Summer is made for backyard grilling, weeknight sheet pan dinners, and easy cookouts — and nothing fits those occasions better than a good sausage. While most grocery stores carry a decent selection, Costco stands out for its variety, price, and quality when it comes to sausages.
After tasting 10 different sausage options from my local Costco (ranging from chicken to pork to beef, fresh and smoked), I found three category winners — and one clear standout. Here’s a breakdown of each top pick, with everything you need to know about taste, nutrition, and how to serve them.
Best Fresh: Sausage Kirkland Signature Mild Italian Sausage $10.49/3.5 lbs
Costco’s house-brand Italian sausage is a staple in many homes, offering quality pork seasoned with traditional spices like fennel, garlic, and paprika.
Why We Love This
The bulk size means you can cook some now and freeze the rest. It’s incredibly versatile — grill it whole, slice for pizzas, or remove the casing to use in sauces and pasta dishes.
Taste Review
Savory and aromatic, this sausage packs a subtle punch of fennel and spice. The pork is juicy and the casing crisps beautifully when pan-seared or grilled.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 260
- Fat 22g
- Carbs 1g
- Sodium 680mg
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Protein 14g
Ingredients
Pork, water, salt, spices (including fennel and black pepper), paprika, garlic powder, sugar, in a natural pork casing.
Preparation Instructions
Cook over medium heat until internal temperature reaches 160°F. You can grill, pan-fry, or bake them. Remove casing for use as ground sausage in recipes.
Best Smoked Sausage: Kiolbassa Organic Beef Hickory Smoked Sausage $9.99/lb
Made with 100% grass-fed organic beef, Kiolbassa’s hickory smoked sausage is rich, garlicky, and fully cooked for quick prep. It’s one of the cleanest smoked sausages you’ll find at a big-box store.
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Why We Love This
Smoky, meaty, and made without fillers or unnecessary ingredients. You can toss it in a skillet dinner or slice it into a grain bowl or pasta for a fast protein fix.
Taste Review
Deep beefy flavor with strong hickory smoke and a mellow garlic undertone. The texture is dense but not dry, and every bite delivers satisfying umami richness.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 250
- Fat 22g
- Carbs 1g
- Sodium 520mg
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Protein 12g
Ingredients
Organic beef, water, sea salt, garlic, organic spices, celery powder, stuffed in a natural beef casing.
Preparation Instructions
As it’s fully cooked, just heat and serve. Grill, pan-fry, or warm in a skillet with veggies for a fast and flavorful meal.
Best Overall: Sabatino’s Organic Basil & Cracked Pepper Chicken Sausage $14.99/2.25 lbs
This fully cooked, organic chicken sausage from Sabatino’s blends fragrant basil with a kick of cracked black pepper. It’s flavorful, juicy, and free from nitrates, making it a cleaner choice for weeknight meals or grilling.
Why We Love This
The texture is firm yet moist — not rubbery like many other chicken sausages. It’s made with high-quality organic chicken and well-balanced seasoning, making it versatile for pastas, salads, or eaten on its own.
Taste Review
You’ll get a savory herb-forward flavor in every bite. The basil shines through, while the cracked pepper adds just enough heat. No artificial sweetness here — just rich, clean, classic sausage flavor.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 130
- Fat 7g
- Carbs 1g
- Sodium 500mg
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Protein 14g
Ingredients
Organic skinless chicken, water, organic basil, sea salt, organic spices, organic black pepper, organic garlic, in a pork casing.
Preparation Instructions
These sausages are fully cooked. Brown them in a skillet over medium heat for 6–8 minutes or grill until heated through. Great in pasta, wraps, or sliced on salads.
Final Thoughts
If you’re shopping at Costco and want a standout sausage, Sabatino’s Organic Chicken Sausage is the clear winner — flavorful, high-quality, and easy to prepare. But don’t sleep on the other contenders Kirkland’s Fresh Italian Sausage is a budget-friendly staple, and Kiolbassa’s Smoked Beef Sausage offers premium quality with smoky depth. Stock up while they’re available!
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