This $10 Vanilla at Costco Is an Absolute Steal

The baking aisle at Costco is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about making homemade goodies. You can stock up on big bags of flour, sugar and chocolate chips, all at a great price. Hiding about halfway down this aisle is the biggest steal of them all, an impressive 16-ounce bottle of pure vanilla extract that sells for only $9.99.

Since we go through extract like water in my house, the Costco vanilla has been one of the best perks of membership for us!

How does the vanilla compare to more expensive brands?

First of all, the Costco vanilla is pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla. I was suspicious, given the price tag. Finding the real deal is hurdle number one when I’m buying vanilla, and accidentally buying imitation is a common vanilla mistake. The imitation stuff is much cheaper than the real thing, but it has the quality to match.

I scrutinized the label and determined that Costco vanilla is pure vanilla extract. Usually, if I want the best of the best vanilla extract, I swallow the cost of Nielsen-Massey vanilla. However, a bottle of this liquid gold costs upward of $37 for only 8 ounces, half the amount of extract that Costco sells. I still keep a bottle of Nielsen-Massey for extra special desserts, but it’s simply too expensive for everyday use. I needed an extract that was nearly as good but less expensive, so I brought the Costco vanilla home for a taste test.

Upon opening the bottle, the aroma immediately impressed me. It was rich and smooth, exactly what bakers look for to take any recipe to the next level. The label doesn’t specify what type of vanilla is used to make this extract. It simply says that it is extracted and bottled in the U.S. using imported vanilla beans.

After using this extract in cookies, cakes and homemade ice cream, I am convinced that ounce-for-ounce, this product is the best value for pure vanilla extract. The flavor is complex without an artificial aftertaste. For anyone who is a frequent baker but can’t stomach the price tag of fancy brands, Costco vanilla is for you. I have a new-ish bottle with a best-by date of 2029, so your purchase will last quite a while.

Is the vanilla always at Costco?

For as long as I have been a member, this vanilla has always been on the shelf at Costco. While it doesn’t have Kirkland Signature branding, it is distributed by the Costco Wholesale Corporation in Washington state. That gives me hope that this Costco staple will be available for many years to come.