Tried, Tasted & Rated: 10 Costco Finds This Week (May 11, 2026)

Every week we dig through what Costco shoppers are actually talking about — what members are buying on repeat, what they’re regretting, what’s flying off the shelves, and what’s quietly underwhelming. Then we put each one through the same review treatment so you can tell the wins from the misses without setting foot in the warehouse.

This week’s lineup mixes a popular new protein bar, a cult ravioli that came back from the dead after years away, the new Costco prepared meal that’s getting “takeout killer” reviews, a spicy soup base members can’t stop talking about, and the new Kirkland sparkling energy drink — plus 5 more.

Each gets the full treatment: Taste Test, Texture Summary, Make It Better, Perfect Pairings, and Final Verdict.

Highlights — this week’s winners and skips

• BUY: Jimmybar Protein Bars, Pasta Prima Spinach & Mozz Ravioli (the comeback), Kinder Bueno Ice Cream, Beef & Broccoli Noodles, Liu’s Hot Pot Soup Base, Sweet & Salty Cookies
• MAYBE: Kirkland Sparkling Energy Drink, Jonny Pops Rainbow Popsicles
• SKIP: Nello Superfocus Drink Mix (overpriced for the actual hit)
• Item of the Week: Pasta Prima Spinach & Mozzarella Ravioli — back after years away

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1. Pasta Prima Spinach & Mozzarella Ravioli (3.5-lb bag, $12.99) — THE COMEBACK OF THE YEAR

Why it caught our eye: Pasta fans are losing their minds — this ravioli has been gone for literally years and just reappeared in the frozen section. Online comment threads are full of “I grew up eating this” stories.

Taste Test

Cheese-forward in the best way. The filling leans creamy mozzarella with a subtle spinach undercurrent — pronounced enough to taste like spinach, mild enough that even spinach-skeptics get on board. The included parmesan + herb seasoning packet is more important than you’d think — sprinkle over the cooked ravioli with a drizzle of olive oil and you’ve got a 10-minute restaurant plate.

Texture Summary

Boiled for exactly 6 minutes and they hit perfect al dente — pasta with a slight bite, filling that’s warm-through but not exploded. They don’t burst, they don’t stick to each other, and they hold up to sauce.

Make It Better

• The member-favorite upgrade: brown butter + fresh sage + the included parm packet, then top with a dollop of marinara on the side
• For a creamier dish: stir in a splash of heavy cream + a handful of baby spinach for the last 30 seconds of cooking
• For meal prep: cook the whole bag, portion into 4 containers, freeze. They reheat in the microwave (3 min) without breaking down

Perfect Pairings

• A simple Caesar salad
• Sliced French bread with garlic butter
• A glass of Chianti or a crisp Pinot Grigio

Final Verdict: BUY — and buy two if you have freezer room

At $12.99 for 3.5 lbs, it’s the cheapest “real meal” pasta in the freezer aisle. Members who’ve been mourning this for years aren’t being dramatic — it’s that good. Stock up before Costco changes its mind.

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2. Jimmybar Protein Bars (Chocolate PB + Double Fudge Brownie, 14-count, ~$25)

Why it caught our eye: Hit Costco warehouses nationwide in March 2026 and immediately took off — multiple food reviewers calling it the best Costco protein bar in years. Members are saying it dethroned the previous Quest Bar reign.

Taste Test

The Chocolate Peanut Butter is the standout — actual peanut butter flavor, not the chemical “PB-adjacent” taste most protein bars settle for. The Double Fudge Brownie reads like a brownie with a vague protein-bar afterthought (which is the exact balance you want). Sweetness is restrained — no aggressive stevia bite.

Texture Summary

Slightly chewy but not the molar-pulling chewiness of older protein bars. Cleaner mouthfeel. Soft at room temperature, firmer cold. The 20g of protein is real (not “20g if you eat the whole box”) and the 5g creatine add is a clever differentiator — most protein bars don’t bother.

Make It Better

• Cut into thirds and use as pre-workout fuel — easier on the stomach than a full bar
• Crumble over Greek yogurt with banana = 35g protein breakfast
• Microwave for 8-10 seconds for a “warm brownie” mouthfeel

Perfect Pairings

• Black coffee (the protein-bar staple)
• Post-workout shake — the bar’s creatine bumps your daily creatine total without an extra scoop
• A square of dark chocolate (yes, more chocolate)

Final Verdict: BUY

At ~$1.80 a bar with 20g protein + 5g creatine, this beats every standalone protein bar at standard grocery. The hype is earned.

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3. Kinder Bueno Ice Cream (Frozen, ~$15)

Why it caught our eye: Members are driving from warehouse to warehouse hunting this one down. If you’re a Kinder Bueno candy bar fan, this is your year.

Taste Test

Identical flavor profile to the candy bar — hazelnut + milk chocolate dominant, with a subtle waferiness from the actual wafer pieces inside. Not overly sweet (Kinder Bueno is famously balanced for European palates), so it doesn’t read as candy-bar-melted-in-a-pint.

Texture Summary

The ice cream itself is creamy, dense (premium-style, not airy), and the wafer pieces stay crisp because they’re encased in chocolate. The Kinder Bueno center is a soft hazelnut filling that contrasts with the firmer ice cream around it. Premium texture all the way through.

Make It Better

• Drizzle with warm Nutella for “more is more”
• Crumble Maria cookies on top for extra crunch
• Affogato-style: pour a hot espresso shot over a scoop. Trust.

Perfect Pairings

• Espresso or cappuccino
• A glass of Frangelico (the hazelnut liqueur)
• Berries on the side to cut the richness

Final Verdict: BUY

Kinder Bueno fans, this is automatic. Non-fans, still worth trying once — the flavor is more sophisticated than the candy aisle suggests.

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4. Costco Beef & Broccoli Noodles (Prepared, $6.99/lb)

Why it caught our eye: Costco’s prepared foods section just added this. Major food publications gave it strong marks last week with a “go easy on the sauce” warning. Members are calling it the new “easy weeknight win.”

Taste Test

Bold soy-and-ginger sauce profile — leans toward “stir-fry restaurant” rather than “frozen takeout.” The beef is genuinely tender (not stringy), and the noodles soak up the sauce well. The broccoli is cooked al dente.

Texture Summary

Beef is slice-cut, tender all the way through — no chew issues. Broccoli florets are cut a little big — they need a couple extra minutes in the pan beyond the package’s 2-minute estimate. Noodles are wide stir-fry style, hold sauce without going gummy.

Make It Better

• The Tasting Table tip stands: use only half the sauce packet the first time — full sauce is intense
• Add a teaspoon of sesame oil at the end for restaurant-style finish
• Crack a fried egg over each plated portion
• Toss in extra steamed broccoli + cooked rice to stretch the container to 5-6 servings instead of 4

Perfect Pairings

• Plain jasmine rice (cuts the sauce intensity)
• Cucumber salad with rice vinegar
• Tsingtao or a crisp lager

Final Verdict: BUY for weeknight rotation

At $6.99/lb and ~$28 per container that feeds 4-5, this is one of the best $-per-meal prepared foods at Costco right now. The sauce-control caveat is real but easy to manage.

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5. Liu’s Chong Qing Hot Pot Soup Base Variety Pack (16-pack, $15.99)

Why it caught our eye: Members who hot pot at home are obsessed with this — specifically the spicy variant. Liu’s is an actual Chongqing institution, so this isn’t generic hot pot soup base — it’s the real deal at Costco price.

Taste Test

The fresh (mild) version is herbaceous, with light Sichuan peppercorn warmth and a clean broth profile. The spicy version is the one members can’t stop talking about — building heat from real chili oil + Sichuan peppercorn numbing (mala), without harsh chemical-spicy notes. The depth of flavor is a tier above most Asian-grocery-store soup bases.

Texture Summary

Soup base, so the texture story is the broth: rich, slightly oily (chili oil floats on top in the spicy version — that’s intentional and authentic), with sediment from the spices. Strain if you want clarity, leave it if you want maximum flavor.

Make It Better

• Add napa cabbage, mushrooms (king trumpet + enoki + shiitake), thinly sliced beef, tofu, and any noodles for an at-home hot pot
• Use as a marinade for stir-fry beef — 30 minutes does the trick
• Mix the spicy base with chicken broth (1:2) for a beginner-friendly mala soup

Perfect Pairings

• A side of garlic-soy dipping sauce
• Chinese beer or chrysanthemum tea (for spice neutralizing)
• Steamed white rice on the side

Final Verdict: BUY

$15.99 for 16 single-use bases = $1/serving for restaurant-quality hot pot. Pick the spicy if you can handle Sichuan heat; pick the variety pack if you’re new to mala.

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6. Costco’s New Sweet & Salty Cookies (Bakery, ~$10)

Why it caught our eye: Newer Costco bakery item — major recipe publications called it “worth every penny,” and longtime Costco fans have multiple “ate the whole tray” confessions.

Taste Test

The “sweet and salty” name is honest — chocolate chips + brown sugar dough deliver the sweetness, while flaky sea salt on top gives the cookies that bakery-cafe lift. The salt is generous (some members say too generous — it’s intentional).

Texture Summary

Soft-baked center, slightly crisp edges. They stay soft for 3-4 days on the counter (Costco’s bakery cookies generally beat grocery cookies on shelf life). Cold from the fridge, the sea salt crystals get a satisfying crack.

Make It Better

• Microwave for 8-10 seconds before serving — caramelizes the chocolate
• Crumble over vanilla ice cream
• Sandwich two with vanilla ice cream between for a homemade ice cream sandwich

Perfect Pairings

• Cold milk (obviously)
• Cold brew coffee
• A glass of Manhattans for the after-dinner crowd

Final Verdict: BUY

Costco’s bakery cookies are reliably good — these add the sweet-salty trend to the lineup. Strong addition.

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7. Kirkland Signature Sparkling Energy Drink Variety Pack (24-count, ~$22)

Why it caught our eye: Members are picking this up as a budget alternative to Celsius / Alani / Red Bull. The variety pack hits 3 fruity flavors with 200mg caffeine each.

Taste Test

Decent flavor across all three variants — leans more “sparkling water with caffeine” than “energy drink.” Not too sweet (no sugar, no HFCS), not aggressively bitter. The hibiscus-ish flavor is the most-loved per member feedback; the citrus is the most polarizing.

Texture Summary

Carbonation level is moderate — not as aggressive as Celsius. Mouthfeel is closer to a flavored sparkling water than a traditional energy drink. Cans hold their fizz well after opening (chill them first for best results).

Make It Better

• Pour over ice with a lime wedge for “actually a cocktail” vibes
• Mix 50/50 with seltzer for a lighter caffeine hit
• Use as a vodka mixer for a low-cal cocktail base

Perfect Pairings

• Mid-afternoon work slump
• Pre-workout (200mg caffeine is a real dose)
• Skipped lunch and need momentum

Final Verdict: MAYBE — depends what you compare it to

At ~$0.92/can for 200mg caffeine + B vitamins + zero sugar, it beats Red Bull on price by half. But Celsius fans will find the flavor less aggressive. Try one variety pack and see if it sticks.

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8. Jonny Pops Rainbow Popsicles (Frozen, ~$11)

Why it caught our eye: Costco moms are recommending these as a healthier kid-popsicle option. Real fruit, organic, 6 stripes (cherry, orange, grape, lemon, lime, blue raspberry).

Taste Test

Each layer tastes like the actual fruit (cherry tastes like cherry, not “red”) rather than the artificially-bright Otter Pops profile. Slightly less sweet than commercial pops, which makes them disappear faster — kids and adults both reach for seconds.

Texture Summary

Smoother texture than typical fruit pops because of the organic fruit base — closer to sorbet than ice. Each color layer has slightly different density which is honestly delightful.

Make It Better

• Throw one in a champagne flute, pour prosecco over, instant kid-friendly mocktail (or actual cocktail)
• Crush and stir into Greek yogurt for a 5-minute “fancy” parfait
• Pair with cream for an “ice cream sandwich”-adjacent dessert

Perfect Pairings

• Pool day
• Backyard BBQ (kids’ table)
• Late-night sweet craving

Final Verdict: MAYBE — great if you have kids, fine if you don’t

$11 for 24 organic-fruit pops is a great deal. If you’re not feeding kids, you might burn out on the sweet-only flavor profile by pop #4.

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9. Nello Superfocus Drink Mix (~$28)

Why it caught our eye: Trending with the wellness crowd at Costco — caffeine + l-theanine + lion’s mane mushroom. Marketed as a “smart drink” for focus.

Taste Test

Watermelon-ish artificial flavor that doesn’t fully mask the underlying mushroom-y bitterness. It’s drinkable but not crave-able. The “focus” effect is real (caffeine + l-theanine is a proven combo), but you can replicate the effect with a $12 bag of green tea.

Texture Summary

Mixes cleanly in cold water (no clumping). Mild fizz if you stir vigorously. Drinks like a slightly thick Gatorade with a hint of dirt.

Make It Better

• Mix into cold-brew coffee instead of water — masks the mushroom note
• Use half the suggested scoop for a milder taste
• Pre-mix in a shaker bottle the night before — flavor mellows

Perfect Pairings

• Long study sessions
• Pre-Zoom-call ritual
• “I’m trying to quit Adderall” mornings

Final Verdict: SKIP — not at this price

Caffeine + l-theanine + lion’s mane is a genuine focus stack, but at $28 for a few weeks of supply, the per-serving cost is high. You can DIY the same stack from supplement-store individual ingredients for half the cost. Nice idea, wrong price.

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10. Costco Bakery 4-lb Strawberry Cream Pie ($18.99)

Why it caught our eye: Spring 2026 bakery comeback. Strawberry-season timing, member favorite — already covered in our Bakery Resurrection post, worth a quick re-rate here.

Taste Test

Real strawberry preserves layered onto graham crust + a pink strawberry cream filling + whipped topping ring. Sweet but not cloying — the slight tang of the strawberry preserves balances the cream layer. Tastes like spring.

Texture Summary

Graham crust holds up under the weight of the filling (impressive at 4 lbs). Cream layer is light, almost mousse-like. Whipped topping ring melts into the cream layer if it sits at room temp too long — best served from cold.

Make It Better

• Pull from fridge 10-15 min before serving (lets the cream layer hit ideal temp)
• Garnish with fresh basil for the brunch table
• Serve with a side of sliced fresh strawberries to “double down”

Perfect Pairings

• Brunch finale (after eggs + bagels)
• Mother’s Day-style gathering
• A glass of dessert riesling or prosecco

Final Verdict: BUY

$18.99 for 4 lbs of pie that feeds 14-16 = ~$1.20/serving. One of the best $-per-dessert plays in the Costco bakery right now.

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Item of the Week

Pasta Prima Spinach & Mozzarella Ravioli (3.5 lb, $12.99) — for the comeback factor alone. Decades-long absence, members are emotional, $12.99 feeds a family of 4 multiple times. If you only grab one item from this list, make it this one.

What didn’t make this week’s cut (but worth knowing)

• Mountain Dew Variety Pack at Costco — Canada-only at the moment; U.S. members report spotty availability
• GEN Korean BBQ Roadshow — limited-time event in select warehouses
• Costco Gyro Kit — back in deli, but already widely covered

Next week’s preview

We’re tracking the Costco Memorial Day Coupon Book drop, the rumored return of a fan-favorite Kirkland snack (asterisk + .97 ending spotted in 3 warehouses), and the new Big Joe Aura Drift inflatable pool float that members are calling the summer must-have.

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– What’s Trending at Costco This Week
– Top 50 Costco Online .97 Markdown Deals This Week
– Top New Costco Finds You Can’t Miss (5/8 – 5/14)