There are some party foods that show up, get politely eaten, and then forgotten. And then there are foods that disappear before the napkins are even unfolded. The Costco shrimp platter falls firmly into the second category.
I’ve seen it happen at birthday parties, holiday dinners, Super Bowl spreads, graduation receptions, and casual backyard cookouts. Someone sets down that tray of cold, tail-on shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges, and within twenty minutes it looks like it was never there. Every single time.
If you’re planning an event and wondering whether the Costco shrimp cocktail platter is actually worth the price, how much it costs in 2026, how many people it feeds, what the nutritional breakdown looks like, and how to order one without any surprises, this guide covers all of it. No guessing. No outdated numbers. Just the real information you need to make a good call.
What Is the Costco Shrimp Platter?
The Costco shrimp platter is a pre-made, ready-to-serve catering tray available through the Costco deli department. It’s one of four party platters on the official 2026 Costco catering menu, alongside the Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter, the Croissant Chicken Salad Sandwich Platter, and the Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter.
What makes the Costco shrimp cocktail platter stand out from the rest of the lineup is the sheer weight-to-value ratio. You’re getting 5.25 pounds of fully cooked, peeled, deveined, tail-on shrimp in the 21/25 count size, which means large shrimp, not the small stuff. The platter comes with three containers of horseradish cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges. Everything arrives chilled and ready to serve.
It’s not a glamorous platter. There’s no elaborate garnish, no custom arrangement, no gourmet upgrade. What it is, consistently, is a generous amount of quality shrimp at a price that beats nearly every other option available for a crowd.
Costco Shrimp Platter Price in 2026
The Costco shrimp platter price as of 2026 is $55.99. That’s up from previous years, but importantly, the weight increased alongside the price. You’re now getting 5.25 pounds of shrimp compared to the 3.5 to 4 pound trays of prior years. The per-pound value has actually held steady despite the sticker increase.
At $55.99 for a platter that feeds 24 to 28 people, the per-person cost lands at roughly $2.00 to $2.33. To put that in perspective: a bag of frozen cocktail shrimp from a grocery store runs $12 to $18 per pound depending on brand and size. Costco’s catering platter works out to approximately $10.66 per pound of finished, ready-to-serve shrimp, cocktail sauce and lemon included.
Costco also sells shrimp by the pound through the deli at $10.99 per pound for smaller ready-made trays. These are grab-and-go, no preorder needed, and serve smaller groups. If you need a quick option for under 10 people or want to add a smaller shrimp tray alongside other food, the per-pound deli option is worth knowing about.
| Option | Price | Weight | Feeds | Per Person Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Shrimp Platter (catering) | $55.99 | 5.25 lbs | 24 to 28 | ~$2.00 to $2.33 |
| Costco Deli Shrimp (per lb) | $10.99/lb | ~1.3 lbs avg | 6 to 8 | ~$1.83 to $2.32 |
| Grocery store shrimp cocktail tray | $25 to $45 | 1.5 to 2 lbs | 8 to 12 | ~$3.00 to $5.00 |
| Restaurant appetizer portion | $18 to $28 | 4 to 6 oz | 1 to 2 | $12 to $18+ |
Price estimates reflect 2026 US market rates and vary by location. Always confirm current pricing with your local Costco deli department.
What You Actually Get Inside the Costco Shrimp Cocktail Platter
It’s worth slowing down here because the specifics matter when you’re feeding a crowd and counting on a particular experience.
The shrimp in the catering platter are 21/25 count, meaning 21 to 25 shrimp per pound. At 5.25 pounds, you’re looking at roughly 110 to 130 individual shrimp per platter. They’re fully cooked, peeled, deveined, and served tail-on, which is the standard presentation for cocktail shrimp. The tails make them easy to grab and dip, which is exactly what you want at a standing-around-the-table event.
The cocktail sauce that comes included is a horseradish-based sauce, three containers of it. It’s the standard variety, not anything gourmet, but it’s functional and most guests expect exactly that flavor profile with shrimp cocktail. Fresh lemon wedges round out the tray.
One practical note: the platter arrives cold and needs to stay that way. Shrimp spoils faster than most party foods once it comes to room temperature. Serve it directly from the fridge, keep it on ice if your event runs long, and don’t let it sit out past two hours.
| What’s Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | 21/25 count, fully cooked, peeled, deveined, tail-on |
| Weight | 5.25 lbs |
| Estimated shrimp count | 110 to 130 pieces |
| Cocktail sauce | Horseradish-style, 3 containers |
| Lemon | Fresh lemon wedges included |
| Serves | 24 to 28 guests |
| Serving style | Cold, ready to serve, no prep needed |
Costco Shrimp Cocktail Nutrition Facts
If you or your guests are tracking macros, watching sodium, or just curious about what’s in the Costco shrimp cocktail, the numbers are worth knowing. Shrimp is one of the best proteins you can put on a party spread from a nutritional standpoint.
Per 85g serving (about 3 ounces of cooked shrimp, or roughly 6 to 7 pieces at 21/25 count):
| Nutrient | Per 85g Serving (Shrimp Only) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 |
| Protein | 14g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g to 5g |
| Cholesterol | 100mg |
| Sodium | 825mg |
| Sugars | 4g |
A few things worth noting here. The calorie count is for the shrimp alone. The cocktail sauce adds carbohydrates and sugars, roughly 20 to 30 calories per tablespoon depending on how much sauce each guest uses. The sodium figure looks high because shrimp is naturally sodium-forward and the preparation process can add more. For guests on strict low-sodium diets, it’s worth flagging, but for most people at a casual event it’s not a concern.
The protein-to-calorie ratio on Costco cocktail shrimp is genuinely excellent. At 14 grams of protein per 80-calorie serving, it’s one of the leanest, highest-protein appetizers you can offer guests. People watching their intake actually tend to gravitate toward the shrimp tray, which is one of the quiet reasons it empties so fast.
For anyone managing shellfish allergies in your guest list: shrimp is a top allergen. Label the tray clearly and keep it away from cross-contamination with other platters if you have guests with severe shellfish sensitivity.
Costco Shrimp Platter vs Costco Shrimp Ring: What’s the Difference?
This comes up often enough to deserve its own section. Costco sells shrimp in multiple formats, and it’s easy to confuse them.
The shrimp ring is a smaller, pre-packaged item usually found in the refrigerated section near the prepared foods. It typically weighs around 1.3 to 2 pounds and comes arranged in a circular ring with a sauce cup in the center. No preorder needed. Price runs around $10.99 to $14.99 depending on size and location. It works well for small gatherings or as an addition to a larger spread, but it won’t feed a crowd on its own.
The Costco shrimp platter is a catering-scale deli item. It requires a preorder (at least 24 hours in advance), weighs 5.25 pounds, feeds 24 to 28 people, and costs $55.99. It’s the right choice when shrimp is a featured item at your event rather than a supplemental appetizer.
The shrimp quality is similar between the two. The main difference is scale and convenience. Grab the ring for a last-minute situation or a small group. Order the platter when you’re feeding a crowd and want one less thing to worry about.
| Factor | Costco Shrimp Platter | Costco Shrimp Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $55.99 | $10.99 to $14.99 |
| Weight | 5.25 lbs | 1.3 to 2 lbs |
| Feeds | 24 to 28 | 6 to 10 |
| Ordering | Preorder required (24+ hrs) | Grab-and-go, no preorder |
| Best for | Events, parties, large groups | Small gatherings, last-minute |
Is the Costco Shrimp Platter Worth It in 2026?
Yes. With one important asterisk.
At $55.99 for 5.25 pounds of ready-to-serve shrimp cocktail that feeds nearly 30 people, the value math is genuinely hard to argue with. You’re paying roughly $10.66 per pound for prepared, chilled cocktail shrimp with sauce and lemon, no cooking, no peeling, no mess. That same quality shrimp, bought raw and prepared yourself, would run you $15 to $20 per pound in ingredients alone before factoring in your time.
The asterisk is this: if your crowd is heavily into seafood, one platter won’t be enough. I’ve watched a single Costco shrimp party platter disappear in under fifteen minutes at a party of twenty, before half the guests even made it through the door. Seafood fans pile on immediately. If shrimp is the headline of your spread, order two platters. If it’s one of several items and people are grazing across a full table, one is usually fine for 20 to 25 people.
Compared to restaurant catering or private caterer pricing for shrimp cocktail, which typically runs $8 to $15 per person just for the shrimp course, Costco’s $2.00 to $2.33 per person cost is not in the same conversation. For casual events where you need to feed a crowd affordably and well, it’s one of the strongest catering values available anywhere.
How to Order the Costco Shrimp Platter
Ordering is simple but requires a little planning ahead. As of 2026, the process works like this.
Visit your local Costco and head to the deli department. Look for the party platter order kiosk, a small stand near the deli counter that holds paper order forms. Fill out the form with your name, Costco membership number, the platter you want, the quantity, and your preferred pickup date and time. Drop the form in the submission box. Return at your pickup time, pay at the regular checkout, and you’re done.
Some locations will also accept orders over the phone if you call the deli department directly. It’s worth trying if you want to save a trip, though not every warehouse accommodates this.
You’ll need a valid Costco membership to order. Both the Gold Star membership ($65 per year) and the Executive membership ($130 per year) qualify. Your membership number goes on the order form and you’ll show your card at pickup.
One timing note that trips people up: Costco requires at least 24 hours advance notice for party platter orders. During peak periods like Thanksgiving week, Christmas, New Year’s, and major summer weekends, 48 to 72 hours notice is the safer target. The shrimp platter sells out first at busy locations. Don’t assume availability if you’re ordering close to a holiday.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit your Costco warehouse and go to the deli department |
| 2 | Find the party platter order kiosk and pick up an order form |
| 3 | Fill in your name, membership number, platter type, quantity, and pickup date |
| 4 | Drop the completed form in the submission box |
| 5 | Return at your pickup time and pay at the regular checkout |
| Timing | Minimum 24 hours notice; 48 to 72 hours for holidays or busy weekends |
| Membership required | Gold Star ($65/year) or Executive ($130/year) |
How to Serve the Costco Shrimp Cocktail Platter at Your Event
The platter arrives ready to open and place on a table, and for most events that’s exactly what you should do. A few serving details make a difference in practice.
Keep the tray refrigerated right up until you’re ready to serve. Don’t pull it out an hour early. Shrimp quality degrades noticeably at room temperature and food safety guidelines recommend not leaving cooked shrimp out for more than two hours. At a warm outdoor event, that window is shorter.
If you’re hosting a longer event or a cocktail-hour style spread where food sits out for a while, serve the shrimp over a larger tray of ice. Restaurant supply stores sell inexpensive ice serving trays, and this simple addition extends your food safety window and keeps the presentation sharp throughout the event.
The cocktail sauce that comes with the platter is functional but standard. A lot of hosts swap it out for a higher-quality store-bought sauce or make a quick homemade version. Some guests also appreciate a second dipping option alongside cocktail sauce: a creamy horseradish, a light remoulade, or even a simple lemon-herb aioli. None of this is necessary, but it adds a touch of hosting thoughtfulness that guests notice.
Tongs or a small serving fork alongside the tray makes self-service cleaner and less chaotic. Napkins within reach of the shrimp, not just at the main napkin station, is a small detail that keeps your tablecloth looking better.
How Many Costco Shrimp Platters Do You Need?
This is where most hosts underestimate. The official serving count is 24 to 28 guests per platter, and that’s accurate if shrimp is one of several items on a spread. If it’s the main event or if your crowd skews heavily seafood-forward, those numbers fall apart fast.
| Event Style | Guests | Recommended Platters |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp as part of a full spread (grazing) | Up to 28 | 1 platter |
| Shrimp as featured appetizer, mixed crowd | 20 to 25 | 1 platter |
| Seafood-heavy crowd, shrimp is the star | 15 to 20 | 1 platter |
| Large party, shrimp as part of spread | 40 to 55 | 2 platters |
| Large party, shrimp as featured item | 30 to 40 | 2 platters |
| Very large event (60+ guests) | 60+ | 3+ platters |
The safest rule: if you’re debating between one platter and two, order two. Leftover shrimp cocktail is a problem nobody actually complains about. Running out in the first ten minutes is a problem that everyone remembers.
When You Need More Than a Platter
The Costco shrimp cocktail platter is one of the best grab-and-go catering values available. But for events that need more than a single tray of shrimp, a full-service caterer changes the experience entirely.
At Bites by Braxtons, we handle full-service catering and event food across Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Whether you’re planning a corporate lunch, a wedding reception, a graduation party, or a private dinner, we build customized menus around your guest count, dietary needs, and budget. Our team handles everything from setup to service so you can actually be present at your own event instead of managing food logistics.
If you’re hosting something in the tri-state area and want catering that goes beyond party platters, we’d love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Costco Shrimp Platter
How much is the Costco shrimp platter in 2026?
The Costco shrimp platter is $55.99 as of 2026. That price includes 5.25 pounds of cooked, ready-to-serve shrimp, three containers of cocktail sauce, and fresh lemon wedges. The per-person cost works out to roughly $2.00 to $2.33 when feeding 24 to 28 guests.
How many shrimp are in the Costco shrimp platter?
The catering platter uses 21/25 count shrimp, meaning 21 to 25 shrimp per pound. At 5.25 pounds total weight, you’re looking at approximately 110 to 130 individual shrimp per platter, all fully cooked, peeled, and tail-on.
How do you order the Costco shrimp platter?
You order the Costco shrimp cocktail platter in person at the deli kiosk inside your local Costco warehouse. Fill out the paper party platter order form with your membership number, platter selection, quantity, and pickup date, then drop it in the submission box. At least 24 hours notice is required, and 48 to 72 hours is recommended during holidays or busy weekends.
Is the Costco shrimp cocktail already cooked?
Yes. The Costco shrimp platter comes fully cooked, chilled, and ready to eat straight from the tray. No heating or additional preparation is needed. Keep it refrigerated until serving and do not leave it out for more than two hours at room temperature.
How many calories are in the Costco shrimp cocktail?
Per 85g serving (approximately 6 to 7 shrimp), the Costco cocktail shrimp contains roughly 80 calories, 14g of protein, 0g of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. The cocktail sauce adds additional calories and sugars, around 20 to 30 calories per tablespoon. Total calorie count for the full platter will vary based on how much each guest eats.
Does Costco sell frozen shrimp separately?
Yes. Costco sells frozen shrimp in the freezer section, typically in 2-pound bags of raw peeled and deveined shrimp at various counts. These are separate from the deli catering platter and are not pre-cooked or arranged for party serving. They’re a cost-effective option if you prefer to cook and arrange shrimp yourself.
What cocktail sauce does Costco use on the shrimp platter?
The Costco shrimp platter comes with a standard horseradish-style cocktail sauce, included in three separate containers per platter. It’s a tomato-horseradish base with a mild to moderate heat level. Some hosts supplement or swap it with a preferred store-bought brand or a homemade version.
Can you order the Costco shrimp platter online?
As of 2026, party platter orders are primarily placed in person at the deli kiosk inside Costco warehouses. Costco announced app-based ordering functionality in early 2026 that may be rolling out at select locations. Check with your local warehouse for current ordering options.
What is the difference between the Costco shrimp platter and the shrimp ring?
The shrimp platter is a catering-size deli item weighing 5.25 pounds that feeds 24 to 28 guests at $55.99 and requires a preorder. The shrimp ring is a smaller ready-made item (typically 1.3 to 2 lbs) available grab-and-go in the refrigerated section, priced at $10.99 to $14.99. The ring works for small groups or last-minute needs. The platter is for events.
How long does the Costco shrimp platter last?
Unopened and refrigerated, the platter stays fresh until the sell-by date, typically three days from the pack date. Once opened and served, food safety guidelines recommend not leaving cooked shrimp at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the ambient temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is the Costco shrimp platter good for a party of 20?
Yes, one platter comfortably covers a mixed-food party of 20 to 25 guests where shrimp is one of several items on the table. If shrimp is the main attraction or your crowd includes serious seafood fans, consider ordering two platters. Running out before everyone gets some is the one hosting regret that’s easy to avoid.
Do you need a Costco membership to order the shrimp platter?
Yes. A valid Costco membership is required to enter the warehouse, fill out the catering order form, and pick up your order. Both the Gold Star ($65/year) and Executive ($130/year) memberships qualify. Your membership number goes on the order form.
Final Thoughts on the Costco Shrimp Platter
There’s a reason the Costco shrimp cocktail platter has been a reliable party staple for years. It’s not fancy. It doesn’t try to be. What it is, consistently, is a generous amount of quality shrimp at a price that genuinely surprises people when you tell them what you paid.
At $55.99 for 5.25 pounds that feeds up to 28 people, it works out to roughly $2 per guest for a shrimp cocktail appetizer. That’s the kind of math that makes event planning feel manageable instead of stressful. You pick it up, you open it, you put it on the table, and it becomes someone else’s job to enjoy it.
If you’re planning an event in 2026 and shrimp is on the menu, the Costco shrimp party tray deserves a serious look. Order early, keep it cold, and maybe order two if your crowd skews seafood-heavy. The only version of this that goes wrong is running out.
Pricing estimates in this article reflect verified 2026 rates as reported by Costco deli departments and reflect general US market pricing. Prices vary by region and location. Always confirm current pricing and availability with your local Costco warehouse before ordering.
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