They taste so good that you'll be eager to include them on your personal grocery list.
Reviewed by Registered Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S.
Key Takeaways
- Costco offers a broad selection of premium cheeses.
- Fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses are available at a more affordable rate at Costco.
- To minimize food waste, consider saving the feta brine for brining chicken and using Parmesan rinds to enhance your soup flavors.
I consume cheese at least daily. It's nearly an everyday occurrence for me during breakfast. breakfast sandwich (over-easy egg, a wedge of aged cheddar, grilled English muffin) or in frittata Including all those vegetable scraps and/or leftover roasted vegetables nearing their end in my refrigerator. Lunch might feature cheese too, perhaps as a piece of provolone on a sandwich or crumbled feta mixed into a salad. Dinner often includes cheese as well! Tacos and Greek salad These are simply two instances of cheese being consumed later than 6 p.m. Additionally, we also keep snack time in mind. Our workplace refrigerator houses string cheese and individual portions of cheddar for quick bites. Alternatively, as a proper Lebanese woman, I see nothing wrong with preparing an afternoon platter featuring olives, hummus, feta, and some pita bread.
Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Cheese Every Day
Therefore, as evident here, if I were stuck on a deserted island with the option to carry just one type of food, it would probably be cheese.
We've got plenty of cheese in our refrigerator, and although I don't purchase every type of cheese available, Costco There are several items I hesitate to purchase from other places. Below is my list along with the reasons why.
Cabot Creamery Extra Sharp Cheese
Cabot Creamery is a local dairy producer based in Vermont, yet you can find their products at Costcos nationwide—about 88 percent of these stores carry them. At my nearby Costco, they offer many varieties of Cabot cheeses, though I usually purchase the Seriously Sharp one due to our daughter’s preference for it. This cheese offers great flavor without being overly sharp. A large two-pound block costs just $8.99. We love using this versatile cheese; we enjoy snacking on it with crackers and apples, use shreds as toppings for chili and nachos, and even create delicious grilled cheese sandwiches with it.
Kirkland Signature Organic Feta
Their generic feta cheese meets the genuine standard as the package bears theProtected Designation of Origin emblem, ensuring it has been properly produced. according to strict rules , ranging from the type of milk used to the aging process. This particular feta is made entirely with sheep’s milk, which I believe gives it a rich, creamy texture along with what I consider the appropriate level of tartness. Our family consumes quite a bit of feta cheese. chopped salads and pasta So, we aim to finish off the 28.2-ounce tub within a reasonable timeframe without any issues. However, it’s important to mention that this product has great longevity—perhaps due to being stored in brine rather than exposed and crumbling. Regarding the brining process, I transfer the liquid into an airtight container before freezing it. Once I accumulate enough, I utilize it for brining chickens instead. The flavor isn’t reminiscent of feta cheese but comes across as quite salty yet richly savory. I strongly suggest trying it out, even though substantial quantities might be necessary, which is why the freezer method works well.
BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella
A few years back, we acquired a pizza oven, so now we attempt to prepare homemade pizzas whenever possible. pizza At least once a month, I enjoy using a blend of shredded mozzarella topped with ripped fresh basil. It’s also great for enhancing pasta bakes and Caprese platters. My local Costco previously offered a single package of unsliced fresh mozzarella paired with a cute little bottle of balsamic glaze. Currently, they're selling these in packs of two slices instead. Although I typically prefer slicing my cheese thinner myself, the current offer is still quite appealing because each pack contains one pound and costs only about $2 more than an eight-ounce block at my usual supermarket.
Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy
Real-deal Parmigiano Reggiano is governed by the European Union As a protected delicacy, it can only be produced in designated areas of Italy following stringent regulations. Consequently, this imported item usually comes with a hefty price tag. However, the genuine article is definitely worth it. real deal At Costco, you can get it for $12.49 per pound instead of the $21.31 per pound price at my usual grocery store. Each wedge weighs around one and a half pounds because they come from large rounds. However, these don’t spoil easily, plus their quality is exceptional. Tip: Store the rinds in your freezer and add them when needed. pot of soup Or beans. The cheese-infused taste saturates the broth or cooking liquid, enhancing the overall deliciousness of the meal.
Related: 20+ Parmesan-Crusted Veggie Recipes
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