By CostcoFan | Updated August 2026
Top pick: Nichols Farms Organic Pistachios, 2 lbs · Item #881987 · $14.99 (10/10)
Pistachios are one of our all-time favorite snacks to keep around — protein, healthy fats, no fridge needed, and they travel anywhere. Costco carries five different Costco pistachios worth knowing about: two in-shell Kirklands (salted and unsalted), the pre-shelled Kirkland, the Nichols Farms organic, and the Wonderful salt & pepper. I buy and eat all five, so here’s the honest, scored breakdown — which is the best, which is the best value, which one to skip, and when to reach for each.
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Quick Scores
| Pistachio | Type | Price | Per lb | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nichols Farms Organic | In-shell, organic, salted | $14.99 / 2 lb | ~$7.50 | 10/10 |
| Kirkland In-Shell | In-shell, salted | $16.99 / 3 lb | ~$5.66 | 9/10 |
| Kirkland Shelled | No shells, salted | $17.99 / 1.5 lb | ~$12.00 | 9/10 |
| Kirkland Unsalted | In-shell, unsalted | $16.99 / 3 lb | ~$5.66 | 7/10 |
| Wonderful Salt & Pepper | In-shell, flavored | $18.99 / 3 lb | ~$6.33 | 5/10 |
The short version: the Nichols Farms Organic is the best if you want the cleanest, best-tasting bag. The Kirkland In-Shell is nearly identical for less money — the best value. The Shelled Kirkland is a cooking essential. The Unsalted is there for low-sodium needs. And the Wonderful Salt & Pepper is a once-in-a-while treat with an ingredient list that keeps it at the bottom.
One shopper’s note up front: they all go on sale periodically, and honestly, a sale genuinely shifts which one I grab that week. The top few are close enough that price matters.
1. Nichols Farms Organic Pistachios (Item #881987) — 10/10
$14.99 · 2 lbs · ~$7.50/lb · Organic, in-shell, salted
If you’ve read my other posts, you know I lean organic wherever I reasonably can — and these are the reason I’m glad Costco carries an organic pistachio. They’re a little pricier per pound than the Kirklands, but here’s the thing: Sprouts and Target sell these exact Nichols Farms pistachios for WAY more. Costco’s price on them is a genuine deal.
And they’re just amazing. Great taste, the right amount of salt, and so incredibly crunchy and fresh when you open a new bag — I can always tell a fresh bag by how crunchy they are. Two ingredients: organic pistachios and sea salt. They’re grown in California, which I like supporting since we’re a California family.
How we eat them: these don’t last long in our house. My kid loves them as a snack and we love giving them to him — healthy protein and good fats. They’re one of my go-to travel snacks: they hold up great on airplanes and car rides, and anytime I’m packing a to-go lunch, these are in it. No refrigeration, real protein, easy.
One honest warning (a running theme with me and pistachios): if I bring the whole bag over, I’ll eat until I’m full — which can be half a bag — and let me tell you, that’s way too much salt. I don’t recommend it. Give yourself a handful and you’re good. (This, by the way, is exactly where the unsalted Kirklands down below come in handy.)
They’re also great to set out for dinner parties or any gathering. We buy these almost every time. 10/10, hands down.
Nichols Farms is mostly a Costco and specialty-store brand, so it’s hard to get shipped. If you want an organic pistachio delivered, check out the following link — though, like most things, you’ll pay more than Costco’s price…
- Setton Farms Premium Organic Pistachios, Dry Roasted With Sea Salt on Amazon -> Indulge in the rich, natural flavor of Setton Farms Premium Organic Pistachios, perfectly dry roasted and lightly seasoned with sea salt to enhance their nutty goodness
2. Kirkland Signature In-Shell Pistachios (Item #545345) — 9/10
$16.99 · 3 lbs · ~$5.66/lb · In-shell, roasted & salted
Here’s the honest truth: these are so close to the Nichols organic that I probably couldn’t tell them apart in a blind taste test. They’re slightly cheaper and just as good.
The only reason they get a 9 instead of a 10 is that they’re not organic. I genuinely can’t tell you how much that matters for pistachios specifically — but I like the idea of eating as clean as possible, so the organic edges it out for me. If that’s not a priority for you, these might be your 10.
At ~$5.66 per pound, this is probably the best pistachio value anywhere. They’re a staple in our pantry, and when the Nichols organic isn’t in stock, this is the easy, no-brainer buy.
The Kirkland in-shell bag is Costco-exclusive, so there’s no legit way to get it shipped (anything listed online is just resellers marking it up). If you don’t have a membership, 365 by Whole Foods Pistachios is a solid comparable option — a trusted store brand, though you’ll pay more than Costco’s ~$5.66/lb…
- 365 by Whole Foods Market, Roasted & Salted Pistachios on Amazon -> 10 ounce bag of roasted and salted pistachios, Good source of fiber, Kosher certified and vegan, No artificial ingredients
3. Kirkland Signature Shelled Pistachios (Item #1076903) — 9/10
$17.99 · 1.5 lbs · ~$12.00/lb · Shelled (no shells), salted
My goodness, these are dangerous — and a 9/10.
Yes, at ~$12/lb they’re twice the per-pound price of the in-shell bags — that’s the shelling premium. But go look at any grocery store: you’ll pay this same price for a quarter of the amount. For pre-shelled pistachios, this is a crazy deal, and we buy them frequently because we love cooking with them.
There’s no way I’m de-shelling pistachios for a salad. We love these in salads, and especially on salmon — pistachio-crusted salmon is one of my favorite meals, and this product makes it easy. It’s a double dose of healthy protein and healthy fats with the salmon.
The catch: these are extra dangerous for snacking, because at least the in-shell ones make you work for it. With these there’s nothing slowing you down — you eat them by the handful and 2,000 calories later you’re wondering what happened. Because of that, we mostly reserve these for cooking, which is also why a bag lasts us longer. The value for shelled pistachios is unbeatable.
Kirkland’s shelled bag is Costco-exclusive. For a shippable no-shell option, Wonderful No Shells Roasted & Salted is the widely-available alternative — great for the same salads and pistachio-crusted salmon if you’re not near a Costco…
- Wonderful Pistachios No Shells, Roasted & Salted Nuts on Amazon -> One 24 Ounce Resealable Bag of our Roasted & Salted No Shells Wonderful Pistachios. Wonderful Pistachios have literally come out of their shells
4. Kirkland Signature Unsalted In-Shell Pistachios (Item #1792518) — 7/10
$16.99 · 3 lbs · ~$5.66/lb · In-shell, unsalted
I get why these might not be the most popular — salted pistachios are simply amazing, and unsalted can seem a little plain at first. But once you get used to them, you really start to enjoy the true flavor of a pistachio without the salt masking it.
Where these genuinely shine: if you’re watching your sodium, these are a GREAT alternative. For anyone on a low-sodium diet, having an unsalted option from a trusted bulk source is a real win, and I love that Costco carries it. It’s the same great value and quality as the salted Kirkland (~$5.66/lb) — just without the salt.
To the average snacker, these might taste a bit bland, and I understand that — it’s honestly hard to eat nuts without salt. That’s why they’re a 7/10 for me. But they serve a genuinely important purpose, and they’re the perfect answer to the “I ate half a salted bag and now I’m dying of thirst” problem. We keep a bag around and rotate them in when it makes sense.
Kirkland’s unsalted bag is Costco-exclusive. If you’re watching your sodium and don’t have a membership, 365 by Whole Foods Roasted Unsalted Pistachios are a solid comparable option — a trusted store brand, though you’ll pay more per ounce than Costco’s ~$5.66/lb…..
- 365 by Whole Foods Market, Roasted Unsalted Pistachios on Amazon -> Premium unsalted pistachios with no added ingredients, Good source of protein and fiber, Kosher certified and vegan friendly, Resealable bag maintains freshness
5. Wonderful Pistachios Salt & Pepper (Item #864917) — 5/10
$18.99 · 3 lbs · ~$6.33/lb · In-shell, salt & pepper flavored
Like a lot of flavored snacks, I usually prefer simplicity — and this one earns a 5/10, mostly because of what’s in it.
Don’t get me wrong, the salt & pepper flavor is great at first. But the pepper tends to get old and overpowering the more you eat, and this is the most expensive bag of the five. I rarely buy these — maybe as a holiday or party treat, and really only if they’re on sale.
Here’s my real issue, and it’s about the ingredients. You’d assume “salt & pepper pistachios” means pistachios, salt, and pepper, right? Instead the label includes sugar, dextrose, onion powder, garlic, and natural flavors, among others. There is absolutely no need for dextrose or “natural flavors” in a pistachio. It feels a little deceptive for what should be a clean, healthy snack — and honestly, when I see “natural flavors” on something like this, I assume the goal is to make it more addictive. None of the other four pistachios here have dextrose or natural flavors.
If these were truly just salt and pepper, they’d score higher — the flavor concept is fine. But the additive list keeps it at a 5. If you’re a die-hard salt & pepper fan, enjoy — I just can’t recommend it over the cleaner options. (Worth noting: reviews on these are genuinely split — plenty of fans love the flavor, but a fair number also find the pepper overpowering or the nuts a bit “burnt” tasting, which matches my experience.) Unless you specifically want the salt & pepper, stick with the other four.
If you like the Wonderful brand but want to skip the dextrose and natural flavors, their plain roasted & salted or no-shell version stick to the basics here………
- Wonderful Pistachios No Shells, Roasted & Salted Nuts on Amazon -> One 24 Ounce Resealable Bag of our Roasted & Salted No Shells Wonderful Pistachios
Which Costco Pistachio Should You Buy?
- Best overall: Nichols Farms Organic (10/10) — cleanest, freshest, organic, and cheaper than other stores charge for the same bag.
- Best value: Kirkland In-Shell (9/10) — nearly identical to the Nichols for less. The everyday staple.
- Best for cooking: Kirkland Shelled (9/10) — no de-shelling for salads and pistachio-crusted salmon. A steal for shelled.
- Best for low-sodium: Kirkland Unsalted (7/10) — the sodium-conscious pick.
- The flavored treat (skip unless you love it): Wonderful Salt & Pepper (5/10) — too many unnecessary additives.
For us, it’s the Nichols organic almost every time, the in-shell Kirkland when it’s out, and the shelled bag on hand for cooking. And again — watch for sales, because they genuinely change which one comes home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pistachios does Costco sell?
Costco carries five: Kirkland In-Shell Salted (item 545345), Kirkland Unsalted In-Shell (1792518), Kirkland Shelled (1076903), Nichols Farms Organic (881987), and Wonderful Salt & Pepper (864917).
How much are pistachios at Costco?
They range from about $5.66/lb for the Kirkland in-shell (3 lbs for $16.99) up to $12/lb for the pre-shelled Kirkland (1.5 lbs for $17.99). The Nichols organic is ~$7.50/lb and the Wonderful salt & pepper ~$6.33/lb.
Does Costco sell unsalted pistachios?
Yes — Kirkland Unsalted In-Shell Pistachios (item 1792518, $16.99 for 3 lbs). They’re a great low-sodium option and the same quality and value as the salted Kirkland.
Does Costco sell shelled (no-shell) pistachios?
Yes — Kirkland Shelled Pistachios (item 1076903, $17.99 for 1.5 lbs). They cost more per pound than in-shell, but they’re a great deal for shelled and perfect for cooking, salads, and pistachio-crusted salmon.
Are Costco’s organic pistachios worth it?
In my opinion, yes — the Nichols Farms Organic (item 881987) are my top pick. They taste excellent, they’re California-grown with just two ingredients, and Costco sells them for far less than stores like Sprouts or Target.
Which Costco pistachio is the best value?
The Kirkland In-Shell at ~$5.66/lb. They’re nearly indistinguishable from the pricier organic bag and are almost always in stock.
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It has become very salty to my taste and I have to switch to other brands.
Are the Costco pistachios supposed to come in fully sealed bags?
The reason I ask is we had a bag stored in our basement and when I just went to open it, I discovered the bag was not fully sealed. When I squeezed it, without opening the bag, air leaked out of the bag.
I’m thinking of bringing it back to the store to exchange for a better sealed bag. I like my pistachios to taste fresh!
Yes, they should be sealed. If you’re concerned, just return it instead of opening it. I’m sure they’ll take it back without issue. I like my pistachios fresh too!