The 11 Most Nutritious Kirkland Signature Foods You Should Buy

Kirkland Signature is Costco's private-label brand, which offers an amazingly wide range of high-quality products that go from groceries to household staples, clothing, beauty, and even pet supplies. Per the company's website, Kirkland Signature items are meant to provide Costco's members with the best products at the lowest possible price without sacrificing animal welfare or respectful treatment toward the environment and the people in their supply chain. For example, they source their products from local farmers and growers when possible and offer them training programs, as well as access to health and education services for the farmers and their communities.

Aside from its sustainability and supply practices, Kirkland Signature offers nutritious products that fit numerous dietary restrictions, such as organic, vegan, kosher, and gluten-, dairy-, fat-, cholesterol-, grain-, lactose-, and trans-fat-free (per Costco). Thus, whether you have a food allergy or intolerance or follow a specific religious or ideological belief, the brand has something for everyone. Here's a round-up of some of the most nutritious Kirkland Signature foods you should buy the next time you go to Costco — or their website!

Kirkland Signature organic chicken stock is a key ingredient that, in addition to giving your dishes a richer, more flavorful profile, will also improve their nutritional quality. Chicken stock — also known as bone broth — is typically made by boiling and then simmering chicken bones, marrow, and connective tissue with your choice of vegetables and a bit of an acidic element such as vinegar or lemon juice. According to the product's details and ingredient label, this gluten-free and USDA certified organic stock is made with slow-roasted chicken and a vegetable stock containing carrot, celery root, and onion juice, plus sea salt and spices like turmeric, ground bay leaves, and black pepper extract (via Costco).

Due to its ingredients and preparation method, chicken stock is a highly nutritious liquid rich in vitamins, minerals, and collagen, potentially granting it anti-inflammatory effects. It may also improve your joint, bone, and brain health (per Healthline). Moreover, at $13.49 per 6 resealable cartons, Kirkland Signature organic chicken stock is also very affordable, and you could use it to prepare your favorite grains, such as rice or quinoa, or to make soups, stews, and a variety of sauces.

Non-dairy milk substitutes have become increasingly popular over the years due to dietary restrictions and ideological beliefs. As such, almond milk has become a kitchen staple in many households, and at $9.99 per 6 cartons, Kirkland Signature's organic unsweetened almond milk makes a budget-friendly choice with an excellent nutritional quality (via Costco).

Kirkland Signature's unsweetened almond milk is USDA certified organic, vegan, kosher, and dairy-, soy-, and lactose-free. As stated on the product label, this almond milk does not contain added sugars, yet its vanilla flavor still gives it a slightly sweet, dessert-like taste. Seeing the role of added sugars in the development of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes (per a review published in ​​Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences), this is the product's most significant nutritional benefit and what sets it apart from other non-dairy milk substitutes. Plus, with only 30 calories and 3 grams of total fat per serving, it is also a good choice for those trying to lose some weight. Finally, you can enjoy this product with your smoothies, cereals, oatmeal, coffee, or any other way you would normally use cow's milk.

Kirkland Signature 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil is the oil you didn't know you needed. Extra virgin olive oil is essentially a minimally processed olive juice, and it's considered the oil with the highest quality among olive oil varieties (per a study published in Foods). The study also explains that due to its extracting process and nutritional characteristics, it provides numerous health benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, as well as the prevention of cognitive decline, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. In fact, per the study, most of the health benefits linked to the Mediterranean diet have been associated with the use of extra virgin olive oil.

The brand's golden elixir is produced from Italian-grown olives, which with their distinct taste and aroma, will not only pack a punch of flavor but will surely give your dressings, marinades, and even raw or cooked veggies a nutrient boost. Plus, this extra virgin olive oil is also certified kosher, and it retails at $17.99 per 2 liters — which can last you quite a while (via Costco).

Canned meats are an affordable, high-quality protein source, and such is the case for Kirkland Signature canned chicken breast. Aside from being a lean protein source, this product is packed in water instead of oil, which further helps keep its fat content to a minimum — especially that of unhealthy saturated fats. In addition, it has a short ingredient list that includes chicken breast meat, water, and seasoning. Plus, it comes in a recyclable metal can (via Costco).

Moreover, canned chicken breast is shelf-stable, making it a perfect alternative for an on-the-go meal or snack you could add to salads, pasta, or sandwiches. However, like most canned foods, with 270 mg of sodium per serving, it can be quite high in the mineral, which may contribute to heart problems (per a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences). According to the American Heart Association (AHA), low-sodium foods are those that contain 140 mg of sodium per serving. Lastly, at $15.49 per 6 cans, Kirkland Signature canned chicken breast is relatively inexpensive.

Almonds are an incredibly nutritious nut with a healthy fat profile and a rich fiber and plant-based protein content (via Health Reporter). As it happens, Kirkland Signature's creamy almond butter is made with that one ingredient: roasted almonds (via Costco). Unlike other nut butters, this product is free of hydrogenated oils — which is precisely what makes it an excellent choice. Hydrogenated oils are commonly used to improve texture, boost stability, and prolong shelf life. Yet, they have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease (per Healthline). It also sells for only $7.99 per 27 ounces, making it one of the most affordable unsweetened almond butters compared to other brands.

Additionally, Kirkland Signature creamy almond butter is kosher, gluten-free, and made in a peanut-free facility — meaning that it is potentially safe for people with peanut allergies (per the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology [AAAAI]). Since the brand uses roasted almonds, this almond butter has a more robust flavor. Nevertheless, it still pairs perfectly with fruit or as a spread for your favorite toast. You can also use it to prepare smoothies, dressings, and a wide range of baked goods.

Given its outstanding healthy features, Kirkland Signature organic quinoa is another pantry staple you should try to get your hands on. Its ever-growing popularity comes from its high nutritional qualities, which include being rich in vitamins B and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, as well as being a naturally gluten-free food — meaning that it is safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It is also a go-to plant-based protein source for vegans and vegetarians, seeing that since it contains all essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein), it is considered a high-quality protein that's comparable to that of animal origin, such as eggs or meat (per a review published in Plants).

Kirkland Signature quinoa is kosher and made with certified organic quinoa. It also comes in a resealable bag that allows you to safely store its 4.5-pound contents for as long as you need (via Costco). Moreover, quinoa is an incredibly versatile and easy-to-cook ingredient. It is typically cooked and consumed as a grain, meaning that you can prepare it just as you would cook rice, and enjoy it as a side dish, added to salads or soups, or stuffed into vegetables. If you're feeling adventurous, you can use it as a breading substitute or enjoy it as a breakfast cereal or pancake mix.

Kirkland Signature almond flour is a must for those looking for a wheat flour alternative. Like other Kirkland Signature almond-based products, this flour is made with only one ingredient: blanched almonds — meaning that it is made with almonds that had their skin removed before processing, which results in a smoother product with a mild flavor and a pale cream or yellow color (via Costco). Aside from being blanched, the brand's almond flour is also very finely ground, which helps get a silkier texture that works great for sweeter recipes and baked goods like breads, cakes, cookies, or macaroons.

In addition, like most almond flours, this one is the perfect ally for those with specific dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and low-carb diets. It is also certified kosher and a paleo- and keto-friendly option. Finally, at $13.99 per 3 pounds, it is among the most affordable almond flour brands on the market.

If you're one of those people who stocks up on fresh veggies only to end up throwing them away a week later because you forgot all about them and left them to rot at the back of your fridge, then Kirkland Signature stir-fry vegetable blend is here to save your day — and in case you were wondering, yes, frozen veggies can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts because they're harvested at peak ripeness, which is when they're as full of nutrients as they'll get (per Healthline).

Kirkland Signature stir-fry vegetable blend contains only vegetables and nothing more, meaning that they're free of additives or chemicals and are naturally fat-free. The blend is made up of broccoli, sugar snap peas, green beans, carrots, red bell peppers, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and onions (via Costco). It is also a very versatile ingredient that you can add to noodles, rice, and soups or consume as a side dish. Plus, these veggies are very easy to prepare. Simply place them in a hot wok or frying pan (or even the microwave oven), and you're good to go. No need to thaw!

If you're looking for a natural sweetener that also happens to be linked to multiple health benefits, then Kirkland Signature organic raw honey might be just what you need. Raw honey is a minimally processed type of honey that doesn't contain added sugars or go through any heat or filtration processes. Instead, it is only strained to remove impurities before being bottled — meaning that it is as pure and natural as it can be (per Healthline).

The brand's raw honey retails for $19.99 per 3 bottles. In addition, it is USDA certified organic, kosher, and 100% grade A (via Costco) — this means that it has the highest quality out of the USDA's grading system for extracted honey (via USDA). It has a dark, amber color and a thick texture that makes a great addition to smoothies, yogurt, dips, oatmeal, dressings, and marinades. Overall, its only downside is that it comes in a plastic container.

Tomatoes are known for their cancer-fighting properties due to their high lycopene content — a potent antioxidant responsible for their bright red color that has also been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer (via the American Institute for Cancer Research). Luckily, Kirkland Signature organic diced tomatoes are here to make sure you always have some at hand. Plus, since they are a canned product, they'll last way longer than fresh tomatoes.

Kirkland Signature diced tomatoes are USDA certified organic (via Costco), and since they contain only 140 mg of sodium per serving, they're considered a low-sodium product — which is fairly uncommon for a canned food (per the American Heart Association [AHA]). In addition, they sell for $7.99 per 8 cans (or $1 per can). Tomatoes are a popular vegetable used in countless recipes, and canned tomatoes can be used for pretty much all of them, including sauces, pasta, soups, dips, and stews. Alternatively, you can enjoy them straight out of the can!

If you struggle to find fresh fish near you but don't want to give up enjoying a fillet now and then, Kirkland Signature tilapia loins are a freezer must-have. These boneless and skinless fillets are individually vacuum-packed and come from farmed tilapia raised without antibiotics (via Costco). They are also a healthy lean protein food that pack 21 grams of protein per serving, and, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they're considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children over two years old due to their low mercury content — a toxic heavy metal that can lead to poisoning if consumed in high amounts (per Medical News Today).

Tilapia loins can be grilled, baked, or sautéed. Yet, unlike other frozen products, you have to thaw them before cooking, which can be safely done by transferring them from the freezer to your fridge and letting them sit for 8 to 10 hours, as per the brand's instructions. Lastly, Kirkland Signature tilapia loins are kosher and sell for $21.99 per 12 fillets.