Every Costco Party Platter Ranked (2024)

Known for its warehouse-style stores and savings, the retail giant Costco has been making waves in the shopping industry for decades. And, when it comes to hosting a memorable event, the company has your back. Whether you're organizing a backyard summer barbecue, a birthday party, or even the big game, the retailer provides a hassle-free solution.

Costco's party platters in particular are known for their quality and variety, ensuring that there's something to please every palate. From savory options to sweet indulgences, the store's platter and tray selections cover a wide range of party favorites. While some are already prepared and ready for sale, there are a few of the larger options that must be ordered 24 to 48 hours in advance at the deli kiosk and picked up conveniently on the day of your event.

With so many options to choose from and such variety between locations, it can be overwhelming to decide which party platters are worth the hype. Fear not! We've embarked on a mission to rank Costco's party platters from worst to first, ensuring that you know exactly which platters deserve a place on your event menu. The ranking of these platters was based on our own set of criteria, as well as customer reviews that were posted on websites such as Reddit and Costco Food Database. Full details on our methodology can be found at the bottom of the article. Until then, let's see how these Costco party platters stack up against one another.

Before Costco party platters can be enjoyed, they must be ordered. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there is no way of ordering a platter online. Instead, shoppers must visit their local Costco 24 hours before they wish to pick up their order — 48 hours for some products, including sponge cakes — and fill out a form. In this form, customers select what they want to order and when they wish to pick it up. The form is placed in a box where it's collected by employees. You must be a Costco member to use this service and you must list your Costco membership number on the form to reserve your order.

Some stores may allow customers to pre-order party platters over the phone, but this is at each store's discretion. Likewise, some party platters are made up and placed on shelves for anyone to pick up. However, if you are hosting an event, we highly recommend pre-ordering to ensure that you get the exact amount and type of Costco party platters you desire.

If you want to mark your event with something special, Costco's Decorated Sponge Cake is sure to capture your attention. This customizable delight, priced at $27.98, serves 48 people with a 2x2-inch slice per person. The bakery offers 2-pound vanilla or chocolate sheet sponge cakes, with options for vanilla mousse, chocolate mousse, or raspberry fillings (depending on location), iced with either chocolate or vanilla buttercream frosting, leaving you with multiple combinations to create the perfect cake for your celebration. 

Also offered are personalized inscriptions, and a variety of cake decorations to customize your cake to any theme, making it a charming centerpiece for any celebration. Some of these fun decorations include balloons, a smiling sun, rainbows, roses, various sports paraphernalia, crosses, graduation caps, and many more!

To order a customized cake for your next celebration, simply visit the bakery of your nearest Costco and fill out an ordering form two days in advance. Costco Customer Service guarantees that "this is all to ensure that you're getting exactly what you want!" 

For those seeking a healthier option, Costco's platter-style Vegetable Tray is a colorful and refreshing choice. The trays are produced by one of the company's many exclusive partnered brands, Eat Smart. Priced at only $9.49, this tray features 4 pounds of fresh, crunchy vegetables with a side of Country Ranch dressing. The veggies are a perfect assortment of crisp carrots chips, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas. Not only does it add a vibrant, aesthetic touch to your party spread, but it also provides a guilt-free snacking option for your guests.

Unlike some of the other options on this list, these fresh vegetable trays are conveniently available daily, and ready to go for those more impulsive, spur-of-the-moment get-togethers. Just visit the produce section, grab a tray, bring it home, and it's ready to serve. The only choice you have to make is whether to go with the country ranch provided or your own favorite dip!

Costco's fruit, meat, and cheese platter was rolled out as a replacement for the brand's popular meat and cheese party platter. This new option, which was released towards the end of 2023, contains cubes of cheddar and gouda alongside salami, soppressata, and both green and red grapes. At $13.49 per pound, or $39.99 in total, this abundance of food seems like a great deal. However, several Costco customers disagree.

Some customers have criticized the high price of this party platter, pointing out that, if they were to buy the ingredients separately, the cost would be much lower. One customer wrote on Reddit: "For anyone wondering, I had gotten it a couple weeks back. It is not worth the price. Would advise against getting it unless you have no other options and need something quick."

That being said, other customers have defended the platter, saying that the sheer volume of food that customers receive — and the fact it's all prepackaged — more than justifies the price. While the convenience of having all the food packaged is undeniable, the divided response to this party platter sees it rank toward the bottom of this article.

Nature's sweetness takes center stage with our next party platter — the Costco Fresh Cut Fruit Bowl. This refreshing assortment of seasonal fruits serves up to 24 people and only costs about $10.99. From succulent melons to juicy berries, the variety and quality of the fruit will impress your guests. Much like the Vegetable Tray, the vibrant colors and natural flavors of the fruit tray make this platter a must-have addition to any celebration.

Featuring seasonal fruits, and depending on the store's location, this assortment typically includes grapes, strawberries, pineapples, and a variety of melons. An ever-popular choice, one Costco Food Database reviewer calls this fruit bowl a "great value" and states "each member of my family gets the fruit they like...[m]y wife loves the melons which [are] the best in the market" and that they "enjoy all of it." This may seem like an afterthought snack for parties, but there are always going to be fruit-loving people, and any good event caters to the needs of all guests.

A chicken wing party platter makes complete sense, given that the food is an eternally popular option at events. Costco has tried to take advantage of this by selling a platter of ready-to-eat chicken wings. Unlike Costco's other chicken platter, these wings are not coated in buffalo sauce, but a garlic pepper seasoning. For some people, the lack of sauce is a problem. They think the chicken lacks flavor, while others have described the taste of the seasoning blend as weird and even fishy. However, these criticisms should be taken with a pinch of salt; some professional critics have described the wings as having a pleasantly balanced flavor profile. 

What most customers can agree on is that the chicken skin usually goes soggy due to the wings being stored in a plastic container. This, however, does nothing to take away from the fact that the chicken is well-cooked, and that customers get a decent number of chicken wings at the fair price of less than $7 per pound.

A further attraction of the wings is that buying them saves individuals a lot of time and hassle. While people could easily whip up a replica of Costco's fruit, meat, and cheese platter, producing this number of quality chicken wings would take a lot of time and skill. Hence why so many people opt to buy Costco's chicken wing platter instead of the brand's other party platter options.

Next up is the Sushi Platter. Priced at $36.99 and designed to serve 24 people, Costco's Sushi Platter offers an assortment of sushi rolls that aim to satisfy a variety of taste preferences. From classic favorites like salmon and spicy tuna rolls to more unique options like crispy chicken and vegetable tempura rolls, this platter provides a diverse range of flavors to cater to different tastes. The platter comes with 24, 32, 34, 42, or 50 pieces, and you can select the type of sushi you'd like included.

However, the quality and execution of the sushi have been subjects of debate among customers. While some rave about the freshness and taste of the rolls, others have expressed their overall dissatisfaction and concerns about the texture. These mixed reviews may be attributed to the challenges of maintaining the integrity of authentic sushi in a mass-produced setting.

Costco's inclusion of the Sushi Platter in its catering offerings showcases its commitment to providing a wide range of options to suit all preferences. While it may not have secured a higher position on our list due to the varied customer experiences, the Sushi Platter still offers an opportunity for a unique addition to your next party.

One of Costco's most beloved party platters, the croissant sandwich platter, has been replaced by the brand's sprouted grain sandwich platter. As the name suggests, these sandwiches are not encased in pastry, but wholesome bread made from sprouted grain. The sandwiches included in this platter boast fillings like roasted chicken and roast beef. Two sauces are also included in the platter: Dijon mayo and basil pesto. Retailing at $47.99, the platter is not exactly cheap, but this price is understandable, given that it feeds up to 24 people.

The sprouted grain sandwich platter has been a hit with Costco customers, some of whom have even said that they prefer the new offering to Costco's beloved croissant sandwiches. One happy customer wrote on Reddit: "We got the sprouted grain sandwiches for my baby shower a few weeks ago and they were actually really good! They still have the pesto and Dijon mayo like the croissants. I feel like the meat/cheese/bread ratio was better than the croissants as well. They're pretty decent sized too." This customer is not wrong; others have mentioned that the sprouted grain sandwiches are both large and generously filled.

However, not every review of the sprouted grain sandwich platter is positive. Some customers complain that the sandwiches fall apart too easily and that the bread itself is bland, hence why this platter didn't quite crack the top three of our ranking.

Add a fiery kick to your party with Costco's Buffalo Wings Platter. This spicy delight is a crowd-pleaser that promises to ignite your taste buds. Priced at $41.97 and serving 15 people, this platter brings the heat with a side of classic blue cheese dip, providing the perfect balance to cool down the flames. 

With a generous portion size and an enticing price point, the Buffalo Wings Platter guarantees that no one leaves the party hungry. The wings are pre-chilled and ready to be heated, ensuring an authentically crispy experience for your guests. They cook crispy on the outside, while the succulent meat on the inside is perfectly seasoned with that unmistakable buffalo sauce tang. 

Among many 5-star reviews on Costco's website, one customer described the wing platter as: "Tasty, generous helping, easy to bake. Took away the hassle of cooking a chicken starter at a recent party." It's the perfect addition to any celebration, providing a burst of flavor that will have your guests reaching for more.

The Assorted Hye Roller Platter features a range of mouthwatering options, including chicken and vegetarian choices. Each roll is carefully crafted, combining premium ingredients to create a symphony of flavors in every bite. And while it may not be as readily available in Costco stores in the United States, those fortunate enough to find it (mostly at Australian Costcos) can indulge in a diverse assortment of delightful flavors. This 36-piece platter of mouthwatering rollers features an assortment of chicken Caesar, Sriracha chicken, and vegetarian wraps, all with a creamy hummus spread.

Priced at a reasonable $39.99, or about $1 per person, the wraps are conveniently cut into individual, hand-held sections. The variety of fillings provides a delightful range of tastes, ensuring there's something to satisfy everyone's cravings. If you find yourself traveling abroad, keep an eye out for this global delight that encapsulates the diverse flavors and international appeal of Costco's offerings.

Seafood lovers rejoice! Costco's Shrimp Platter is a tantalizing option for your party guests. Served chilled, and featuring plump shrimp, this platter serves 20 to 24 people at a cost of $39.99. The shrimp are cooked to perfection, delivering a burst of succulent flavor in every bite. Pair them with the accompanying cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges for a delightful combination that will have your taste buds singing.

The entire platter consists of 3-½ pounds of Kirkland Signature 31/40 Tail-on Shrimp. While that amount of uncooked shrimp at Costco would cost slightly less (by about $5), the added convenience of having them cooked and served with its sides more than make up for that difference. This item must also be ordered 24 hours in advance.

One Reddit reviewer points out the successful event combination of the Shrimp Platter: "The Swiss/chicken rolls are the same that are sold in the smaller containers if you want to give them a try. I get the party platter size along with the shrimp platter often for community events and both are always a hit."

We ranked the party platters after referring to a number of customer reviews posted on sites including Reddit and Costco Food Database. Aside from reviews, we also took into account the platters' prices, and whether customers perceived them to be good value for money or not. Those platters that appeared to be simple (and much cheaper to recreate at home) ranked towards the bottom of our ranking, while those that would be difficult to make at home (and boasted good value for money) ranked towards the top.