By CostcoFan | Updated July 2026
Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa, 4.5 lbs · Item #1001368 · $11.99 in-store
The Costco quinoa is one of the handful of things that’s never not in our pantry. We go through a 4.5-pound bag in under a month, which tells you how often it shows up on our table — bowls two or three times a week, meal prep, salads, stuffed peppers, and yes, brownies. This is my honest take after years of buying it: what it costs, how I actually cook it, every way we use it, and whether it’s worth the space in your cart.
This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, CostcoFan earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
What It Is & What It Costs
Costco sells Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa in a 4.5-pound bag for $11.99 (item #1001368). It’s white quinoa, organic, and — this matters for cooking — already rinsed, which the bag states plainly.
The Price History
I’ve been tracking this one since my original post:
- January 2020: $9.99
- July 2026: $11.99
That’s about a 20% increase over six years, which is genuinely modest by Costco standards. For comparison, I’ve watched other pantry staples climb far harder over the same stretch. Quinoa has held its price better than most things in my cart.
At $11.99 for 4.5 pounds, the value math is what keeps me buying it. A bag lasts us under a month cooking with it several times a week — that’s a lot of meals for twelve bucks, and it’s filling enough that a bowl actually holds you until the next one.
How I Cook It
Nothing fancy, and it’s fast:
- Stovetop, not a rice cooker
- 2:1 ratio — two parts water to one part quinoa
- 1 cup dry at a time is almost always what I make
- Ready in about 15 minutes
That’s it. Fifteen minutes from “I should probably make something” to done is the reason this stays in rotation on weeknights.
One thing I always do: cook it in broth, not water. We use organic chicken or vegetable broth in place of the water, and it makes a real difference — quinoa on its own is pretty mild, and the broth gives it a savory base before you’ve added anything else. Same 2:1 ratio, just swap the liquid. If you’re using water and finding it bland, this is the fix.
Do You Need to Rinse Costco Quinoa?
The bag says it’s already rinsed, so I skip it. I’ve never had a bitterness problem, and I’ve cooked a lot of this stuff.
Honestly though — writing this out has me reconsidering. Rinsing takes thirty seconds and removes any remaining saponin (the natural coating that can make quinoa taste soapy or bitter). Plenty of cooks rinse regardless of what the bag says, purely out of habit. If you’ve got a fine-mesh strainer and thirty seconds, it can’t hurt. I’m just lazy about it and it’s never bitten me.
How We Actually Use It
This is the part that matters, because quinoa is only worth buying in bulk if you’ll actually eat it. Here’s every way it shows up in our kitchen, most-used first.
Bowls (2–3 Times a Week)
This is the workhorse use. Quinoa base, then whatever direction we’re going:
- Asian bowls — quinoa, protein, vegetables, whatever sauce we’re into that week
- Mexican bowls — same idea, different spice cabinet. A house favorite is what we call the faux burrito bowl — quinoa, a marinated or well-spiced meat on top, and sliced avocado. That’s it, and it’s one of the main meals in our rotation. Marinating or spicing the protein is what carries the flavor; the quinoa is the base that makes it filling.
It’s the same reason people use rice, except quinoa brings more protein and, for me at least, keeps me full noticeably longer. I’ll be honest: I enjoy rice more. Straight-up taste, rice wins. But quinoa’s the one I reach for when I want the meal to actually do something for me — more protein, easily digestible, and good long-term energy rather than a crash.
Meal Prep
Cooks fast, holds up in the fridge, reheats without turning to mush. If you meal prep at all, quinoa is one of the easiest bases to build a week around.
Cold in a Salad
One of my favorites and probably the most underrated: cook it, cool it, and throw it into a mixed green salad with grilled chicken breast and a red wine vinegar dressing. Add sliced vegetables and it’s a genuinely great lunch — the quinoa turns a side salad into an actual meal. Cold quinoa has a texture I like even better than hot.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Standard use, works great. Quinoa holds its structure inside the pepper instead of going to paste.
Veggie Burgers (Cast Iron Only)
We make quinoa veggie burgers sometimes, and I’ll save you the mistake I made: do not put these on the BBQ. They fall apart, straight through the grates, every time. In a cast iron pan they come out great — you get a real crust and they hold together. Same patty, completely different outcome based on the cooking surface.
The recipe we use is this quinoa burger from Love and Lemons — worth following as written. The cast iron thing is my own hard-won addition.
Quinoa Brownies (Yes, Really)
This one surprises people. We make quinoa brownies from The Conscious Plant Kitchen and I genuinely love them.
The problem is entirely mine: I decide they’re “healthy” and then eat far too many. This is a recurring character flaw with anything that has a wholesome-sounding ingredient in it. The brownies are great. My portion control around them is not.
Oven-Roasted for Crunch (Not Worth It)
I’ve roasted cooked quinoa in the oven to get it crunchy for topping salads and bowls. It works, and it tastes good — but it’s too much work for what you get. I’ve done it a handful of times and I don’t reach for it anymore. Included here so you can skip the experiment.
Is Costco Quinoa Worth It?
For us, easily. Here’s the honest case:
Buy it if: you cook at home regularly, you want a fast protein-forward base for bowls and meal prep, or you’re trying to get more out of a side dish than plain rice gives you. At $11.99 for 4.5 pounds, the per-meal cost is tiny.
Skip it if: you don’t cook much, or you’ve tried quinoa and don’t like the texture. A 4.5-pound bag is a real commitment if it’s going to sit in the pantry — buy a small bag somewhere else first and find out.
The thing that makes it work for us is speed. Fifteen minutes, one pot, and it goes in a dozen directions. That’s why the bag doesn’t last a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is quinoa at Costco?
The Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa, 4.5 lbs (item #1001368), is $11.99 in-store. It was $9.99 back in January 2020, so it’s climbed about 20% in six years — modest compared to most pantry staples.
Do you need to rinse Costco quinoa?
The bag says it’s already rinsed, so it isn’t required. I skip it and have never had a bitterness issue. If you prefer to rinse anyway out of habit, it takes thirty seconds and won’t hurt anything.
How do you cook Costco quinoa?
Stovetop, 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa, about 15 minutes. I usually make 1 cup dry at a time, which is plenty for a couple of bowls.
How long does a 4.5 lb bag last?
For us, under a month — we cook with it two or three times a week plus meal prep. Your mileage depends entirely on how often it hits the table.
Is Costco quinoa organic?
Yes — it’s Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa, white quinoa, pre-rinsed.
What can you make with quinoa?
We use ours for Asian and Mexican bowls, meal prep, cold in mixed green salads with grilled chicken, stuffed bell peppers, veggie burgers (cast iron, not the grill), and even brownies.
Where to Buy (If You’re Not a Member)
The Kirkland bag is Costco-only. If you want organic quinoa delivered instead, these are comparable options — not the same product, but the same style:
- Viva Naturals Organic Quinoa, 4 lb – Pre-Washed on Amazon -> How to enjoy it:.Serve it as a side dish, or swap rice for quinoa in stir-frys, sushi, and other rice-based recipes.Mix up your morning meals with quinoa and milk topped with fruit, cinnamon, or your choice of sweetener.Blend dry, toasted quinoa into flour for an alternative to traditional white flour.
- BetterBody Foods Organic Quinoa, Vegan, Gluten Free, Low Glycemic Rice Replacement, 3 Lb on Amazon -> Our organic Quinoa is a nutrient powerhouse and includes one impressive ingredient: organic Quinoa. Each serving contains 6 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber leaving you feeling fuller for longer.
If you do have a membership, the Costco bag is the better value by a wide margin.
Follow CostcoFan for more finds:
- TikTok: @realcostcofan
- Instagram: @realcostcofan
- Pinterest: @realcostcofan
- Facebook: facebook.com/costcofan
Related Posts:
I bought these but didnt’t really like the taste. I think this is because of the recipe. Can you please share a recipe thats similar to indian basmati rice?
Thanks.
We always use the organic chicken or vegetable broth to cook with. It could use a little salt, but we normally get plenty of salt in our diets. I like the nutty taste of quinoa by itself, but I can understand how some don’t. I usually top it with some type of meat that has been marinated or spiced up. That tends to give it plenty of flavor. We also throw some avocado slices on top to make a faux burrito bowl. That’s one of the main meals in our household. Hope that helps. Thanks!