These discontinued Costco items were the best!
Costco is one of the undisputed giants of the American retail industry, and as we can easily observe every time we walk through its cavernous aisles, this store will remain on top for a while. This is perfect because I personally love this place, and I know I’m not alone in that! You probably love it too. Why? The sheer, almost overwhelming, multitude of items we can find here is undeniably part of the magic. It’s a treasure hunt every single time, where you go in for paper towels and come out with a kayak, a year’s supply of coffee, and a new favorite snack.
From gourmet food to industrial-strength cleaning products and every kind of snack imaginable, I prefer to buy everything from Costco. It’s my one-stop shop for stocking the pantry and home. Yes, you need to be aware that you will need to buy in bulk, but if this is a possibility for you, just do it. It requires a bit of planning and some storage space, but the long-term benefits are substantial. In the end, you will see that it is more advantageous, not just for your wallet but also for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you won’t run out of toilet paper for at least six months.
But like every big store that constantly rotates its inventory to keep things fresh, there are some discontinued Costco items that I personally still think about on a regular basis. These weren’t just products; they were staples, the reliable cornerstones of my shopping list. They were amazing, and I can’t understand why they decided to make us say goodbye to them. It feels like a small, personal betrayal when a beloved item vanishes from the shelves without so much as a warning.
If you are a Costco fan, like me, you probably know about some of the discontinued Costco items I am talking about. You know that feeling of walking to the exact spot where your favorite product *should* be, only to find an empty space or, even worse, a completely different item in its place. It’s a unique kind of shopper’s heartbreak. Keep reading, and let’s remember some of the best items that will probably never come back, and pour one out for the fallen heroes of the food court and beyond!
Kirkland Signature 100% Mediterranean Blend Oil
Ah, this oil used to be the absolute hero of my kitchen! I’m not exaggerating when I say this. Right now, this is one of the discontinued Costco items I miss the most because there is nothing, and I mean nothing, that can save my dishes more than this oil blend used to. Every time something was not going right, whether it was a bland stir-fry or a lackluster salad dressing, I just added a few drops of this, and my food instantly started to taste better. It was my secret weapon.
Sometimes, I call this the Costco golden elixir, because it used to be so good! The blend was perfectly balanced, with a rich but not overpowering flavor that complemented everything. For frying potatoes to a perfect golden crisp, baking savory muffins, sautéing vegetables, and even just drizzling over a fresh piece of bread with some herbs, this oil was wonderful and incredibly versatile. The rich, slightly fruity flavor made it a staple in my kitchen, a true workhorse that never let me down.
Unfortunately, Costco decided to discontinue this beloved blend, a decision that sent ripples of disappointment through my culinary world. This was tragic news for me and many others who relied on its quality and value. They still offer a large variety of amazing oils, from extra virgin olive oil to avocado oil, but nothing compares to the unique profile and utility of this Mediterranean marvel. I’ve tried mixing other oils myself, but I can never quite replicate that perfect balance.
I can totally get that product lineups evolve, and sometimes items are phased out due to various factors like sourcing challenges, supply chain issues, or shifting consumer preferences. Perhaps the specific olives or oils used in the blend became too expensive or difficult to procure consistently. But whatever the reason, this is one of the discontinued Costco items that didn’t deserve this fate. It was a high-quality product at a classic Costco price point.
In the meantime, my quest for a suitable replacement continues, though my heart isn’t really in it. I remain hopeful that Costco might hear the collective sighs of its customers and consider bringing back this fan favorite, even if just for a limited time. Until then, I’ll keep experimenting with other oils, forever chasing the ghost of that perfect Mediterranean blend.
Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
I still remember the first time I spotted Primal Kitchen’s Buffalo Sauce at Costco. It was like finding a hidden gem. I was looking for something different, something that could pair well with most dishes while also bringing something new and exciting into my life. This might sound confusing, but you probably know that feeling of looking for a new taste that somehow tastes familiar, right? A flavor that is both comforting and novel at the same time.
And then here it was, this sauce that was paleo, keto-friendly, and vegan, and made with avocado oil instead of the traditional butter or mystery oils? It sounded almost too good to be true, hitting all the modern dietary buzzwords while promising that classic, tangy buffalo flavor. It sounded perfect for me! I grabbed a bottle, slightly skeptical but hopeful. Later that day, I realized that I could use it for everything from crispy cauliflower bites to scrambled eggs and chicken wings. The flavor was bold and zesty, with the perfect amount of heat. The following week, I came back and bought 12 bottles. This sauce was incredible, and I felt like I had cracked the code to easy, healthy, and delicious meals.
What was that terrine? But just as quickly as it appeared and became a staple in my fridge, it vanished. Yup. This is on the list of discontinued Costco items, and I can’t understand why. It always seemed to be selling well, and it catered to a health-conscious demographic that Costco increasingly attracts. If you ask me, this item should never have been on this list, as it was perfect in every way: flavor, ingredients, and value.
Hopefully, even if you are not able to find this sauce at Costco anymore, you can still buy it from Amazon or Target, which is a small consolation. The problem is the price and convenience factor. I have to pay double for a much smaller bottle and do more planning ahead, which defeats the purpose of the easy, bulk-buying Costco philosophy. But in the end, I am still able to eat my food as I like, and this is the most important thing for me. It’s a testament to how good the sauce is that I’m willing to go to such lengths to get it.
Pulmuone Potstickers
The Pulmuone Chicken Potstickers are among the most lamented discontinued Costco items, and for very good reason. When I first discovered them nestled in the freezer section, it was love at first bite. These weren’t your average, doughy frozen dumplings. These Korean-inspired potstickers were the perfect quick and satisfying snack or meal. Filled with crisp, identifiable vegetables and tender, savory chicken, these dumplings used to be my trusted food when I needed something delicious in under ten minutes.
The beauty was in the texture; you could pan-fry them to get a wonderfully crispy, golden-brown bottom while the tops steamed to a soft, chewy perfection. They came with their own dipping sauce that was the ideal blend of salty and tangy. The only thing about them is that at some point, they vanished without a trace. One shopping trip they were there, and the next, a gaping hole in the freezer aisle and in my heart. What an unfortunate thing to happen, right? They are for sure one of the most missed discontinued Costco items, and lots of people online in forums and social media groups still want them back.
While Costco still offers various tasty frozen meals, including other types of dumplings and potstickers, none have quite filled the void left by these Pulmuone gems. The filling-to-wrapper ratio was perfect, and the ingredients just tasted fresher than the alternatives. But I’ve heard rumors that you can still find them at other retailers, like H-Mart or other Asian grocery stores. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found them in my area, despite several dedicated search missions. The hunt continues!
Kirkland Signature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
If you are the type who loves cookies, or any kind of baking for that matter, then this massive 4.5-pound bag was a gift from the heavens. It was perfect for you, like it was perfect for me! These weren’t just any chocolate chips; they were Kirkland Signature, which meant quality and value. They were rich, incredibly smooth, and, most importantly for so many families, dairy-free. This made them a safe and delicious option for anyone who struggles with food allergies or follows a vegan diet.
I liked to add them to everything—pancakes, muffins, brownies—and also simply take a handful of them in my bag whenever I was on the run for a quick energy boost. They had a deep chocolate flavor that wasn’t overly sweet, making them versatile for all sorts of recipes. They are now one of the most painful discontinued Costco items, and as much as I love Costco, I hate them for taking my perfect chocolate chips from me. My chocolate chip cookie recipe just hasn’t been the same since.
Costco discontinued them and then replaced them with Nestlé Toll House chips. Don’t get me wrong, Nestlé has its merits; their cookies are a classic for a reason. But they are not the same as the Kirkland version. For one, the Nestlé chips contain dairy, alienating a whole group of customers who relied on the Kirkland brand. Plus, the flavor profile is just different—the Kirkland ones had a richer, more complex cocoa taste. These were the OG chips for serious bakers, and they are irreplaceable.
But what caused the beloved chips to disappear? The reason, it turns out, is a bitter pill to swallow: skyrocketing cocoa prices! Over the past couple of years, the global cocoa market has faced immense pressure, and cocoa is now 200% more expensive than it used to be. The signature chips they had sold at a competitive price were no longer a financially viable option for the company. This is why Nestlé, with its massive scale and different supply chain, replaced them. It’s a business decision I understand, but one my taste buds will never forgive.
Pots Fudge Lava Cake
This is probably my favorite one of the discontinued Costco items because those elegant little ceramic pots and the rich, intensely gooey chocolate simply stole my heart from the very first spoonful. This wasn’t just a dessert; this was THE dessert. An experience. It was the dessert of my dreams, and the best part was that I didn’t need to cook it myself. Just a few seconds in the microwave, and you had a restaurant-quality treat. Generally, I don’t like store-bought desserts because they often taste artificial, but this one was perfect, and the sad part is that this is no longer available in the US. What a shame.
The Pots Fudge Lava Cake was a masterclass in dessert engineering. It was made with high-quality, single-origin Colombian chocolate, which gave it a deep and complex flavor that was miles above your average chocolate cake. The center was full of a molten fudge that, once you warmed it up, transformed into the perfect, velvety sweet treat to ever exist, at least for me. The contrast between the warm, springy cake and the liquid chocolate river inside was pure bliss. It was my go-to for special occasions, or just a Tuesday when I needed a pick-me-up.
Unfortunately, one day, on a routine Costco run to restock my supply, my heart sank. I went to the refrigerated dessert section, and as I glanced my eyes over the price tag, I saw the dreaded asterisk. If you don’t know, this is the sign of discontinuation in Costco language, the “star of death” for beloved products. Every time I see this on the price tag of my favorite items, I get really sad. It’s a silent, brutal confirmation that your time together is limited.
While Costco no longer carries them in the U.S., there is a glimmer of hope for international travelers. If you happen to go across the pond to the UK, you will find this fantastic dessert there. Yeah, the English are luckier than us because they can still indulge themselves in the fudge lava cake. It feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it? For now, I will just cherish the memories of that perfect chocolatey goodness and the collection of ceramic pots that I am now using as yogurt bowls, succulent planters, and containers for my own, far inferior, homemade desserts.
Next time you go shopping and you want to be frugal, you might need these bags! They are real life savers and money savers: NERUB Set of 10 Reusable Grocery Bags Heavy Duty Shopping Bags
If you liked this article, you should also read more about 6 Five Below Items Retirees Need To Buy This Season
