Updated: October 9, 2024
Walking down the warehouse aisle with pantry staples can be overwhelming, especially when you reach the olive oil section. Costco offers many olive oil options, and the label terms can be confusing. Before buying a large container, it helps to understand the differences so you get the right oil for your cooking and budget.
This guide breaks down the main Costco olive oil varieties and explains which one we consider the best Costco olive oil for 2024.
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Best Costco Olive Oil 2024
Our pick: Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It offers a balanced, pleasant olive flavor, solid health benefits, and good value for an extra virgin oil.
Costco currently stocks a variety of olive oils in-store and online. The most common options include:
- Kirkland Signature Refined Olive Oil and 15% Virgin Olive Oil — $29.99 for 101.44 fl oz.
- Filippo Berio Olive Oil — $49.99 for 169 fl oz.
- Filippo Berio Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil — $31.49 for 101.44 fl oz.
- Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $24.99 for 67.62 fl oz.
- Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $36.49 for 101.44 fl oz.
- Kirkland Signature Organic Terra Di Bari — $17.69 for 33.8 fl oz.
- 100% Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $34.99 for 101.44 fl oz.
One simple comparison method is price per ounce, which highlights the budget-friendly picks like the Kirkland Refined blend and Filippo Berio Extra Light Tasting oil. However, the lowest price isn’t always the best choice for every use—consider flavor, intended use, and how quickly you’ll go through a large container.
Also remember that large containers can go unused for months. Olive oil degrades with light, heat, and oxygen, so think about whether you’ll use the oil before it loses freshness.
Costco Olive Oil Review — Is Costco Olive Oil Good?
We frequently use Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and recommend it for general home cooking.
Because it’s extra virgin, this oil is cold-pressed and not chemically treated, allowing it to retain more of the natural compounds found in olives. These compounds, including phenols, are associated with antioxidant activity and may contribute to olive oil’s health profile.
Organic production is an added benefit for those who prefer it, though many olive groves require minimal pesticide use. The Kirkland organic option is competitively priced for an extra virgin oil — a reasonable value considering flavor and quality.
Packaging matters: opaque or dark containers protect the oil from light, helping preserve freshness. A 2-liter (or similar) size for household use is practical for most kitchens and is generally consumed well before rancidity becomes an issue when stored properly.
We use this oil for roasting, sautéing, baking, marinades, and dressings. While extra virgin olive oil can handle many cooking tasks, we typically avoid it for large-volume deep frying because of cost rather than temperature limitations.
Costco Olive Oil FAQ
Where Does Costco Olive Oil Come From? Is Kirkland Olive Oil From Italy?
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is blended from oils sourced in several countries. The packaging indicates the product is packaged in the USA and includes olive oils from places such as Argentina, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.
Can I Fry With Kirkland Olive Oil?
Yes, you can fry with olive oil. The smoke point is the temperature where oil starts to smoke and may begin to break down. Extra virgin olive oil typically has a smoke point around 410°F, while lighter, more refined olive oils can reach roughly 465–470°F. Deep frying is usually done between 350–375°F, so most olive oils can handle that range.
The main reason many people avoid using extra virgin olive oil for deep frying is cost: deep frying consumes a lot of oil, and a less expensive frying oil is often more economical.
How Long Does Costco Olive Oil Last?
Most olive oils list a best-by date, commonly 18–24 months from bottling. After opening, olive oil begins to oxidize and is best used within about six months for optimal flavor. Light, heat, and oxygen speed this process, so store oil in a cool, dark place in its original opaque container when possible.
A simple sniff test can reveal rancidity: if the oil smells off, like crayons or stale nuts, it’s time to discard it.
Which Costco Olive Oil Is Good For Cooking?
Extra virgin olive oil is a versatile choice and is regarded as the premium option for flavor and health benefits. It works well for dressings, finishing dishes, and most cooking tasks like roasting, sautéing, and baking. For large-batch deep frying, a more neutral and less expensive oil may be more practical.
What is the Healthiest Olive Oil?
Olive oil is widely considered one of the healthier cooking fats due to a high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. Replacing saturated fats with olive oil can help improve cholesterol profiles. Extra virgin olive oil retains more of the natural compounds, like phenols, which may contribute additional antioxidant benefits compared with refined oils.
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