Costco's Jarred Artichokes Are Packing A Bonus Secret Ingredient

Costco shoppers know the warehouse retailer is home to an array of bulk goods at discounted prices. While the big-box store carries well-known brands, its in-store brand, Kirkland Signature, is also a fan-favorite. 

Kirkland Signature offers products from produce and frozen food to laundry detergent and diapers that are competitively priced compared to name brands. In fact, store brands such as Kirkland Signature typically cost 10% to 50% less than name-brand competitors, according to CNN Business.

One Kirkland Signature product Costco shoppers are raving about is the jarred artichoke hearts. The artichokes are cut in quarters and halves and marinated in oil in a 33 ounce-jar. While you can enjoy the artichoke hearts however your heart desires, you can utilize the jar right down to the oil. Not only is it a flavor boost for the artichokes, but it can also be used as a dressing for just about anything.

Of course, artichoke hearts can be enjoyed by themselves. But you can get more bang for your buck if you use the oil the artichoke hearts are marinated in, too. 

The Kitchn suggests making pasta salad using both the artichokes and the oil, which is seasoned with garlic and other spices. Drizzling the oil onto your pasta can elevate your dish. To add a little more flavor, you can add a little bit of lemon juice to the oil dressing. With just a few ingredients — artichoke hearts, pasta of your choice, protein and veggies — you'll end up with a simple yet flavorful pasta salad.

Costco shoppers praised the product for its versatility, too. The Mercury News says the Costco artichokes "deliver big artichoke flavor and a delicate hit of herbs and vinegar." "These are one of my staples," one user commented in a Reddit post about the Kirkland Signature artichoke hearts. "My only real complaint is I wish they used a different oil, but that's my being a bit picky."

Marinated artichoke hearts are good for so much more than pasta salads, too. Try adding them to pizzas, Italian sandwiches, or traditional green salads as toppings. (If you go the pizza route, artichokes are especially delicious paired with creamy pizza sauces, rather than traditional marinara.)

Spinach, artichoke, and cheese are known to pair well together, so if you're feeling adventurous, you can make a spinach-artichoke dip. Other popular artichoke recipes include roasted salmon with artichoke hearts, antipasto salad, and artichoke-burrata mini toasts. Better yet, you can eat marinated artichoke hearts straight out of the jar.

And these little green powerhouses are more than just tasty. Artichokes are good for your health, too. They're jam-packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, riboflavin, and vitamin B. The green vegetable can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar, as well as maintain liver and digestive health.