Costco's September lineup mixes comfort classics and novelty items, shoppers react
New prepared foods and pantry items — from chicken and waffles to balsamic vinegar pearls — are drawing strong member interest as the wholesaler rolls into fall
Costco Wholesale’s September product rotation is drawing attention from members and online communities as the wholesaler replaces summer offerings with a slate of seasonal prepared foods and shelf-stable items.
Shoppers and content creators have highlighted new and returning items that range from traditional comfort dishes to unconventional pantry novelties, prompting discussion about value, flavor and creative uses. Several of the items were posted to the large Reddit community r/Costco and shared on social platforms late in August and early September.
Among the most discussed offerings is a Kirkland Signature Chicken and Waffles prepared-meal kit that Costco’s website describes as made with grade-A chicken thighs, organic maple syrup, all-butter Belgian waffles and hot honey. A Pennsylvania-based Costco-focused creator, Jacquelyne Devine, told Fox News Digital the product is “delicious and a great value,” and recommended air-frying the chicken and toasting the waffles. The container is marketed as providing four pieces of chicken and four waffles and has been listed at about $18, which some members calculated as about $4.50 per serving.
Costco is also carrying a Strawberry Nurri protein shake that advertises 30 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar; a 12-pack is priced at roughly $22.69 on the retailer’s website. Posts on r/Costco — a group with about 1.4 million members — included enthusiastic remarks from regular Nurri consumers as well as advice to pour the drink into a cup instead of drinking from the can.
An unconventional pantry item drawing curiosity is Dittmann’s balsamic vinegar-flavored tapioca pearls. Social posts compared the product to boba or bubble tea and suggested uses ranging from salad-topping to pairing with fresh mozzarella or even vanilla ice cream. Some commenters described the pearls as a “vegetarian caviar” and reported adding them to vinaigrettes and crostini.
Smaller packaged desserts have also appeared: users reported seeing Kirkland Signature Caramel Apple Strudel Bites sold in 12-count packs for about $8.99. A Reddit user who posted a photo on Aug. 31 said the portion size made them suitable for office lunches, and other members recommended pairing the bites with vanilla ice cream.
Two familiar comfort items have returned or been restocked in some stores: Kirkland Signature Chicken Pot Pie and Kirkland Signature Shepherd’s Pie. A post on r/Costco on Aug. 23 showing both products prompted members to discuss stocking up and freezing extras. Several members noted that the shepherd’s pie in particular represents a favorable price for the size of the offering, and some reported buying multiples at season’s end to store for later.
Online reactions mixed praise for perceived value with curiosity about taste and use. Comments ranged from enthusiastic endorsements of Costco’s prepared foods and repeat purchases to playful skepticism about novelty items such as balsamic pearls. Social-media contributors and independent Costco-focused accounts have helped amplify early impressions and usage tips.
Costco’s regular seasonal rotation of grocery and prepared-food offerings is part of the retailer’s merchandising strategy to refresh in-store selection and offer limited-time or rotating products that can drive member traffic. Retailers often use these product changes to test demand, generate social-media engagement and encourage repeat visits during seasonal transitions.
Fox News Digital contacted Costco for comment on the rollout and had not received a response at the time of publication. Member posts and retailer listings indicate availability varies by location and that pricing may differ regionally.