When it comes to buying in bulk, Sam’s Club is a top choice for finding great deals on everyday items. However, purchasing large quantities isn’t always the smartest move for certain products. Shopping specialists advise that hoarding some frozen foods can lead to waste, lower quality, or even higher costs in the long run.
To maximize the benefits of your membership, it’s crucial to know which products are better purchased in smaller amounts. With this in mind, we gathered advice from shopping experts and actual Sam’s Club members on social media about which 9 frozen foods to skip at the wholesale retailer.
Shopping Experts And Real Sam's Club Customers Share 9 Frozen Items To Avoid Buying
1. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Finance Buzz’s Stacy Garrels recently provided insight into why some bulk purchases, like boneless skinless chicken breasts at Sam's Club, should be skipped.
Looking to save the most money on your dinner ingredients? If chicken's on the menu, you may be surprised to hear that Sam's Club isn't the cheapest option.
In fact, Walmart may be your best bet. "Currently, prices are nearly identical, with chicken running $2.67 per pound at Walmart versus $2.68 per pound at Sam’s Club, but at times, Walmart’s savings can be even greater," Garrels writes. Noted!
2. Salmon
The expert also points out that Sam’s Club sells "fresh salmon at the bargain price" of $10.98 per pound. However, Garrels explains that "the farm-raised salmon you’ll find at the discount retailer has numerous health concerns."
She adds that "farm-raised salmon contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) linked to type-2 diabetes, obesity, and increased risk of stroke." In addition, "red dye is added to color their gray-tinge flesh pink, and they also contain higher levels of saturated fat."
3. Member's Mark Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza
FinanceBuzz's Lucy Clark also reported that this $13 Member's Mark Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza at Sam's Club "has a 3.6-star rating, and many dissatisfied customers describe the pizzas as tasting bland, soggy, and like cardboard in both taste and texture."
4. Member's Mark Tempura Orange Chicken
Sam’s Club promotes its Member's Mark Tempura Orange Chicken as a beloved choice, yet the recent alteration to the recipe has left numerous customers dissatisfied due to the more diluted, vinegar-forward orange sauce. As Clark reported: "You may consider another brand or your favorite local restaurant if you want a more authentic taste."
5. Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pies
At Sam’s Club, you can purchase an eight-pack of chicken pot pies for only $13.98. However, as Clark notes, many shoppers think the "taste and texture are often lacking." She adds: "many customers complain about potentially receiving a bad batch, claiming the texture is incredibly dry and the signature, saucy gravy inside cooks away in the microwave."
6. Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Original Bites
The packaging presents Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Original Bites as a tasty, nutritious, and budget-friendly choice. This Sam's Club product proudly highlights its 16 grams of protein per serving and its absence of additives or hormones. However, according to customers, as per Clark: many "call out the chicken for being greasy, mushy, and flavorless."
7. Member's Mark Chicken Fried Rice
Fried rice is a simple dish made even more convenient and budget-friendly with Member's Mark Chicken Fried Rice. While this frozen meal is cost-effective, it's hard to overlook the 1150 milligrams of sodium in each serving. Clark notes: "the soy sauce, bacon, and corn syrup make this one of Sam’s Club’s more unhealthy options." She also suggests "making your own" as an alternative.
8. Sam’s Club’s Franks in a Blanket
Looking for an affordable and tasty game day appetizer? You might want to skip this one at Sam's Club. Clark writes: "while 80 miniature pigs in a blanket seem like too good a deal too good to pass up for your next party or gathering, don’t bother with Sam’s Club’s Franks in a Blanket."
She also notes that the product has a "mediocre rating" among Sam's Club shoppers, "with the lowest complaining about the texture and taste of both the dough and sausage, citing them as dry, bland, and hard."
9. Member's Mark Oven Roasted Chicken Wings
Chicken wings can offer a fantastic source of protein for any meal, particularly during game day or other upcoming gatherings.
They are incredibly simple to prepare, making Member's Mark Oven Roasted Chicken Wings an excellent choice. However, as Clark stresses, "lower ratings complain that the wings are too salty and have a fatty, unpleasant taste and texture."
The Bottom Line
While Sam’s Club offers incredible value on countless items, not every product lives up to expectations, especially in the frozen food aisle.
By avoiding these nine frozen foods, as recommended by shopping experts and fellow members, you can save money, reduce waste, and focus on stocking your freezer with high-quality items your household will truly enjoy.
With a little strategic shopping, you can make the most of your membership while ensuring every purchase is a worthwhile investment.
