The superstore can be a cheese lover’s paradise, if you know what to look for.
Costco is a magical place for any household. It’s one of the few places where you can get a wholesale deal on everything from a gold bar to a hot dog. Free samples are part of the shopping experience. Plus, it’s one of the best spots to get groceries for the week (or month, if you’ve got a couple of freezers in your basement and a plan-ahead mindset).
But did you know it’s also one of the best places to find cheese, charcuterie, and accompaniments at a discount? Sometimes, the cheese section can be daunting, but that’s what the cheese experts of culture are here for. Keep scrolling to find our editor-approved picks and customer favorites based on taste, quantity, and price.*
Warehouse Deals
Meredith Dairy Marinated Goat Cheese
This is my favorite deal on the list. Only Costco sells the expanded size of 19.4 ounces, in comparison with the 11.3-ounce jars at Whole Foods. The herbed olive oil is perfect for sauteing vegetables after you’ve polished off the goat cheese. As far as value goes, it’s worth every penny at $15.99.
Polly-O String Cheese
Polly-O String Cheese is a no-brainer. It’s full of protein, beloved by children and adults alike, and fun to eat. Costco’s pack contains 48 sticks at a cool $7.99 at the time of writing, which is a steal at about 17 cents a stick.
Saint Agur
This rich, French blue is sold in a double pack of 4.5 ounces; you can score a pound for less than $16. As one Reddit user put it, that’s “dirt cheap as far as blue cheeses go.”
Kirkland Signature Coastal English Cheddar
This English cheddar is an excellent go-to for just about any occasion or picky eater. Reddit users suggest crumbling it atop salads or into hot pasta for an extra-luxe mac and cheese.
Sartori Cabernet Sauvignon Cheese
You can’t go wrong with Wisconsin cheese and a glass of wine for happy hour.
Kirkland Signature Sliced Mozzarella
My Italian American mother signs off on this wet mozzarella. What further endorsement do you need? She also loves that it comes in a pack of two.
Locatelli Pecorino Romano
Costco sells not wedges, but hunks of this imported pasta staple. It’s worth having on hand for a variety of dishes.
Jasper Hill Willoughby
Washed-rind Willoughby was among the list of winners at the American Cheese Society this year, taking first in its category alongside the maker’s first place Best of Show, Winnimere.
Cabot Creamery Cracker Cuts
Cabot cheeses are crowd-pleasers; this assortment of three flavors (Pepperjack, Gouda, and Seriously Sharp) is perfect to have on hand for company.
Online-Only Deals
Mifroma Raclette
Winter is coming, and so is raclette season. If you love to entertain, investing in an 11-pound wheel at $149.99 is a meager price to pay to throw the hottest cheese party ever.
Beemster XO Gouda
There are several Beemster varieties available online at Costco—including a smoked hatch pepper flavor—but we are partial to XO Gouda: a 26-month aged quarter wheel with notes of butterscotch.
Snowdonia Black Bomber
This English cheddar earned a 4.8 out of 5 stars review rating, with customers noting the wheel’s crystals, creamy profile, and addictive nature.
Don Juan Cave Aged Manchego
Like Snowdonia’s Black Bomber, this 4-month old Manchego is highly praised, holding a perfect 5-star rating on Costco’s reviews platform. “As a cheese enthusiast … it is absolutely superb in every way,” says one customer.
Papillon Roquefort
Papillon is one of seven certified producers of Roquefort PDO; Costco offers its cheese by the half-wheel for $89.
La Gelinotte Comté
There are more than a few positive reviews of this imported, authentic cheese from France’s Jura region. One person writes: “The quality and flavor were excellent—creamy, rich, and full of character. A real treat for any cheese lover! I’ll definitely be reordering.”
Zanetti Parmigiano Reggiano
You’ll have to drop more than $1,000 for this option, but you’ll get about 80 pounds—one wheel—of imported Parmigiano Reggiano aged for 24 months. Just think of all the cheese wheel pasta you’ll make!
Accompaniments
Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto
This pesto is DOP-certified and since there’s more than a pound per jar, there are plenty of cheesy applications. I’ve used it on grilled cheese sandwiches, in pasta with plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano (of course), and even as a topping for a mozzarella omelet.
Beretta Prosciutto di Parma & Parma Ham
As an Italian American, this Prosciutto di Parma is a must-have in my household. For a quick lunch, sometimes I’ll make a tomato salad alongside meat-wrapped mozzarella (and hunks of focaccia bread, if I’m feeling extra).
Covap Jamon Iberico Bellota Ham Leg
At nearly $700, this is definitely a splurge, however, our editors love that it comes with a stand and knife. In addition: 15 pounds of glorious aged ham can definitely last awhile, even after you trim the fat.
Velvet Bees Honey Butter
This small-batch honey butter clocks in at $15.99 for a pound, when it’s typically sold in 8-ounce jars for the same cost. Try it in your morning yogurt for a sweet surprise.
Cheez-It Original Crackers
Who doesn’t need pounds of Cheez-Its for when a snack attack strikes?
*Costco stock can vary by state. These picks were sourced from a Costco on the East Coast.
Do you have a favorite Costco cheese not mentioned here? Let us know! Write to alana@culturecheesemag.com.
Alana Pedalino
Alana Pedalino serves as Managing Editor of culture. Her work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. She loves to write, cook, and kayak. Find her bylines at alanapedalino.com.
