Top 10 Must-Have Sam’s Club Items I Never Leave Behind
Years ago, my husband and I ventured into our local Sam’s Club. I was intrigued by the thought of bulk buying, and impressed by the variety and value. So, we signed up for a membership, knowing it would cater to our growing (and hungry) family’s needs.
Sam’s Club, founded by the creator of Walmart, offers bulk deals on groceries, housewares, gas, and prescriptions. They feature an assortment of brands and their own ‘Member’s Mark’ label.
Many of their products have made my must-have list when bulk shopping.
Top 10 Sam’s Club Items To Buy Today
This ‘Top 10’ highlights options that blend both affordability and quality.
When buying in bulk, always consider products that have a good shelf life and things you use regularly.
*Comparison prices will vary.
1. Member’s Mark Rotisserie Chicken
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| It’s hot, juicy, delicious, and a filling meal for the entire family. I buy one (or three) every time I go to Sam’s Club, debone it, and freeze it for later use in dishes. Plus, it’s conveniently included in my pickup orders! | $4.98 for 3 lbs | $8.99 for 1.75 lbs |
Fun Fact: Costco’s rotisserie chicken is one cent more!
2. Driscoll’s Organic Strawberries
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| I washed and sliced a container of these strawberries yesterday, and they vanished before dinner. They’re fresh and can last for days in the fridge. | Driscoll’s Organic Strawberries: $3.14 per pound | Driscoll’s Organic Strawberries: $9.49 per pound |
Remember: When buying produce in bulk, consider the quality, shelf-life, and quantity your family will eat.
3. Multi Bell Sweet Peppers (6 Count)
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| These bell peppers are consistently sweet and crunchy. We eat them raw for snacks or cooked in stir fry. They’re a staple on my list because they maintain their freshness exceptionally well. | $6.88 ($1.15 each) | $2.15 per pepper |
4. Nuts
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| For baking or snacking, Sam’s Club offers a diverse selection of nuts at unbeatable prices. They also have a variety of nut mixes and snack packs my family enjoys. | Blue Diamond Almonds: $12.98/2.5lbs Walnuts: $8.78/3lbs Pistachios: $14.98/3lbs Cashews: 11.98/2lbs | Blue Diamond Almonds: $12.50/1lb Walnuts: $10.49/1.5lbs Pistachios: $10.49/1lb Cashews: $17.89/1.5lbs |
Tip: Keep extra portions in an airtight container in the freezer to lengthen the shelf life.
5. Member’s Mark Extra Virgin Olive Oil
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| This olive oil has a great flavor and we use it for cooking or for salad dressing. | $19.98/2 Liters | $17.89/1 Liter |
6. Nestle’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| My family throws chocolate chips into pancake mix, muffins, oatmeal, and protein snacks. And Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate chips are a definite favorite! | $11.49/72oz (6 12oz bags) | $2.98 per 12 oz bag ($17.88/72 oz) |
*Bakers can save on vanilla extract and flour too.
7. Meat
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| The driving force behind our initial Sam’s Club visit? My husband’s passion for grilling and smoking meat. We have found a good variety of meat options. And with their premium USDA prime beef, we’re guaranteed high-quality, flavorful cuts at unbeatable prices. | USDA Choice Angus Beef Ribeye Steak: $13.48/lb Whole Beef Brisket: $4.48/lb | Angus Reserve Beef Ribeye Steak: $16.98/lb Whole Beef Brisket: $10.99/lb |
8. Coffee Beans & Pods
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Sam’s Club caters to my caffeine cravings with an extensive selection of coffee beans and pods. | Member’s Mark Classic Coffee Pods: $0.28 per cup Starbucks Pikes Place Medium Roast Ground Coffee: $21.98/40 oz | Grocery store brand coffee pods: $0.45 per cup Starbucks Pikes Place Medium Roast Ground Coffee (Amazon): $18.98/28 oz |
9. Birthday Cupcakes
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| We opt for Sam’s Club baked goods for birthdays and special occasions. Plus they are customizable in the club. They also have a great price and selection of cookies, cakes, breakfast pastries, and seasonal pies. | $15.98/30 count birthday cupcakes | $27.98/24 count birthday cupcakes |
10. Member’s Mark Paper Towels
| Why I Buy It | Sam’s Club | Grocery Story Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Member’s Mark towels are crazy cheap and still super absorbent. I compare their quality to Bounty paper towels. | Member’s Mark Paper Towels: $.02 per square foot | Bounty Paper Towels: $.04 per square foot |
More Helpful Items I Buy In Bulk
- Allergy Medicine
- Vitamins
- Bottled Water/Gatorade
- Trash bags
- Toilet Paper
- Butter
- Regularly used spices
- Dishwasher pods
- Peanut Butter
- Batteries
- Snacks
How To Determine a Good Buy at Sam’s Club
When browsing groceries at Sam’s Club, if you’re unsure about a purchase, consider:
- Is it the most economical choice among your primary grocery stores?
- Is it shelf-stable or frozen? Or does your family eat enough of it to use it up before it goes bad?
- Do you have a plan for this ingredient or food?
If you answer ‘yes’ to these, it’s likely a smart buy.
Sam’s Club Membership Perks
A standard Sam’s Club membership costs $50 annually, providing one primary cardholder and a complimentary household member card. Alternatively, the Sam’s Club Plus at $110 annually offers additional benefits like free curbside pickup, shipping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Scan and Go app: This app lets you cut the checkout line (It’s. Truly. Amazing). All you do is scan items as you shop. When you finish shopping, you can pay through the Sam’s Club mobile app.
- Free shipping and store pickup: Both of these options make the bulk shopping experience less stressful.
- Gas discount: As a Sam’s Club member, you can get a discount on gasoline by filling up at your local Sam’s Club fuel station.
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