Costco burger patties have become a favorite for backyard barbecues and quick family meals. About one in 63 people around the world now has a Costco membership. The warehouse giant’s steadfast dedication to quality meat at great prices drives this popularity.
The freezer section at Costco has an impressive lineup of frozen burger patties that fit different priorities. Their selection has the juicy Kirkland Signature Angus Ground Chuck Patties ($28.39 for eighteen 1/3 lb patties), 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties ($23.49 for fifteen 1/3 lb patties), Lean Ground Beef Patties ($24.99 CAD for twenty-four 1/4 lb patties), and Lean Sirloin Beef Patties ($26.99 CAD for eighteen 1/3 lb patties). Costco also stocks turkey and plant-based options for shoppers with different dietary needs.
These options differ quite a bit in their nutrition content. The Angus Ground Chuck patties pack 440 calories with 38 grams of fat and 24 grams of protein per serving. The 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties come in lighter at 380 calories, with 30 grams of fat and 26 grams of protein. Cooking experts suggest grilling these patties straight from the freezer. A 6-8 minute cook time per side should get you to the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), keeping all the texture and juiciness intact.
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Types of Costco Burger Patties Reviewed
Costco takes a smart approach to its burger patty selection. The retailer meets customer priorities with competitive pricing. Their Kirkland Signature line has several beef patty options that cater to different cooking styles, nutrition needs, and taste preferences.
Kirkland Angus Ground Chuck Patties
Costco’s premium beef comes in the form of Kirkland Angus Ground Chuck Patties. These patties are 75% lean meat and 25% fat. You’ll pay about $24.99 for 18 patties, each weighing 1/3 pound. The value is great if you want restaurant-quality burgers at home. Angus beef makes these patties juicier and more flavorful than leaner options. They hold their shape well on the grill with minimal shrinkage.
Notable characteristics: The rich fat content makes these burgers more indulgent, but watch out for flare-ups on the grill. The ground chuck in these patties is smooth, without the tough bits you might expect. These burgers are Costco’s best choice if taste matters more than lean meat content.
100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties
Kirkland’s 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties blend 80% lean meat with 20% fat. A 5-pound bag holds 15 third-pound patties and costs around $24.99. These stand out because the cattle eat only grass and milk from birth, without antibiotics or hormones.
The texture feels more tender than Angus patties, almost melting in your mouth. Some people find them slightly chewier and less juicy than fresh options. The price runs higher than standard patties because of the premium raising methods.
Lean Ground Beef Patties
The most affordable option in Costco’s lineup costs less than a dollar per burger. These quarter-pound patties fit standard buns perfectly, though they’re smaller than other Kirkland options. The meat ratio stands at 75% lean and 25% fat, giving you classic BBQ burger flavor.
Ground shank and brisket make up these patties, creating a stronger, fattier taste than sirloin versions. The texture can be grainy with some gristle. The price point makes these perfect for big parties or anyone watching their budget.
Lean Sirloin Beef Patties
Kirkland’s Lean Sirloin Beef Patties contain 85% lean meat and 15% fat. A pack of 18 third-pound patties costs about $26.99. The ingredients couldn’t be simpler – just sirloin beef, no salt, fillers, or seasonings. This lets you season them exactly how you like while enjoying quality meat.
These patties rarely have tough bits or gristle. The meat quality shines through with proper seasoning. They stay juicy unless you cook them too long, making them great for people who want both lean meat and good flavor.
Costco Chicken and Veggie Burger Patties
Costco’s burger selection goes beyond beef. Amylu Chicken Burgers have become popular thanks to their smoky, juicy flavor. They skip nitrates and nitrites. These organic patties use antibiotic-free chicken and avoid gluten and soy, though they do contain dairy.
Plant-based shoppers have several choices. Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers cost $13.99 for 12 patties. Beyond Meat burgers run $18.99 for 8 patties. Kirkland’s own Harvest Burgers blend brown rice with rolled oats. These cost about $12.99 for 15 patties. The texture sits somewhere between a sausage patty and rice cake, giving vegetarians an affordable option.
Taste and Texture Comparison
The difference in quality between Costco burger patties becomes clear when you taste them. Each patty’s fat-to-lean ratio and meat source creates unique variations that affect how much you’ll enjoy your burger, whatever cooking method you choose.
Juiciness and flavor profile
Kirkland Angus Ground Chuck Patties are the tastiest and juiciest option in Costco’s lineup. These patties pack a rich, strong beef taste that needs just a bit of seasoning. The 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties give you something completely different—some people love their “gamey” taste and say they have a “melt-in-your-mouth quality,” while others mention a “weird taste” and say they’re not as flavorful.
The Lean Ground Beef Patties sit somewhere in the middle with a stronger, fattier taste that reminds you of “burgers you’d get at a cheap burger stand or mass community barbecue”. The Lean Sirloin Beef Patties have less fat and need more seasoning because of their subtle flavor—they stay juicy unless you cook them too long.
Fat content plays a vital role in juiciness—burgers with 93/7 lean-to-fat ratio end up drier and less satisfying than 80/20 blends, which give you the moisture and richness most people want.
Shrinkage and cooking consistency
Meat always shrinks during cooking, but the amount varies by a lot among Costco’s options. Angus Chuck Patties barely shrink and keep their one-third pound size nicely. The Grass-Fed Patties shrink more and end up smaller than their Angus cousins.
Several things affect shrinkage: fat content, cooking temperature, and time. The USDA says “the higher the cooking temperature, the greater the shrinkage”. Cooking too long pulls out more fat and juices, leaving you with dry, bland burgers.
You can minimize shrinkage with the right cooking techniques. Medium heat helps keep moisture in, while high heat makes fat melt away faster. Some people put a small cup or glass on each patty while cooking to stop them from “cupping” and cook more evenly.
Presence of gristle or hard bits
Quality varies in Costco’s burger lineup. Kirkland Signature Lean Sirloin Beef Patties have almost no gristle or hard chunks—evidence of their premium meat source. Angus Chuck Burgers stay high quality even though they use ground chuck, which usually has more connective tissue.
The Lean Ground Beef Patties sometimes have “bits of gristle” and feel “somewhat grainy”. The Grass-Fed option lands in the middle, with people reporting “a few hard bites” but not too many.
Best for grilling vs pan-frying
Your cooking method makes a big difference in how your burger turns out. Grilling adds that special smoky flavor when “meat juices dripping onto hot coals, vaporizing and traveling up through the fire’s smoke”. You just can’t get this taste any other way.
Pan-frying has its own benefits: you get “a more even crust and more Maillard browning” because “the entire burger touches hot metal”. You also get better temperature control on the stovetop, which helps a lot with leaner patties that dry out easily.
Costco’s Angus and 80/20 blends work great on grills, while leaner patties do better on the stovetop. Cooking these patties from frozen gives you the best texture—cook them until they reach 165°F inside, add seasoning before or during cooking, and only flip them once.
Cost and Value for Money
The price tag usually makes the final call when you’re looking at Costco burger patties. Costco knows exactly what it’s doing with its meat products – you get great quality without breaking the bank.
Costco burger patties price breakdown
A look at Costco’s burger prices shows you get good value no matter which option you pick. The Kirkland Signature Ground Beef Patties (75% lean/25% fat) come in two main sizes: you can grab eighteen 1/3-pound patties or go big with forty 1/4-pound patties. The 1/3-pound pack will set you back about $28.00. That’s one of the best deals you’ll find for frozen burgers anywhere.
The 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties cost a bit more because of how they’re raised. The Lean Sirloin Beef Patties hit a sweet spot – they’re made from premium cuts but won’t empty your wallet.
Cost per patty and serving size
The numbers tell a pretty good story. You’ll pay about $1.56 for each 1/3-pound Kirkland Signature patty. These bigger patties hang over the edges of your bun and make for a really satisfying burger.
The 1/4-pound option gives you even more bang for your buck. With forty patties at a lower price per burger, they’re perfect if you’re feeding a crowd or watching your budget. These smaller patties work out to less than a dollar each.
Size matters after cooking too. Some brands’ burgers shrink down to nothing on the grill, but Costco’s patties – especially the Angus ones – keep their size nicely. You get what you paid for.
Which patties offer the best value?
Good value isn’t just about the price – it’s about what you get for your money. The regular Kirkland Signature Ground Beef Patties give you the most overall value when you think about price, size, and taste. Business Insider backs this up, saying these patties are the best frozen burger deal out there.
If taste is your thing, spending a little extra on the Angus Ground Chuck Patties makes sense – they just taste better and have a great texture. Health-conscious shoppers might prefer the Lean Sirloin option, even though it costs more per patty.
The grass-fed burgers serve a specific crowd who’ll pay more for health and environmental reasons, though some folks say they taste weird and are “the absolute worst”.
Costco’s huge production scale and direct relationships with suppliers help them keep prices low. You end up with quality burgers that work great for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Nutrition and Ingredients Breakdown
The nutritional content is a vital factor that health-conscious consumers look at when they evaluate Costco burger patties. Each variety comes with its own unique mix of nutrients that fits different dietary priorities.
Costco burger patties nutrition facts
Costco’s burger lineup shows different nutritional profiles. A 151-gram Kirkland Signature Beef Patty packs 320 calories with 23 grams of total fat (10 grams saturated), zero carbs, and 29 grams of protein. The Lean Ground Beef Patties are lighter at 210 calories, with 15 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein per serving.
Premium options like Costco Angus Beef Patties contain 220 calories, 14 grams of fat (5.8 grams saturated) and 22 grams of protein in each serving. The 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties keep an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio and have similar nutrition numbers.
Fat, protein, and calorie comparison
Fat content shapes both the calories and how well these patties cook. Standard Kirkland Ground Beef Patties have 25.2% fat, which means 291 calories per 100 grams. These patties are juicier because of the higher fat, but some health-conscious buyers might think twice.
Most varieties pack between 15-29 grams of protein per serving. Kirkland Ground Sirloin Patties give you 28 grams of protein in a 320-calorie serving. Fitness enthusiasts might notice this falls short of their ideal 10 grams of protein per 100 calories target.
Costco’s Columbus Craft Meats turkey burgers are a great option if you want lean protein. They deliver 30 grams of protein in a 240-calorie serving, hitting the right protein-to-calorie ratio.
Ingredient simplicity and allergens
Costco beef patties keep it simple with just one ingredient: beef. This makes them perfect for many dietary needs. The patties are gluten-free, and those percentage numbers (like 80/20) just show the lean meat to fat ratio.
The Kirkland beef patties don’t contain any common allergens. You won’t find dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soy. These patties are also free from corn, garlic, and onions.
The Grass-Fed Beef Patties come with an extra benefit – they’re made without antibiotics or hormones. People who prefer minimally processed meat love this option, even though it costs more than regular patties.
Convenience and Cooking Experience
Costco burger patties offer more than just good value and taste. They’re a quick solution that saves time and hassle for busy people who need easy meal options.
Packaging and storage tips
Kirkland Signature burger patties come with smart individual wrapping that lets you use just what you need. The rest stays safely frozen. This clever packaging helps the patties last longer and stops freezer burn from ruining them. You should keep these patties frozen until you’re ready to cook them. Only thaw them in the fridge if you absolutely must.
You can store cooked leftover patties in the fridge using airtight containers for up to three days. If you wrap them tightly, these leftovers freeze well and stay tasty for about a month. An air fryer works great to reheat cooked patties – just set it to 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
Ease of cooking from frozen
These patties actually turn out juicier and better textured when you cook them straight from frozen. Just put the frozen patties on your hot cooking surface – whether you’re using a grill, pan, or air fryer. On the grill, give them 6-8 minutes each side over medium-high heat until they hit that safe temperature of 165°F.
If you’re in a hurry, your microwave can thaw three patties in less than two minutes before cooking. For bigger batches, the oven works great at 400°F for 45-60 minutes, especially with some foil on top.
Best use cases: BBQs, camping, quick meals
These patties really shine at big gatherings where you need consistent quality and size control. Their uniform shape means they all cook evenly, which makes them perfect for backyard BBQs and family get-togethers.
They’re also fantastic for those times when you need a quick meal but don’t want to compromise on quality. Since you can cook them straight from frozen, there’s no need to plan ahead – perfect when unexpected guests show up or your teenagers are starving. Campers love how each patty comes individually wrapped, making them easy to pack and mess-free.
A close look at Costco’s burger patty lineup reveals some clear winners. The Kirkland Signature Angus Ground Chuck Patties are the top choice for taste and juiciness. Budget-smart shoppers might prefer the Lean Ground Beef Patties that cost less than $1 each. Health-conscious customers can pick the 100% Grass-Fed option without antibiotics, though its taste isn’t quite as good as regular patties.
These burgers offer more than just good prices. The standard Kirkland Signature patties beat similar store brands in quality and cost. They keep their size well after cooking too. The simple ingredient list – just beef – works great for people with dietary restrictions.
Costco’s burger patties are really convenient. You can unwrap just what you need and keep the rest frozen, which works perfectly for smaller families. They cook up nicely straight from the freezer – 6-8 minutes per side on the grill, in a 400°F oven, or even in an air fryer for quick meals.
One thing stands out clearly: Costco knows how to give customers what they want. The company’s buying power helps deliver protein options that are both affordable and high-quality. Whether you’re hosting a big backyard BBQ or making a quick dinner at home, these patties give you quality food without breaking the bank.
Here are some FAQs about Costco burger patties:
