When I’m building better lunches or an easy sandwich spread, choosing among Costco’s deli meats can be tricky. These picks show which ones are worth buying—and why I’d skip one Italian option.
1. Kirkland Signature Reduced Sodium Italian-Style Dry Salame – $11.49
For low-effort charcuterie nights, this dry salame brings plenty of character without requiring any prep. The two-pack also makes sense for households that want to serve one now and save the other for later.
Taste: Salty, meaty flavor leads, followed by a slight vinegar-and-pepper tang and subtle wine notes. The slices are thick and soft, with fat that melts easily rather than feeling rubbery.
Make It Better: Layer it into an Italian sandwich with ham and pepperoni, or add it to a board with cheese. My practical move is freezing the second pack before the first one disappears.
Parting Thoughts: Charcuterie regulars should find this a flavorful bulk buy with plenty of uses.
2. Dietz & Watson Organic Roasted Turkey Breast, 10 oz, 2-count – $17.99
Lunchbox duty is where this roasted turkey earns its space in my refrigerator. It works for quick sandwiches, but it is flavorful enough to fold onto a Hawaiian roll when lunch needs to happen immediately.
Taste: The turkey has a distinctly meaty flavor with pronounced saltiness, so it does not fade behind bread or cheese. Its firm, moist texture feels substantial without turning tough.
Make It Better: Keep the sandwich simple with soft rolls, or use a mild accompaniment that will not add much more salt.
Parting Thoughts: The premium price makes the most sense for anyone who prioritizes firm texture and full turkey flavor.
3. Kirkland Signature Uncured Black Forest Ham 28 Oz – $9.99–$10.49
Smoky-sweet ham is an easy answer when one package needs to cover school lunches, quick subs, and casual weekend snacking. The slices separate easily, which matters more than it sounds during a rushed sandwich assembly line.
Taste: A subtle sweetness rounds out the smoke while still leaving room for natural ham flavor. The thick, firm slices avoid the excessively wet feel that can make packaged ham unappealing.
Make It Better: Pair it with cheese or tuck it into an Italian-style sub. For a smaller household, divide and freeze portions rather than racing through the full package.
Parting Thoughts: Versatility and an appealingly firm cut make this the ham I’d choose for bulk sandwich prep.
4. Kirkland Signature Seasoned Roast Beef – $14.40–$16.59
A hot French dip or upgraded grilled cheese turns this fully cooked roast beef into more than ordinary lunch meat. It is also ready to use cold when the weeknight plan is simply bread, meat, and something crunchy on the side.
Taste: Garlic and spices give the beef a savory lift without burying its mild flavor under smoke. The slices are thin, tender, and dry-firm rather than slick, with no distracting gristle.
Make It Better: Warm it for French dips, or add it to grilled cheese for a heartier dinner. Cold, it also pairs well with ham in a stacked sandwich.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone bored with standard turkey sandwiches will appreciate how easily this moves between cold lunches and warm meals.
5. Carnegie Deli Pre-Sliced Corned Beef & Pastrami Combo Pack – $17.99
When I want a tall deli-style sandwich at home, this combination pack makes the occasion feel more deliberate than an everyday packed lunch. It is especially useful for serving a small crowd because guests can choose between two classic meats.
Taste: The pastrami brings pepper, garlic, and smoke, while the corned beef is more straightforwardly savory. Both are tender, and warming them brings out a juicier texture.
Make It Better: Serve the meat warm on rye with mustard, or turn the corned beef into a Reuben-style sandwich.
Parting Thoughts: Classic deli-sandwich cravings are where this pricier combination genuinely earns its keep.
6. Citterio 18 Month Prosciutto Di Parma 6oz 2-count – $14.42–$14.69
My skip is this 18-month prosciutto, despite its Italian pedigree and convenient two-pack. For a specialty cured meat, the eating experience is too underwhelming to justify choosing it over a better prosciutto.
Taste: The flavor is lightly salty but lacks the deep porky richness I expect from prosciutto. Its very thin slices include chewy fat that does not melt with the silky texture that makes this style of meat special.
Make It Better: If it is already in your refrigerator, use it as a supporting layer in a sandwich or pan-fry it until crisp rather than making it the centerpiece of a board.
Parting Thoughts: Prosciutto lovers are better off passing, while bargain-minded sandwich makers may still find a secondary use for it.
