nine ounces of the candy for $5.49, but why pay that when you can get exactly the same thing at Costco for a fraction of the price? Kirkland’s Signature Jelly Belly Gourmet Beans come in at $16.99 for four lbs.
This partnership may be one of the most beautiful things to come out of Costco yet. These huge tubs come with 49 flavors that are both fat-free and kosher, which is a candy lover’s dream come true. Now just try to guess how many Kirkland Signature jelly beans fit in that jar!
- Humboldt Creamery Ice Cream
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Super Premium Ice Cream
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $12.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
Ben and Jerry’s might be the quintessential American ice cream, but what about Humboldt’s? Sadly, Humboldt Creamery has been through the wringer as a company over the last decade, filing for bankruptcy in 2009 and going on to sell to Crystal Creamery. As a result, the business needed to look at other ways to make money.
Back in 2016, it was revealed that Kirkland Signature’s Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream was made by Humboldt – but it doesn’t really take a detective to figure that out. The packaging is very similar to the original design and holds the same “super-premium” name.
- Niagara Bottled Water
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Purified Water
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $5.79*
Verdict: Confirmed
Niagara Purified drinking water can be bought at other retailers like Walmart for $3 for 32 bottles, so there isn’t much difference in the way of price in this one. Kirkland Signature Purified Water is from Niagara Bottling, but it’s $5.79 for 40.
This partnership is acknowledged on the bottle, so rather than being a sneaky under-the-counter trade-off it’s just a straight-forward arrangement. For shoppers already making their way around Costco, it seems like a good deal and it’s not that far off the going rate. What’s more, it’s got the same smooth taste as the bottles you would buy at Walmart.
- Chinet Cups
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Chinet Plastic Big Red Cup
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11.79*
Verdict: Confirmed
Costco is the place to go to stock up on party supplies, mostly because they do large quantities of products at very good prices. Everyone knows that a party requires plenty of plastic cups. In another lucrative partnership, Costco coupled up with Chinet to produce the Kirkland Signature Chinet Plastic Big Red Cup.
The price is just as attractive, coming in at $11.79 for 240. Chinet has been going for almost a hundred years and can also be found in other superstores like Target, although perhaps not quite as cheap.
- Ocean Spray Juice
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.71*
Verdict: Confirmed
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice is the creme de la creme of juice drinks, but it can be pricey. However, if you hop over to Costco, you can pick up a 6-pack of their cranberry juice for a fraction of the price at other retailers.While it may be called Kirkland Signature Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, it’s exactly the same product – just much cheaper.
For a pack of four Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail at Walmart it’s $11.92. At Costco, a pack of six will set you back just $4.29, working out at around $0.71 per unit. It may have Kirkland Signature stamped above it, but this product still has the Ocean Spray branding so you know it’s just as good.
- Formaggi Zanetti Parmigiano Reggiano
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11.89*
Verdict: Confirmed
Like many retailers, Costco sells a lot of different cheeses, but few are quite as good as their Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano. The hard cheese is imported from Italy, which is why it can hold the esteemed name and not simply be dubbed “Parmesan.”
As it turns out, Costco sources their cheese through Formaggi Zanetti. Not only does Zanetti make cheese, but it specializes in sending it out around the world for other companies to sell. That way, profits stay up and customers stay happy – it’s a win-win. Both brands don’t look exactly the same, but the taste is very close.
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- Bumble Bee Tuna
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore Tuna
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $17.89*
Verdict: Confirmed
High quality canned fish can be difficult to find, with Walmart selling one can for upwards of $3.20. Costco was able to secure a deal with Bumble Bee seafood back in the early ‘00s to try and create a superior product called Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore.
The product has been a core staple on the pantry shelves for almost two decades now, proving popular with customers. It may set you back $17.89 for eight cans, but that’s still cheaper than the going rate at some other big-name stores like Walmart or Giant.
- Reynolds Aluminum Foil
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Reynolds Foil
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $5*
Verdict: Confirmed
Some brands disguise themselves to be completely swallowed whole by the Kirkland name. Sometimes the packaging is the same color or shape so it’s still recognizable to the consumer, but sometimes it’s changed altogether. Alternatively, Costco simply partners with some businesses and keeps packaging nearly the same.
The New Zealand brand Reynolds is owned in part by Howmet. There is a much higher price if you’re buying the foil at Costco than if you were making a purchase elsewhere, but you get more for your money. Costco sells larger “foodservice” Reynolds foil which isn’t available in other stores.
- Isigny Ste-Mère Brie
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Isigny Ste-Mere Brie
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $7*
Verdict: Confirmed
This imported brie cheese is far less expensive than many other brie cheeses that you might find. Brie is unique because it is a soft cheese that has a mould rind that was left to dry slowly. The Kirkland Signature Isigny Ste-Mere Brie is imported from France, just like the cheese it’s based on. It costs $7 for 13.4-ounces (a little under a pound).
The brie comes from a farming cooperative of 570 dairy farmers who work in Normandy, France. This brie, which could give cheeses from big companies like Dean Foods and Dannon a run for their money, can be eaten cold or baked. PopSugar recommends that you pair your soft brie with a fresh baguette.
- Blommer Chocolate
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Chocolate
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $14.49*
Verdict: Confirmed
Chocolate is chocolate, no matter what name you put on it. However, just like many other food products, the better the ingredients the higher the quality! Kirkland’s Signature chocolate comes from the well-known brand, Blommer. Blommer is the largest chocolate supplier in North America, so a partnership between the two companies makes sense.
While Costco does sell other brands like Hershey and Mars, their own brand is just as good. Costco even helped set up a sustainability program for cocoa sourcing alongside Blommer, helping the industry flourish in a way that is beneficial to everyone involved.
- Pureology Moisture Hair Care
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $9.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Pureology has a good reputation as one of L’Oreal’s luxury lines of hair care. It’s an undeniably good product, but like most things on that end of the scale, it comes with a hefty price tag. Brand names especially love to hike the price up, because they know consumers will pay big bucks for the name.
Just one bottle of shampoo will set you back $27 at Albertsons’ Safeway while a shampoo/conditioner combo is over $60. A trip to Costco will save you almost $20. For just $9.99 you can get exactly the same product in exactly the same color bottle. It’s been tried and tested multiple times and no one can see the difference.
- Hellmann’s
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Real Mayonnaise
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $7.19*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
For $7.19, you can purchase two quarts (sixty-four ounces) of Kirkland Signature Real Mayonnaise. This mayonnaise was the subject of a Consumer Reports blind taste test that compared it to Hellmann’s. Incredibly, CR found that Hellmann’s and Kirkland pretty much taste the same, though it’s only a rumor that they’re actually the same product.
The only difference? The price. The price difference is also abundantly apparent when you look at Best Foods’ mayonnaise, which is priced at $7.49 for a 64-ounce jar. Though thirty cents might not seem like a bankroll, it’s still a decent savings. Plus, according to CR, you aren’t sacrificing for taste.
- Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic 100% Carrot Juice
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $6.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
For just $6.99 you can purchase a three-pack of Kirkland Signature 100% Organic Carrot Juice. Bolthouse Farms, which was previously owned by Campbell’s Soup, is now a Kirkland subsidiary. Though the prices vary (on InstaCart the price is over $10), Kirkland Carrot Juice, like all carrot juice, has quite a few health benefits.
Carrot juice, according to Healthline, is a good source of Vitamin A (beta-carotene), which, in reasonable doses, is healthy for your eye. Vitamin A protects the surface of your eyes, so the old sayings about eating carrots for good eyesight does, in fact, have some truth to it.
- Swanson
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Chicken Stock
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $20-$25*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland’s brand of chicken stock is sold in large quantities for a very reasonable price. Kirkland Signature Organic Chicken Stock is a replacement for broth, and it sells six cartons at 32 fluid ounces per carton. The chicken used to make the stock is slow-roasted, giving it a rich flavor.
Swanson’s brands of broth, owned in part by Campbell’s Soup, are the direct competitor to this Kirkland Signature product, however the Kirkland Signature stock is certified USDA organic. The cartons are resealable for extra convenience. Swanson, though known for its “TV dinners,” also makes broth and other food products for which it is less well-known.
- Newman’s Own
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature 100% Concord Grape Juice
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $6.79*
Verdict: Confirmed
Kirkland Signature 100% Concord Grape Juice has a high quantity for a reasonable price. The two-pack of grape juice totals 192 ounces in total. For those who might not know, Concord grapes are the crème de la crème of the grape juice world. They are used in pretty much anything that is grape flavored, whether the products are from companies like Kirkland, Newman’s Own, Smucker’s, or Kraft-Heinz.
Concord grapes are also used in wine—particularly in kosher wine. The difference between Concord grapes and regular grapes is that the former are extremely aromatic and have very large seeds.
- Persil Laundry Detergent
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Ultra-Clean
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
For many busy families, laundry detergent can be an expensive addition to the grocery list. The more loads of washing you have to do, the more you have to pay out. Persil is a leading brand which entices many customers to stick to it, but don’t be fooled.
Many have speculated for years that Costco’s Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean laundry detergent is made by the same company as Persil, Henkel. Through a complex series of mergers, it would seem that this could be true, but neither Costco nor Henkel has confirmed this. You can buy Ultra Clean for just $11 for over 100 washes.
- Tyson
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Chicken Breasts
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $16.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Chicken Breasts are a frozen food solution for any meal. You get two chicken breasts per pouch, with an average weight of six to six-and-a-half pounds. Usually, the chicken comes in a six-count pack. These chicken breasts are 99% fat-free. They are individually wrapped, and they are in an 8% solution of kosher salt and water.
A major competitor to Tyson chicken, these Kirkland Chicken Breasts come from chickens that are not raised with antibiotics. Kirkland chickens are hatched, raised, and harvested right in America, an added benefit for those looking to shop for food made in the U.S.A.
- Kettle Brand
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Krinkle Cut Potato Chips
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $7.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
Kirkland Signature Krinkle-Cut Potato Chips are available in a 32-ounce bag for all your snacking needs. A Campbell’s Soup competitor, these kettle chips are flavored with Himalayan salt. They are also gluten-free, Kosher, and made without any GMOs.
The Himalayan salt is a nice touch. Himalayan salt, for those who might not know, is a pinkish-tinted rock salt that is mined directly from Pakistan’s Punjab region. The salt is used not only for food additives like Kirkland’s chips, but also in decorative lamps, spa treatments, and food presentation, as it has a wide range of benefits.
- Huggies
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Diapers
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.16*
Verdict: Confirmed
Diapers are a must-have for anyone with kids, but it can be one of the most expensive products to buy. Newborn babies get through an estimated 8 to 12 diapers a day, so it’s a cupboard essential that needs topping up non-stop. Cheaper brands often get a bad rep as parents want to give their children “the best.”
A pack of Kimberley-Clark’s Huggies Little Movers costs around $40 for 104 in other grocery stores, but mom and dad are missing a trick if they’re not shopping at Costco. Kirkland Signature are actually Huggies in disguise, only they’re $35.99 for 150.
- Callaway Golf Balls
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Golf Balls
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $1.25*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
According to The Golf News Net, Costco’s Kirkland Signature Golf Balls truly took the industry by surprise after they were introduced back in 2016. Called the K-Sig for short, these golf balls were sold for a low price of $30 for 24, which is far cheaper than you see from name-brand manufacturers.
When compared to Pro V1 golf balls, Kirkland’s golf balls did far better. They went almost ten yards further when hit and flew 1.5 miles per hour quicker than the Pro V1. Also, they had 300rpm less, on average, than the Pro V1, a big benefit.
- Rice’s Honey
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Raw Honey
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.20/oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Packaged in a large squeeze bottle, Kirkland Signature Organic Raw Honey costs just twenty cents per ounce. There are three jars, 24 ounces per jar, all for $14.49, which is cheaper than prices for honey that you see elsewhere, whether packaged by private companies or corporations like Kraft-Heinz.
This organic honey is, according to Costco, “100% Grade A.” It is certified officially as organic by the USDA. The honey is kosher and sourced from beehives in Brazil, though which means that it’s not the same honey as their competition. Note that this honey replaced Kirkland Signature Organic Honey, though it is not listed on the package if the honey is unpasteurized or not.
- Acetum Brand Balsamic Vinegar
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Balsamic Vinegar
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.27/oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Acetum is a long-standing brand of balsamic vinegar, and you’ll find that this brand sells for $20-$30, depending on the retailer. Acetum makes its vinegar in Cavezzo, a historical region of Italy. Cavezzo has its home in the Motta Cellars, and it has been around since 1906, when the Cellars were totally revamped in order to house vinegar production.
Kirkland also has balsamic vinegar made by Acetum and rumored to be repackaged under their own label in one-liter bottles. This Kraft-Heinz competitor is aged in oak casks, which Kirkland says provides the vinegar with a more delicious “full-bodied flavor.”
- Stonyfield Farms
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Yogurt
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $5.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
The Kirkland Signature Organic Greek Yogurt is nonfat and Kosher. It is certified by the USDA as organic, and the quantities can range from a single unit to a three-pound tub (plain). Kirkland-brand Greek yogurt is pasteurized using “Grade A” nonfat milk, according to Innit. There are several live cultures (probiotics), including lactobacillus, bifidus, and bulgaricus.
This yogurt is comparable to yogurts from larger brands like General Mills and Dannon. While Healthline described Stonyfield Organic as one of the healthiest brands, Kirkland shouldn’t be discounted, as it is nonfat and has live cultures. Taste tests by Costcuisine also had favorable results.
- Georgia Pacific
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Professional Photo Paper
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $19.99-$49.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Paper is a cheaper way to fill your printer without having to spend a lot of money. Kirkland Signature Professional Photo Paper is a direct competitor and supposed duplicate of paper from companies like Georgia Pacific (now a part of Koch Industries) and the International Paper Company.
Kirkland’s cheapest paper is its Signature Professional Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper, which provides you with 100 sheets of 5” x 7” paper for $19.99. Kirkland’s most expensive type of paper is its Kirkland Signature Professional Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper, which retails for fifty sheets, which measure 13” x 19”. There are three other variations, according to the Costco website.
- ALL Laundry Detergent Pods
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $20.99/152-count*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Laundry day can cost you a pretty penny if you’re not careful. Kirkland UltraClean HE Detergent Packs sells for $20.99 for a 152-count carton. That’s over 150 loads of laundry for only a little over $20! While speculation is high that Kirkland’s brand comes from the same manufacturer as the maker of ALL Laundry Detergent Pods, the company has yet to publicly confirm.
What is known is that ALL and Procter & Gamble subsidiary Tide have long had a corner on the detergent market. Price-wise, however, Kirkland’s detergent is a solid option. Tide pods, in a 152-count pack, sell for nearly $40 on Amazon. The Kirkland Pacs are 127 ounces of detergent in total, and they work for all water temperatures.
- Sunsweet
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Dried Plums
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $$10.49/3.5-lbs*
Verdict: Confirmed
Plums are an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, Vitamins C, K, and A, and phosphorus, among other must-have nutrients. Lucky for you, Kirkland has you covered in the plum department! A 3.5-pound bag from Kirkland’s brand sells for $10.49.
And when you buy the Costco brand, you’re actually buying a rebranded Sunsweet package. These plums are grown in California, and they are Kosher, fat-free, and an excellent source of fiber. A pack of plums comes in a 56-ounce resealable bag, which is perfectly convenient for snacking.
- Nice ‘n Clean Baby Wipes
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $19.99/900*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
A possible (though still unconfirmed) Kirkland-brand version of Nice ‘N Clean Baby Wipes is the Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes, which sell for $19.99 for 900 wipes—that’s two cents per wipe. Comparatively, on Amazon, you’ll usually see Nice ‘N Clean Baby Wipes sold for $6.96 for a pack of 80. So the Kirkland alternative is a huge money-saver.
The wipes are made using Tencel fiber, which is a patented fiber that is naturally soft and ecologically friendly. It is made from wood pulp, which is a 100% renewable resource. The wipes also contain vitamin E and aloe, and they are hypoallergenic, with no parabens, chlorine, or alcohol.
- Jif Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11.48/2*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Organic Creamy Peanut Butter is a rumored version of the competing peanut butter from Smucker’s, which is known for its peanut butter (and jelly). The Kirkland-brand peanut butter gives you two twenty-eight-ounce jars for just $11.49.
It is Kosher and USDA-certified as organic. The peanut butter comes from dry roasted peanuts that have been sprinkled with sea salt. The Organic Creamy Peanut Butter looks to be high-protein, with eight grams per serving. It is also easy on the sugar (just two grams), making it a healthy addition to any yummy snack you might want.
- Tillamook Butter
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Butter
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $2.37/lb*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
The Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter is cheap yet high-quantity, and is a rumored rebrand of Tillamook Butter. Tillamook, a dairy collective, is a major competitor of companies like Lifeway Foods. Like Tillamook, Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter is made from unsalted sweet cream that is Grade AA.
In total, you will get sixteen sticks of butter (one pound overall). The butter is Kosher and, according to Costco, produced without the use of the hormone rBST. This dairy hormone, according to Albert A. Milk, is legal for use in America but banned in Canadian dairy cows.
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Keurig K-cups
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $34.99/box*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
K-pods are the fun new way to enjoy coffee. These days, pretty much every major company—as well as large chains like Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and more—are making K-cups to-go for machines like the Keurig. Kirkland is no exception, and it sells a rumored taste-alike version of Green Mountain Coffee Cups.
The Kirkland Signature Coffee Breakfast Blend is a 120-count pack of recyclable K-cup pods. The price is $34.99. The pods are made of 100% Arabica coffee, and, like many other Kirkland Signature products, they are Kosher. Also, these K-cups are “fair trade certified” and “organic.”
- Crystal Creamery Ice Cream
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $12.99/4-qt*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Soyummy.com called this a “cult-favorite Costco food.” Indeed, the Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream is certainly well-liked. This brand of ice cream is classified as “super premium” by dairy industry standards, thanks to its density and high-quality ingredients. The Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream is a rumored taste-alike of Crystal Creamery Ice Cream.
Though it remains to be seen whether taste-testers will place it ahead of Crystal (or even ahead of mainstream ice cream establishments like Dairy Queen), the fact remains that it is a good deal, usually retailing for $12.99 for four quarts at your local Costco.
- Foster Farms Chicken
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $12.99/4-qt*
Verdict: Confirmed
If you’re someone who makes chicken for dinner frequently, consider buying in bulk. You can’t go wrong with Kirkland Signature Chicken Breasts – which are rebranded from Foster Farms Chicken Breast Fillets. These chicken breasts are made from USDA Grade A meat, and they are boneless and skinless.
The chicken comes in a 6.5-pound resealable bag, and each breast is individually wrapped for maximum ease in the kitchen. The Kirkland Signature Chicken Breasts are 99% fat free, and the chickens in question are not raised with any antibiotics. The chickens are all hatched, raised, and harvested right in America.
- Nature Path
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Ancient Grain Granola
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $8.99/35.3 oz*
Verdict: Confirmed
Nature Path Granola and the Kirkland brand got together for this one, the Kirkland Signature Ancient Grain Granola is quite healthy. It is certified organic by the USDA, and it is Kosher. The Granola (which is made by Nature’s Path) also has probiotic cultures that, according to the Costco website, support overall digestion.
Kirkland Granola has amaranth, quinoa, almonds, spelt, and Khorasan wheat (which is wheat, also known as Kamut, that grows in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia). There are five grams of protein per serving, as well as six grams of fiber and thirty grams of whole grains.
- Planeta Val di Mazara Olive Oil
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Dop Val di Mazara Olive Oil
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $14.69/liter*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Both Planeta and Kirkland bottle their olive oil at Val di Mazara in Italy. Though for many this is a big sign that the two products might actually be one and the same, neither company has publicly stated as such. Either way, Kirkland Signature Dop Val Di Mazara hails directly from Sicily.
Their extra virgin olive oil is different from their regular olive oil, whether that olive oil comes from a tiny farm in Sicily or a major company like Kraft Heinz. Extra virgin olive oil is made from olives that have been cold-pressed and are pure. Any impurities are refined out, making EVOO a higher quality.
- Stearns & Foster Mattress
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature by Stearns & Foster Lakeridge Mattress
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $1,199.99*
Verdict: Confirmed
The Kirkland Signature Stearns & Foster by Lakeridge mattress costs just under $1,200. This mattress is innovative and differs from other companies like Mattress Firm and Casper Sleep because it uses IntelliCoil, which is Stearns & Foster’s patented spring mattress system. The mattress is a California King, measuring 83 inches long by 72 inches wide (23 inches high).
The mattress does not come with a box spring, so the pricing is just for the mattress alone. Stearns & Foster classifies this mattress as “firm,” with a thickness of thirteen inches. There is a box spring available for the mattress for a separate charge.
- King Orchards Montmorency Cherries
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Tart Montmorency Cherries
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $13.15/60 oz.*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Both King Orchards and Kirkland source the same type of cherries for their snacks – though whether their products are the same remains a source of speculation. Either way, there is no denying that both Montmorency Cherries and Kirkland’s offering are quite popular.
It’s smart of Costco to take advantage of this breed of cherries’ popularity. Montmorency cherries are grown all over the world, but in America, there are only two main locations: Door County, Wisconsin and Northwest Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. They are a sour cherry, named after the region of Montmorency, France from which they originated.
- Foppen Norwegian Smoked Salmon
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $19.99/2-pack*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon is sold in a two-count pack, with each pack containing twelve ounces of delicious Kosher salmon. The salmon is rumored (though unconfirmed) to be a rebrand of Foppen Norwegian Smoked Salmon. Hinting at this possibility, the Costco website does say that their Kirkland smoked salmon is “imported” from elsewhere.
Though not as ubiquitous as meats from companies like Tyson Foods, Kirkland Smoked Salmon appears to be quite popular. It is pre-sliced, boneless, and skinless, and ready to eat. Just make sure to keep this smoked salmon refrigerated, as per Costco’s instructions.
- Stretch-Tite Food Wrap
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite Food Wrap
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $26.25/2-pack*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Stretch-Tite is known for its food plastic wrap, and Kirkland contracted with the company in order to make Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite food wrap, which is currently available from various vendors on Amazon. Whether or not the Kirkland product is a rebrand of Stretch-Tite remains unconfirmed for now.
Either way, the Stretch-Tite that is out there is high quality, and the prices for this plastic wrap are in the mid-twenties for a two-pack. Each roll measures 11 7/8” by 750 feet. That’s 1,500 feet of plastic wrap in total. That’s almost as tall, length-wise, as the Shanghai World Financial Center.
- La Croix
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $7.49/32-pack*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Back in 2018, Costco unveiled its own brand of sparkling water, the Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water, which is rumored (though not fully confirmed) to be a lookalike for La Croix, which is a popular brand of sparkling water owned by National Beverage.
When you do a price comparison, Costco’s Kirkland brand certainly has La Croix beat. Each Kirkland can cost $0.23, which saves you 33 cents when compared to La Croix’s twenty-four pack, according to Delish. Not only that, but you get eight more cans with Kirkland.There are currently three flavors of this canned sparkling water: lemon, grapefruit and lime.
- Assortit
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $19.89/bag*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa, which is an unconfirmed rebrand of Assortit Quinoa, comes in a 4.5-pound bag and costs just $10.99. Quinoa is a relatively new, trendy health food that is, according to Costco’s website, loaded with B and E vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and other good nutrients. Kirkland Quinoa is also Kosher and comes straight from Peru.
Though there haven’t been many taste tests comparing Kirkland’s Quinoa to Assortit’s line, the resealable bag is definitely priced well. For a 4.5-pound bag on Amazon, the cost is $19.89. Healthline described quinoa as a food that has reached “superfood status.”
- Pacific Organic Chicken Stock
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Chicken Stock
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11.49/32-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Organic Chicken Stock is a rumored duplicate for the same product from Pacific Organic Chicken Stock, made by a brand that is owned by Campbell’s Soup. Kirkland’s chicken stock is gluten-free and certified organic by the USDA. It comes in a six-count pack of reusable cartons.
The chicken stock is made from slow-roasted chicken. The Costco website says that this Organic Chicken Stock can be used instead of broth. The difference between the two is, according to Food Network, that chicken stock has a richer flavor and a “fuller mouth feel” because there is more gelatin in it than broth.
- Green Bottle Wholesome Organic Blue Agave Sweetener
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Blue Agave Sweetener
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $10.49/36 oz.*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
The similarity in packaging between Kirkland Organic Blue Agave Sweetener and Green Bottle Wholesome Blue Agave Sweetener has led some to speculate that the former is a rebrand of the latter – though neither company has confirmed this. Either way, Kirkland Signature Organic Blue Agave Sweetener is delicious much like the Green Bottle version.
And at 36 ounces for $10.49, it’s a good price, too. Though agave might not have the sarin-sweetness of Hershey’s chocolate, it is still quite tasty. Blue agave, also known as agave tequilana, is the base ingredient for tequila. It comes from plants with pretty, bluish leaves.
- KIND Bars
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Nut Bars
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.50/bar*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Nut Bars are rumored to be rebranded KIND Bars. Certainly the two share similar packaging. Kirkland’s brand is made in America, has five grams of protein, fifteen grams of fat and, according to the packaging, is a solid source of fiber.
The bars are kosher and gluten-free, and they contain no artificial flavors. All similar to the stipulations that you’ll find in KIND bars. KIND is owned by a private company, unlike Kirkland and Kellogg.. The Kirkland Signature Nut Bars come in a thirty-bar container.
- Move Free Joint Health
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Triple Action Joint Pills
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $22.99/110-ct*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Another unconfirmed duplicate is Kirkland Signature Triple Action Joint Pills, which contain a lot in common with pills from companies like Move Free and its joint health supplement. The Costco product has a lot of supplements and ingredients dedicated to helping improve joint health.
The Kirkland Triple Action Joint Pills contain undenatured type II boron, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. According to the packaging on the product, this helps maintain cartilage health, preserve joints, support joint flexibility and mobility, and help bone health. The Costco website acknowledges that this information has been supplied by the manufacturer.
- Mission Tortilla Strips
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Tortilla Strips
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $3.59/48-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
The Kirkland Signature Tortilla Strips are a fun addition to any party. They come in a three-pound bag, and these are rumored duplicates of Mission Tortilla Strips, which you can often find on the shelves of stores like Target and Walmart. The Kirkland Signature Tortilla Strips are made from ground corn.
The ground corn has been treated, according to Nutrionix (not much information is on the Costco website about this product) with vegetable oil, water, lime, and sea salt. Mission Tortilla Strips are similar in packaging. However, they tend to come in smaller quantities of 13-20 ounces.
- Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $11.49/28-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Peanut butter fans will like the high quantity that Kirkland sells its peanut butter in. You can get two jars for $11.49 (28 oz.). The Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter brand is a rumored duplicate for brands like Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter, which you can find on the shelves of Target.
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter is dry-roasted, creamy, and sprinkled with sea salt. It is also kosher and made with peanuts that are grown in America. CNN stated that peanut butter had a lot of “heart healthy fats” and was a good source of protein, particularly for vegetarians who wanted to include more protein in their diet.
- Quaker Chewy Bars
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Soft & Chewy Granola Bars
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.42/oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Soft & Chewy Granola Bars are another rumored, unconfirmed duplicate for Quaker Granola Bars, which come in similar flavorings (and are also labeled as “soft and chewy”). Quaker, which is actually owned by Pepsi, has had a corner on the granola bar market for a while, but companies like KIND and Kirkland might change that.
Kirkland Granola Bars usually come in a pack of thirty-six. These granola bars don’t have artificial colors or flavors, and they are made of whole grain oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Other ingredients include unsweetened coconut, rice crisps, sugar, and honey.
- Similac Infant Formula
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Pro-Care Non-GMO Infant Formula
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $0.49/oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Another unconfirmed duplicate on this list is the Kirkland Signature ProCare Infant Formula. While some sites have claimed that this formula is the same as the Similac Infant Formula, made and owned by Abbott that is, for now, still not a matter of record.
Notably, the Kirkland-brand infant formula doesn’t have any artificial growth hormones or GMOs (which means that there are no genetically-engineered ingredients). The ProCare formula is also certified Kosher and gluten-free. The ProCare formula has, in the past, shared the same factory and labeling as the baby formula from Similac.
- Planters Fancy Whole Cashews
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Whole Fancy Cashews
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $16.99*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
If you’re a cashew fan, you’ll probably like the Kirkland Signature Whole Fancy Cashews, which comes in a 2.5-pound container for $16.99. This is a rumored, unconfirmed duplicate of Planters Cashews, a brand owned by Kraft Heinz. The Kirkland Cashews work out to a price-per-pound of $6.80.
Food.ndtv.com has enumerated a list of cashew benefits (in moderation, of course), including potential improvements to heart health, blood health, eye and skin health, and hair health. Cashews are a good source of dietary fiber as well. Spoon University’s Dr. Gargi Sharma, a weight management expert, says that 4-5 cashews per day is the best serving size.
- Greenies Dental Dog Treats
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Dental Chews
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $22/72*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Another unconfirmed duplicate is the Kirkland Signature Dental Chews, which are a rumored rebrand of Greenies. Certainly, the Kirkland Chews are a telling green color. These chews are grain- and gluten-free. The chews have no artificial preservatives, flavors, or preventatives. They are two-sided, and they have grooves, nubs, and ridges that will help your dog clean his or her teeth thoroughly.
This Costco product comes in a box count of 72. The dental chews, according to Costco, have a “paw grip” handle that works with your dog’s “instinctive” and “natural chewing style.” The container size in total is 67.7 ounces.
- Wonderful Pistachios Roasted & Salted
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature In-Shell Pistachios
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $18.49/3-lbs*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature In-Shell Pistachios are a rumored rebrand of Wonderful Pistachios, which are roasted and salted while in the shell, though Wonderful does sell pistachios that have been de-shelled. The Kirkland Pistachios come in a three-pound bag, which costs $18.49.
Amazon sells the same bag of Wonderful Brand un-shelled pistachios in a 24-ounce bag for $16.98. The Kirkland-brand pistachios are free of harmful trans fats, which, according to Mayo Clinic are “double trouble” for your heart’s health. They are free of cholesterol too. The CDC says that LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) puts you at a heightened risk of stroke or heart disease, so cholesterol-free food is a good idea.
- Now Foods Organic Maple Syrup
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $12.49/33.8-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Pancake and waffle lovers rejoice, as Kirkland sells its Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup in a 33.8-ounce jar. This maple syrup is a rumored, unconfirmed duplicate of NOW Foods Organic Maple Syrup, a major competitor of companies like Pepsi, which makes the Aunt Jemima Syrup.
Kirkland’s Maple Syrup is, according to the Costco website, made from 100% pure, Grade A, amber-rich syrup. Amber rich, in the syrup world, is a lighter flavoring of syrup. My Recipes states that Amber Syrup has a less “intense flavor” than Dark Syrup, which is Grade B. Lastly, Kirkland Syrup is Kosher and USDA-certified.
- GoGo Squeez Apple Sauce On The Go
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Apple Sauce
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $9.99/24-ct*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
A rumored duplicate for GoGo Squeez Apple Sauce On the Go, Kirkland Signature Organic Apple Sauce comes in similar packaging and on-the-go squeeze pouches. The apple sauce from Kirkland is made from USDA organic apples, same as the GoGo product, which you can find on the shelves of Target and Walmart.
Additionally, the Kirkland apples are hand-picked and grown in America. The Kirkland pouches are kosher, gluten-free, and free of BPA. Bisphenol A (BPA), according to Mayo Clinic, is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Lastly, the Kirkland pouches have no sugar added—the apples are plenty sweet with no additives.
- Gimme Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $10.49/10-ct*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
A rumored duplicate for a similar product from Gimme Organic, the Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack is a healthy alternative to reaching for chips or pretzels when you’re hungry. You can often find seaweed snacks on the shelves of Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Kirkland Seaweed is a winter harvest. It is flavored with sesame, and there are just twenty calories per serving. Unlike a lot of products from Kirkland, this one is actually not American-made. It is made in Korea, which makes sense, as seaweed snacks have been popular there for a long time.
- Wholesome! Organic Blue Agave
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Organic Blue Agave
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $10.49/36-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
Kirkland Signature Organic Blue Agave is a rumored, unconfirmed copy of the same product from Wholesome!, an organic food brand. Kirkland Agave comes in a 72-ounce net weight, and it is certified organic by the USDA. It is, according to the Costco, an all-purpose sweetener.
Blue agave, known in the plant kingdom as Agave tequilana, is a bluish-leaved plant that is a major economic product of Jalisco, Mexico. In addition to being used as a sweetener, Agave tequilana is also the base ingredient in tequila. The juice from the plant’s core is what’s used to make the sweetener.
- Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk
Kirkland Name: Kirkland Signature Unsweetened Almond Non-Dairy Beverage Vanilla
Kirkland Price Per Unit: $9.90/64-oz*
Verdict: Unconfirmed
A rumored duplicate for Blue Diamond Vanilla Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk, which you can find on the shelves of Target and Walmart, the Kirkland Signature Organic Unsweetened Almond Non-Dairy Beverage in Vanilla is a cheap substitute for milk. This non-dairy beverage is certified organic by the USDA.
It has thirty calories per serving. In addition to no dairy, there is also no lactose, no soy, and no sugar added, making this a vegan drink. WebMD stated that almond milk is a good source of good fats that promote heart health and “keep you feeling full.” Almond milk also has a lot of Vitamin E, which is good for your skin.
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