10 Kirkland Signature Items This Nutritionist Swears by at Costco

By now, you all probably know how much I love Costco. I frequently go on and on (and on) about my favorite healthful items to find at the warehouse store. There’s the stuff in the freezer section, the snack aisles, the breakfast finds — I can (and do!) keep going!

When you stop to look at the patterns of my musings, though, you’ll see that Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, constantly gets a mention or three. Realizing that, I decided to round up my very favorite Kirkland items. Here are the 10 things from Kirkland Signature that I always have on hand. (You may be surprised to see how many of them are organic!)

I’ve been loyal to one brand of soy milk for years, but this recent find converted me. So many soy milks out there are loaded with added sugars (some have two to four teaspoons in a single cup!). Costco’s Kirkland Signature option is organic, non-GMO, and is one of the lowest in sugar, sodium, and calories that I’ve seen yet.

And did I mention the taste? It’s creamy, smooth, and just sweet enough without tasting like dessert. I love it in smoothies, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, and coffee drinks from time to time. Plus, the shelf-stable cartons are super convenient and mean I never have to waste fridge space.

I love this balsamic vinegar in salads! It also gives tangy flavor and zing to raw or roasted veggies. So it might not surprise you to learn that one of my favorite ways to use this stuff is to make a salad with organic greens, a variety of diced raw veggies, fresh herbs, and roasted root vegetables (like beets, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes). It also makes a great marinade and keeps forever in the fridge.

I’m a huge fan of unsweetened applesauce and use it in all kinds of ways from baking to breakfast recipes. These Kirkland Signature organic unsweetened applesauce pouches are just the way applesauce should be: naturally sweet, smooth, creamy, and perfectly convenient for taking them on the go or storing in the pantry at home. They’re a great bargain too!

As with soy milk, I was brand loyal (to a brand that shall remain nameless) for more than 10 years until discovering this Costco find. I love a creamy, smooth, natural-tasting almond milk with the slightest flavor of vanilla without any added sugar, and this one from Costco really delivers!

I was convinced to try it after seeing so many other shoppers with these cartons in their buggies. For the price, I figured I may as well. Now, I’m a Costco almond milk convert! I like to use this almond milk in smoothies, oatmeal or whole-grain cereal, baked goods, coffee drinks, and more.

As a vegetarian for nearly 15 years now, yogurt is one of my favorite sources of lean protein, but I’m very picky about what brands and varieties I’ll use. I always look for options that are vegetarian-friendly, non-GMO, and nonfat or low-fat, and that don’t have added sugar. Any ol’ brand of yogurt just won’t do!

Kirkland’s version of Greek yogurt is one of the most impressive yogurts I’ve tried. It’s on par — if not better than — name brands that come in with higher prices. I use it in smoothies, overnight oats, and so much more. Did I mention it’s a total bargain?

Many brands of frozen strawberries lack flavor or are underripe, and some are coated in annoying ice. Not these! These berries are huge in size, bright-red, juicy, sweet, and so easy to use in a variety of ways. These berries were even one of the three items that convinced me to join to Costco in the first place! Four pounds of (actually delicious) strawberries for just $10? This organic find is seriously a no-brainer.

Pure maple syrup is the only natural sweetener with added sugar I keep in my home. This maple syrup is one of the best I’ve tried and I’m not the only one who thinks so — it does very well in national taste tests by experts. I love adding just a teaspoon or two of this into oatmeal or whole-grain cereal, and it’s my go-to sweetener (aside from Medjool dates) in baked goods. It’s a big bottle, too, so it might just last you all year in the fridge.

Frozen pineapple is another frozen staple you’ll always find in my home. While I love a fresh pineapple, too, frozen tends to yield more fruit for your buck and is so easy to keep on hand. With no added sugars, these chunks are some of the best I’ve had. Every piece is sweet and tastes almost as good as fresh pineapple. Use it in smoothies for a naturally sweet flavor and a boost of nutrition!

All jokes aside, dried plums (prunes) are great for more than just digestion. These nutrient-dense fruits are high in potassium, which is important for healthy blood pressure levels, and they contain boron, an important mineral for bone health. They also have 3 grams of fiber per serving, which is key for heart health and a healthy gut. Prunes are great for naturally sweetening baked goods and are a fantastic all-in-one oil and sugar replacer. They also go great in oatmeal and make good on-the-go snacks. While 3.5 pounds sounds like a lot, these juicy fruits store well in the fridge for up to six months and I’ve never had an issue with them going bad.

Fact: Frozen veggies are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables, because they’re frozen at peak harvest. I’m a huge fan of this blend, featuring carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and summer squash. It cooks up in minutes on the stove or microwave, and holds up well in the oven too. It’s a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C, and is literally just delicious veggies — no added ingredients!

I know many of you have your own favorite Kirkland Signature products you love to buy at Costco, so share your favorites!