I was never much of a bulk shopper. Space constraints in my kitchen and pantry—and only cooking for two—made shopping at a warehouse club seem unnecessary.
Then I entered my 30s, had two kids and Sam’s Club made me an offer I couldn’t refuse (a half-price membership). I’ve never looked back. The store’s house brand, Member’s Mark, has become a staple in my home, and for good reason. On top of great seasonal finds, Sam’s Club has some of the freshest produce, yummiest snacks and best prices around.
It’s rare for me to leave without a full cart—believe me, this list could be much longer—but here are 11 of my favorite finds and the things I buy every time.
1. Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts
While they may be available in most stores year-round, fresh asparagus and Brussels sprouts tend to be a bit disappointing when they aren’t actually in season. But I can only assume that Sam’s Club has exclusive access to some secret veggie-growing wonderland, because somehow these taste just-picked no matter what month it is. Both come in bags big enough to feed a crowd, or you could just hoard the green goodness for yourself.
2. Seafood
The freezer section at Sam’s rarely disappoints, especially when it comes to seafood. The 2-pound bag of Member’s Mark Wild Caught Snow Crab Legs and Claws is a hit at the holidays or a summer BBQ, and Member’s Mark Wild Caught Japanese Hokkaido Sea Scallops are so good, I feel like I’m getting away with something by paying less than $30 for a 1.5-pound bag.
In fact, when it comes to frozen, wild-caught seafood, I’d be hard-pressed to find a better selection anywhere. There’s always a bag of Sam’s wild-caught do work, flounder or sockeye salmon in my freezer for easy, nutritious weeknight meals.
3. Frozen Burgers
Speaking of easy meals: you know those nights when you’re just craving a burger, but the drive-thru seems unappealing and you definitely don’t have the time or energy to make your own? Sam’s Club has you covered.
Their frozen ⅓-pound Member’s Mark Ground Sirloin Beef Patties have exactly the right level of juiciness without being greasy. They taste exactly like a burger should taste, and they cook up in no time. I put them right on the grill, still frozen, over medium heat. Roughly 10 minutes later I’m chowing down on a classic good brioche burger.
4. Vanilla Extract
I’ll be honest: until you get into the truly pricey stuff, for me, most vanilla extracts are made equal. But where the Sam’s version—Magnolia-Star Pure Vanilla Extract—overtakes the competition is in size (and, for that matter, price). It’s no diminutive little vial like what you might find in another grocery store. This is an 8-ounce bottle of the good stuff, coming in at just over $1 an ounce.
That’s great if you, like me, can’t get enough vanilla. I almost always double the amount when it’s called for in baking recipes, and when it isn’t, I add some anyway. I’ve been known to tip a bit into my coffee and my smoothies, and I sometimes use it in marinades or sauces to add a sweet complexity to a savory dish. In other words, I go through a lot of vanilla, and buying the big bottle means I’ve always got plenty on hand.
5. Chicken Broth
There are few ingredients with as many applications (at least in my kitchen) as chicken broth. It’s vital for things like soups and stews, but I also use it to deglaze the pan when I’m sautéing vegetables, to add a bit of flavor or moisture when I’m roasting meats, and sometimes in place of water for cooking rice or pasta.
I wish I could say I constantly have a pot of homemade chicken broth simmering away on the stove, but I’m a busy mom and that’s just not realistic. But Sam’s Member’s Mark Chicken Broth is super rich and flavorful because it’s made using free range chickens. It’s genuinely good enough to drink on its own (which I’ve been known to do when battling a cold, or just cold weather), and it comes in a 6-pack so I always have some in, ahem, stock.
6. Croissants
The Sam’s Club bakery churns out croissants exactly as they should be: flaky, buttery, pillowy puffs of deliciousness. Rather than the long and skinny traditional crescent shape, these have their ends pinched together to form more of a bun shape. They’re the perfect vehicle for a breakfast sandwich (or load one up with Sam’s chicken salad for an awesome lunch). They come freshly baked in a 12-pack, but if you’ve got a lot of mouths to feed—or the freezer space to really go for it on the bulk shopping front—you can buy a case of 84frozen and ready to thaw and bake.
7. Coconut Crispy Rollers
In the center of the store, the snack aisles consistently have a phenomenal selection of classics and things I’ve never heard of before. Sometimes I’ll try things on a whim, which is how I stumbled upon these Ava Organics Coconut Crispy Rollers. These might be—dare I say it?—the perfect snack. They’re crunchy and sweet without being overpowering, with a tiny touch of saltiness and umami from the sesame seeds.
They also have only six ingredients, all of them organic, which makes me feel a little bit better about demolishing half a bag in one sitting. Good thing they’re Sam’s Club-sized!
8. Taco Kit
Often, the last thing I want to do after an epic grocery shopping trip is make dinner. Enter the Member’s Mark Chicken Taco Kita ready-to-eat marvel that feeds my whole family and leaves us some leftovers. It hits the spot every single time.
The kit comes with a generous helping of spiced, cooked and roughly shredded chicken, cheese, a fresh and crunchy slaw and tortillas. The sauces—a cilantro-lime crema and a classic salsa—taste homemade, and there are even lime wedges included.
9. Rotisserie Chicken
This is a chicken with a fan club. Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chickens are made right there in the store in enormous, rotating rotisserie ovens, and they’re so in-demand there’s often a line to grab one as they come out. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no substitute for a really good rotisserie chicken, and Sam’s is doing it right. The skin is crispy and sticky, and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth moist, and the whole thing is less than $5.
I always go home with two: one that my husband and I, standing on opposite sides of the kitchen counter, will devour right from the container (who says romance is dead?), and a second one I’ll pick clean and use all week for soups, wraps, chicken salad and anything else that needs some quick protein.
10. Storage Bins
Obviously this isn’t a food item, but it’s definitely food-adjacent. My whole pantry is organized with these Member’s Mark 8-Piece Fliplock Pantry Storage containers. They’re so useful, I feel like I can never have enough; I’ve gone back multiple times for another set. A reliable seal keeps my dry goods and snacks fresh, and the rectangular design helps keep things orderly in my small storage space. Because they’re clear, I know exactly what I have, and I can tell at a glance when I’m running low on staples.
The smaller sizes—which I use for things like nuts, seeds and chocolate chips—stack nicely on top of one another and, in my pantry, the bigger sizes hold things like flours, rice and pasta. I also always have a few variously sized empties, so it’s easy to stay organized when I bring home a new ingredient.
11. Leggings
We’re really straying from the grocery list now, but I’d be totally remiss not to mention the leggings. Technically called the Member’s Mark Everyday High Rise Ankle Leggingthese hold their own next to considerably more expensive brands. They have just the right amount of softness and stretch but stay snug during workouts. They’re a solid wardrobe staple, and, almost unbelievably, they cost just under $10.
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