Chefs’ Favorite Condiments To Buy At Costco

Costco members already know this warehouse retailer is a treasure trove for buying pantry staples, snacks, frozen meals, and more in bulk, but even the most seasoned shoppers can still discover secrets to shopping smarter at this superstore.

Along with frozen ravioli, that giant bag of rice, and the 60-count carton of eggs, why not use your monthly Costco trip to restock the fridge door as well? After all, having an excellent olive oil or craft mustard on hand can make all the difference between a good weeknight dinner and a great one.

Just like everything else at Costco, buying condiments in larger quantities often helps save money over time and reduces the number of grocery trips in your busy schedule. This doesn’t mean you’re buying inferior quality, and to prove it, we consulted chefs to find out which Costco condiments they love the most.

Included in your annual Costco membership are expert-loved oils, syrups, sauces, and toppings aplenty — you just need to know where to look. Here are the seven condiments making the cut on chefs’ shopping lists.

Kirkland Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Accessibility and value are driving chefs’ Costco runs, and the Kirkland Extra-Virgin Olive Oil embodies the best of both worlds. Even better: Some professionals prefer this single-origin Italian import over Trader Joe’s comparable product.

The store’s two-liter bottle — which costs $28 total, or roughly $0.41 per fluid ounce — offers high-quality, imported oil at a fair price. (That $28 might seem steep, but keep in mind that most grocery stores sell bottles between 250 milliliters and one liter for the same price or more.)

“There’s something fascinating about finding artisanal quality in a place as massive as Costco,” Agostino Cangiano, chef and co-owner of Slicehaustells Food & Wine. “It’s actually quite good. Smooth, grassy, balanced — not Tuscan, but respectable.”

Kewpie Deep-Roasted Sesame Dressing

Searching for a sauce with deep flavor that can instantly take any vegetable up a notch? In this lesser-known Costco gem, ground and roasted sesame seeds add a creamy texture and nutty flavor to bright salad dressing. Of course, this dressing isn’t limited to just straightforward salads; use it in marinades, as a dip, or even tossed with cold noodles.

Executive chef Daniel Ontiveros of Carver Road Hospitality names this bottle as “one of the most important items in my household.” If you’re already a fan of Kewpie’s widely beloved, tangy mayonnaise, Ontiveros says this item will surely upgrade your next batch of fire-roasted broccolini.

Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup

Two of the chefs we polled listed the Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup as their favorite among Costco’s many condiments. Chef Roshara Sanders of Red Rooster Harlem notes that its flavor profile is well-suited for marinades and vinaigrettes, while Ontiveros highlights its versatility as a natural sugar substitute. (We’re partial to using it as a more flavorful way to sweeten our coffee, too.)

At $15 for a 33.8-ounce jug of this 100% pure, Grade A maple syrup — or about 44 cents per ounce — it’s an excellent value when you buy in bulk. To put that into perspective, a similar private-label maple syrup from Whole Foods will cost you around 58 cents per fluid ounce.

Kirkland Basil Pesto

Pesto is best when homemade, but many shoppers consider this massive jar to be the next-best option, and it’s often named as one of the most popular products at Costco. At the bulk retailer, you’ll find a whopping 22 ounces of this vivid green, fresh-tasting pesto in the refrigerated section, a storage method that helps preserve its bright flavors in lieu of a canning process.

This condiment is a favorite among regular shoppers and chefs alike. “I expected something dull and oily, but it actually has life to it,” Cangiano explains. “The basil tastes real, and the cheese isn’t too salty.”

Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base

To develop deep flavor quickly, stock up on Better Than Bouillon’s Roasted Chicken Base for a weeknight sauce and soup starter. This creamy seasoning uses real roasted chicken as its base, giving it a greater depth of flavor than many competitors.

While you’ll typically find 8-ounce jars of this flavor booster at most grocery stores, Costco offers a 21-ounce size, so you don’t need to restock as often. Cangiano recommends dropping a spoonful of the bouillon paste in a pan with butter and white wine to form a “lovely” pan sauce.

Dijon Mustard Knit

Punchy Dijon mustard is a kitchen powerhouse, and chefs like Cangiano have the massive Maille jar you can get at some Costco warehouses on their wishlists. (It adds a “bit of attitude” to dishes and has “perfect acidity,” he points out.)

This one’s tricky to locate stateside, though — you’ll usually find it in Canadian or Australian warehouses — so it’s worth noting for your next international trip. If you’re lucky enough to track down the luxurious French brand in a large format, don’t pass it up.