Ranked: The 5 Best Kirkland Products at Costco

If you've ever spent a meaningful amount of time at a Costco warehouse, then you may be familiar with the presence of its signature Kirkland brand. You'll find Kirkland products in different aisles of Costco, but some of the best items to come out of Kirkland are those of the food variety. Here are the five best Kirkland products you may want to add to your shopping list.

1. Kirkland Signature Italian Basil Pesto

It's hard to find a good pesto sauce outside of a restaurant. But Kirkland's pesto does a pretty good job. It's rich enough to coat your pasta nicely and has the perfect amount of zing.

It's no wonder, then, that David and Susan Schwartz, who have visited more than 200 Costco stores worldwide and wrote a book about it, cite Kirkland Signature Italian Basil Pesto as one of their top items. As long as you don't have an aversion or allergy to nuts or dairy, you may want to consider picking up a jar the next time you're at Costco. This item isn't available online, but you'll typically find it when you shop in person.

2. Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup

A good jar of maple syrup can seriously elevate your breakfast. Kirkland maple syrup not only tastes great, but is a solid buy due to its affordable price point.

Though you'll typically pay less in stores, you can buy a jug (33.8 ounces) of Kirkland's famous maple syrup online for $14.99. You're spending $0.44 an ounce there, whereas at a regular grocery store, you might spend almost twice as much per ounce.

3. Kirkland Signature Muffins

There are the muffins you can buy at a regular bakery, and the muffins you can buy that are basically the size of your face. If you prefer the latter, head to Costco. The store's Kirkland Signature Muffins come in a variety of flavors, including double chocolate, blueberry, and corn, which you'll typically find year-round.

If you really want to taste an excellent Kirkland muffin, wait until fall. That's when the pumpkin streusel version rolls around.

Now, one thing you should know is that Costco sells its giant Kirkland muffins 12 at a time. But they freeze really well, so buying a bunch works even if you'll only be able to consume a couple before you run into issues with expiration dates.

4. Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters

If you're someone who appreciates a snack that's sweet but not too sweet, salty but not too salty, and super filling, then you may want to grab a bag of Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters the next time you're at the store. You can also buy a two-pound bag online for $10.99.

These clusters do need to come with a warning: Bite carefully. They're pretty hard. If you have loose or problematic teeth, perhaps steer clear to avoid an expensive dental visit to follow.

5. Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes

The chicken bake -- an ooey, gooey mixture of chicken and melty cheese all wrapped up for easy but messy consumption -- has long been a food court staple. But the good news is that you can bring some of that deliciousness home with you and bust it out on a cold night when you're in serious need of comfort food.

You'll find Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes in the store's frozen section. Pick up a six-pack for a nice set of backup meals.

Not only does Costco's Kirkland brand put out some pretty amazing food products from a taste perspective, but the price often can't be beaten. So loading up on Kirkland items can be a smart financial decision as well as a yummy one.