4 Totally Basic Items That Are So Much Better At Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club has a whole lot to explore, from new seasonal arrivals to rotisserie chicken that rivals Costco’s very own. But, if you look past the decadent bakery treats, mattresses, and supersized packs of various meats, you’ll discover another reason to shop here: Sam’s Club has a number of grocery essentials that are far better than what you’d find at any average grocery store.

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Buying certain staples from Sam’s Club is a great way to not only save money by buying in bulk, but also pick up basic items that are always a good idea to have on hand. And you just might be surprised at the quality of the basics Sam’s sells. 

Fresh Orange Juice

Freshly-squeezed juices will cost you, either in the time needed to whip up your own at home or in pricey bottles purchased from a typical grocery store. But if you head to Sam’s Club, there’s one item that’s cheaper, equal to homemade juices, and surprisingly reasonable in price: Member’s Mark Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. At just under $11 for 59 ounces, this jug of juice is made in-club every day, ensuring you get the freshest option possible.

Plus, the quality is excellent. This orange juice tastes like it’s freshly-squeezed, with a great balance of zingy citrus and sweetness. And there are zero added sugars in the mix. It’s smooth and not too pulpy, either, making it an excellent choice for elevated breakfasts or simply a high-quality juice to keep on hand throughout the week. You’ll forgo the stuff from concentrate in a heartbeat once you try it.

Heinz Condiment Packs

No pantry is complete without at least one of bottle of ketchup. But you should stop grabbing off-brand condiments from your local grocery store, because Sam’s Club has a better option. Here, you can pick up brand-name condiments with top-tier flavor — and a long shelf life — at budget-friendly prices that actually make them far more reasonable.

Sam’s Club sells a couple of different Heinz condiment multi-packs that are better than single bottles from any other store. My favorite is the Classic Pack, which includes larger-than-normal bottles of ketchup, mayo, and mustard — everything you need, really. But if you’re a big ketchup fan, you can also grab a reasonably-priced three-pack of Heinz Ketchup or a two-pack of Heinz’s Simply variety, which includes no artificial sweeteners. Even if you don’t crack these bottles within weeks of purchasing, they’ll last and deliver great value.

Blocks of Cheese

The cheese selection at Sam’s Club is unmatched. The only close competitor when it comes to this fridge essential is Costco, which also sells supersized blocks of specialty cheeses. But I tend to pick up my charcuterie board staples at Sam’s Club, where the prices are reasonable for party-sized blocks of cheese. Plus, thanks to their size, I find I really only need two options to flesh out a spread.

The selection at Sam’s Club includes options like 18-month aged gouda, basic sharp cheddar cheese, and creamy logs of goat cheese in different variations, all for under $10. You’ll also find supersized blocks of Kerrygold’s Dubliner cheese. Even better? I love filling my fridge with Arla Havarti and Gouda Cheese Snacks, a pack of single-serve bites that are impressively tasty and satisfying (and one I haven’t found anywhere else).

Canned Beans

Canned beans are an affordable staple that can do a lot of heavy lifting in your soups, chilis, casseroles, and side dishes. But you shouldn’t buy them at the grocery store; instead, grab a box from Sam’s, where you can find black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and more varieties.

At Sam’s Club, you don’t have to grab off-brand canned beans to save money. You can find brands like Bush’s sold in packs of six (or more) cans for a price that works out to roughly $1 per can. With cans of the very same branded beans at grocery stores going for $1.20 or higher, it’s a far better idea to grab this pantry staple from Sam’s Club. You’ll get the same quality and taste at a lower price (and you’ll always have beans on hand!).