Cheese gets a bad rap, but when sourced right, like finding quality cheese at Costco, it’s one of the healthiest foods for your gut and body. The problem is, most grocery store cheeses are highly processed, stripped of beneficial enzymes, and come from cows fed genetically modified grains, which means they don’t deliver the same nutritional benefits as traditional, well-crafted cheeses.

That doesn’t mean all cheese is off the table. If you know what to look for, you can still enjoy high-quality, gut-supporting cheese without paying a premium price. And one of the best places to find it? Costco.

While you won’t find every artisanal, raw, or farmstead cheese under the sun at a big-box retailer, Costco stocks some impressive options that check the boxes for quality, digestibility, and flavor. On your next run, look for these three healthy cheeses that deliver all the benefits of real cheese without unnecessary additives or harmful processing.

Gruyere – The Ultimate Raw, Grass-Fed Sheep’s Milk Cheese

If you’re serious about quality cheese, start with raw sheep’s milk cheese. Sheep’s milk is naturally richer in healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins like A, D, and E. Because sheep produce less milk than cows, they aren’t typically subjected to the same intensive farming practices, making their milk cleaner and more nutrient-dense.^[1]

Gruyere, a classic Swiss cheese, is a standout because it’s made from milk that comes from sheep grazing on natural pastures.^[2] This means no GMOs, no pesticides, and no synthetic hormones. Raw milk cheese like Gruyere is also packed with beneficial microbes that support gut health, since the milk isn’t heat-treated to kill off the natural bacteria. Instead, it’s aged in a way that allows those beneficial bacteria to thrive, making it easier to digest.

Nutritionally, Gruyere is high in healthy fats and protein, making it a great option for a higher-fat, lower-carb diet. If you’re looking for healthy cheese at Costco, this one is a top choice—it’s flavorful, great for cooking, and one of the best-quality cheeses you’ll find at a big-box store.

Kingdom Organic Cheddar: Affordable Grass-Fed Cheese at Costco

Organic cheddar can be hit or miss, but Kingdom Organic Cheddar is one of the better options if you’re looking for a balance of quality and affordability. This cheese is made from the milk of grass-fed cows, meaning the cows eat their natural diet of pasture rather than being confined and fed grain-based diets.^[3]

Grass-fed dairy contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and fat-soluble vitamins compared to grain-fed dairy. These nutrients support everything from heart health to brain function.^[4] While this cheese isn’t raw like Gruyere, it’s still fermented, which helps break down some of the lactose and proteins that make conventional dairy harder to digest.

The result is a sharp, flavorful cheddar that’s a great everyday cheese for snacking, melting over meals, or incorporating into recipes. For a budget-friendly, organic option, this one is worth keeping in the fridge.

Parmigiano Reggiano – A Traditional Italian Cheese at Costco with Gut Health Benefits

If you’re a fan of hard, aged cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the best choices, and you can find healthy cheese at Costco in the form of a great one they stock. This cheese comes from Italy, where strict regulations prevent the use of GMOs and synthetic rennet. Traditional Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for at least 12 months (sometimes up to 36 months), allowing beneficial microorganisms to develop.^[5]

This long aging process not only enhances flavor but also makes the cheese easier to digest. The naturally occurring enzymes break down lactose and proteins over time, meaning Parmigiano Reggiano is often well tolerated even by people who struggle with other dairy products. It’s also high in calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for strong bones and overall metabolic health.

Because this cheese is dry and crumbly, it’s easy to grate over meals, making it a great way to add extra protein, fat, and nutrients to your diet. It’s not the absolute best cheese you could buy in terms of nutritional density, but considering price and availability, it’s an excellent option.

What to Avoid When Buying Cheese at Costco

While these three cheeses are great choices, not everything in Costco’s cheese aisle is worth buying. Many of the mass-produced cheeses at Costco are ultra-pasteurized, processed with synthetic additives, or made from the milk of conventionally raised cows that are given antibiotics and grain-heavy diets.

Here are a few things to watch out for when shopping for cheese:

• Pre-shredded cheese – Most shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents like cellulose (often sourced from wood pulp), which can interfere with digestion.
• Processed cheese products – If the package says “cheese product” or “cheese food” instead of just “cheese,” it likely contains emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
• Non-organic dairy – Conventional dairy products often come from cows raised in confined feedlots and fed GMO grains, which impacts the quality of the milk.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to shop at high-end specialty stores to find good cheese. Costco offers some excellent options if you know what to look for. Raw cheeses like Gruyere, high-quality grass-fed cheddar, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano are all great choices that offer the benefits of real, traditional cheese without harmful additives.

If you have a go-to healthy cheese that Costco carries, share your finds. Good cheese is worth tracking down, and Costco makes it easier to stock up without breaking the bank.

References:

1. Flis, Zuzanna, and Edyta Molik. “Importance of Bioactive Substances in Sheep’s Milk in Human Health.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 9, Apr. 2021, p. 4364.
2. Switzerland’s Cheesy History – The Story and Legacy of Le Gruyère AOP.” The Stories of Le Gruyère AOP, https://gruyerestories.com/switzerlands-cheesy-history-the-story-and-legacy-of-le-gruyere-aop/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
3. admin. “Organic Cheddar from the United Kingdom.” Kingdom Organic, https://kingdomcheddar.com/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
4. Daley, Cynthia A., et al. “A Review of Fatty Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Content in Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Beef.” Nutrition Journal, vol. 9, Mar. 2010, p. 10.
5. Tura, Matilde, et al. “Consumer Perception and Liking of Parmigiano Reggiano Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Cheese Produced with Milk from Cows Fed Fresh Forage vs. Dry Hay.” Foods, vol. 13, no. 2, Jan. 2024, p. 309.