Whether it’s tossed with pasta or spread on an unbeatable panini, pesto is a popular Italian sauce for good reason — it’s herby, punchy, and flavorful. But not everyone has the time to make fresh pesto every time they crave it, which is why many of us turn to store-bought options.
Unfortunately, not every jarred pesto is as delicious as its freshly picked and blended counterpart, and premade pesto is often less flavorful, too bitter, or acidic. For anyone searching for the perfect pesto, there’s one store-bought version that’s become a time-tested favorite with home cooks across the country — and you’ll need to visit a popular grocery store chain to snag it.
Costco’s Kirkland-brand basil pesto is nothing new; instead, this condiment from the bulk retailer has become one of its most popular products and a favorite among shoppers.
To put this enthusiasm into perspective, one Redditor extolls, “Costco’s Kirkland brand pesto is so good I barely feel the need to make my own now.” The customer notes that they had been “anti-store-bought pesto for pretty much my entire life,” but after tasting this version for the first time, it was “life-changing.”
Another fan of the pesto explains in a TikTok clip, “I’m a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and I never leave Costco without buying this product,” calling its quality “unmatched.” An Amazon review echoes similar praises, stating, “The flavor is absolutely incredible and really stands out. It’s definitely one of my favorites.”
If you’re not already on board with this verdant, versatile sauce, here’s why you should try it.
What is Kirkland’s Signature Imported Basil Pesto?
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Imported Basil Pesto comes in a 22-ounce jar — typically priced at $11.79 — and is made with a basil blend (Genovese basil D.O.P., sunflower oil, sea salt), Parmesan, Pecorino Romano D.O.P., pine nuts, fresh garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, black pepper, citric acid, and ascorbic acid.
Related: The $9 Costco Staple That’ll Always Be in My Fridge (It Goes on Everything)
This pesto isn’t shelf-stable, so you’ll find it in the refrigerated section at Costco. This helps it stay fresher and brighter in flavor compared to many other jarred options, which are treated with heat for preservation.
What makes this pesto special?
The other reason shoppers likely love this sauce so much is the quality of its ingredients. A D.O.P. certification shows that a product was made or grown in a specific region of Italy following strict production methods. This label stands for “denominazione d’origine protetta,” which translates to “protected designation of origin.”
For Genovese basil D.O.P., the herb must be grown in one of a few select provinces within the Liguria region, while Pecorino Romano D.O.P. is usually from Sardinia (though it’s sometimes produced in Lazio or Grosseto in Tuscany). Both ingredients must meet strict quality standards to qualify for their designation.
How can you use Kirkland pesto?
You probably already know that pesto is a versatile condiment that you can use far beyond traditional pasta dishes. Grab a jar of Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto to spoon on scrambled eggs, spread on sandwiches, stir into ricotta for an easy dip, marinate your chicken, drizzle over Tomato Bruschetta, or, of course, make a pasta salad for your next barbecue.
Although you do need to store this pesto in the refrigerator, one customer suggests freezing leftover portions of the sauce in an ice cube tray to “not waste a single drop” of what they call a “staple item” in their kitchen. After freezing the pesto into individual servings, she pops them out of an ice cube tray, stores the pesto blocks in a Ziploc bag in the freezer, and grabs them as needed for weeknight dinners.
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