Members Mark Website Logo
Made with Our Members and Planet in Mind

Is Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter Worth It?

Is Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter Worth It?

Salted sweet cream butter isn’t just a staple in American kitchens—it’s a make-or-break ingredient for home cooks and professional bakers alike. With the rising costs of groceries, value and quality are equally important. 

For many, Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter, available only at Sam’s Club, presents as a promising choice. But is it really worth your money compared to big-name counterparts like Land O’ Lakes, Kerrygold, or Costco’s Kirkland Signature?

This blog takes a deep dive into the product’s specifications, customer feedback, value, ingredient sourcing, performance, nutritional pros and cons, sustainability, storage, and more. If you’re in search of reliable guidance on choosing the best butter for your needs, you’re in the right place.

What Is Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter?

Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter is Sam’s Club’s exclusive private-label offering, targeted at customers who seek both quality and affordability. It is sold primarily in 4-pound packs with four one-pound blocks, catering especially to bulk buyers and passionate bakers.

What Is Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter?

Key Product Specifications

  • Type: Salted sweet cream butter
  • Butterfat Content: 80% (the industry standard for American butter)
  • Ingredients: Pasteurized cream, salt
  • No artificial additives, colors, or preservatives
  • USDA Grade AA
  • Produced and packaged in California using domestic cream
  • No rBST growth hormones used in milk sourcing
  • Kosher and gluten-free

The butter’s simple ingredient list means it qualifies as a whole food dairy product, suitable for vegetarians yet unsuitable for vegans or paleo purists due to dairy content and minimal processing.

Packaging, Varieties & Intended Uses

Member’s Mark offers both salted and unsalted versions, available as solid blocks and traditional sticks. All are portioned to support bulk usage for home baking, foodservice, or daily table use. The packaging is designed to reduce waste compared to smaller supermarket options.

These blocks can be easily portioned, and—most notably for serious bakers—Member’s Mark also provides European-style butter with higher fat content (82-83%) for those wanting a creamier, richer product.

How Much Does Member’s Mark Butter Cost?

Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter represents strong value in today’s market. A 4-pound pack (four 1-pound blocks) is typically priced between $11.92 and $12.46, equating to about $3.12 per pound.

Price Comparison Table

Brand/StorePrice per lb (Approx)Pack SizeSpecial Notes
Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club)$3.124 x 1-lb blocksPrivate label, in-club
Kirkland (Costco)$3.184 x 1-lb blocksNearly identical product
Land O’Lakes$5.00–$6.001-lb boxNational premium brand
Kerrygold (Irish)$6.50–$7.001-lb boxImported, grass-fed
Store brands (Avg.)$3.50–$4.501-lb boxVaried quality

Member’s Mark is noticeably less expensive than national and imported brands but is nearly identical in price—and composition—to Costco’s Kirkland Signature butter.

Is It Worth the Price?

The butter’s combination of affordability and reliability receives continual praise. Both the everyday consumer and frequent baker can save significantly over time compared to buying name-brand butter, especially for high-volume baking seasons or large families. Factor in regular Sam’s Club multi-pack deals, and the value increases further.

Shopper Satisfaction by the Numbers

Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter enjoys exceptionally high customer ratings across Sam’s Club platforms

  • 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 20,000 reviews on a standard 4-lb club pack
  • 80-90% 5-star reviews for taste, texture, and workability
  • Very few negative reviews—mostly focused on packaging preferences or minor inconsistencies in stick sizing

Selected Customer Comments

  • “It’s delicious, reliable, and buying in bulk saves me a ton of money”
  • “I love the color, texture and flavor of this sweet cream butter”
  • “Great for baking—never had a bad experience”
  • “Comparable to any domestic butter… not grass-fed Kerrygold, but still really good”
  • “Only issue: would prefer individually wrapped quarter sticks”

With over 17,000 five-star reviews, the butter is not only a top seller within the Member’s Mark range but also recognized as an overall best-buy item at Sam’s Club.

Common Praises and Critiques

Praises

  • Good value for high quality
  • Clean, fresh taste—no artificial or chemical aftertaste
  • Performs well for baking, cooking, and as a spread
  • Bulk buying options help avoid frequent shopping trips

Critiques

  • Blocks, not individually wrapped sticks, can be inconvenient for some users
  • Some bakers reported minor inconsistencies in stick weights
  • Won’t match the complexity of imported, grass-fed, or European butters in flavor
  • Exclusive to Sam’s Club members—limited availability for non-members

However, complaints are few, and repeat buyers overwhelmingly recommend the product for daily use or bulk occasions.

Competitive Analysis – How Does It Stack Up Against Rivals?

Member’s Mark vs. Costco’s Kirkland Signature

Member’s Mark and Kirkland’s butters are strikingly similar in both ingredients and final product—both consisting solely of cream and salt, both Grade AA, and both offered in bulk four-pound packs.

  • Taste & Texture: Both offer a mild, sweet, creamy profile with subtle salt. Kirkland might taste slightly sweeter, but the difference is negligible.
  • Cooking & Baking Performance: Both melt and cream perfectly, and their fat/moisture ratios are reliable for recipes.
  • Price: Nearly identical per pound—any differences are due to regional pricing or sales.
  • Availability: Each is exclusive to its respective retailer.

In recent side-by-side tests, most users and reviewers could not distinguish between cookies, cakes, or sautéed dishes made with either butter.

Member’s Mark vs. National & Premium Brands

Compared to Land O’ Lakes, Plugrá, Vermont Creamery, and Kerrygold

  • Fat Content: Land O’ Lakes matches the 80% benchmark; Plugrá and European imports can be higher (82+%).
  • Flavor: Premium and imported butters may deliver more complexity and color, especially when grass-fed.
  • Price: Member’s Mark frequently costs 30–50% less per pound.

Premium butters do offer a special edge in applications that showcase butter (e.g., on fresh bread, finishing sauces, or flaky pastries), but for daily and bulk use, Member’s Mark is almost always the better value.

 Ingredients and Production – What’s Inside?

The butter contains only pasteurized cream and salt. No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors are used. The cream is sourced from US dairies, and the product does not use milk from cows treated with the growth hormone rBST.

Production location

Member’s Mark butter is churned and packaged in California, a region noted for its high dairy production standards.

Grade

USDA AA—the highest available grade, indicating excellent flavor and texture consistency.

European Style Variant

For discerning bakers, Sam’s Club also sells a Member’s Mark European Style Butter with 82–83% butterfat. This version is recommended for laminated doughs, croissants, and French pastries, yielding richer taste and flakier textures.

Health Profile and Nutritional Facts (Per 1 tbsp / 14g Serving)

NutrientAmount% Daily Value*
Calories1005%
Total Fat11g14%
Saturated Fat7g35%
Cholesterol30mg10%
Sodium90mg4%
Carbohydrates0g0%
Protein0g0%

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Health Considerations

  • No Trans Fats or Added Sugars
  • Gluten-Free and Kosher
  • Virtually lactose-free (as most milk sugars are removed during churning)
  • Not suitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies

Diet Compatibility

  • Keto and low-carb: Yes, as it contains zero carbohydrates
  • Paleo-friendly: Only for modern paleo, not strict adherents

Salted vs Unsalted

The salted variety contains 90mg sodium per tablespoon; the unsalted version offers zero sodium and is preferable for precise control when baking.

Health and Moderation

While butter is energy-dense and high in saturated fat, current research and dietary guidelines permit moderate intake for most people. Saturated fat is still a concern for those monitoring cholesterol or cardiovascular risk, so portion size remains important.

Nutri-Score

On international rating systems, salted sweet cream butter typically scores an E (“lower nutritional quality” due to high fat/sodium). This is typical of all real butters, not just Member’s Mark.

Cooking Performance and Everyday Usage

Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter shines for both general cooking and baking

  • Creams easily with sugar for cookies/cakes
  • Performs well in laminated doughs, pastries, and pie crusts
  • Melts evenly without separating for sauces
  • Spreadable at room temperature
  • Does not leave a waxy aftertaste
  • Popular with professional chefs and bulk bakers because of consistency and cost

Multi-phase tests by home cooks and reviewers show consistent results in breads, frostings, shortbread, and pan sauces.

Special Use Tips

  • Bulk Blocks: If not using all at once, portion and freeze, as butter freezes well for up to 9 months without major loss of quality.
  • Spreads and Finishing: The flavor is clean and dairy-rich, making it a reliable base for compound butters (mix-ins such as garlic, herbs, or honey).

Caveat for Baking: The salted variety will slightly alter the outcome in recipes requiring strict control of sodium levels or in delicate pastries. Opt for unsalted butter for best baking results.

Best Practices for Keeping Butter Fresh

Butter’s shelf life depends on storage

  • Refrigerated (unopened): Typically lasts 4–5 months
  • Refrigerated (opened): Use within 3–4 weeks
  • Frozen: Can last up to 9 months

Tips

  • Store away from strong-smelling items (butter absorbs odors quickly).
  • Wrap tightly in original packaging or foil to prevent freezer burn or picking up off-flavors.
  • Label and date frozen butter for quicker use and rotation

 Room Temperature Storage

Salted butter’s salt content acts as a preservative, and it’s safe for up to a week at room temperature in a butter dish away from heat and sunlight. For longer-term storage, always keep it in the fridge or freezer.

Availability and Purchasing Options

Where to Buy

  • Exclusively at Sam’s Club—in warehouse locations or via Sam’s Club online store.
  • In-club shoppers: Can purchase in-person during regular grocery runs.
  • Online shoppers: Order for club pickup or standard home delivery where available (shipping restrictions for perishables may apply by zip code).

Non-members: The limited distribution means access is restricted unless shopping with a Sam’s Club membership or by using a guest pass at select clubs.

International buyers: Some resellers and third-party sellers offer Member’s Mark butters abroad, but prices can be much higher due to shipping/import costs.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Butter’s climate footprint is among the highest of all food staples

  • Average butter (80% fat, U.S.): 10–14 kg CO₂e per kg butter (factory level)
  • Each 100g of butter ≈ 0.77–1.4 kg CO₂e (equal to driving 4–6 km in a petrol car)
  • Water use: Making 1 kg of butter may require 20–25 liters of milk, which drives intensive water and land requirements during upstream dairy production

Packaged in Large Blocks

While Member’s Mark packaging is industry standard, buying in bulk reduces packaging waste compared to buying the same amount of butter in smaller sticks, as noted by buyers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

No Organic or Grass-Fed Certification

Standard Member’s Mark butter is not marketed as organic or grass-fed, and the carbon/water impacts align with typical U.S. dairy production.

Final Verdict — Is Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter Worth It?

Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter is one of the best-value butters for American home cooks, bakers, and anyone feeding a crowd. It provides

  • Consistent quality equal to major brands at a more wallet-friendly price
  • Clean, straightforward ingredient list
  • Excellent ratings from thousands of satisfied customers
  • Bulk packaging that suits high-volume users and cuts down on cost and waste
  • Reliable performance for both cooking and baking

While it may not replace grass-fed, organic, or European-style butters for true connoisseurs, it delivers everything most kitchens need for a fraction of the price.

If you shop at Sam’s Club, keeping Member’s Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter on hand is a smart move. Your taste buds—and your budget—will thank you.

If you’re still deciding between warehouse clubs, our 2025 comparison of Costco vs. Sam’s Club breaks down pricing, quality, and value to help you choose the best fit.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *