Today I am reviewing the frozen Costco pepperoni pizza for my my best costco meals series. This is an easy grab-and-go freezer dinner that can easily feed a family of four. I will talk about how the pizza tastes, how to make it, how healthy it is, how to cook it, and how much it costs in my review. For more reviews, see our review on Costco chicken pot pie and review of Costco stuffed bell peppers.
Costco warehouse is known for its bulk items, low prices, and delicious food court offerings. One of the most popular items is their freezer pepperoni pizza. This Kirkland signature product has become a staple for many Costco shoppers, and for good reason.
The Kirkland Signature pepperoni pizza is a hit with everyone. It has a crispy crust and a lot of pepperoni slices on top. There are four frozen pizzas in the pizza box, making it a cheap and easy cheap night dinner when you don’t feel like cooking. Another easy thing to do is cook this pizza. You can do it from frozen in the oven or even on the grill. Serve it with the Costco quinoa salad or the Costco caesar salad for an easy meal.
Many people love the Kirkland Signature pepperoni pizza and say it tastes and looks great. Some even say it’s the best pizza they’ve ever had. But what is it about this pizza that makes it so popular? Is it the sauce, the cheese, the crust, or a mix of the three? I had to try it this week, along with the Costco chicken salad and coleslaw. What makes Costco’s pepperoni pizza different from the rest? That’s what my review is all about.
As a loyal Costco member and pepperoni pizza enthusiast, I often find myself pondering this burning question is the pepperoni on Costco’s pizza made with pork? That spicy, savory pepperoni provides the quintessential flavor that makes their pizza so crave-worthy. But I needed to know what meats go into making that delicious pepperoni topping. Time for some detective work!
Inspecting the Costco Pepperoni Pizza Ingredients
My first stop on the case was examining the ingredients label on a fresh Costco pepperoni pizza Listed right there among wheat flour, tomato sauce, and mozzarella, I found
“Pepperoni made with pork, chicken and beef (pork, mechanically separated chicken, beef, salt, contains 2% or less of water, dextrose, natural flavors, lactic acid starter culture, oleoresin of paprika, garlic powder, sodium nitrite, BHA, BHT, citric acid)”
Aha! The first two words “made with pork” cracked the case wide open. I had my answer – yes, Costco’s famous pepperoni contains pork as the first listed ingredient. The pepperoni blend also includes chicken and beef.
Mystery solved, but I wanted to dig deeper into pepperoni’s porky pedigree.
Why Pepperoni Contains Pork
Traditional pepperoni has always depended on pork for its signature taste and texture. Here’s why pork plays such an important role:
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Fat content – Pork provides the right fatty richness that gives pepperoni its soft, slightly oiliness.
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Flavor – Pork has a milder flavor that balances the spices in pepperoni without overpowering them.
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Curing – The pork meat cures well during processing and develops that iconic pinkish-red color.
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Texture – When cooked, the pork fat gives pepperoni its distinctive crisp yet supple mouthfeel.
Of course, today you can find turkey or beef pepperoni alternatives. However, most pizza purists insist the pork-beef blend produces the ultimate pepperoni.
Other Costco Pizza Toppings With Pork
Pepperoni isn’t the only pork-filled topping found on Costco pizzas. Here are a few other common pizza toppings that frequently contain pork:
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Sausage – Pork sausage crumbles are a popular pizza topping. Costco uses spicy Italian sausage.
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Bacon – Chopped bacon bits add a smoky, salty crunch. Costco may use pork bacon or beef bacon.
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Ham – Diced ham is a pizza classic. Costco likely uses cured pork ham.
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Salami – Slices of spicy salami are a zesty addition. Often made with a pork/beef blend.
So if you’re avoiding pork, be sure to check all the toppings before ordering!
Ordering Costco Pizza Without Pork
If you don’t eat pork, don’t despair – you can still enjoy Costco pizza! Here are some tips:
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Ask if they have turkey pepperoni available as a substitute.
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Hold the pepperoni and load up on veggie toppings like mushrooms, onions, tomatoes.
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Opt for white pizzas with olive oil and garlic instead of tomato sauce.
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Try the cheese pizza or request a custom pizza with just cheese.
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If available, order pizza on a gluten-free crust to avoid wheat.
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Ask if they can make a pizza with beef sausage instead of pork sausage.
With some simple modifications, you can get a fresh pizza at Costco that aligns with your dietary needs.
Making Pepperoni Pizza at Home Without Pork
When a pepperoni pizza craving strikes, you can easily whip one up pork-free right at home. Here are my tips:
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Use a turkey or beef pepperoni variety. Brands like Hormel or Margherita make non-pork pepperoni.
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Make your own sausage crumbles from ground turkey, beef, or chicken. Add Italian seasonings.
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Skip the pepperoni and double up on veggies. Get creative with combinations!
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Sprinkle on bacon bits made from beef or turkey bacon.
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Drizzle spicy chili oil over the pizza instead of pepperoni for heat.
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Top with sliced chicken breast or meatballs for hearty flavor.
With clever substitutions, you can create a satisfying pepperoni pizza at home that’s pork-free but still full of flavor.
The Meaty Bottom Line
After fully investigating this pizza predicament, I can definitively say that the pepperoni topping on Costco’s pizza does contain pork. However, with a few easy modifications or substitutions, you can still enjoy their hot, fresh pizza without the pork. Or better yet, DIY it at home! Whatever route you take, don’t deprive yourself of pepperoni pizza bliss. Get creative and satisfy that spicy, savory craving in a way that works for your diet!
How Much Does Costco Pizza Cost?
Costco is known for its affordable prices, and its frozen pizza is no exception. Prices at Costco are great for getting a tasty dinner that won’t break the bank.
I bought mine at a Costco in Canada for $17. 99 Canadian ($13. 30 USD). Even though the price has gone up a bit lately, it’s still a great deal for four pizzas being packed into one box!
This will equal about $4. 50 cad ($3. 30 USD) per pizza, or $0. 50 per slice ($0. 37 USD)!! The price may even vary on the location and might actually be cheaper in the USA. But this will give you a ballpark idea of what to expect.
I believe that is a great deal for a simple frozen meal like this one! We’ve bought other $5 frozen pizzas from other stores many times before. 50 each with thin flimsy pepperoni slices, and way less of them. The quality of this Costco pizza is so much better and it’s cheaper too!.
It’s also worth noting that they offer other pizzas in the Costco food court. These slices are a great option if you’re looking for a quick and affordable lunch. A slice of cheese pizza costs about $1. 99, while a slice of pepperoni pizza costs $2. 29.
Overall, Costco pizza is a great value for the price. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a quick bite, Costco has you covered.
Also, keep in mind that Costco pizza prices and availability may change from store to store, so it’s always best to call your local store first.
Costco Pepperoni Pizza Ingredients
Here is the ingredient information that is on the box (you can see it in the above).
- Whole wheat flour, water, dried sourdough (durum wheat sourdough, yeast, ascorbic acid, enzymes), yeast, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, salt, and canola oil make up the crust.
- Part skim mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and cheddar cheese blend (part skimmed milk, milk, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, rennet and/or microbial enzyme, lipase, cellulose); Pepperoni (pork, beef, salt, pork stock, mustard, dextrose, lactic acid starter culture, spice extractives, sodium erythorbate, smoke flavor, dehydrated garlic, sodium nitrite, citric acid, smoke);
- Adding crushed and diced tomatoes, canola oil, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper to the sauce makes it taste great.
Note: It also says that this product contains wheat, milk, and mustard, and may contain soy. This is important to know for anyone with food allergies.
It’s important to read the package of the one you buy because the ingredients may be different from one store to the next.
Barstool Pizza Review – Costco Pizza
FAQ
Is pepperoni pizza beef or pork?
Is Costco cheese pizza halal?
Does pizza pizza pepperoni have pork?
Is Costco pepperoni pizza beef or pork in the UK?
Does Costco have a pepperoni pizza?
Costco’s Pepperoni Pizza Has Exactly 60 Slices of Pepperoni. The Costco Pepperoni Pizza uses the same pizza dough as the cheese pizza but includes 60 slices of pepperoni. The tradeoff is that the Costco pepperoni pizza is made with only 14 ounces of the shredded mozzarella provolone blend compared to the 24 ounces on the Costco cheese pizza.
Does Costco deliver pizza?
Costco does not deliver any of the pizza or food court options. You can order ahead of time but will still have to physically visit a Costco warehouse to pick up your pizza. This is probably the biggest drawback to ordering pizza from Costco.
What is Costco cheese pizza?
The Costco cheese pizza is a massive 18″ pizza made with 10.5 ounces of tomato sauce and 24 ounces (1.5 pounds) of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese blend. The cheese blend is unique, and one reason Costco pizza excels over other retailers as most other pizza chains will use just one type of cheese in their pizza pies.
How much is a whole pizza at Costco food court?
Whole pizzas at Costco Food Court are 18″ pizzas. Prices have stayed the same for many years, and in 2024, each one costs $9.95 and it’s the same price for cheese or pepperoni. That’s right, there is no additional charge for pepperoni topping at Costco!