I’m a Popcorn Fanatic, and This Is the Only Microwave Brand I Buy

At 39 cents per bag, it's worth every penny.

Bowl of popcorn on a table with drinks in the background

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

I’m not much of an evening snacker—except when it comes to popcorn. Air-popped, stovetop, movie-theater style (with that unmistakable butter smell that hits you just right), I’ll take it any way I can get it. Even the microwave version has a place in my rotation for those nights when I want a warm, savory, and satisfying snack without the effort.

While I’m usually a sweet-tooth girl through and through, popcorn is my one savory exception. There’s just something about that salty crunch that feels cozy and celebratory at once—and yes, I even have a sweet twist for those moments when I need both.

Just because I indulge regularly doesn’t mean my standards aren’t high. I’ve tried nearly every microwave variety in search of a brand that rivals movie theatre popcorn's fluffy, craveable, buttery perfection. An easy winner is the Kirkland Signature Microwave Popcorn.

Kirkland microwave movie theater butter popcorn packaging

Simply Recipes / Costco

Kirkland Signature Microwave Popcorn

  • Price: $16.99 for 44 bags
  • What I Love About It: Each kernel pops up fluffy and perfectly buttery—there are no burnt bits or whole kernels threatening your teeth. At 39 cents per bag, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat.

Why I Love Kirkland Signature Microwave Popcorn

Let’s start with what it isn’t: greasy, oily, or the sad kind of popcorn that leaves you with a bag full of burnt bits and unpopped kernels threatening to damage a molar. Like many Kirkland Signature products, it’s quietly excellent—reliable, satisfying, and far better than the price tag would suggest.

Kirkland Signature Microwave Popcorn produces light and fluffy popcorn with a glossy, buttery coating that clings to each piece. Even the inside of the paper bag glistens temptingly (no, you’re not the only one who sneaks a lick).

If I had one note for the Kirkland team, it’d be this: add just a pinch more salt. A flaky finishing salt would really bring out that rich, buttery flavor and take it from movie night staple to snack masterpiece.

Side view of a large wooden bowl piled high with popcorn on a white background

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

How I Make This Popcorn My Own

In the meantime, I like to play around with my own upgrades. I add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to make it cheesy, a shake of sugar for a hint of sweetness, or a dash of cayenne if you like a little heat. Or, try sectioning off thirds and creating your own Chicago-style mix. And if I’m really feeling extra, a drizzle of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt take it fully into dessert territory.

However you like your popcorn—salty, cheesy, or sweet—Kirkland Signature nails the base every time. This reliable (and super affordable) microwave popcorn is there for you when a craving hits.

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