Don’t Waste Your Money: 9 Costco Foods Getting the Worst Reviews in 2025

Costco’s massive warehouses offer great deals on bulk items, but not everything deserves a spot in your cart. Shopping smart means knowing which products to skip, especially when fellow members are sharing negative experiences. These nine Costco foods have been consistently disappointing customers in 2025, earning them spots on the ‘don’t buy’ list for savvy shoppers.

1. Kirkland Multipack Chicken Breasts

Once a reliable staple, Kirkland’s chicken breasts have taken a quality nosedive in 2025. Members report increasingly tough, woody textures and portions that shrink dramatically during cooking.

The vacuum-sealed packaging promises freshness, but many customers find the chicken oddly dry even before preparation. Several shoppers have noted a strange aftertaste that lingers even after marinating.

The price point no longer justifies the inconsistent quality. While Costco’s rotisserie chickens remain popular, these raw multipack breasts have become a freezer space waste for many families who now prefer competitors’ poultry options.

2. Kirkland Lobster Bisque

Seafood lovers beware – the reformulated Kirkland Lobster Bisque has become a major letdown. The once-rich soup now resembles slightly pink cream with barely detectable lobster pieces.

Regular purchasers have noticed the texture becoming increasingly watery while the price continues to climb. The artificial flavor notes overpower any genuine seafood taste, leaving an unpleasant chemical aftertaste.

Numerous shoppers report finding bits of shell and cartilage in recent batches, suggesting quality control issues. For a product marketed as premium, this bisque fails to deliver the luxurious experience it promises.

3. Kirkland Bagels

Remember when bagels were supposed to have that perfect chewy texture? Kirkland’s bagels have forgotten that memo. These dense rings have become notorious for their brick-like consistency that persists even after toasting.

Customers report needing industrial-strength toasters just to make these edible. The interior often remains doughy while the exterior becomes tooth-breakingly hard – the worst of both worlds.

Many shoppers have complained about a strange chemical smell that develops after just one day. Despite the attractive price for a dozen, most end up in the trash or as bird food, making them anything but a bargain.

4. Kirkland Signature Pepperoni Pizza

Pizza night turns disappointing with Kirkland’s pepperoni offering. The once-beloved freezer staple now emerges from ovens swimming in orange grease that soaks through the crust.

Customers frequently mention the pepperoni’s new rubbery texture and artificially spicy flavor profile. The cheese layer has become noticeably thinner, often separating into oily patches rather than melting properly.

Family reviewers particularly note the crust’s tendency to remain soggy in the center while burning at the edges. At current prices, shoppers find better value and taste in competing brands or even Costco’s food court pizza slices.

5. Kirkland Oat Milk

Kirkland’s attempt at plant-based milk has resulted in a peculiar product that separates into layers even before opening. The chalky sediment at the bottom refuses to incorporate no matter how vigorously you shake.

Coffee drinkers particularly despise how it curdles in hot beverages, creating unappetizing floaters. The flavor profile has been described as “cardboard water” with an artificial sweetness that clashes with both sweet and savory applications.

Multiple customers report experiencing digestive discomfort despite the “easily digestible” claims on packaging. With so many superior alternatives available, this reformulated oat milk has become one of Costco’s most returned items.

6. Kirkland Signature Coffee

Coffee enthusiasts are abandoning Kirkland’s beans in droves after a recipe change left the once-reliable brew tasting like burnt rubber. The overwhelming bitterness can’t be masked even with generous cream and sugar.

Bags opened in 2025 release noticeably less aroma than previous years, suggesting older beans or improper storage. Many customers report finding foreign objects like small stones or plastic bits mixed with the grounds.

Morning routines are being disrupted nationwide as loyal Costco shoppers reluctantly switch brands. The price savings no longer justify starting the day with what many now describe as “caffeinated punishment” rather than the smooth experience previously enjoyed.

7. Kirkland Signature Protein Bars

Gym-goers beware of the reformulated protein bars that now disintegrate upon opening. The texture resembles sawdust compressed with artificial sweetener – hardly the post-workout reward you deserve.

Health-conscious shoppers have noticed the protein content decreasing while sugar alcohols increase, causing digestive issues many reviewers mention explicitly. The chocolate coating melts instantly, creating a messy experience that leaves fingers sticky and car seats stained.

Flavor profiles have shifted dramatically, with the cookie dough variety tasting nothing like its namesake. Given the premium price point compared to competitors, these bars represent perhaps the biggest quality decline in Kirkland’s food lineup.

8. Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie

Family dinner disappointment comes in the form of Kirkland’s chicken pot pie, which now resembles chicken soup with a half-baked lid. The filling-to-crust ratio has become laughably imbalanced.

Customers regularly report finding mostly gravy with minimal chicken pieces – sometimes just three or four chunks in the entire family-sized pie. The vegetables have become mushy and indistinguishable, creating an unappetizing gray-green slurry beneath the crust.

Following cooking instructions precisely still results in a paradoxical combination of undercooked dough and burnt edges. At nearly twice the 2023 price point, this former favorite has become the poster child for Costco’s quality control issues.

9. Kirkland Signature Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Opening a package of Kirkland’s turkey breast now comes with an unpleasant surprise – a slimy film coating each slice. The meat develops this texture remarkably quickly, often before the sell-by date.

Taste testers note an increasing saltiness that overwhelms any natural turkey flavor. The slices have become paper-thin in 2025, requiring double the amount for a satisfying sandwich compared to previous years.

Multiple customers report a strange iridescent sheen developing after just two days in the refrigerator. With premium deli counter options often on sale for comparable prices, this bulk package has lost its appeal as both a convenience and value proposition.