I Brought the Same Thanksgiving List to Costco & Sam’s Club - Here’s Who Was the Clear Winner

Thanksgiving dinner doesn't have to break the bank. Even though the cost of ingredients and prepared products is rising, warehouse clubs (like Costco and Sam's Club) make it easy to feed a large family for less. But which one has the better prices?

I took my holiday dinner shopping list to both members-only retailers and searched for the best way to tackle high grocery costs. Costco just lowered the price on the Complete Gourmet Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner (online only) from $269.99 to $199.99, and Sam's Club has a $160 Member's Mark meal. While both of these packages simplify "Turkey Day," I also added up the totals of individual items.

If you're in full meal prep right now, keep reading to find out whether Costco or Sam's Club won my Thanksgiving warehouse club versus warehouse club showdown.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Full meals

Winner: Sam's Club

What's in each retailer's full meal deal this Thanksgiving? Costco's Complete Gourmet Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner is usually $269.99. But from October 7 through November 30, 2026, you can save $70 on the bundle (online only).

This year's deal feeds eight and includes a whopping 30 pounds of food. For $199.99, you'll get five pounds of all-natural free-range Amish farm-raised netted turkey breast, three pounds of mashed potatoes, 24 ounces of turkey gravy, three pounds of mac and cheese, three pounds of sweet corn, three pounds of green bean casserole, two pounds of candied yams, three pounds of cornbread stuffing, 20 ounces of cranberry relish, 12 gourmet dinner rolls, a two-pound apple cobbler, and a two-pound pumpkin pie.

Sam's 11-item Member's Mark Thanksgiving Meal costs about $160 and serves 11. The warehouse club does not provide detailed information on the quantities, but does state the items in the 2026 bundle: Boneless carver ham, hickory smoked turkey, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, two trays of green beans with dried cranberries and almonds, two trays of mac and cheese, sweet corn with garlic butter, cranberry crunch salad, yeast dinner rolls, charcuterie entertainment tray, and two 12-inch pumpkin pies.

On price alone, Sam's wins this category.

Turkeys

Winner: Costco

The price of turkey varies with market conditions. That means what I found today in stores and online could change tomorrow. Costco sells a 21-pound Fresh Tom Turkey for an estimated price of $23.54.

Sam's Club lists the warehouse club's Member's Mark Whole Raw Turkey at $18.88, or $1.18 per pound. Costco's fresh turkey is $1.12 per pound, making it the better deal.

Keep in mind, each retailer typically stocks more than one type of turkey. That means you might score a better deal on a different type of bird. According to one Redditor, last year the warehouse club sold Butterball turkeys for $0.99 per pound and smoked turkeys for $2.99 per pound at select stores.

Sides

Winner: Sam's Club

From green beans to mashed potatoes and stuffing, you can fill your cart with bulk-buy sides at Costco and Sam's without going over budget. With more than a few choices, I narrowed down my side shopping list to a few essential items.

Both clubs sell Del Monte Canned Cut Green Beans in bulk (14.5-ounce size). The item costs $13.99 at Costco and $8.52 at Sam's Club. But you'll get 12 cans at Costco and only eight from the other retailer. In a price-per-can showdown, Sam's Club wins at $1.07 versus $1.17.

I also found the same six-count of Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix (six-ounce individual boxes) at both stores. Costco charges $9.59, while Sam's sells the identical product for $7.98.

Starters and snacks

Winner: Sam's Club

Why make your guests wait until the turkey is served to eat? I also shopped for Thanksgiving Day starters. If you're looking for something different this year, I spotted a two-count of Taylor Farms Organic Mediterranean Bagged Chopped Salad (12-ounce each) for $8.99 at Costco. Sam's sells a Southwest version from its Member's Mark brand. The generic costs $2.94 (one 12-ounce bag), making it the less expensive option.

My Thanksgiving spread usually includes a bowl of nuts for family and friends to snack on. At Costco, a 2.5-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Mixed Nuts costs $18.49. Sam's 34-ounce tub of Member's Mark Deluxe Mixed Nuts sells for $14.98. After calculating the per-ounce price, Sam's won at $0.44.

Bread and rolls

Winner: Sam's Club

Pass on pricey bakery buys, and snap up your holiday bread from either of these warehouse clubs. Both retailers sell a variety of freshly made and prepackaged products. Costco charges $7.99 for a loaf of the store's indulgently delicious Kirkland Signature Cranberry Walnut Round Bread. Sam's Club sells a Member's Mark Cranberry Orange Walnut Boule for $7.96.

If you prefer something plain, Costco has a 24-count of Kirkland Signature All Butter Dinner Rolls for $6.99. The other club sells a 24-pack of Member's Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls for $3.98.

Desserts

Winner: Sam's Club

Turkey is the star of the show. But I prefer dessert. That's why I take my time, comparing prices of sweet treats at multiple stores.

Nothing screams Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie. Costco's famous oversized Kirkland Signature pumpkin pie averages 58 ounces (that's more than 3.5 pounds) and sells for $5.99. The almost identical item from Member's Mark costs $5.98. Even though there's only a one-cent difference, every penny counts.

My dessert list also includes freshly-made cookies. For $22.99, you can get a 60-count assortment from Costco's Kirkland Signature brand. Sam's Club charges $19.99 for the 60-piece Member's Mark Holiday Cookie Tray.

Bottom line

And the winner is Sam's Club. But don't let that stop you from shopping both of these retailers. I also spotted plenty of bargains at Costco that make it easy to feed a large family.

Keep in mind, warehouse clubs aren't ideal for empty nesters or small households. If you only have a few guests to feed, these bulk buys aren't worth the added cost.

In addition to low prices on dinner menu items, both warehouse clubs offer other Thanksgiving-related deals. Keep more cash in your wallet this holiday season and nab new small kitchen appliances, cookware, and decor from Costco and Sam's Club ASAP.

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