Costco Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread Review

When I first discovered the Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread at Costco, the idea of a jelly made from red chili peppers didn’t seem very appealing. Was it going to be savory, spicy, or sweet? I hesitated but picked up a jar anyway. Now, it’s become one of my favorite condiments to have on hand during the holiday season.

Image of the Costco Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread  sitting on a table unopened.

Location in Store

This is located in the refrigerated deli section, near the cold cut meats and cheeses like the Kirkland Signature Manchego Cheese and the Président Petit Brie. The item number is 5408473.

Image of a hand holding one cracker close to the camera with red chili pepper spread on the cracker.

Taste

If you serve meat, cheese, bread, charcuterie or crackers over the holiday season, you absolutely need to add the Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread to your shopping list. It’s an amazing accompaniment to all different types of cheeses, goes well on crackers and would make an already-awesome charcuterie board outstanding.

Image of a charcuterie board with cheese, prosciutto, crackers and red chili pepper spread on it.

The taste of this jelly is both sweet and savory, though not as savory as I originally expected and more sweet, with a little bit of heat. There’s a noticeable, pleasant red chili pepper flavor but it’s not overly spicy. The jelly pairs well with so many different items.

Cost

The cost has gone up from when I first bought the spread from Costco in 2018, it was $7.890 then. In 2024 it’s $9.99 Canadian for the same 925 gram jar. I’ve seen the same product sold in grocery stores for more than the price at Costco so I don’t think Costco is overpricing this.

Convenience

The spread requires refrigeration; the refrigerated, unopened the expiry date is about a year from the date of purchase. If opened and refrigerated, it will last about 90 days. There are a ton of different ways to use a spread like this.

Closeup image of the red chili pepper spread in a small dish on a charcuterie board with crackers, meat and cheese on it.

You can use it on sandwiches, charcuterie boards, to make crostini or even to use as a sauce or marinade for meatballs or chicken. It’s festive looking and tasting but honestly would be good all year round.

Nutrition

Calories

One teaspoon contains 25 calories, zero grams of fat, six grams of carbohydrates, zero grams of fibre, five grams of sugar, zero grams of protein and zero grams of sodium. I think a lot of people will eat much more than a teaspoon, more like a tablespoon.

Image of the nutrition facts for the red chili pepper spread from the back of the jar.

Ingredients

The ingredients list is very short and sweet with sugar, red bell peppers and red chili peppers being the main ingredients. The spread is gluten and dairy-free and doesn’t contain any chemicals or additives.

Image of the ingredients for the red chili pepper spread from the back of the jar.

Scoring

Taste: 8/10

Cost: 8/10

Convenience: 10/10

Nutrition: 3/10 (Points for the simple, short ingredients list).

Overall

Must buy!

I totally recommend this jelly for your next charcuterie board! It will be an absolute hit I’m sure.

Have you tried this Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread from Costco? What did you think of it?


Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. In the event that Costcuisine receives compensation for a post from the manufacturer of a product or some other third party, the arrangement will be clearly disclosed (including where the manufacturer of a product provides Costcuisine with a free sample of the product).

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38 thoughts on “Costco Something Special Red Chili Pepper Spread Review”

  1. It’s available at Costco in Naples, Florida. I like it, but don’t find it hot enough for me, and a bit too sugary, so I now add extra red pepper flakes, Sriracha, Carolina Reaper sauce or cayenne pepper to amp it up and cut the sweetness. I like putting it on potato pancakes too. De gustabis non eat disputandum. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

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  2. I bought 6 after Christmas last year because I love it so much. BB Date 25Nov2024. Spread it on toasted cheese bread, serve with cheese and crackers, fried egg sandwich, charcuterie board. Now I’ll have to try it with Peanut Butter, as someone suggested here.

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  3. I have not been able to find the red pepper jelly for over a year. That was at the Fort Myers, Florida store. Now I have move to Michigan near Detroit and the store here doesn’t have it either.

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  4. I just bought a sweet chile at costOS few weeks ago. I wAS GOING TO USE JT TONIGHT. BUT SOMETHING PUZZELED ME DID NOT FIND A TAB LIKE ON A CREAMER TO PULL. IT WAS EASY TO OPEN. OF COURSE I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK.. I HAD IT IN THE FRIDGE B UT I DONT KNOW HOW ,LONG IT WAS OPEN. I READ ALL THEV REVIEWS SO I CANT WAIT TO TRY IT. I WONT TAKE A CHANCE WITH THIS ONE.. I AM SURE IT WAS OPEN AND THE BOTTLE LOOKED STARTED. I DONT HAVE MY RECEIPT NOW SO HERE IS HOPING. I AM GOIHG TO HAVE TO START LOOKING BWHEN I BUY. AND TO CHECK YOUR RECEITS AS THEY OVERCHARGE SOME PLACES.

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  5. Am I crazy or what?
    Nothing like a Peanut Butter and Red Chili Pepper Spread sandwich!!!
    I also wish Costco carried it year round!
    I have to pace mysel!

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  6. It is very yummy. I have a recipe that has the exact ingredients as it lists on the bottle. I’m going to try making it. Wish it was available all year round

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  7. LOVE the Red chili pepper spread at CostCo. Wish they carried it year-round!!!
    I grill a lot and use it on chicken wings! Cook the wings to temp (165 degrees), remove from grill, kick grill up to hottest temp, toss wings in red chili pepper spread, put back on grill for ~1 to 2 minutes per side (for char) and serve. OUTSTANDING!!!

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  8. Bought the red chili pepper jelly after Costco offered a sample on multi-grain crackers and their pimento cheese spread. Wasn’t crazy about the frozen Wontons but didn’t want to waste. Decided to add the jelly on them just to finish them off. Needless to say, it tasted so good I bought another bag of Wontons. lol

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  9. I love the spread sooooo much!!!! I’d like to know when the spread will arrive at Costco, Clarkston, WA. I have to travel about 220 miles to get there. My friends beg me for this when I pick up several. Thank you!!!

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  10. I just bought a jar today. I wish I’d have purchased twenty of them…. or so. I hope they never stop carrying this as it’s entered into one of my favorite food groups!! I will put this on everything!! I ate it with Ritz crackers and hummus dip…. heaven!!!! I may but it and give it as gifts… it’s crazy good!!!

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  11. They say it’s a ‘Seasonal Item’. I agree it’s crazy they don’t/won’t carry all year. I’ve told my family that this is all I need for Christmas!

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    • I contacted the company in Canada and they told me it was seasonal. I intend to buy enough to last me until almost next year when I see it again. I go through a jar in 2 months. I too use it on toast in the morning, crackers, on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich etc. Love it!!!! It has a code date on it.

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      • . Totally agree. Waiting for the new ‘season’ and will buy extra. Shelf life (BB date) is short for jellies, Wonder if it freezes well. Why is this product seasonal, anyway?

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  12. My wife and I experienced the same during a pre-dinner excursion through Costco. Needless to say when we tried the pepper jelly with Brie on wheat crackers we were hooked. Now we give this as gifts to family and friends and they all love it!

    Reply

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