Costco Taste Test: I Tried Everything—Here’s What’s Worth It (Mar 2026)

March 24, 2026

I taste-tested some of Costco’s most talked-about snacks, bakery items, and pantry staples to see what actually delivers—and what falls flat. From viral sweets to everyday essentials, here’s your honest breakdown of the must-buys, surprising hits, and easy skips this week.

1. Kirkland Signature Variety Pastry Tray (40-Count)

Introduction: This massive tray features five flavors: Apricot, Maple Apple, Raspberry, Chocolate Brioche, and Cream Cheese. It looks like a high-end bakery spread, but does the flavor live up to the presentation?

Price: $32.90
Taste Test: Sweet and pleasant, but the fruit flavors are subtle. The Maple Apple is the strongest, while the Raspberry is almost undetectable. The Chocolate Brioche has a polarizing, slightly “odd” aftertaste.
Texture Summary: Moist and soft from the plastic packaging. The “All Butter” dough is nice but lacks the flaky “shatter” of fresh pastries.
Make It Better: Pop them in the air fryer at 180°C for 2-3 minutes. It crisps the exterior and makes the “moist” dough feel fresh-baked.
Perfect Pairings: A strong, bitter black coffee to cut through the sugar and dough.
Final Verdict: Skip. For $29, you aren’t getting enough filling or flavor punch.

2. Girl Scouts Coconut Caramel Granola Clusters

Introduction: If you love Samoas, these are dangerous. This gluten-free granola brings that iconic coconut-caramel-chocolate trio to the breakfast table, and the community is already losing its self-control.

Price: $8.39
Taste Test: Sweet, chocolatey, and crunchy. It isn’t a 1:1 cookie clone—it’s missing the shortbread punch—but it has a hint of cinnamon that makes it a top-tier snack.
Texture Summary: Giant, satisfyingly crunchy clusters. It’s “snackable” granola meant for eating by the handful.
Make It Better: Use it as a premium topper for vanilla ice cream or a thick Greek yogurt bowl.
Perfect Pairings: Cold almond milk or even a sidecar to a cup of hot cocoa.
Final Verdict: Buy. Even if it’s not an exact Samoa replica, it’s one of the best snacks in the warehouse.

3. Stellar Pretzel Braids (Maui Monk Flavor)

Introduction: These vegan butter braids are seasoned with Maui onion and monk fruit. “In the strangest way, man, what do I think about this? It’s like two different things going on and my brain does not know how to settle on that one.”

Price: $9.99
Taste Test: A loud “BAM” of onion flavor hits immediately, followed by a sweet note from the monk fruit. Curiously, the flavor vanishes almost as soon as you stop chewing.
Texture Summary: Outstanding, dense crunch. These are high-quality, sturdy pretzels.
Make It Better: Use them as a vessel for Jalapeño Cheddar Pub Cheese. The dip bridges the flavor gap at the end.
Perfect Pairings: A crisp lager or a cold ginger ale.
Final Verdict: Buy. The initial flavor hit is so addictive you’ll keep eating them just to solve the mystery.

4. Smash Foods Jam-Packed Bites

Introduction: Available in Sunflower Butter/Strawberry and Cashew Butter/Blueberry, these are gluten-free, vegan bites designed for a “healthy” snack fix.

Price: 19.99 (18-pack box)
Taste Test: A bit underwhelming. The Sunflower Butter flavor is heavy, and while the blueberry is tart, the overall “zip” is missing. It needs more salt or sweetness to pop.
Texture Summary: Soft, dense, and a little dry on the palate.
Make It Better: Store them in the fridge. The cold firms up the nut butter and makes the fruit jam center feel more like a treat.
Perfect Pairings: A tall glass of milk (dairy or oat) to help with the density.
Final Verdict: Skip. They are “okay,” but not a “must-grab” snack compared to other Costco options.

5. Krave Beef Chimichurri Sticks

Introduction: Grass-fed beef sticks that promise a “fresh and herbaceous” culinary experience. They offer 8g of protein per stick but fall a little short on the flavor profile.

Price: $16.99 (12-pack)
Taste Test: Savory and beefy, but the “Chimichurri” aspect is weak. It tries to be kicky and spicy, then backs off at the last second.
Texture Summary: Fantastic, high-quality chew. It’s not greasy like a standard Slim Jim.
Make It Better: Chop these into a breakfast scramble to let the fats and spices flavor your eggs.
Perfect Pairings: A sharp white cheddar cheese stick.
Final Verdict: Skip. 3.5/5. Great quality meat, but the flavor doesn’t live up to the “unrivaled” name.

6. Hum Probiotic Kombucha (Mango Passion Fruit)

Introduction: This 8-pack is the “non-kombucha lover’s” kombucha. It’s USDA organic, low-sugar, and features 2 billion probiotics.

Price: $16.66 (8-pack)
Taste Test: Tropical, bright, and delicious. It lacks the aggressive “vinegar” burn found in many other brands. It tastes like a fizzy, high-end mango juice.
Texture Summary: Perfectly effervescent—not too fizzy, but enough to feel festive.
Make It Better: Use it as a healthy cocktail mixer with a splash of vodka or gin.
Perfect Pairings: Spicy fish tacos or a heavy BBQ dinner to refresh the palate.
Final Verdict: Buy. It’s a 5/5 refreshing win.

7. Kirkland Signature Organic Salsa (Medium)

Introduction: This warehouse staple comes in a two-pack and is made with vine-ripened tomatoes and chipotle pepper powder.

Price: $11.49
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Taste Test: Heavy on the cumin and chili powder. It has a “cooked” flavor profile rather than a “fresh pico” vibe. The medium heat is solid but won’t burn you.
Texture Summary: Slightly saucy and thin; lacks the large chunks of fresh-style salsas.
Make It Better: Use it for Salsa Chicken in the crockpot. It’s better as a cooking ingredient than a standalone dip.
Perfect Pairings: Kirkland Kettle Chips or inside a breakfast burrito.
Final Verdict: Buy (for cooking). It’s a 4/5 value-play for meal prep.

8. Taylor Farms Chipotle Ranch Chopped Kit

Introduction: A smoky, crunchy salad kit featuring romaine, cabbage, tortilla chips, and crisp corn. This is a consistent community favorite.

Price: $8.99
Taste Test: Smoky, tangy, and rich. The chipotle dressing is the star—it’s savory with a very manageable kick.
Texture Summary: Elite crunch level thanks to the dried corn and tortilla strips.
Make It Better: Top it with Costco Rotisserie Chicken and black beans to turn a side salad into a restaurant-quality meal.
Perfect Pairings: Grilled steak or served as a side to pork chops.
Final Verdict: Buy. It’s a 5/5 staple that never disappoints.

9. Lemon Custard Pie (Costco Bakery)

Introduction: A 4.5lb beast of a pie. I had high hopes, but this “monstrosity” might leave lemon lovers feeling sour—and not in the good way.

Price: $18.00
Taste Test: Extremely mild. It’s more of a vanilla-egg custard with a “whisper” of lemon. It lacks the bright acidity and tartness you’d expect from a lemon dessert.
Texture Summary: Silky smooth custard and light whipped topping, but the crust is a bit bland and can get soggy.
Make It Better: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over your slice and top with fresh raspberries to add the missing tartness.
Perfect Pairings: A tart fruit coulis or fresh berries.
Final Verdict: Skip. Unless you prefer very mild, milky desserts, it’s not worth the fridge space.

10. Chef Hak’s Mediterranean Veggies

Introduction: A mix of asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, bell peppers, and yellow carrots tossed in avocado oil. It’s a “health-first” item that needs some DIY love.

Price: $24.87
Taste Test: Bland out of the bag. The artichoke has a nice smokiness, but the overall seasoning is lacking.
Texture Summary: Too “al dente” if you follow the package directions exactly.
Make It Better: Cook it longer in the air fryer at 210°C until charred, and add your own salt, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lemon.
Perfect Pairings: Pair with chicken sausage or a rotisserie chicken.
Final Verdict: Buy (for convenience). It’s a 5/5 for health/macros but a 3.5/5 for flavor as-is.

11. Taylor Farms Broccoli Crunch Chopped Kit

Introduction: A value-sized kit with broccoli, cauliflower, craisins, and almonds. It’s the ultimate picnic side, but the dressing is polarizing.

Price: $10.20
Taste Test: Sweet and tangy. Some reviewers describe the dressing as having a “sour bread” scent that can be off-putting.
Texture Summary: Maximum crunch. The raw broccoli and nuts give your jaw a workout.
Make It Better: Add more sharp cheddar. The kit is stingy with cheese, and more cheddar helps balance the tangy dressing.
Perfect Pairings: BBQ ribs or pulled pork sandwiches.
Final Verdict: Buy. 3.85/5. Great for crowds, just check if you like tangy coleslaw flavors first.

12. Spring Variety Dessert Bars (32-Count)

Introduction: A tray featuring Turtle Brownies, Wildberry Macaroons, Brookies, and Lemon Salted Caramel bars. It’s a gamble in a box.

Price: $26.99
Taste Test: The Turtle Brownie and Brookie are solid (4/5). However, the Wildberry Macaroon is notoriously bad, with many users saying it tastes like a “scented candle.”
Texture Summary: A mix of chewy brownies and toasted coconut.
Make It Better: Slicing them into smaller slivers makes the sweetness more manageable. They also freeze exceptionally well.
Perfect Pairings: A cup of green tea to cut the sugar.
Final Verdict: Skip. Paying $20 for a tray where one entire flavor is “inedible candle” is a pass.

13. Carrot Bar Cake (Costco Bakery)

Introduction: The fan favorite is back! This tiered bar cake features raisins, pineapple, walnuts, and cream cheese frosting.

Price: $21.55
Taste Test: Moist but a bit bland. The cream cheese frosting is “mellow” and lacks that sharp tang. The raisins and pineapple add sweetness, but it needs more spice.
Texture Summary: Very moist and dense. The walnuts on top add a necessary crunch.
Make It Better: Serve it with a dash of sea salt on top to wake up the mellow cream cheese frosting.
Perfect Pairings: A spicy chai tea or cold milk.
Final Verdict: Skip. 2.5/5. It’s beautifully made, but for the calories, you want a bolder spice profile.