Quick Answer: Best value: Costco's 2 lb Medjool dates (about $9–11). Easiest to find: Natural Delights. For stuffing: Joolies Pit-Free. Budget: Trader Joe's (about $5).
Our top picks
No taste test exists, so we picked on price per ounce, pitted options, freshness and where to buy.
All 8 picks
Prices are typical, checked October 2026. The California harvest starts in September, so fall packs are the freshest.
Best value
Costco Medjool Dates, 2 lb
- Size
- 2 lb
- Price per oz
- About 28 cents
- Organic
- No (organic sold separately)
Why it's here: Enough for several big boards for about the price of one pound elsewhere.
Watch out: You need a membership, and the listing doesn't name the brand, the origin or whether they're pitted.
Why we picked it (sources)
A Costco price tracker shows $8.99 to $10.99 across warehouses on Oct 24, 2026 (Warehouse Runner).
Easiest to find
Natural Delights Whole Medjool Dates
- Size
- 1 lb
- Grown in
- Bard Valley, Arizona–California
- Pits
- Yes
Why it's here: Sold in most supermarket produce sections, in conventional and organic versions.
Watch out: Recent shopper reviews mention dry dates in some batches. Check the pack date and squeeze for softness.
Why we picked it (sources)
H-E-B lists the 1 lb pack at $8.48 and the organic at $9.68 (H-E-B, H-E-B organic). The dates come from a grower co-op in the Bard Valley (Natural Delights). A review summary notes complaints about dry dates in recent batches (ShopSavvy).
Best budget small pack
Trader Joe's Medjool Dates
- Size
- 16 oz
- Pits
- Yes
- Where
- Trader Joe's only
Why it's here: Cheap and soft, praised by a food editor as never dried out.
Watch out: Stock comes and goes; one writer described waiting all year for it.
Why we picked it (sources)
Simply Recipes' Stephanie Ganz calls them tender, never dried out and reasonably priced at $4.99 for 16 oz (Simply Recipes via AOL).
Best for stuffing
Joolies Organic Pit-Free Medjool Dates
- Size
- 9 oz pouch
- Organic
- Yes, USDA
- Where
- Whole Foods, Walmart, Shipt
Why it's here: Skips the slowest step when you're stuffing two dozen dates.
Watch out: Joolies says a stray pit fragment can remain, so check each date.
Why we picked it (sources)
Whole Foods lists the 9 oz pouch (Whole Foods). The pit warning is in the brand's FAQ (Joolies).
Best organic
Joolies Organic Whole Medjool Dates
- Size
- 12 oz
- Grown in
- Coachella Valley, California
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5 at Target (64)
Why it's here: Organic and easy to find at Target.
Watch out: About twice the price per ounce of club-store organic packs.
Best bulk organic
Costco Organic Medjool Dates, 5 lb
- Size
- 5 lb gift box
- Price per oz
- About 30 cents
- Organic
- Yes
Why it's here: Organic at about the price of conventional, sized for parties.
Watch out: Five pounds is a lot. Refrigerate or freeze what you don't use.
Why we picked it (sources)
The price tracker shows $23.99 on sale, about $25.53 on average, on Oct 24, 2026 (Warehouse Runner).
Grower brand
Sun Date Organic Medjool Dates
- Size
- 2 lb
- Grown in
- Coachella, California
- Organic
- Yes, USDA
Why it's here: Organic Medjools from one of the large Coachella growers.
Watch out: The listing we found showed no price, and pitting isn't stated.
Why we picked it (sources)
Costco Business Delivery lists the 2 lb pack (Costco Business). The Produce News covers the grower's organic Medjools (The Produce News).
Splurge
Rancho Meladuco Organic Medjool Dates
- Size
- 1 lb
- Grown in
- Coachella Valley, California
- Where
- Williams Sonoma, the farm's site
Why it's here: Williams Sonoma suggests them for cheese and charcuterie boards, and they make a good host gift.
Watch out: Three to five times the price of supermarket dates.
Why we picked it (sources)
Williams Sonoma sells a 1 lb box for $19.95 to $37.95 depending on the option (Williams Sonoma). The farm ships to the continental US (Rancho Meladuco).
How to choose
- Look for "Medjool" on the pack. A plain "pitted dates" bag is usually the smaller, drier Deglet Noor.
- Stuffing them? Buy pitted, then still check each one: even pit-free packs can hide a fragment.
- Shop the produce fridge. Medjools are fresh fruit. Plump, glossy and slightly wrinkled is right; dry, hard or spotted is not.
- How many? 1 to 2 per guest on a board, or 2 to 3 if they're stuffed and served as a bite.
On the board: halve them and lay them cut side up near blue cheese, Manchego or aged Gouda, or stuff them with goat cheese and a Marcona almond. More on Medjool dates
Medjool date questions
Medjool vs Deglet Noor: which is better for a charcuterie board?
Medjool. Medjools are large, soft and very sweet, which suits a board and stuffing. Deglet Noors are smaller, drier and chewier, and they're better for baking.
How should I store Medjool dates?
In an airtight container in the fridge, where they keep for months. They also freeze well. Bring them to room temperature before serving so they're soft.
Should I pit Medjool dates before putting them on a board?
Yes, if you're stuffing them or your guests won't expect a pit. Slit one side with a paring knife, open it with your thumbs and pull out the pit. Check pit-free packs too.
What can I stuff dates with for a charcuterie board?
Goat cheese or blue cheese with a smoked or Marcona almond is the classic. Wrap them in half a slice of bacon and bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes for a warm bite.
How many dates per person on a charcuterie board?
1 to 2 per guest as one of several sweet things, or 2 to 3 if they're stuffed and served as an appetizer.
How we picked these, and sources
No published taste test compares Medjool date brands, so we don't give star ratings here. We picked these from price per ounce, organic and pitted options, shopper complaints about freshness and where each is sold, using store listings and the articles linked on each card. Tasting Table and The Kitchn cover what makes Medjools different (Tasting Table, The Kitchn). Prices checked October 25, 2026.
- Warehouse Runner: Costco Medjool Dates 2 lb
- Warehouse Runner: Costco Organic Medjool Dates 5 lb
- Simply Recipes via AOL: Trader Joe's Medjool dates
- H-E-B: Natural Delights Medjool Dates
- H-E-B: Natural Delights Organic Medjool Dates
- Natural Delights: Our story
- Natural Delights: Medjool Dates 101
- ShopSavvy: Natural Delights review summary
- Target: Joolies Organic Whole Medjool Dates
- Whole Foods: Joolies Organic Pitted Medjool Dates
- Joolies: FAQ
- Costco Business: Sun Date Organic Medjool Dates
- The Produce News: SunDate
- Williams Sonoma: Rancho Meladuco Dates
- Rancho Meladuco
- Tasting Table: What makes Medjool dates unique
- The Kitchn: Which date variety reigns supreme
- The Kitchn: Bacon-wrapped dates
For what dates pair with, see the Medjool dates ingredient guide. Every ranked guide is on our charcuterie buying guides page.
