Duane Beckett
Sam’s Club has edged out Costco in a new taste test from Consumer Reports.
The nonprofit evaluated rotisserie chickens from 10 major retailers, looking at taste, nutrition, chicken weight, sodium levels, and whether the meat or packaging contained chemicals linked to plastics.
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken earned the highest overall rating, with Costco’s Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken finishing second.
What Consumer Reports found
According to Consumer Reports, the testing went beyond a simple taste comparison.
Experts purchased multiple chickens from different store locations, then weighed them, reviewed their nutrition labels, conducted blind taste tests, and screened both the meat and packaging for compounds such as bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
The good news was that no PFAS were detected in any of the chickens or packaging that were tested.
Among the top performers were:
- Sam’s Club, Member’s Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken
- Costco, Kirkland Signature Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken
- Stop & Shop, Whole Rotisserie Chicken
- Walmart, Traditional Fully-Cooked Rotisserie Chicken
- Wegmans, Whole Roasted Chicken
- Whole Foods Market, Classic Rotisserie Chicken
Why Sam’s Club came out on top
I’ll admit I was surprised by the result. Costco’s chicken has become almost legendary over the years.
Consumer Reports found that Sam’s Club separated itself with flavor. Testers praised the chicken’s paprika rub, saying it gave the bird an appealing bronzed color while producing moist, juicy meat with a deep roasted flavor and noticeable hints of onion and garlic.
Those qualities helped it finish ahead of every other retailer in the comparison.
The report also states that Sam’s Club offered strong value. At $4.98 for a roughly three-pound chicken, it matched Costco closely on price while delivering what testers considered the best overall eating experience.
Why Costco remains so popular
Consumer Reports described Costco’s birds as some of the plumpest in the test and said they were well seasoned, although saltiness varied between samples. That slight inconsistency appears to have cost Costco the top position.
Even so, Costco’s rotisserie chicken has built a loyal following for reasons that go beyond taste. The company has held its famous $4.99 price for years, making it one of the best-known value items in grocery shopping.
Many shoppers also see it as an easy solution for quick dinners, leftovers, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
For shoppers looking for the best deal, Sam’s Club and Costco both offer strong value. Now the question is whether consumers will follow the ranking or stick with their usual rotisserie chicken favorite.