Costco’s 10 lb Ground Beef Tubes: Which Fat Ratio Should You Buy?

If you’ve ever winced at paying close to $7 a pound for ground beef at the regular grocery store, Costco’s Kirkland Signature 10 lb ground beef tubes are about to become your new best friend — especially heading into prime cookout season.

Available at Costco Business Centers and select Costco warehouses, these bulk tubes come in three lean-to-fat ratios: 90/10, 80/20, and 73/27. Choosing the right one depends entirely on what you’re cooking, so let’s break it down.

90/10: The Lean Option

Ninety percent lean is the pick for anyone watching fat intake or cooking dishes where you drain the grease anyway — think taco meat, stuffed peppers, or spaghetti sauce. It’s also the easiest to meal prep in big batches without dealing with a pool of grease in the pan. The tradeoff? It can dry out fast on a grill, so keep a close eye on cook time.

Best for: Families focused on lighter weeknight meals, meal preppers portioning for the freezer, anyone making sauced dishes.

80/20: The Sweet Spot

This is the one most pitmasters and home cooks reach for, and for good reason. The 80/20 ratio hits the balance between flavor and manageability — enough fat to keep burgers juicy on the grill without turning into a grease fire. For summer cookouts across the South, this is the crowd-pleasing workhorse.

Best for: Backyard burgers, meatloaf, smash burgers, any grilling application. If you only buy one, buy this one.

73/27: The High-Fat Option

The 73/27 is the most affordable per pound of the three and the richest in flavor. It’s excellent for slow-cooked applications — chili, Bolognese, or anything braised — where excess fat can be skimmed off after cooking. Not the move for burgers unless you want significant flare-ups.

Best for: Low-and-slow cooks, chili season (yes, even in summer), anyone stretching a very tight grocery budget.

Why This Deal Makes Sense Right Now

Summer is the worst time to be paying premium prices for ground beef at the grocery store, right when you need it most. Buying a 10 lb tube gives you enough beef to stock the freezer for weeks. Divide it into one-pound portions and freeze flat in bags — it thaws quickly and takes up minimal freezer space.

This is particularly smart for Southern families hosting multiple cookouts a season. One warehouse run handles burgers for several weekends.

One caveat: Not every Costco location carries all three ratios, and availability can vary by region. Costco Business Centers tend to have the most consistent stock. Worth calling ahead if you’re making a special trip.

The Bottom Line

If you meal prep, feed a family, or grill regularly between now and Labor Day, Kirkland’s 10 lb ground beef tubes are one of the most practical bulk buys at Costco. Grab the 80/20 for grilling, 90/10 for weeknight meals, or 73/27 if chili is on the menu. Your freezer — and your wallet — will thank you.

Check your local Costco warehouse or Business Center for current availability and pricing.