I used to love making homemade pesto with fresh basil and a splash of Lemon, fully convinced that nothing could ever be a great match for that fresh taste. After trying the Kirkland Signature jar from Costco, I had to rethink my opinion.
Made with Genovese basil imported from Italy, it has a rich, savory, slightly sharp flavor from Parmesan and Pecorino Romano. Everything is blended with buttery pine nuts that really make the texture smooth. In my experience, this Basil sauce tastes almost straight from a home kitchen and might be the closest store option to true homemade quality.
Costco Pesto Sauce-The Short Answer
The Real Reason This Jar Never Leaves My Kitchen
As a regular reader who has spent years trying new ideas for cooking, I didn’t expect a jarred product like Costco’s pesto sauce to become my favorite. This is my third or fourth time buying it at Costco because I truly love how this Pesto tastes surprisingly fresh in today’s world. Made with special Genovese basil imported from Italy, this herb carries the D.O.P seal, which translates to Protected Denomination of Origin, a strong guarantee of authenticity.
In the dead of winter, when fresh Basil isn’t available and making it from scratch at home isn’t happening, this jar saves me the bother. I often make quick recipes, and each recipe pairs well with this Kirkland option:
- Fits almost any diet, including low carbs and Keto
- The diet-type icons under the title on my post help different diets choose what’s suitable
- As a huge fan, I truly enjoy how good this sauce tastes in summer and winter
If you’re reading, use the link to explore more recipes and make everyday cooking simple.
Who is the cheesiest one of all?
- Costco’s pesto has a heavenly aroma; I mean it probably smells better than Heaven, you know. Although the garlic is discernable, it is mild and flavorful, without being hot.
- The sauce is brimming with basil; the flavors are married thoroughly, so no one ingredient dominates the others. A just touch of black pepper adds flavor, not spiciness, which I like.
- It is thick yet thin enough to pour, with a pleasant, chunky, natural quality. Pine pieces are distinct, perky, and provides subtle texture.
- A generous amount of cheese in bits, including Pecorino Romano from sheep’s milk and Parmesan Cheese, makes it honestly the cheesiest store-bought pesto I’ve ever had, made with real pine nuts instead of cheaper nuts like cashews and almonds, giving a full, rich, salty taste.
- I found I did not need to add extra salt to my dishes while eating. A tad more oil than I would prefer is apparently so oily, yet I won’t stop and will keep buying; the combination of sunflower and olive oil helps to shake the jar before opening.
Ingredients
When I tried Kirkland Basil Pesto from Costco, I paid close attention to the Ingredients and the relatively short ingredient list. The sauce starts with a fragrant Basil Blend featuring Genovese Basil D.O.P that is imported from the Genoa region of Italy, known for its complex and sweet flavor. The fresh basil base is carefully made in the USA and balanced with simple additions that support the natural taste of the pesto.
- Sunflower Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil for smooth texture
- Salt, Black Pepper, Fresh Garlic, Ascorbic Acid, and Citric Acid for balance and brightness
- Parmesan Cheese made with Pasteurized Cultured Part-Skim Milk and Enzymes
- Pecorino Romano D.O.P Cheese crafted from Cultured Sheep’s Milk and Rennet
- Pine Nuts and almonds for a rich, nutty bite
It clearly contains milk and pine nuts, which matters for allergy awareness, and I appreciate that it is gluten-free and soy-free.
Price
At Costco, the 630-milliliter jar costs $13.99 Canadian, while the 22 ounce jar cost $10.49; in 2018, the same jar was $10.99, and it hasn’t increased that much, which still feels like a pretty good deal. If you try buying the ingredients individually, it would cost much more, especially pine nuts, since they’re notoriously expensive.
There are 10 servings per jar, and each serving is about $1.05 using the recommended serving size of 1/4 cup of pesto. Honestly, I get more than 10 servings, sometimes closer to 15, because that portion is generous for most meals; I’ve probably used it as a condiment for some meals, like sandwiches, so I didn’t always need a full scoop.
Nutrition
- I read the gist first because I get annoyed when labels wrap around the jar, and it’s no fun trying to decode what it says.
- One serving is 1/4 cup, a quarter or 60 grams, and it contains a whopping 330 calories — yikes.
- You get 30 grams of fat, with 5 grams saturated, plus 6 grams of protein.
- There are 9 grams of total carbohydrates, including 1 gram of fiber, and zero sugars or sugar.
- It also has 630 mg, or milligrams, of sodium, equal to 27% of your daily value, and a friendly sliver of calcium at 15%.
- From my experience, Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto is high in richness because calories mainly come from oil, cheese, and pine nuts, and even small numbers like six, nine, or four remind me to watch portions.
Storage
- I store my pesto in the fridge right after opening the jar, keeping it refrigerated and sealed; I always check the label and labels because my last jar expired after approximately 1.5 months, while another spoiled in 2 weeks after purchasing, so I keep a close watch.
- When I don’t use it frequently, I freeze it in ice trays in a small size cube, then pop the cubes into a Ziploc bag and place them in the freezer; it keeps fresh for a long time, and Souper Cubes make it easy to grab a few whenever I need to pull some, usually through a trusted affiliate link I personally rely on.
Smart Ways to Use and Store It
- Essentially, the label says not to heat the pesto; Instead, let it be slowly brought to room temperature before serving.
- I spread mine on a plate while waiting for the pasta to cook, then put it on top of the hot pasta and toss it together.
- It needs to be kept refrigerated, and the container notes a best-before date of about five weeks from the time of purchase.
- If you plan to use it later, freeze it in an ice cube tray, then simply thaw a portion whenever you need it.
- The package said it shouldn’t be heated, yet it remains incredibly versatile.
- This pesto from Costco is delicious and surprisingly balanced with a rich, cheesy flavor from Parmesan, Pecorino, and Romano, which feels pleasant.
- You’ll notice a fresh, herby, slightly sweet taste of basil, along with a subtle, nutty richness from pine nuts.
- It has an almost buttery texture, though it doesn’t actually contain butter, only olive oil and sunflower oil.
- The garlic is definitely noticeable but isn’t overpowering, and I often enjoy it on pizza, with salmon or chicken, in sandwiches, over eggs, or even as a dip.
