Costco Has The Best Overall Balsamic Vinegar For Under $20, According To Consumer Reports

There's a massive difference between balsamic vinegar and cheap imitators. If you live in the U.S., many of the options you've had in your life might have been thin and one-note. It pales in comparison to balsamic vinegar from Reggio Emilia and Modena, Italy. The latter is aged, thick, and drizzle-able. It has a complex flavor profile that is tart, fruity, and even smoky. The problem is all that work and time (real balsamic vinegar is aged for up to 25 years or more) means the good stuff can be wildly expensive. But Costco's Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena appears to be an exception.

Consumer Reports has done the work of looking for the best budget balsamic vinegars under $20. Costco's private-label offering came out on top. What is particularly notable is that Kirkland Signature Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is the real deal, not just a good imitation. Granted, it doesn't have DOP certification, which is the highest standard. That would require every aspect of production (down to the ingredients) to be based in Modena or Emilia-Romagna and adheres to specific protocols. However, Costco's vinegar is PGI certified, which still means it is real Italian balsamic vinegar from the region around Modena. Moreover, it must meet certain production standards, including being aged for at least 60 days. The PGI system also has levels of quality, signified with one to five leaves, and Costco's Balsamic Vinegar of Modena scores a five. That means it's basically DOP level quality balsamic vinegar for under $20.

According to Consumer Reports' taste test, Costco's balsamic vinegar has a thick, syrupy texture made for drizzling. That's what you want from a good version. The taste isn't a letdown either. It mixes the sweetness, acid, and spice that marks high-quality vinegar from Modena. Impressively, the product does this with no additives of any kind, even forgoing the caramel color that is legal to add to PGI balsamic. It's so transparent that Costco lists the third-party producer of its' Kirkland balsamic vinegar, Acetum, right on the label.

Don't worry about the size either. While most of Consumer Reports' favorite balsamic vinegars under $20 came in 10-counters, we're dealing with Costco here. Its Balsamic Vinegar of Modena comes in a liter-sized (33.8-ounce) bottle that will last you a long time. And at $14 it wasn't even at the high end of the price range in this category (although the cost will vary by region). There may be no better deal at Costco, a store known for deep grocery discounts.

While Costco's option might be on a different level, there are still good budget choices for balsamic vinegar if you don't have a membership. Consumer Reports also rates Napa Valley Naturals Grand Reserve Balsamic Vinegar highly. At only $11 a bottle, it's also thick and drizzle-able with deep flavor. Trader Joe's and Filippo Berio are thinner vinegars, which are better for turning into dressings or mixing as an ingredient. Even for a product that can be as high-end as good balsamic, there are always deals to be had.