Costco Catering Trays Menu With Prices (Updated Guide)

There’s a very specific panic that sets in when you realize you’ve agreed to feed a crowd.

Maybe it’s a birthday that quietly doubled in size. An office lunch you volunteered for without thinking. A holiday dinner where “just bring something” somehow means food for thirty people. However it happened, you’re now staring down a headcount and a shrinking timeline, and cooking everything yourself is no longer a realistic option.

That’s usually when Costco comes to mind.

Not because it’s glamorous. Because it works. Costco catering trays have quietly shown up at more Super Bowl parties, graduation dinners, office lunches, and last-minute holiday spreads than most people realize, and there’s a reason the same hosts keep going back. The portions are real. The pricing holds up. And the process, once you know it, is simple enough that ordering stops feeling like a project.

This guide covers the full costco catering trays menu with prices as of 2026, what’s actually worth ordering, how the ordering process works, what changed in the last few years, and how to avoid the mistakes that turn a straightforward pickup into a stressful one.

Does Costco Do Catering Trays? Here’s the Honest Answer

Yes. But it’s worth knowing exactly what that means before you show up expecting a full-service experience.

Costco does not send staff. There’s no on-site setup, no servers, no delivery. What Costco offers is a pre-order system through its deli department: you place your order in-store, come back at the agreed time, and pick up ready-made platters sized for groups. That’s the whole model.

Does costco have catering trays? Yes. Do they cater in the traditional sense? No. And that distinction matters when you’re planning around it.

For most hosts, the self-serve format is actually the appeal. There are no vendor timelines to coordinate, no service minimums, no gratuity built into the bill. You pick up the trays, you set them out, guests eat. The simplicity is the product.

Costco catering trays work well for: office lunches, family gatherings, game nights, holiday parties, graduation events, and any occasion where you need to feed a lot of people reliably without running a kitchen or calling a caterer. They work less well for formal plated dinners, events with complex dietary restrictions, or situations where presentation is a central concern.

The Costco Catering Trays Menu: What’s Currently Available

The costco catering trays menu is leaner than it used to be. After Costco streamlined its deli catering program in late 2023, removing the Chicken and Swiss Pinwheel Platter and the standalone Meat and Cheese Platter from the pre-order system, the lineup settled into four core platters. Many U.S. warehouses currently carry all four, though availability can vary by location.

No pdf, no online menu. The costco catering menu lives at the deli kiosk in-store, and that’s intentional. If you find a costco catering menu 2026 pdf floating around online, assume it’s outdated or third-party.

Many U.S. warehouses currently offer these platters, though availability varies by location. Here’s what’s on the menu at most locations:

Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter

Roasted chicken, salami, and roast beef on artisan bread, with slow-roasted tomatoes, Swiss and cheddar, garlic herb aioli, and a container of pickle chips.

Serves 18 to 20. Price: $49.99.

This is the most filling option on the menu and the one that works hardest as a standalone meal. The variety of proteins means there’s something for almost everyone, and the aioli on artisan bread makes it feel more intentional than a standard sandwich tray. It’s the platter I’d put out first if I wanted guests to feel like someone actually thought about the food.

Croissant Sandwich Platter

Some warehouses currently offer a croissant-based sandwich platter, though fillings vary by location. Common proteins reported include chicken, ham, and roast beef. The croissant format tends to be popular at casual events where guests are grazing rather than sitting down, and the portions move fast.

Availability and pricing on this platter vary more than the others. Check with your local deli when placing your order to confirm what’s currently offered at your warehouse.

Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter

Italian salami, soppressata, aged cheddar cubes, aged Gouda cubes, red and green grapes.

Serves 18 to 24. Price: $39.99.

This is the most versatile option on the menu because it works as an appetizer, a side, or the main grazing option depending on what else you’re serving. The cheese and meat combination is reliable at almost any event, and the grapes add enough freshness to keep it from feeling too heavy. It’s also the lowest cost per serving of the non-shrimp options.

Shrimp Platter

5.25 pounds of shrimp, lemon wedges, three containers of cocktail sauce.

Serves 24 to 28. Price: $55.99.

The most expensive platter, but also the best value by headcount. At $2 to $2.33 per person, the costco shrimp platter is genuinely hard to beat for what it delivers. Shrimp platters have a way of making any table look intentional, and this one moves fast once guests see it. If you’re ordering for a larger group and want one anchor item that gets attention, this is it.

Costco Catering Trays Menu With Prices (2026): Full Reference Table

Platter	What’s Included	Feeds	Price
Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter	Roasted chicken, salami, roast beef, artisan bread, Swiss, cheddar, garlic herb aioli, pickle chips	18 to 20	$49.99
Croissant Sandwich Platter	Butter croissants with protein fillings that vary by location (chicken, ham, or roast beef reported)	Varies	Confirm with local deli
Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter	Italian salami, soppressata, aged cheddar, aged Gouda, red and green grapes	18 to 24	$39.99
Shrimp Platter	5.25 lbs shrimp, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce (x3)	24 to 28	$55.99

Typical U.S. warehouse pricing as of 2026. Prices vary by location. Always confirm current pricing with your local Costco deli before placing your order.

What Happened to the Pinwheel Platter and Standalone Meat and Cheese?

A lot of people searching the costco catering trays menu are still looking for the Chicken and Swiss Pinwheel Platter. Many Costco warehouses no longer include it on their catering order forms, though ready-made pinwheel products may still be available in the deli at some locations.

If you specifically want pinwheels for a large event, the practical workaround is buying multiple grab-and-go packages the morning of your event. It avoids the pre-order lead time requirement and you can confirm availability same-day.

The Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter now fills part of the gap left by the old charcuterie-style options. It’s not identical, but it covers the same function at a similar price point.

Deli Add-Ons to Round Out Your Spread

The four catering platters are the pre-order system. But Costco’s deli and produce sections have additional items worth knowing about if you want to build out a fuller table without hiring anyone.

The veggie tray sits in the produce section and runs around $11.99 for approximately four pounds of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, and ranch dip. No pre-order needed. It’s always ready to grab, and it’s one of the most underrated additions to a mixed spread because it covers lighter eaters without requiring any thought.

The fresh fruit bowl in the prepared foods area is another easy grab-and-go option. At select locations, you’ll also find an Asian chicken wrap by the pound, a Caesar salad kit, and cilantro lime shrimp in the ready-made section. These aren’t part of the catering pre-order system, but they fill gaps well when you want variety.

The key distinction: the four official costco catering trays require advance orders and are made fresh for your pickup date. Everything else in the deli and produce section is available same-day, no form required.

Costco Catering Menu Canada: What’s Different North of the Border

The costco catering menu canada follows the same general structure as the US with a few regional differences worth knowing before you visit.

Many Canadian Costco locations carry the artisan sandwich platter, the shrimp platter, a meat and cheese option, a fruit platter, and a veggie tray. Select Canadian warehouses also offer sushi platters and additional prepared-food options such as chicken wing trays, though availability varies significantly by location. A Charcuterie Kit is available through Costco.ca for $159.99 CAD that ships directly and serves 6 to 8 people, though that’s an online order rather than a deli pickup.

Canadian pricing is in CAD and varies by province. The ordering process mirrors the US: in-person at the deli kiosk, paper form, 24 to 48 hours notice minimum. Some busier urban locations need more lead time, especially on weekends or near holidays.

Feature	Costco Canada	Costco US
Ordering method	In-store or by phone	In-store or by phone
Online ordering	Not available (Charcuterie Kit ships from Costco.ca)	Not available
Currency	CAD	USD
Delivery	Not available	Not available
Advance notice	24 to 48 hours minimum	24 hours minimum
Standard platters	Sandwich, shrimp, meat/cheese, fruit, veggie	4 core platters
Select location extras	Sushi, chicken wings, and other prepared-food options (varies by warehouse)	Sushi, chicken wings (varies by warehouse)

No dedicated costco catering menu canada pdf exists. Your local warehouse is the authoritative source. Call the deli department ahead of time, ask what’s currently available and at what price, and confirm the lead time your specific location needs.

How to Order Costco Catering Trays: Step by Step

A lot of people assume Costco catering works like a restaurant delivery. It doesn’t, and showing up expecting to grab catering trays off a shelf will leave you empty-handed.

Here’s how the process actually works.

Step 1: Go to the Costco deli kiosk in-store. Have your Costco membership available when ordering.

Step 2: Pick up the paper order form at the kiosk. Fill it out with your platter selections, quantity, pickup date, and contact information.

Step 3: Drop the completed form in the submission box at the deli. Some locations will also take orders by phone if you call the deli department directly, though in-person submission is generally more reliable.

Step 4: Pick up your order at the agreed time. Give yourself a buffer, especially during holiday periods.

The minimum lead time is 24 hours at most locations. During peak periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas, graduation season, and major holidays, lead time can stretch to 48 hours or more. Popular platters sometimes sell out. Ordering earlier than you think you need to is not overcautious, it’s just smart.

Can you order costco catering online? No. As of 2026, there is no online ordering system for Costco deli catering trays. No costco catering menu pdf to download, no cart to fill, no delivery option. In-store is the only route.

For a full walkthrough with additional tips: how to order costco party platters

Costco Catering Trays vs. Other Options: An Honest Comparison

People compare Costco catering trays to everything from Sam’s Club and Walmart to full-service caterers. Here’s a realistic breakdown of where Costco actually stands.

Factor	Costco Catering Trays	Walmart Catering	Sam’s Club Catering	Full-Service Catering
Price per person	Low to moderate	Low	Low to moderate	High
Portion sizes	Large	Medium	Large	Variable
Menu variety	Limited (4 platters)	Moderate	Moderate	High
Customization	Minimal	Limited	Limited	High
Ordering method	In-store only	Online and in-store	Online and in-store	Varies
Lead time needed	24 to 48 hours	Varies	Varies	Days to weeks
Best for	Big groups, value, reliability	Budget events, convenience	Large-format value	Formal events, dietary needs

Costco wins on portion size and price per person. Where it falls short is customization, online ordering, and menu variety. If you’re feeding 30 or more people on a reasonable budget and don’t need special accommodations, Costco catering trays are hard to beat. If you need dietary customization or want event-day delivery, you’re looking at a different solution.

How Many Costco Catering Trays Do You Actually Need?

Under-ordering is the most common mistake hosts make. Costco party platters are generous, but grazing adds up, and people eat more at social events than they do at a table.

A practical framework:

Event Type	Guests	Recommended Trays
Light grazing (apps, not a meal)	20 to 25	1 to 2 trays
Mixed spread (some other food)	30 to 40	2 to 3 trays
Platters as the main food	40 to 50	3 to 4 trays
Large event, platters as primary	50 to 75	5 to 6 trays

For 50 people where the catering trays are the primary food source, three to four platters is a realistic starting point. A common combination: the artisan sandwich platter, the shrimp platter, and the fruit, meat, and cheese platter. If the platters are part of a larger spread with other dishes, two platters cover a crowd of 40 comfortably.

Variety matters more than volume. A table with three different costco catering trays keeps people engaged and coming back. A table with two of the same tray, even a good one, gets ignored after the first round.

Best Costco Catering Trays for Different Types of Events

Not every event eats the same way, and matching the tray to the occasion is part of getting it right.

Office lunches and corporate events: Stick to the costco catering sandwich trays, either the artisan bread version or the croissant chicken salad, plus a fruit or veggie tray. People at office events want food that’s easy to eat without making a mess, and sandwiches stay in that lane. Avoid the shrimp platter for office settings unless you know the space can handle it.

Family holidays and home gatherings: This is where variety wins. The fruit, meat, and cheese platter plus the artisan sandwich platter plus a homemade dish creates a table that feels assembled with intention rather than just ordered. Holiday guests graze in waves, which is exactly how Costco party platters are designed to be eaten.

Game nights and casual parties: Croissant-style sandwich platters (where available at your warehouse) and the shrimp platter both work here because they’re hand-held and social. These are the trays that disappear fastest at casual events. Order more than you think you need.

Large celebrations and graduation parties: Go for scale. Two or three different platters, prioritize the shrimp platter for the visual impact it delivers at large spreads, and add grab-and-go veggie and fruit trays from the produce section to round things out without adding to the pre-order complexity.

Storage, Transport, and Setup: Small Details That Matter

Costco catering trays are built for transport, but a few things make the difference between smooth pickup and a stressful one.

Keep trays refrigerated until close to serving. Most platters need to be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below until you’re ready to set them out. If your event is more than 30 to 45 minutes from the store, bring a cooler.

Use a flat surface in your car. Platters with lids are stable but not spill-proof if they slide. Trunk space with a flat floor is better than a back seat.

Have serving tongs ready. Not every tray includes serving utensils. Bringing your own means setup happens faster once you’re at the venue.

Check the lids before you leave the store. Catering trays with lids from Costco are generally well-sealed, but worth a quick check before loading the car. A loose lid on a shrimp platter is the kind of thing you find out about twenty minutes down the highway.

Why We Think Costco Catering Still Wins in 2026

We’ve done the math. We’ve watched hosts exhaust themselves trying to cook everything, and we’ve watched other hosts pull off genuinely good spreads without ever turning on a stove.

At Bites by Braxtons, we’re in the business of feeding people well, so we pay attention to what works at scale. Costco catering trays work. Not because they’re fancy, but because they solve the actual problem: reliable food, appropriate volume, predictable cost, and a process simple enough to repeat.

For events where you want professional catering, a personalized menu, and someone who handles logistics end to end, that’s what we do. Our full-service BBQ catering covers the CT, NY, and NJ tri-state area, and we build every event menu around what the occasion actually calls for.

But for the hosts who want a dependable base, whether to anchor their own cooking or cover a large crowd at a fraction of full-service pricing, Costco catering trays are a smart starting point and we’re not too proud to say so.

Get in touch to learn more about what full-service BBQ catering looks like for your event.

Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Catering Trays

Final Thoughts on Costco Catering Trays in 2026

Here’s what holds up about Costco catering, even as everything else gets more complicated and expensive: the math stays honest.

You know what you’re getting. You know roughly what it will cost. You know it will feed the number of people on the form. In a world where food costs keep climbing and time keeps shrinking, that kind of predictability is genuinely valuable, not just convenient.

The platters aren’t trying to impress anyone. They’re trying to feed people well, at scale, without drama. And for most events, that’s exactly what you need. The hosts who enjoy their own parties the most are the ones who figured out which parts of the event to take off their plate, and Costco catering trays are one of the cleanest ways to do that.

Order early. Pick the right trays for the type of event. Bring a cooler if it’s a drive. And don’t underestimate how much people eat when they’re relaxed and having a good time.

Pricing estimates in this article reflect general market ranges as of early 2026 and will vary by region, location, and availability. Always confirm current pricing and platter options directly with your local Costco deli before placing your order.

Curated by Bites by Braxtons,
Flavorful beginnings, unforgettable endings.