{"id":3835,"date":"2025-02-14T13:05:20","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T18:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/?p=3835"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:52:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:52:50","slug":"costco-rustic-italian-bread-kirkland-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/14\/costco-rustic-italian-bread-kirkland-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Costco Rustic Italian Bread (Kirkland) Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Author’s Note: These are my own crusty opinions. I have no affiliation with Costco.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One good ear, like Van Gogh.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blimey! This is this a huge loaf. YUGE, I say. The label said 2 pounds, but I weighed mine at home at 2.25 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m already an ardent fan of Italian-style bread. I previously reviewed Aldi’s Take & Bake Italian Bread<\/a>, which I loved. I’ve since purchased (but not yet reviewed) Publix Italian Bread, which was, er, different? Since I enjoyed Costco’s Sourdough Loaf<\/a> and Baguettes<\/a>, I was excited to try their take on Italian bread, too. Here’s the scoop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close-up<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The crust is pleasantly crusty, without being excessively hard or thick. Although the bread inside is pale and soft, it has a moderately dense texture, the way most Italian bread does. It wasn’t as “chewy” as other Italian breads I’ve tried.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cross-section<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The flavor was different<\/em> from what I expected. It has a distinct salty taste and sort of a pasta flavor, which I realized later is probably from the semolina<\/a> and durum wheat \u2014 the same wheat commonly used to make pasta. More about the ingredients later.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The slices are pretty big, especially in the very center of the loaf. The longest slices were about 7.5 inches long. I appreciate that this bread has only small holes \u2014 no gaping craters. And, not so many cavities that my sandwich ingredients fall out before I take a bite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(For another hearty sandwich option, check out my review of Costco Pita Pocket bread<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I bought this bread to make sandwiches. And sandwiches I made. Many sandwiches. A full week of huge sandwiches. And some buttered toast. And some bread and jam. But mostly sandwiches. This is Costco’s Oven Browned Turkey Breast, which I reviewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Although Costco’s Italian Bread is salty and savory, it still tastes appropriate with sweet jam. This is blackberry fruit spread from Aldi.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If you are wondering how I toast my bread, I like to pan-toast mine. I melt a little butter in a skillet and let the bread brown on both sides before serving. To me, it tastes far superior to toaster-toast.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure having a larger loaf to eat just tricked me into eating more bread, faster. This bread didn’t last any longer at my house than a typical 1-pound loaf. Alas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close-up<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bread aesthetics matter. Costco has created a beautiful loaf. The surface is scored and has a lovely, crisp, raised “ear.” The dusting of white flour creates an eye-catching contrast.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The outside is richly browned, and the bottom has a textured, coarse flour coating. This looks like something that would come from a legit boutique bakery, not a super-mega-mart. Props.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When chilled, the bread is firmer and can be sliced into thinner slices. This is the thinnest I was able to cut mine, using my sharpest serrated bread knife. I got this bad boy from IKEA, if you are wondering. (You probably weren’t wondering.)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ingredients in Costco Rustic Italian Loaf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ingredients<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are the ingredients from the label:<\/p>\n\n\n\n