5 Kirkland Products Every Costco Member Should Try

Okay, I'll admit it. When I first joined Costco, I was hesitant to bring Kirkland products home because I was convinced they'd somehow be inferior in quality to the brands I was used to. How else could you explain those ultra-low prices?

But I'm glad I've since changed my ways, because through the years, I've enjoyed lots of savings at Costco by loading up on Kirkland products. And these days, certain Kirkland products are staples on my weekly grocery list.

If you're not familiar with Kirkland, it's Costco's signature brand. You'll find the Kirkland name on everything from baby products to baked goods to household supplies. And here are a few Kirkland products I think every Costco member should try.

1. Organic quinoa

Quinoa has been hailed as a supergrain that can serve as a great base or side dish for meals. We eat a lot of quinoa in my household, and I like to add it to chili and stew for extra protein.

At my local supermarket, an 8.8-ounce bag of quinoa costs $3.49. So that's $0.40 an ounce. Meanwhile, Kirkland makes a mega-bag of quinoa that costs just $10.99 online for a 4.5-pound haul. That's only $0.15 an ounce.

And also, that's the online price. Chances are, you'll find Kirkland-brand quinoa at an even lower price at your local warehouse club store.

2. Kirkland almond butter

I'm a huge fan of peanut butter. But sometimes, I like to mix things up and put almond butter on toast or apple slices instead.

A 27-ounce jar of Kirkland almond butter costs $7.99 online, which is $0.30 an ounce. At my local supermarket, a 16-ounce jar is $8.49, or $0.53 an ounce.

3. Praline pecans

When I'm in the mood for something sweet, I try to offset it by adding a little protein to the mix. And Kirkland praline pecans fit the bill. They're not overly sweet, and they can be eaten by the handful at night while watching TV or sprinkled onto a salad for a little crunch.

A 2.5-pound jar of these bad boys costs $16.99 at Costco, which amounts to about $0.42 per ounce. Trader Joe's sells yummy candied pecans, too, but a five-ounce bag will cost you $4.49, or roughly $0.90 per ounce.

4. Cashew clusters

Kirkland makes a delicious cashew cluster that includes almonds, pumpkin seeds, and just the right amount of sugar. This is my go-to snack for a long hike because it's packed with protein and tasty as heck. And for just $10.99 for a two-pound bag online, it's a worthwhile investment.

Now, I can't compare the cost of these clusters to another store because frankly, I've never seen a comparable product outside of this Kirkland offering, which you can only find at Costco -- at least at a reasonable price. You can technically buy these cashew clusters on Amazon, but the cost there is almost $25 versus $10.99 at Costco.com. And again, you'll generally pay even less at an actual warehouse club store.

5. Chocolate chips

I happen to do a lot of baking at home, especially during the holidays. And I like to load up on Kirkland chocolate chips because the price is always far more competitive than what's available elsewhere. A 4.5-pound bag of Kirkland semi-sweet chocolate chips is only $13.99 online, or $0.20 per ounce.

I'll be honest. There's nothing spectacular about these chocolate chips. They taste like...chocolate chips, which are a hard thing to mess up. The reason to go for the Kirkland version here really boils down to price alone.

At my local supermarket, chocolate chips happen to be on sale right now. But even so, a 10-ounce bag is $3, which would have me paying $0.30 an ounce.

Some of the Kirkland products you'll find at Costco are unique items you really can't find elsewhere. Others are simply more affordable but equally good versions of the products you'll see in many stores. But either way, it pays to give these Kirkland products a try, especially because Costco stands behind its signature brand (and every item it sells, for that matter). So if you take a chance on a Kirkland item and it doesn't meet your expectations, you can generally bring it back for a refund without any sort of hassle.