The Costco Peanut Butter That Doubles As A Trader Joe's Copycat

Breaking down the simple peanut butter ingredients

If you appreciate straightforward, natural peanut butter, you'll enjoy the limited-ingredient options from Kirkland and Trader Joe's. All three of these similar peanut butters feature just two components: peanuts and salt. Kirkland's version includes dry-roasted organic Valencia peanuts and sea salt, while Trader Joe's Creamy Salted is made with dry-roasted peanuts and salt. Trader Joe's Organic Salted Valencia contains organic Valencia peanuts and sea salt.

Valencia peanuts are sweeter than the more commonly used varieties in peanut butter, making them an excellent choice for natural options without added sugars. Primarily cultivated in Texas and New Mexico, Valencia peanuts represent less than 1% of the peanuts produced in the U.S. The predominant variety used in peanut butter is the runner peanut, which accounts for over 80% of U.S. peanut production.

Peanuts are typically roasted before being ground into peanut butter to enhance their flavor, enriching the nutty taste while releasing oils that facilitate blending. They can be roasted in oil or dry-roasted, which uses only heat without any oil.

Regarding salt, sea salt, derived from evaporated seawater, is often viewed as more natural and less processed than regular table salt, which is usually mined and refined to eliminate other minerals. While sea salt isn't necessarily healthier, many people prefer its flavor over that of table salt.

Other Costco dupes

Kirkland's organic peanut butter isn't the only popular Costco alternative that shoppers love. If you've savored the flavor of grass-fed butter, you might want to try Costco's version, which serves as a dupe for Kerrygold. Many fans rave about Kerrygold Irish Butter for its rich taste and creamy texture, but it comes with a higher price tag than standard butter. In contrast, Kirkland Signature's Grass-Fed Butter has been likened to this premium Irish butter, offering a similar experience at a more affordable price.

Kirkland also offers a range of budget-friendly liquor alternatives, such as Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum, which is often compared to Captain Morgan. Additionally, some claim that Kirkland Signature Vodka closely resembles Grey Goose. Interestingly, Grey Goose has addressed the rumor that Kirkland Vodka is produced by them, stating that this is completely untrue.

Other notable Costco alternatives include Kirkland Signature Nut Bars (similar to KIND bars), Kirkland Signature Hazelnut Spread (akin to Nutella), and Kirkland Signature House Blend Whole Bean Coffee (compared to Starbucks). While you may not prefer every Kirkland product over its branded equivalents, you can certainly enjoy quality items while saving some money.