Does Costco sell Red Delicious apples? Availability & Alternatives

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

While the iconic Red Delicious apple once dominated the market, many sources cite its decline in flavor over decades of breeding for appearance and shelf life. For today's shoppers, a common question arises: Does Costco sell Red Delicious apples, or have they moved towards more flavorful alternatives? The truth is a mix of both, largely depending on your location and the store's inventory.

Quick Summary

Costco's inventory of Red Delicious apples is often inconsistent, but they can sometimes be found via Costco Business Centers and online delivery options, such as Instacart. Regular warehouses more frequently stock popular alternatives like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala, which are known for their superior taste and texture.

Key Points

Availability Varies: Red Delicious apples are not consistently available in standard Costco warehouses, but may be found through Costco Business Centers or online delivery services like Instacart.
Check Online First: For the most accurate information on local availability, check the Costco website for Business Center stock or use a third-party delivery app.
Flavor Over Looks: Modern Red Delicious apples are often considered mealy and bland, a result of decades of breeding for appearance rather than taste.
Superior Alternatives: Costco reliably carries more flavorful and crisp varieties such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala, which are better for most uses.
Buy for Your Needs: Due to large package sizes, assess how quickly you will use the apples and consider proper storage to prevent spoilage.
Store Smart: Keeping apples in the refrigerator's crisper drawer will maximize their freshness for several weeks.

The Availability of Red Delicious at Costco

The presence of Red Delicious apples at Costco is not as straightforward as one might think. Unlike perpetually stocked items, fresh produce, particularly specific apple varieties, can fluctuate based on season, supply, and regional consumer demand. Your best chance of finding these apples is often not in the main warehouse floor but through their specialized services.

Costco Business Centers: Online listings and delivery services for Costco Business Centers, which cater more to businesses and restaurants, frequently show Red Delicious apples in 5-pound bags. These items are typically available for delivery and sometimes for in-store pickup, depending on the location.
Online Delivery Services: Through partnerships with services like Instacart, Costco's inventory can be browsed and purchased for same-day delivery. Listings from these services sometimes include Red Delicious apples, though availability is tied to the specific retailer and geographic area.
In-Warehouse: For the standard Costco warehouse, the availability of Red Delicious is much less reliable. While they may appear seasonally, the space is often prioritized for other, more popular apple varieties that appeal to the general consumer market.

Why Modern Apples Have Replaced the Red Delicious

Many consumers have noticed that the Red Delicious apples of today don't taste as good as the ones they remember. This is largely due to how the apple was developed. Through breeding programs focused on appearance and longevity, the flavor and texture were unfortunately diminished in favor of the signature deep red color and firm skin. This has led to the proliferation of newer, more flavorful varieties.

Modern Alternatives at Costco

Costco typically carries a consistent rotation of apple varieties that offer better eating experiences. These often include:

Honeycrisp: Known for its explosive crunch and balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Fuji: Prized for its crisp texture and exceptionally sweet taste.
Gala: A mildly sweet and crisp apple, great for snacking.
Granny Smith: A classic tart apple perfect for baking or a zesty snack.
Cosmic Crisp: A newer variety celebrated for its crispness and slow-to-brown flesh.

Comparison: Red Delicious vs. Popular Alternatives

To help you decide which apple is right for you, here is a breakdown comparing the classic Red Delicious with some of the more readily available alternatives at Costco.


Feature	Red Delicious	Honeycrisp	Fuji	Granny Smith
Flavor	Mild and sweet, but often lackluster	Exceptionally sweet and juicy	Very sweet, low acidity	Distinctly tart and tangy
Texture	Tends to be mealy or grainy	Very crisp and crunchy	Crisp and firm	Firm and hard
Best For	Snacking (historically), applesauce	Snacking, salads, general use	Snacking, salads, baking	Baking, sauces, pies
Availability	Inconsistent; better online/Business Center	Consistent at most warehouses	Consistent at most warehouses	Consistent at most warehouses

Expert Tips for Shopping for Apples at Costco

When buying apples in large quantities from a warehouse club like Costco, a few key strategies can help you get the most out of your purchase and avoid food waste. The high quantity requires careful consideration of both your consumption rate and proper storage techniques.

Assess Your Needs: Before buying a large bag of apples, consider how quickly you and your family will consume them. If you prefer multiple varieties, buying smaller quantities from a regular grocery store might be a better option than a large, single-variety bag from Costco.
Inspect for Quality: Because of the high volume and packaging, it is crucial to inspect apples carefully for bruises or soft spots. Even one bad apple can hasten the spoilage of the rest. Choose bags where the apples feel firm and heavy for their size.
Store Strategically: Don't just leave all the apples on the counter. Store most of them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to prolong freshness, and only keep a few out at room temperature for immediate snacking. Apples naturally release ethylene gas, so keeping them separate from other sensitive produce like lettuce is also recommended.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Apple for You

So, does Costco sell Red Delicious apples? The definitive answer is a qualified "sometimes," mostly through its Business Center or third-party delivery partners, rather than reliably in its main warehouses. For most shoppers, the inconsistent stock and the generally inferior flavor and texture of modern Red Delicious make them less desirable than the plentiful and high-quality alternatives found readily on Costco's shelves. By focusing on crisp and flavorful varieties like Honeycrisp and Fuji, you'll likely have a much more satisfying apple-eating experience. The key is to know your options and shop smart, choosing the apple that best fits your palate and intended use.

Washington Apples offers insights into various apple varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

Availability at Costco Business Centers can still fluctuate based on season and supply, but they are more likely to carry bulk items like Red Delicious apples than a standard Costco warehouse.

Excellent alternatives commonly found at Costco include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady apples, which offer a better balance of sweetness, crispness, and flavor.

Decades of selective breeding focused on the apple's cosmetic appearance and long shelf-life, rather than its taste and texture, have led to a more bland and mealy fruit.

Due to their mealy texture and tendency to break down when cooked, Red Delicious apples are not a preferred choice for baking. Tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or a mix with Golden Delicious are better options.

For maximum freshness, store apples in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, where they can last for several weeks. Only leave a few out at room temperature for immediate use.

Yes, you can check availability by visiting Costco's website for Business Center inventory or using a grocery delivery service like Instacart that partners with Costco. Availability is location-specific.

While Costco does carry a variety of organic produce, including organic apple varieties like Gala, organic Red Delicious apples are not a reliably stocked item in most locations. Organic options are more likely to be one of the more popular varieties.