I love chili! I will eat chili for breakfast, either on its own or over a big pile of scrambled eggs. Chili is the perfect topping for baked potatoes, hot dogs and especially tater tots!
I go to chili cook offs whenever possible and have my own secret recipe. I haven’t won the big prize yet but someday I will.
So…..saying all that…I was curious to see if the Costco Kirkland Signature Beef Chili was any good.
This shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone but Costco’s chili is nowhere as good as homemade. The chili is decent enough and edible on its own but you are really going to want to doctor the stuff up.
How to Cook Costco Beef Chili
According to the preparation instructions, you can bring the chili to a simmer in a pot or reheat it in the microwave. The chili is fully cooked, so you’re simply reheating it.
We tried it both ways and preferred heating it in the microwave just for the convenience factor.
Costco Beef Chili
Ingredients
- 4 lbs Costco Beef Chili
- 1 bag Corn Tortilla Chips
- 4 tbsp Sour Cream
Instructions
- Transfer the chili from the plastic container into a large microwave safe bowl.
- Cover the bowl with paper towels.
- Microwave the bowl for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Stir the contents of the bowl and replace the paper towel.
- Microwave the bowl for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Stir the contents of the bowl and let cool for two minutes.
- Serve the chili with the tortilla chips and top with sour cream.
Taste Test
The Costco Beef Chili is made from beef, pinto beans, kidney beans, and a seasoned tomato sauce. It is topped with shredded cheddar cheese. While this chili isn’t the best I’ve ever had, it’s still good.
I appreciated the abundance of beef and the mix of pinto and kidney beans. However, the chili was mildly spicy and a little salty, which may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the flavor was a bit bland and felt like it was missing something. It reminded me of something you might find in a canned chili.
We all thought the chili could use some improvement but disagreed on which way to take it. Some of us wanted it to be spicier while my kids thought it needed more “chili flavor”.
What we all agreed on was that the chili would be excellent as a topping. For example, you could use this chili to:
- Make Cincinnati Style Skyline Chili with Pasta
- Make Frito Pie
- Top a Jumbo Costco Hot Dog
- Spoon Over a Baked Potato
Probably the easiest way to add some flavor, along with extra texture, is to crumble up a handful of corn tortilla chips into the bowl.
Calories in Costco Beef Chili
Costco says that 10.7 ounces of the chili is a single serving, about 1/6 of the container, and has the following nutritional information:
- Calories = 380
- Fat = 17g
- Cholesterol = 85mg
- Sodium = 1,600mg
- Carbohydrates = 26g
- Protein = 29g
.The chili has a LOT of protein so the meal is extremely filling. On the flip side this chili is LOADED with salt so eat in moderation.
Price of Costco Beef Chili
The chili is Item Number 50748 and is found in the refrigerated deli counter with the other take and bake meals. The chili currently costs $3.49 per pound.
Since you get about four pounds of chili per container you should expect to pay $14-$15.
There is enough chili to feed four people so figure on a per serving cost of about $3.75. This is a pretty nice value considering the time and cost of making this yourself.
Conclusion
While the Costco Kirkland Signature Beef Chili isn’t the best chili out there, it’s still worth trying if you’re looking for a quick and easy meal. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a quick lunch.
While the chili has its pros and cons, it’s still a decent option if you’re short on time.
For More Reviews of Costco’s Meal Options from the Deli Please See the Following: