Quick Answer: Our top pick for Marcona almonds on a charcuterie board is Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds (4.5 out of 5). Best value: Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds. Splurge: Mitica Marcona Almonds with Rosemary. We ranked 3 widely sold options on how they work on a board, published taste tests and awards, ingredients, value and how easy they are to find.
Marcona almonds are the rich, round Spanish almonds fried in oil and salted. They're a small upgrade that makes a board look and taste more expensive.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests and awards, its ingredient list, price and where you can buy it, plus how that style of product behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked September 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.5 |
| Best value: Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.5 |
| Best splurge: Mitica Marcona Almonds with Rosemary ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | Rosemary Marconas |
| 2. Mitica Marcona Almonds with Rosemary ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Specialty pick |
| 3. Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.5 | Bulk on a budget |
1. Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Rosemary Marconas · $$ mid-range
Ranked first of 12 Trader Joe's nuts by Tasting Table, which also found them cheaper per ounce than a comparable Whole Foods tin. (Source: Tasting Table.)
- Why we like it: Top-ranked. Rosemary and salt.
- Keep in mind: Only at Trader Joe's. Small bags.
- Where to buy: Trader Joe's.
2. Mitica Marcona Almonds with Rosemary
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best splurge · Best for: Specialty pick · $$$ premium
A Spanish import sold in small containers at Whole Foods and cheese shops. Tasting Table noted it costs more per ounce than Trader Joe's version.
- Why we like it: Premium quality.
- Keep in mind: Expensive.
- Where to buy: Whole Foods, cheese shops.
3. Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds
★★★½☆ 3.5 out of 5 · Best value · Best for: Bulk on a budget · $ budget
Just blanched Marcona almonds, oil and sea salt, in a big container. Note: they are roasted in peanut oil. (Source: EWG Food Scores.)
- Why we like it: Great price per ounce.
- Keep in mind: Peanut oil: not for peanut allergies. Not always in stock.
- Where to buy: Costco.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests and awards (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Mitica Marcona Almonds with Rosemary | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3.8 |
| Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3.5 |
What to look for on the label
Label check: The oil they're roasted in. Some use peanut oil, which matters for a guest with a peanut allergy.
Skip: Raw Marcona almonds for a board. The oil and salt are most of the appeal.
For what Marcona almonds pairs with and how to serve it, see the marcona almonds guide. To see every ranked guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Marcona almonds questions
What are the best Marcona almonds?
Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Rosemary Marcona Almonds ranked first in Tasting Table's review of Trader Joe's nuts.
Are Marcona almonds safe for peanut allergies?
Not always. Some are fried in peanut oil, including Costco's Kirkland version. Check the label.
What goes with Marcona almonds?
Manchego, chorizo, honey, dried apricots and dry sherry.
Sources
- Tasting Table: 12 Trader Joe's Nuts, Ranked (Sep 2024)
- Tasting Table: Trader Joe's Marcona Almonds vs Whole Foods (Jan 2026)
- EWG Food Scores: Kirkland Signature Marcona Almonds
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