8 Costco Items Even Superfans Say Aren’t Worth It

If you’re a Costco die-hard, you already know that the warehouse giant can be hit-or-miss when stocking up in bulk. While some items are legendary, others leave you wondering, “Why did I buy this?” Here are eight Costco food items—even superfans you, too, should skip.

1. Kirkland Signature Corn Muffins $8.70/8 Ct

These bulk muffins are dry and bland, making boxed mixes a better bet—even superfans say so

Nutritional Facts (per muffin):

• Calories: 290
• Fat: 12 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 20 g
• Protein: 4 g

Ingredients:

Cornmeal, enriched flour, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, leavening agents

Prep Instructions:

Best warmed by 10–15 seconds in microwave before eating—if you buy them.

2. Vegetable Platter with Ranch Dip $14.43/52 Oz

Convenient for hosting but the veggies often arrive with off freshness. One shopper always regrets it.

Nutritional Facts (per 1 cup veggies + 2 tbsp dip):

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 10 g
• Carbs: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g

Ingredients:

Carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower; dip: mayo, buttermilk, herbs

Prep Instructions:

Serve chilled with dip immediately. Inspect veggies before buying—spoilage is common.

3. Fresh Cut Fruit Bowl $9.99

Mixed fruit bowls often contain overripe or mushy bits—another common regret

Nutritional Facts (per 1 cup):

• Calories: 70
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbs: 18 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 14 g
• Protein: 1 g

Ingredients:

Melon, pineapple, grapes, berries

Prep Instructions:

Refrigerate and dice before serving. Do a freshness check in-store—rot quickly appears.

4. Kirkland Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast $15.79/14 Oz

Bulk cold cuts seem convenient until they go slimy or take too long to finish—saving smaller packs for some is wise

Nutritional Facts (per 2 oz):

• Calories: 60
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbs: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 0 g
• Protein: 12 g

Ingredients:

Turkey breast, water, salt, natural liquid smoke, sodium phosphates

Prep Instructions:

Serve on sandwiches or wraps; reseal tightly and consume within 3–4 days.

5. Kirkland Signature Batteries (AA/AAA) $15.99

Despite being cheap and plentiful, these frequently leak and underperform compared to big “Duracell” brands

Care Instructions:

Use in low-drain devices only. Remove when storing; monitor for corrosion.

6. Don Lee Farms Organic Teriyaki Tofu Bowls

Despite the organic label, fans say the tofu has a rubbery texture and the sauce tastes overly sweet and artificial. A letdown in the frozen aisle.

Nutritional Facts (per bowl):

• Calories: 390
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbs: 48 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 15 g
• Protein: 18 g

Ingredients:

Tofu, brown rice, broccoli, carrots, teriyaki sauce (soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger)

Preparation Instructions:

Microwave from frozen for 4–5 minutes. Stir halfway through. Flavor may benefit from adding sriracha or sesame oil.

7. Dole Organic Whole Mushrooms

Buy the bulk white and baby Bella mushrooms at your own risk—according to one devoted shopper, they consistently go bad before being used

Nutritional Facts (per 3.5 oz):

• Calories: ~20
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbs: 3 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g

Ingredients:

100% organic whole mushrooms

Prep Instructions:

Slice or quarter after rinsing; great for sautéing or salads. But hurry—these mushrooms spoil fast!

8. Bibigo Steamed Dumplings

Despite loving other Bibigo products, one fan found these dumplings disappointing—thin wrappers, lackluster filling, and a texture that falls flat

Nutritional Facts (per 4 dumplings):

• Calories: 170
• Fat: 7 g
• Carbs: 20 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g

Ingredients:

Pork, veggies (cabbage, carrots), wheat flour, soy sauce, seasoning blend

Prep Instructions:

Steam 10–12 minutes or pan-fry until crispy then steam—tend to fall apart.

Final Takeaway

Bulk deals at Costco can be great—when the product delivers. But for these eight items, superfans warn: stick with smaller formats, buy elsewhere, or skip entirely. Save your cart space (and your cash) for tried-and-true Costco hits.