Many people appreciate Costco for great prices and quality products. High on their shopping lists are usually items under Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signatures. One way Costco keeps its prices down is by selling products in bulk. Therefore, shoppers tend to shop there to “stock up” rather than “pick up a few things for dinner.” One common “stockpile” purchase is meat, especially with the high-quality reassurance of the Kirkland label. However, many culinary experts recommend leaving the Kirkland ground beef on the shelf.
Why you should avoid Kirkland ground beef
Kirkland ground beef is lean with a low fat ratio, typically 88% lean/12% fat. This may seem like a good thing, but it can detract from the flavor of the dish. “I’m not a fan of anything leaner than 80/20,” says Kyle Taylor, founder and chef at He Cooks, to Reader’s Digest. “The 88/12 blend is definitely too lean for how I cook, and 85/15 isn’t much better. Fat carries flavor and keeps the meat moist. Lean beef dries out fast and ends up tasting flat.” You may need to add fat, such as oil, to make the meat more palatable and less crumbly, which can defeat the purpose of lean beef.
Less flavor
Taylor adds that lean ground beef isn’t a good choice even for people who want to consume less calories. “Even ‘lean’ ground beef is still calorie-dense, so health shouldn’t be the driving factor here,” he says. “Beef is beef. If you’re going for flavor, go for fat. My preferred ratio is 70/30 for burgers, meatloaf and meatballs, and then 80/20 for sauces.” On top of that, the price on Costco ground beef isn’t as impressive as other Kirkland products when you compare it to other meat brands. Sometimes people are willing to sacrifice on flavor to save money, but there’s not much saving here.
More storage
Keep in mind, the ground beef comes in bulk, like everything else at Costco. That’s great if you’re making burgers for a neighborhood barbecue, but not if you’re making meatballs for a family of four. Make sure you have enough freezer space to store the extra meat, which can stay frozen for about four months. Just remember to portion the meat first, and freeze each part separately in sealed bags or containers.
Costco ground beef you should buy instead
You can still purchase ground beef at Costco (especially if you do most of your shopping there anyway.) Just opt for the organic version. “Kirkland’s Organic Ground Beef (85/15 at $7.73 per pound), while a little more expensive than the Signature Ground Beef per pound, is even more reasonably priced relative to comparable substitutes, and is a better buy in my opinion,” says Brandon Dorsky, co-owner of Yeastie Boys Bagels.
When to choose lean ground beef
However, don’t entirely write off the Kirkland ground beef. “If I am preparing food for an older crowd, or a crowd that is more concerned with their heart health, the lower fat content in Kirkland’s ground beef is preferable,” Dorsky says. The recipe also matters in this case. Burgers and meatballs have the beef flavor front and center, and the fat helps bind the meat together. However, texture and flavor is secondary in sauces and chilis, and in dishes that feature other foods, such as tacos.
Read More: Is Gray Ground Beef Safe to Eat?
Be cautious of the blade-tenderized steaks
Another Costco meat product to avoid is their pre-cut steaks: If you enjoy rare or medium-rare steaks, you may want to look past the pre-cut versions at Costco. They are manufactured through a process called blade tenderizing, which can lead to bacteria being pushed into the interior. For this reason, E. coli outbreaks have been linked to mechanically tenderized beef, including Costco steaks, in the past. Health officials recommend cooking these pre-cuts to at least 145°F to kill any lingering bacteria, according to Consumer Reports.
Be cautious of the chicken wings
Some Costco customers report bad experiences with the chicken wings. They complain about small feathers still being attached and a slimy texture from the packaging. Additionally, some said the wings were of inconsistent sizes, which made cooking them more difficult since the smaller pieces became overcooked and the larger pieces were left undercooked. And despite Costco’s bulk bargain reputation, they said there are more bones than meat on them. However, some customers say they’ve had better experiences with the organic Costco chicken wings.
Best Costco meat deals
Costco still offers many meat products that are well-priced, good quality, and recommended by professionals. According The Takeout and the Daily Meal, here are popular Costco meat products you should buy:
- Rotisserie chicken
- USDA Prime ribeye steaks
- Wagyu beef
- Bone-in ham leg
- Lamp chops
- Brisket
- Rib roast
- Ahi tuna
Read More: How to Find The Freshest Meat at Grocery Stores, According to Butchers