Costco is a treasure hunt, and the best finds are not always the ones near the front door. Tasting Table’s list of 15 hidden gems for 2026 shows that some of the most loved products sit quietly on the shelves.
A Spanish cheese plate is one that shoppers say they pick up every time. A giant tin of shortbread has racked up thousands of reviews.
The picks come from a list published October 29 by Tasting Table, with prices as listed that day.
The $9.99 Cheese Plate Shoppers Buy On Every Visit
Garcia Baquero Spanish Cheese Selection is a 400-gram plate for $9.99. It holds a trio of Spanish cheeses, manchego, queso de cabra and Iberico, made from sheep, goat and cow’s milk.
The flavors are mild and creamy, and it is a permanent item, not a limited edition. Customers say they love it and buy it on every visit.
A Shortbread Tin With Thousands Of Reviews
Kirkland Signature Walkers Premium Shortbread Selection costs $24.99 for a 4.6-pound tin. It is rich, crumbly and butter-forward, and it is less sugary than many cookies.
The item has thousands of reviews. The author advises buying it in store because the cookies are fragile and break easily during shipping.
Chocolate, Granola And Snacks Worth Stocking Up On
The Cacao Market by MarieBelle New York Dark Chocolate Truffles cost $84.99 online for three sets of 50 truffles. The reviewer said they are “so rich and cocoa-forward that you only need one or two.”
Unreal Dark Chocolate Variety Pack costs $15.69 for 15.4 ounces. Reviewers say it beats name-brand candies like Snickers, Peanut M&M’s and Reese’s, even among those who are not typically fans of dark chocolate.
MadeGood Organic Granola Minis cost $11.99 for 24 packs. They are free of the top nine allergens, which makes them useful for parties and nut-free schools.
Breakfast And Brunch Winners
Belgian Boys Mini Pancakes cost $9.99 for 45 pancakes, about 90 in two bags. They can be warmed in an air fryer, microwave or on the stovetop, and kids, toddlers and adults all enjoy them.
Nature’s Garden Probiotic Dried Apricots cost $15.69 for two pounds. Reviewers describe them as soft, moist and tender.
Solely Organic Fruit Jerky Variety Pack costs $16.99 for 16 strips, with mango-raspberry and mango-blueberry flavors.
Drinks And Treats For The Fridge
Kirkland Signature Organic Coconut Water costs $13.29 for six 14-ounce bottles. Reddit users say it tastes like fresh coconut.
La Colombe Draft Latte S’mores Latte costs $22.99 for a 12-pack and was available in summer 2026 only.
Loacker Minis Wafer Cookie Variety Pack costs $12.89 for 80 individually wrapped wafers, with hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate flavors. Several reviewers say they are not too sweet.
Smart Costco Shopping Habits
A warehouse trip works best with a plan. Know what you need, compare unit prices and think about storage space.
- Buy delicate items in store, as the shortbread tin shows. Shipping can break them.
- Share big packs with family or friends to avoid waste.
- Check the expiration date on fresh items before you load the cart.
- Freeze what you can. Pancakes, cheese and baked goods often freeze well.
Put Together A Cheese Board On A Budget
A $9.99 cheese plate is a good start to a holiday spread. Add crackers, a handful of grapes, a few nuts and a small bowl of olives, and you have a board that looks far more expensive than it is.
Let the cheese sit at room temperature for thirty minutes before serving. The flavors open up, and the texture softens.
Serve with a drizzle of honey or a spoonful of fig jam. Guests will think you spent all afternoon, when it only took a few minutes.
Finding Your Own Hidden Gems
The best way to discover a favorite is to try a small item each trip. Pick one product you have never bought and give it a fair chance.
Read the reviews, ask other shoppers in the aisle and keep an eye on social media. Costco fans love to share their finds.
You might uncover the next product that regulars buy on every visit.
Check The Details Before You Buy
Several items on the list are priced online and in store differently. The author notes that some products are cheaper in the warehouse than on the website, such as the probiotic yoggies, and that the bagel chips cost much less than on Amazon.
Look at the serving size, too. A 4.6-pound tin of shortbread sounds like a lot, but it is meant for sharing during the holidays.
If you have allergies in the family, read the labels carefully. Some products, like the granola minis, are built for allergy-friendly settings, while others contain nuts or dairy.
Gift Ideas Hiding In The Aisles
With the holidays near, several of these products make good gifts. A tin of shortbread, a box of truffles or a cheese plate can be wrapped with a ribbon and handed to a neighbor or teacher.
Pairing two items makes a quick gift basket. A box of cookies and a jar of jam, for example, fit neatly into a basket with a dish towel.
Buying in bulk and giving to several people is a smart way to spread out the cost of the season.
More Stories You May Like
- Diners At Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store In Jackson Tennessee Find A Cracker Barrel Style Buffet And Say The Servers Earned A Twenty Dollar Tip
- Tipping Was Once Illegal In Several US States And Called Un American After The Civil War Until Every Anti Tipping Law Was Gone By 1926
- This Solo Diner Pays $90 For A Cleveland Tasting Menu At Cordelia And Says It Was The Most Filling Meal Of Their Life So Full They Skipped Breakfast And Lunch The Next Day
