These Costco Products Are so Good that They Make Canadians Cross the Borders!
The question isn’t if you like shopping at Costco; the real, burning question is if you’d be willing to cross an international border just to shop at Costco. For the initiated, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ Because that’s how deeply ingrained the Costco allure is: you would cross borders, brave long line-ups at customs, and plan your entire weekend around a trip to get your groceries and household goods from there (ok, maybe not oceans, but it’s a nice figure of speech that captures the devotion many feel).
As it turns out, this cross-border pilgrimage is a regular occurrence for many Canadians, and rightfully so. The combination of unique product availability, different brand selections, and often staggering price differences makes the journey worthwhile. Costco is and will almost certainly remain the undisputed king of warehouses, a retail giant whose business model inspires a near-cult-like following, and things won’t change too soon. If you’re curious to know exactly what motivates so many Canadians to pack their coolers, grab their passports, and head south, well, here’s a list of some of the most sought-after products that are simply a must-buy in American stores:

Organic dark truffle figs
If you or your parents have ever traveled to Europe (specifically Eastern Europe) and returned with a suitcase filled with regional specialties—in this case, decadent chocolate-covered dried plums—then you know exactly how good those simple yet elegant treats are. They represent a taste of another place, a special indulgence you can’t just pick up at the local corner store.
Well, if that memory resonates with you, then you will know precisely what I’m saying: I think the fig “truffles” from the brand “That’s It” are a direct callback to that delightful experience. The concept is brilliantly simple, yet the result is utterly sublime. The ingredients are just dried Smyrna figs enrobed in a rich layer of 60% dark chocolate. There are no preservatives, no artificial flavors, just pure, unadulterated goodness. They are the healthier, more sophisticated version of some of our favorite childhood treats.
The chewy, jammy texture of the fig pairs perfectly with the slight bitterness of the dark chocolate, creating a flavor combination that is both satisfying and not overly sweet. Unfortunately, you can’t find them in Canadian Costco locations, making them an exclusive U.S. find. So, every time savvy Canadians cross the border, they make sure to stock enough dark truffle figs for colder days, special occasions, or just when a powerful craving strikes.
Sparkling water
Truth be told, I’m a dedicated sparkling water fan, and I take my bubbly water very seriously. If you’re anything like me, then you absolutely must know the significant difference between good sparkling water—crisp, refreshing, with well-balanced flavor—and the bad types, which can taste metallic or have an overpowering, artificial sweetness. Even if a wide variety of sparkly water can be found anywhere in Canada, there are some specific gems that are worth seeking out and getting on a regular basis.
However, there are a couple of compelling reasons why it’s a brilliant move to buy sparkling water in the United States, especially at Costco. Firstly, the sheer variety of brands and flavors is staggering. Secondly, the price point is often significantly better, allowing you to stock up without breaking the bank. Well, American Costco stores have many of those highly coveted brands in bulk, such as the ever-popular LaCroix with its subtle fruit essences, the robustly flavored Waterloo, the real-fruit-juice-infused Spindrift, and even Costco’s own fantastic Kirkland Signature sparkling water, which offers incredible value.
Buying a 24- or 36-pack in the U.S. can save you a considerable amount compared to buying individual cans or smaller packs in Canada, making it a no-brainer for any serious seltzer enthusiast.
Bear fruit rolls
Bear Fruit Rolls are a delightful throwback, reminding me of the old-school fruit roll-ups from my childhood, but they are profoundly better in every possible way. What makes them stand out is their wholesome simplicity. The ingredients are refreshingly straightforward: just blended dried fruits like apples, pears, and strawberries, with a touch of black carrot extract added for more vibrant, natural color. There’s no added sugar, concentrates, or artificial nonsense.
The resulting fruit-forward flavor and wonderfully natural, chewy texture are the best I’ve ever had in a pre-packaged snack of this kind. In a blind taste test, I would confidently bet you’d have a genuinely hard time making the difference between Bear Fruit Rolls and a slice of high-quality, homemade fruit leather. They have that authentic taste and feel that most commercial snacks lack.
The value is also exceptional. A large box containing 24 individual servings is only $10.99, and every single serving has two small, delicious rolls packaged on a thoughtfully designed card with a fun fact or a game on it. This small detail is a huge hit with kids. Even if they can’t fully replace the nutritional benefits of fresh fruit, they’re still a fantastic option for a sweet treat that parents can feel good about.
The combination of being a healthy-ish snack and having a built-in entertainment factor makes them absolutely ideal for long road trips, school lunches, and any other type of travel when you need to keep the kids happy and occupied with something more engaging than a screen.
Fresh organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
It’s a well-known fact for cross-border shoppers that high-quality organic and grass-fed meat products are way more expensive in Canada. The price difference can be truly eye-watering. For instance, a tiny package of fresh organic boneless and skinless chicken breasts is routinely priced at $5.99 a pound in the United States at Costco, while the equivalent product can easily be $13 a pound or more in Canada.
Well, that’s not just a minor difference; that’s more than double the price! This massive price gap alone can justify the cost of gas for the trip. Given the significant environmental impact of producing meat, you might want to prioritize buying locally and supporting smaller, sustainable farms as much as you can. That’s always a commendable goal. Some local farms offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, sales, or deep discounts on pre-orders, and you should try to stock up and freeze the meat when you catch these high discounts to support your local economy.
However, for consistent, week-to-week savings on a staple protein, the value offered by U.S. Costco is simply too good to ignore for many families. It’s a pragmatic choice that helps stretch the grocery budget significantly.
Grillo’s pickles
Pickles have been getting quite the well-deserved hype lately, especially since increasingly more innovative brands are coming up with various pickle-flavored products like hummus, salad kits, potato chips, falafel, and many others. It seems the world has finally caught on to the tangy, crunchy magic of a good pickle.
Well, as tasty as some of those spin-offs might be, nothing can truly compare to the simple perfection of the traditional pickled vegetable! Grillo’s Pickles are the gold standard. They are refrigerated, never pasteurized, and made with an incredibly simple list of ingredients you can actually pronounce: cucumbers, water, vinegar, dill, salt, and garlic. This results in an exceptionally crisp, fresh, and flavorful pickle that tastes like it came straight from a farmer’s market. Pickles also pair very well with so many other things, and both the pickles themselves and their flavourful brine can be used to elevate other delicious foods, from zesty dips to sharp vinaigrettes to even tangy pasta salads.
Generally, you can find standard shelf-stable or some fermented pickles at your local Canadian grocery store, but the unique, fresh crunch of Grillo’s is often elusive. If you ever get the chance to cross the border, you absolutely need to pick up a massive container from the refrigerated section at a U.S. Costco. You’ll understand the hype after the very first bite.

Butter
For anyone who enjoys baking or simply appreciates the taste of high-quality dairy, the Costco dairy section is nothing short of a baker’s delight. The sheer variety of butter options available at U.S. stores is incredibly wide, especially when compared to the often limited selection found in Canadian stores. It’s a difference that can make a home baker’s heart sing.
First of all, the popular and universally beloved Irish Kerrygold butter is easy to find in the United States, and you can find it at Costco at a fantastic price. Known for its vibrant yellow color (a result of the beta-carotene in the grass the cows eat) and its rich, creamy flavor, it elevates everything from a simple piece of toast to delicate pastry crusts. Besides the famous Kerrygold, U.S. Costco also has other excellent grass-fed butter options and their own Kirkland Signature sweet cream butter, available in both salted and unsalted varieties. Having access to large, affordable packs of high-fat, unsalted butter is a game-changer for serious bakers.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is one of those incredibly versatile staples that should always have a dedicated spot in the fridge. You can use it to prepare your meals on a daily basis, whether you’re whipping up a smoothie, making a creamy dip, marinating chicken, or looking for a healthier substitute for sour cream. Now that we’re getting into it, I have a strong preference for the rich taste and satisfying texture of the one with a minimum of 2% milk fat. However, a single 750-milliliter container of 2% Greek yogurt at any Canadian grocery store typically costs between $6 and $7, which can add up quickly.
Well, at a U.S. Costco, you can find a massive Kirkland Signature three-pack of smaller containers of fat-free Greek yogurt for only $14, which is definitely a steal of a deal for that quantity. While it’s not the 2% version, the value is undeniable for those who use a lot of it. The real prize, however, is the availability of other brands and fat percentages that are simply not offered up north.
Unfortunately, Canadian Costco doesn’t sell a 2% milk fat Greek yogurt option under its Kirkland brand, nor many of the other popular American brands. So every time you cross the border, you might want to dedicate a significant portion of your cooler space to stocking up on Greek yogurt. As much as you can fit, at least.
Cottage cheese
I think we can all agree that humble cottage cheese is having a major moment right now. It has shed its reputation as a boring “diet food” and is being celebrated for its versatility and high protein content. As new and innovative ways to eat it appear all over social media every day—from blended cottage cheese ice cream to creamy, high-protein pasta sauces—you always need to have this high-protein dairy food in your cart.
In Canada, a standard 2 (ish)-pound container at your local grocer generally costs anywhere from $5 to $7, depending on the store and the brand. It’s a staple, but not necessarily a bargain. But at a U.S. Costco, you can find gigantic 3-pound containers of high-quality cottage cheese for only $5.99. This incredible price point also means we can feel free to experiment and add more high-protein ice cream, pancakes, and pasta sauce to our plates without guilt. The value is simply unbeatable.
Wine and prosecco
This is a big one for many cross-border shoppers. If you travel for less than 48 hours to the United States, your duty-free alcohol allowance is zero, so you won’t be able to bring back either wine, sparkling wine, or Champagne without paying duties. But if you stay for more than 48 hours, you can bring back two 750-milliliter bottles of wine per person, duty-free. You should absolutely take advantage of that opportunity as often as you can.
At the risk of seeming like a broken record, the primary reasons are price and selection. The price is way better, especially when it comes to the highly-regarded Kirkland Signature bottles (which, frustratingly, you can’t find in Canada due to provincial liquor laws). The Kirkland Signature Prosecco, for example, is a celebrated bubbly that offers incredible quality for its low price. And via Costcos in the United States, you will also have access to a much wider selection of American wines, particularly from California and Washington, as well as many other types of international wine that you won’t find anywhere else or at your local provincial liquor store.
King Arthur flour
Like any other human being on this planet, you probably enjoy baking the occasional loaf of banana bread, a tangy homemade sourdough, or a comforting batch of healthy cookies and muffins. There’s a simple joy in creating something delicious from scratch in your own kitchen.
I myself am an avid baker, and to serve my baking needs, I constantly buy the huge 22-pound bags of all-purpose and bread flour from my local Canadian Costco. They get the job done for most everyday baking projects. But for those times when you want a truly superior result, there’s no substitute for King Arthur flour.
While the flour is consistently good, it just can’t quite compare to the performance of King Arthur flour. I know it’s also a bit more expensive, but so many recipes end up being noticeably better when I use King Arthur! Breads get a higher rise, cookies have a better chew, and cakes have a finer crumb. This is due to their strict protein content standards and milling process. Moreover, the company is 100% employee-owned, which fosters a culture of quality and care, and that’s just something that I value a lot and feel good about supporting.
Cholula hot sauce
Tangy and perfectly spicy, with a very subtle and pleasant earthy backbone from its unique blend of arbol and piquin peppers, this amazing hot sauce is extremely versatile and deservedly popular for livening up any type of food. It’s one of those magical condiments that adds a burst of flavor without overwhelming the dish with pure, searing heat.
However, in Canada, it’s not always easy to find. Cholula isn’t technically sold at every single grocery store, and its stock can be inconsistent. Sometimes, this means that you might have to make multiple stops at different stores just to find it, which is a real hassle for a pantry staple.
Moreover, when you do find it, a standard 5-ounce bottle typically goes for $7, unless it happens to be on sale. That can get expensive if you use it as frequently as I do. But if you manage to find it at any Costco in the U.S., you can score a glorious two-pack of large 12-ounce bottles for only $10. The value is astronomical, and it ensures you won’t run out of your favorite hot sauce for a very, very long time.
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