Ranked: The Top 4 Kirkland Products at Costco

Some of us get used to eating foods from certain brands and then stick with them due to that familiarity. I'm not judging this practice, because I'm part of that "some of us" in many ways.

Years back, though, I decided to start sampling different Kirkland foods at Costco to save money on my grocery bills. And these days, Kirkland products are a staple in my household. 

But it's not just that you can save money by opting for Kirkland buys. These Kirkland items not only win on price, but on taste, so they're worth checking out.

1. Kirkland bakery muffins

You could buy muffins from your local bakery and pay $3 or $4 apiece for ones that are an average size. Or, for somewhere in the ballpark of $9.99 (prices can vary from one store to another), you can bring home 12 enormous, fluffy, delicious Kirkland muffins from Costco's bakery section. 

To be clear, these are not packaged muffins with a weeks-long shelf life. These are muffins that are freshly baked on a regular basis, and they come in a variety of flavors. 

At my local Costco, blueberry, corn, and chocolate chunk are flavors you'll find year-round. But one of my favorites is the pumpkin streusel that becomes available during the fall. 

2. Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters

There are some Kirkland products you can easily find another version of. Kirkland makes potato chips is one example. And while they're tasty, it's also more than possible to find potato chips from other brands at your neighborhood grocery store. 

But Kirkland's cashew clusters are unique in that you really can't find them elsewhere. If you like the idea of cashews, almonds, and pumpkin seeds fused together into crunchy, sweet, and salty nuggets, then this is a snack worth trying. You'll pay $10.99 online, but check your local Costco warehouse for what will likely be a lower price. 

3. Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup

Do you know what it takes to make maple syrup? Until I attended a Cub Scout trip with my children to a maple farm several years back, I didn't realize the process was so time-consuming and complicated. It's no wonder maple syrup costs what it does.

What makes Kirkland's version stand out is the price coupled with the taste. This is good syrup -- I promise. Is it the best I've ever had? No. That distinction goes to a remote farm in Vermont, where you have to hike your way toward a syrup shack and hope that they haven't run out. 

But based on Costco's online price (which we all know is more expensive than the in-store price), you're looking at just $0.44 per ounce for Kirkland maple syrup. At my local supermarket, the cheapest option I've found costs $0.68 per ounce. 

4. Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter

Kirkland's almond butter is cheaper than the almond butter sold at my local supermarket. The online price is $7.49 for a 27-ounce jar, or $0.28 per ounce. My regular grocery store charges $7.89 for a 16-ounce jar, or $0.49 per ounce.

Also, Kirkland's version is just really, really good. It's creamy, a touch sweet but not too sweet, and the perfect thing to put on apple slices or a toasted bagel. 

These are only a few of the Kirkland food items I happen to love. And you should know that Kirkland's reach extends well beyond groceries. You can buy Kirkland paper products, cleaning supplies, and even clothing. So it pays to keep an eye on what's in stock, since buying Kirkland tends to mean getting a great deal and a quality product all in one.