Whenever I’m grocery shopping and comparing two items, I hear my grandmother’s voice in my head: “The generic is the same,” she would say. “Get the one that costs less!” And while in so many instances I agree, I have noticed that sometimes the generic doesn’t come close to some big brands (looking at you, store-brand mayo).

When it comes to almond butter, though, three chefs I spoke with confirmed it’s not worth it to pay for packaging. In fact, they say the best brand is Costco’s generic Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter, which also comes in an organic version. “I enjoy almond butter in my protein shakes five days a week, or I grab a large spoonful before I work out, to give me energy to hit the gym,” says chef Ilson Goncalves at Brazilian restaurant Samba in Montclair, N.J. “I highly recommend Costco nut products, and their almond butter is a natural way to get going pre-workout. It’s organic, has no sugar and gives me the energy I need.”

Why Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter

Goncalves isn’t the only chef who prefers Costco’s almond butter over other big brands. Odette D’Anielloco-founder of Dragonfly Cakes, a Tacoma, Washington, bakery with a focus on natural ingredients, says it’s the go-to in her household. “Our most-used almond butter is Kirkland Signature almond butter from Costco. It’s reliable, widely available and made with a very short ingredient list: just almonds,” she explains.

Melanie Underwooda culinary instructor, cookbook author and founder of Nourish & Gather in Yonkers, New York, who previously baked at Four Seasons Hotel, the Plaza Hotel and Torre di Pisa, also recommends Kirkland Signature almond butter. “It’s consistently creamy, easy to spread straight from the fridge and has a clean, straightforward almond flavor,” she says.

When she buys almond butter, Underwood recommends checking the ingredient label and making sure it contains only almonds. “Skip the sugar—it’s not necessary and if you use it for baking, it ends up making most things too sweet,” she explains. Skip any added oils, too—typically, palm oil will be added to nut butters to give them a smooth consistency. “Many people hate butters that have the natural oil separate and adding in palm oil prevents that,” she explains. “But palm oil is not only bad for the environment, it is high in saturated fats and shifts the fat profile away from heart-healthy unsaturated fats.”

Nothing Beats Freshly Ground Almond Butter

While Kirkland is the go-to packaged option in D’Aniello’s home, she admits that her true, hands down favorite is freshly ground almond butter she picks up at her local co-op. “The flavor is brighter and toastier; the texture is much more interesting, and it tastes unmistakably fresh in a way packaged versions can’t fully replicate,” she explains, adding that Kirkland’s version is one of the better packaged options she’s found for everyday use.

If your local grocery store doesn’t offer freshly ground nut butters, D’Aniello recommends trying your hand at making your own. “Start with good-quality almonds and roast them lightly to deepen the flavor—this makes a big difference,” she says. “Process while the almonds are still warm, and be patient; they’ll go from chopped to pasty to smooth if you give them time.”

A Good Option for Those Without a Costco Membership

For those without a Costco membership, Underwood recommends Once Again Almond Butter, an organic brand that can usually be found at Whole Foods or online. “Once Again comes the closest in taste to homemade,” she said. Chef Chuck Haywortha private chef out of Wake Forest, North Carolina, also mentioned Once Again—unlike many consumers or home cooks, he likes that the brand’s oils tend to separate, indicating there are no additives.

Once Again unfortunately loses points because of its high price point, Emilie Symons, a chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, explains. A 16-ounce jar of this organic almond butter is listed at $20.99 on the retailer’s website, while the 27-ounce jar of Kirkland Signature Organic Creamy Almond Butter has an online price of $10.99. That said, “Once Again is good if you’re looking for something that is just almonds and good quality,” Symons adds.

The Bottom Line

Chefs we spoke with agree that Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter is the best for home cooking and baking, thanks to its simple ingredients (there’s no sugar or palm oil added), consistency and taste. However, chefs also agree that freshly roasted almond butter, be it made at home or picked up from a local specialty grocery, can’t be beat. Some chefs said that Once Again’s almond butter did come close, but its high price makes it inaccessible for many home cooks.