Costco Vs. Sam’s Club Taste Test – Who Has the Best Pumpkin Pie This Year?
Which warehouse club has the better-tasting pumpkin pie? We’re sharing the results of our official Costco vs. Sam’s Club pumpkin pie taste test!
Serving pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving?
If you’ve ever wondered which warehouse club, between Costco or Sam’s Club, has the better-tasting pumpkin pie… wonder no more! I went again this year to get the scoop on these pumpkin pies and did another taste test for 2021 to see if one was better than the other.
Read below to find out which pie wins in our Costco vs. Sam’s Club Pumpkin Pie taste test. 🏆
Look at how huge these almost 12-inch pumpkin pies are!
So just from the look of things, either one of these pies could easily feed my entire neighborhood or at least 12 people! To be honest, I’m not even sure you could make a homemade pumpkin pie that size for under $7, so both of these pies are priced at an amazing value!
If you are feeding a crowd on a budget, this is the way to go.
The price difference this year is just under a dollar – $5.99 at Costco vs. $6.98 at Sam’s Club.
The 12″ Costco pumpkin pie weighs a whopping 58 ounces, which is nearly four pounds. We did notice that the price is just $5.99 which is awesome!
The Sam’s Club pumpkin pie is identical in weight and size (also weighing in at 58 ounces), however it did go up in price, I found it for $6.98. That’s still a phenomenal deal for such a LARGE pie!
They do look similar but you can see texture differences right off the bat!
You can see that the Costco pumpkin pie slice as shown above (left) has more moisture and is a bit darker in color. The Sam’s Club version shown above (right) is lighter in color, thicker, and looks a little firmer.
Costco vs. Sam’s Club pumpkin pie taste test observations:
Costco Pumpkin Pie:
- The taste was less sweet, but we did taste more cinnamon in this pie.
- The texture has more of a wet pumpkin puree feel, and it falls apart easily.
- We loved the flaky buttery crust, it was slightly thinner though.
- Aside from the cinnamon, we thought that the spices were more subtle in this pie.
Sam’s Club Pumpkin Pie:
- Has a noticeably sweeter taste.
- The texture is a lot firmer and more like a smooth cheesecake and is a prettier presentation.
- Spices seem to be a little stronger-tasting.
- The crust seems a little thicker, but still buttery and flaky.
Result: Sam’s Club wins our pumpkin pie taste test, AGAIN!
I did a blind taste-test at home using my pumpkin-loving family, and 3/4 of us picked the Sam’s Club pumpkin pie as the winner!
We honestly enjoyed them both, but the majority of us LOVED the overall texture and taste of Sam’s Club pumpkin pie just a bit more. If we had to choose one over the other, Sam’s Club won! Their pumpkin pie was a little sweeter, and it seemed like more of a classic pumpkin pie flavor (although your taste preference may vary).
This is exactly how we felt about the pie last year, meaning they’ve kept this classic favorite completely the same!
Although Sam’s Club was the winner again this year, the truth is that they were both delicious.
You really can’t go wrong with either one of these pies, especially when adding a bit of whipped cream! It’s safe to say that you could serve either one with confidence this Thanksgiving, or on any night when your family is hungry for the ultimate fall dessert.
Many readers have agreed with our pie assessment over the years:
“I completely agree with every difference you mentioned between the pies. Sam’s is our fave as well. The texture of Costco’s is a real let down.” – Jen
“Great post. My family of 4 prefers Sam’s Club pumpkin pie over Costco too. I love the pumpkin pie bite serving idea for a large crowd.” – Julie
“Seeing this right now is too funny. I literally just dropped off a Pumpkin Pie at my son’s that I purchased at Costco this weekend. I have always bought my pumpkin pies at Sam’s Club. I too prefer the Sam’s Pumpkin Pie’s.” – Julia
Here’s a fun and unique way to serve these large pumpkin pies!
Make miniature pumpkin pies from a larger pie using a small biscuit cutter or cookie cutter. Place your mini pies on a tray and top with whipped cream. Now you have the cutest mini pie bites to serve!
Perhaps you have some pumpkin pie leftover or want to bring something to a party that’s not just a huge pie. I have done this for a school potluck before, and it’s easier to serve these smaller pumpkin pie bites rather than having people try to cut a piece of pie at the end of a serving line. It also looks fancy and fun too, but still minimal effort!
Have you tried either of these pumpkin pies? Let us know in the comments!
Here’s a stress-free pumpkin pie that I love baking, if you’re in the mood for homemade!
Great post. My family of 4 prefers Sams Club pumpkin pie over Costco too.
I love the pumpkin pie bite serving idea for a large crowd.
I would do that as a portion control idea just for myself. Its so hard to serve just a small slice of pumpkin pie!
Yes I agree! Thanks for stopping by Julie!
Just moved from California to South Dakota so this is very interesting to me!! I have bought Costco Pumpkin pies before but now I am looking forward to trying Sam’s Club Pumpkin Pie!!!
Thanks! You solved my problem. If you live near a Meijer, their pumpkin pie is fabulous too, but much smaller, of course
Thanks for the tip!
Bahaha.. can serve 12! My 18 year old son ate one whole pie in one sitting. The joy of teenage boys.
Oh, wow.
Costco pumpkin pies are still only 5.99 in New Mexico. Also Sam’s club pies are not even made at their stores. They are brought in frozen and just put out on a table. NO REFRIGERATING. Costcos are made fresh in the stores daily and yes they are refrigerated because they are made with real eggs and not powdered.. For me I would take a fresh made one any day over ones that are pre-made and shipped in from who knows where
LOL!! I completely understand. I have a 19 year old son and he LOVES to eat and work out!! So he eats a lot. I totally feel you!!
I have 3 boys. This is my future! 😂
Me too. I have 3 boys and I already feel like they eat me out of the house. lol
I have one teenage son and my girls on constantly complaining that he eats all the good food! LOL!
I have 4 boys and they all love pumpkin pie, covered in whipped cream! Dunno where they got it from.
We have 9 kids and my husband comes home with 1 pie. Can you tell who does the shopping.. Men!
I usually get 3-4 of these.
We bought the pie from Costco after reading reviews that it was the best pie ever. I thought it was AWFUL (and I LOVE pumpkin) Needed to be cooked more, filling was loose. Would never buy it again. (I should of returned it)
Same, here! I wanted to love it because of the hype, but it tasted kind-of “fake” with heavy emphasis on cloves, etc. Will be giving the Sam’s Club pie a go this year!
Yes! I think you’ll be surprised – very good!
Thanks for sharing Sandy!
Agree! I always felt like I was the only one to didn’t like Costco’s pumpkin pie.
I do not like pumpkin pie (gasp!) But my husband and kids swear by Frisch’s restaurant pumpkin pie. I think it’s a Cincinnati thing. My husband says the Sam’s Club one is second to Frisch’s!
Oh nice! Thanks for sharing 👍
If you want a good pumpkin pie buy a Sara Lee pie
I completely agree with every difference you mentioned between the pies. Sam’s is our fav as well. The texture of Costco’s is a real let down.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing Jen!
Seeing this right now is too funny. I literally just dropped off a Pumpkin Pie at my Son’s that I purchased at Costco this weekend. I have always bought my Pumpkin Pie’s at Sam’s Club. I too prefer the Sam’s Pumpkin Pie’s.
You know those people who don’t like pumpkin pie? I’m one of them. Ever since my sister’s fiance barfed up his entire Thanksgiving dinner in the backseat of a car during the worst-ever 2-hour drive home, all I can remember is what it smells like the second time around. That being said, I can actually tolerate the Costco pumpkin pie. Now I know why. Apparently, it doesn’t taste as much like pumpkin pie! Finally, a solution for people like me!
This has been a public service announcement from “I Hate Pumpkin Pies International.”
Oh my gosh so funny 😂!
We don’t have a Sam’s so I’ve never had it, but our household loves Costco’s pumpkin pie. I agree that sometimes the filling doesn’t seem quite done yet, but I think it really depends on who bakes them. One Costco location nearby always has their baked goods a bit overdone and perfectly done at another location. Then there are the rare occasions when none of the baked goods look done at all!
Oh I hadn’t thought about that. Thanks for sharing!
Great Post. We don’t have a Costco (just got a Trader Joes, hope they have some german food, can’t wait to go shopping) and I wouldn’t pay to shop at a store that doesn’t allow coupons on top of paying for shopping. LOL
Thanks and I love TJ’s – will have to look for that cake!
We bought a frozen pumpkin pie from Trader Joe’s a few years ago after a surgery left me unable to bake my own. It was surprisingly good, and I am super picky. 🙂 I still bake my own, but in a pinch it works.
Oh good to know thanks!!
LOVE this type of post!!! Thank you!
Thanks Heather!
Best pie ever is the Sweet Potato Pie at Walmart. Not the best cold, but AWESOME once you heat in the oven!
That’s great to hear! I saw that one and want to try it – yum!
You really won’t be able to tell the difference between Walmarts pumpkin pie and their sweet potato pie. They’re both pretty good. But Sam’s is the best pumpkin pie for the buck
Great post. Thank you. Would love to see more cake comparisons between these two stores.
Thanks for the feedback Ann!
My mom said she didn’t like Costco pumpkin pie because it was gritty. I got 2 pies after that and noticed the grittiness in both of them. It worried me because it seemed to be coming from the filling. What on earth would be gritty in the filling?? (They taste really great if you can get past that.)
Ya i’m not sure if it’s the puree – interesting and thanks for sharing!
Typically the grit comes from sand in the puree. Libby’s was getting especially gritty so we had to switch to a different brand.
I bought one from Costco on Nov. 26, 1019 and another the next day to take to our daughter’s house on Thanksgiving. Same grittiness. Some research indicates the grit is from the pumpkin filling cannery not adequately washing away all sand from the pumpkin during the process.
We definitely like Costco pie better. We just got a Sam’s one and the spices in it are way too strong. I don’t know if we got a bad batch or if they’re just like that
oh interesting! thanks for sharing Ashley. 🙂
I can’t imagine preferring Walmart food over almost anything. Really wish you would also have compared ingredients.
Pumpkin
I LOVE Costco’s pumpkin pie! But the reason I’m posting is so you get a good laugh. I was reading the “pie on the left…pie on the right” and had to do the “L” with my hands to remind myself which was left and which was right…because I was looking at the second picture. The pies are swapped! 🤣🤣🤣
What about homemade pie??? That is the best! It is super easy to make.
Yes! When you use canned pumpkin, it is hard to mess up a pumpkin pie!
My mom always made pies and I use her(well it’s Libby’s lol) recipe to this day. I really don’t like anyone else’s pumpkin pies but ours!
Best store bought ive ever bought was from Sprouts…..definitely not big though unfortunately
Oh nice – we love Sprouts!
for me, i do not like the costco pumpkin pies at all…the texture isn’t right, there is not enough spice and they need to be cooked more. i have extended family that love them but i don’t get the appeal. wish western wa still had sams club so i could try it
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Costco pumpkin pie does not have enough spicy in them
We bought a pumpkin pie from Costco last year and my family was puking that night. My husband swears it was the pie. 😬
I can’t tell the difference between pumpkin and sweet potato pie. It’s all so confusing to me. But the absolute BEST pies are Patti LaBelle’s Patti pies sold at Wal-Mart. I wait for them to be put on clearance because Wal-mart makes the most pies during this time of year and I buy them all up then freeze them. I eat a Patti pie each week throughout the holiday season. Favorite time of the year! 🙂
I have heard of these! Thanks for sharing that they freeze well. 👍
these are 7.99 near my Costco
Ya they may vary in price a little depending on area.
Last year everybody was returning the Sams pies, they changed vendors and it was awful. When I was returning mine the lady told me; I’m not gonna ask why you are returning it, we know why…
Good to know since I’m a Sams club shopper. Thanks. I bought a pumpkin pie at Kroger this past week for $2.99, regular size. It tasted pretty good but may try Sams pumpkin pie soon.
UGH!! The $6 costco pumpkin pie! My teenage daughters couldn’t get enough of it. Never had Sams. Also, what ever happened to making your own? LOL
I make my ‘pumpkin’ pies from scratch using Hubbard squash- superior texture and flavor.
Does anyone know how the BJ’s Pumpkin Pie is?
Interesting. We bought a Sam’s Club pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. We thought it was bland and, worse yet, the crust was raw on the bottom. We just had a Costco Pumpkin Pie, and, not only was the crust fully cooked, but the pumpkin flavor was richer and the spices were detectable! Costco won our taste test by a long shot!
The Sam’s Club Pecan Pie we bought was WONDERFUL, however!
Love the mini pie idea going try it
Yes!! Thanks so much I love it too.
I think it depends on the store…our Costco sells them for $5.00 and a family member who doesn’t like pumpkin pie, loved it.
They are still $5.99 at my local Costco. I paid more for the 3 pack of whipped topping than I did the pie! I wouldn’t say it’s the best pumpkin pie ever but for that price (and me not having to make it) I’ll take it! We don’t have a Sams Club to compare so I guess we’ll stick with Costco.
Thanks for sharing! Ha that’s so funny the whipped cream is more!
We get Costco pie every year and my husband loves it. So does everyone else who visited us. Haven’t tried sams yet. Maybe I’m being bias but I also go for Costco over sams with 99% of the things 😅
Ha it’s funny I normally do too!
I guess I am the only one that loves Costco pumpkin pie. I have never tried Sam’s club pumpkin pie. I will have to taste Sam’s p.p.
Ya it’s interesting if you taste side by side!
I love your idea of a pie bite! That is perfect! That is really all I want anyway a nice big bite. Thank you for such a cool idea!
Oh thanks Sally!
The Sam’s Club pie gives me indigestion but not the Costco pie.
Costco hands down I love all there desserts
One question: Who gets to eat the remaining pie, after all those pumpkin pie bites are cut out? Yum 😋
Haha!
I’ll take a slice of either one now – thank you very much!!
Haha actually – same! Morning coffee and pumpkin pie are awesome together ❣️
My family prefers pumpkin pie to be warmed up, so I always look for one that looks a little underbaked since I am going to put it in the oven at home for a bit. Sadly, we don’t have Sams or Costco in our area, so I can’t try either of these!
Oh interesting! I can see how that’d be yum.
It’s really good and if the pie is warm, you can add a little vanilla ice cream and it gets melty and delicious!
As a New Englander is homemade for us and the recipe is on the One Pie Pumpkin Purée Can
I buy my crusts in a pinch and the whole thing takes 5 min to make
One Pie Pumpkin is almost a cult thing for us in NE just like Fluff lol
My kids and I don’t eat store-bought pies. We love pies, but bring is a store-bought pie and not 1 of us will touch it. They don’t taste good at all. Homemade pies do not last around here. My kids will go to town on homemade pies. My friends and family call us pie snobs. I love making my own pies.
Funny. My challenged brother is the other way around. he will only eat store bought pies.
Who has the best pumpkin pie? Same club or Costco’s? That easy…. Samco’s
Sams club hands down.
Thanks for weighing in!
Darn…. we don’t have a sam’s club here. We have a Costco and BJ’s though😕
Trader Joe’s has the best pumpkin pie. hands down.
they are building a Costco in Central Arkansas. I wish it was an Aldi though.
We don’t have a Sam’s Club but I would love to try their pie. I’m always cautious with Costco. Their pies as well as other items, at least in my area, always seem to be ready to expire. The expiration dates are only a couple days away. Last year all the pumpkin pies were expiring the next day. That’s a lot of pie to have to eat so quick!
Can they be frozen until Thanksgiving?
The bit about price isn’t true. Costco pumpkin pies are still $5.99.
We liked the Costco pie better. Ended up throwing out the Sam’s Club pie. It was too sweet and spicy for our taste.
Purchased 1 of each apple pie and pumpkin pie this year for Thanksgiving. Both pies as presented in it’s packaging appeared to be absolutely delicious! However the apple pie was runny as if was made with applesauce and the pumpkin pie texture was full of tiny lumps. Both were bland in flavor. I would not recommend these. Save your money. If not, I recommend Marie Calendar’s.