The Flavorful Italian Staple You Should Skip At Costco And Grab At Trader Joe's

Whereas Costco is known for its massive quantities, Trader Joe's is more of a specialty grocery store that typically sells smaller-batch items, some of which frequently disappear and reappear on shelves seemingly on a whim. Both stores have their benefits and drawbacks, with some products being preferable to purchase at one over the other. One such Italian staple you should buy at Trader Joe's instead of Costco is pesto.

Bearing a vibrant green color and a herb-forward flavor profile, pesto combines the best taste and textures of herbs, nuts, and cheese into one versatile sauce. Though Costco's 22-ounce jar of pesto easily dwarfs Trader Joe's eight-ounce tub, it comes down to a matter of quality over quantity. Per Tasting Table's assessment, the smaller size can actually be advantageous as it is likely to reduce the risk of food waste.

Given that Trader Joe's pesto is also vegan and made sans cheese, unlike its Costco counterpart, this also makes the sauce more accessible for those who don't consume dairy. Comparing the two products, one Redditor calls the Trader Joe's plant-based version "much healthier and still delicious." Another commenter opines that Costco's take on the Italian staple tastes saltier than the one from Trader Joe's.

Many of the absolute best uses for pesto are surprisingly simple. It makes an excellent condiment for sandwiches, can be used as a sauce atop your favorite pasta, or even a delightful savory filling for your favorite doughy appetizers. If you want a pesto sauce that's lighter on the ingredients without skimping on the flavor, the one from Trader Joe's might just be best for you.

Whether you're using it in a fully plant-based feast or are planning to incorporate it in your favorite recipes in place of the usual Costco variety, there's a lot you can do with this herbaceous ingredient. On the veggie-forward side, one Redditor recommends, "I put it on roasted vegetables. I do bell pepper, Yukon potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and squash or [zucchini]. Roast them all with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then toss it with the pesto. Delicious."

Another Reddit commenter shares, "About half the pesto container + an entire container of non-dairy boursin spread (also available at TJs) + some nutritional yeast and you have a super easy cheesy pesto sauce for pasta!!" You can also turn store-bought pesto into a perfect pasta sauce with the addition of cream, whether dairy-free or not. Between Costco's overwhelming portion of pesto and Trader Joe's more minimalist fare, the latter clearly wins.