Top 12 Cheeses to Purchase at Costco for Any Event

Costco serves as a one-stop destination for all your essentials, but it also offers luxury items like diamond jewelry, high-end TVs, and artisanal cheeses. One of the advantages of shopping at Costco is its extensive cheese selection, including gourmet varieties you’ve been eager to try without the hefty price tag. From classic cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella to rare, upscale options, Costco has it all. Here are the top Costco cheeses perfect for charcuterie boards, baking, holiday gatherings, snacking, and more.

Kirkland Signature Coastal Cheddar Cheese

Aged over a year, this 2-pound block of mature cheese offers a budget-friendly yet slightly upscale alternative to standard white or yellow cheddar. Produced and aged on England’s coast, it boasts a rich, slightly sweet flavor with a satisfying crunch from natural calcium crystals. Popular among grazing table businesses for party platters, it’s also versatile for grating into casseroles, slicing for sandwiches, or melting into sauces.

Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese

Hard, yellow-orange cheddar cheese in rectangular blocks is a familiar, versatile, and budget-friendly choice. When buying in bulk, Costco is the ideal place to stock up. This Tillamook cheddar may not have extravagant qualities, but it’s a beloved favorite. Known and adored by many, Costco offers it at the best price. Each 2.5-pound block is perfect for making multiple trays of mac and cheese, cutting into cubes for snack trays, slicing for cheeseburgers, or grating over baked potatoes.

Kirkland Signature Sartori Cabernet Sauvignon BellaVitano Cheese

For cheese and charcuterie boards, experts recommend grabbing a pound (or more) of this BellaVitano cheese wedge at Costco. Made from cow’s milk, it has a Parmesan-like flavor with a buttery richness. As a hard cheese, it can be sliced or crumbled, and it melts beautifully. True to its name, it pairs excellently with wine, such as pinot noir, shiraz, and merlot.

Beemster Black Label Gouda Cheese

The crunch of crystallized cheese is incredibly satisfying, and this Gouda, aged over 18 months in Holland, is packed with those delightful crystals. Costco offers whole wheels of this cheese, though you can also find it in wedge form. While Gouda isn’t typically known for melting, it’s still suitable for cooking. It’s a favorite for wine and cheese evenings, pairing beautifully with dried fruit, meats, and bread.

Kirkland Signature Manchego Cheese

This Manchego cheese, crafted from sheep’s milk and aged for six months, is imported directly from Spain. Sold in 2-pound blocks, it’s a semi-hard cheese that can be sliced, grated, or crumbled, and it melts well for cooking. Note that the outer rind is inedible, so be sure to cut or eat around it. On a cheese or charcuterie board, it complements savory items like olives and cured meats perfectly. 

Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese

Costco is known for its large blocks, wedges, and wheels of cheese, but if you prefer something smaller, try this mini wheel of goat cheese. Weighing just a pound, its soft and creamy texture ensures it won’t stay in your fridge for long. Goat cheese is a lighter option, with fewer calories and less fat compared to hard cheeses. While it can be melted and used in cooking, it’s often enjoyed spread on bread or crackers, or swirled into soups.

Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano Straveccho

While all Parmigiano Reggiano is Parmesan, not all Parmesan qualifies as Parmigiano Reggiano. The former stands out due to its aging process, Italian origin, and strict production standards. This 2-pound block from Costco is authentic, bearing the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label that certifies its Italian heritage. Aged over three years, it’s packed with crystals and offers a rich flavor. Use it like any Parmesan—grate it over soups and salads, incorporate it into breaded dishes, or create pasta sauces.

Boursin Gournay Cheese, Variety Pack

Boursin cheese is widely available, but Costco offers it at unbeatable prices. Additionally, Costco sells a unique variety pack containing three Boursin cheeses, totaling nearly a pound. Originating from France, Boursin is a soft, flavorful cheese with a thick, creamy texture, often compared to savory cream cheese. This pack includes two flavors—Garlic & Fine Herbs, and Shallot & Chive. Both are perfect for spreading on bread, crackers, or bagels, and they also work wonderfully in pasta dishes and mac and cheese.

Kirkland Signature Isigny Ste Mere Imported French Brie

Craving something luxurious? French Brie is an excellent choice. While experts often recommend triple cream Brie, this wheel, crafted in France, is equally delightful despite being double cream. The creamy center is the highlight, so slice it like a pie to ensure everyone gets a taste of the rich, gooey middle. Serve Brie wedges on a cheese board with figs, jam, and a sliced baguette, or use it to elevate baked pasta dishes. 

Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese

While Americans have embraced Irish butter, Irish cheese is another gem worth exploring. On your next Costco visit, grab a 2-pound block of this Dubliner cheese, produced in Ireland. Its texture resembles cheddar but is slightly grittier due to the aging process, which forms crystals. Flavor-wise, it’s a blend of cheddar and Parmesan, with some likening it to Swiss cheese. Its versatility makes it perfect for slicing, grating, or melting.

Kirkland Signature Fresh Goat Cheese

Goat cheese logs add a playful touch to cheese and charcuterie boards, especially when they feature seasonal flavors. During the holidays, Costco offers a cranberry-cinnamon version, but this one is available year-round. Though unflavored, its creamy texture ensures you’re not missing out. Sold in a 2-pack, it totals over a pound of cheesy goodness. A little goes a long way, and it pairs beautifully with honey, figs, fruits, nuts, and olives.

Champignon Cambozola

While cheese enthusiasts are eager to try everything, picky eaters may hesitate. If blue cheese isn’t your thing, this one might change your mind. It’s a 1-pound wedge of Cambozola, a soft, creamy German cheese that blends the richness of French Brie with the tang of Italian Gorgonzola. Known for its mild flavor, it’s ideal for beginners. Use it like Brie—melt it on sandwiches, bake with it, or serve it on charcuterie boards.