Costco Has NEW Catering Options in 2026 — Here's What Changed

Costco just updated their catering menu for 2026 — and if you're hosting a party or small gathering, you're going to want to know about these changes. The biggest news? They've added a Croissant Chicken Salad Sandwich Platter to the lineup, giving you a fourth option alongside their classic party trays.

Here's another big change: Costco now has ready-made platters available to grab and go in some locations. That means you might be able to skip the preorder process altogether. But here's my advice: Preordering is still your best bet to make sure you'll find what you want in stock, in the quantity you need. No one wants to show up for a last-minute party platter only to find the deli case empty!

The not-so-great news? The Shrimp Platter jumped up to $55.99 (though you're getting more shrimp this year). Even with the price bump, you can still feed a crowd for as low as $1.67 - $3.75 per person with these premade party platters, which honestly beats paying restaurant or private catering prices.

And even though they don't have baked goods on the catering menu, I can teach you a few of my Costco Bakery secrets, plus recommend some Costco premade meals worth the cost (like their prepared salads and mac 'n' cheese).

What is Costco Catering?

Costco Catering is a service available to all Costco members that lets you pick up party platters for your events. There are four party platter options as of 2026: a fruit, meat, and cheese platter; a shrimp platter; a croissant chicken salad sandwich platter; and an artisan bread sandwich platter.

While some Costco locations now have ready-made platters available to grab and go from the deli case, you can also place advance orders to guarantee you'll get exactly what you need. To preorder, you'll need to fill out a paper form at Costco at least one day in advance of when you need it.

How to Order Costco Catering

While some Costco locations now stock ready-made party platters in the deli case that you can grab and go, I still recommend preordering if you're planning ahead. That way, you're guaranteed to get the platter you want in the quantity you need, especially if you're shopping close to a holiday or weekend.

And even in 2026, you still can't order Costco party trays online. They make you place your order in person by filling out a form located near the Costco Deli. It's a pretty similar process to how you order Costco sheet cakes from the Costco Bakery.

How to Place Your Preorder In-Store:

1. Go to the Deli or Bakery and look for the in-store kiosk that says "Order Party Platters Here" or "Deli Order Selection."

2. Fill out the form and include your pickup date (they need at least 24 hours advance notice).

3. Slip your form into the slot on the submission box.

4. Return to the Deli at the designated time to pick up your order.

5. Pay for your order in the regular checkout lines.

KCL TIP: If you don't want to trek to Costco to place your order, try calling your local store instead. Choose the option for the Deli department, explain what you need, and they'll most likely accept your order over the phone.

What foods can you get through Costco Catering?

The Costco Catering menu is small but mighty — there are only four types of party platters you can choose from as of January 2026.

According to a Costco employee I spoke with, their most popular party platter is the Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter, and that's also one of the best values if you look at the cost per serving. Just keep in mind that the Fruit, Meat,and Cheese Platter doesn't include crackers, so you'll need to buy those separately.

The second-most popular option, according to the same employee, is the Shrimp Platter. Here's the thing though — this one's been getting pricier. The price has climbed by about $10 each year, but you're also getting about one pound more shrimp annually. As of January 2026, it's $55.99 for four pounds of shrimp.

Current Costco Catering Menu:

• Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter ($39.99, feeds 18 - 24): Includes slices of Italian salami, soppressata, red and green grapes, aged cheddar cubes, and aged Gouda cubes.

• Croissant Chicken Salad Sandwich Platter ($44.99, feeds 12 - 24): Includes chicken salad sandwiches (made with rotisserie chicken) on butter croissants, each topped with cheddar cheese and green leaf lettuce.

• Shrimp Platter ($55.99, feeds 24 - 28): Includes 5.25 pounds of shrimp, plus lemon wedges and three containers of cocktail sauce.

• Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter ($49.99, feeds 18 - 20): Includes roasted chicken, salami, and roast beef sandwiches, topped with slow-roasted tomatoes, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, and garlic herb aioli. Includes a container of pickle chips.

KCL TIP: If you need a few more items than Costco Catering offers, I recommend picking up some ready-made extras (like Costco's chocolate chip cookies or a premade salad) while you're at the warehouse. While these items might not be as freshly prepared as your catering order (check the "packed on" date), they're good in a pinch.

So is Costco Catering actually a good deal?

For game-day munchies, family birthdays, PTA meetings, or other laid-back events, Costco Catering is a solid option if you don't mind making a trip to the warehouse twice (once to place your order, and another time to pick it up). If you're shopping last-minute, you might get lucky and find a ready-made platter in the deli case. But if you're planning ahead, preordering ensures you'll get exactly what you need without the stress of hoping they have it in stock.

While their party platters consist of finger food fare — and they won't deliver to you — you can feed a crowd with freshly made food for a fraction of the cost you'd pay at a restaurant or from a private caterer. Just don't expect to be able to customize your order too much.

When you stack Costco up against Sam's Club, Costco wins on most fronts. Their chicken salad croissants beat Sam's on price. Sam's Club does edge them out slightly on fruit and cheese platters (though theirs doesn't include meat), but Costco absolutely crushes it on shrimp. Sam's Club's shrimp tray is way smaller and costs as much as $3.65 per serving — ouch — compared to Costco's $2 - $2.33 per serving.

Check out how they compare on the larger platter options:

Cost per Serving With Costco Platters

Cost per Serving With Sam's Club Platters

Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Catering

Do I need a membership for Costco Catering?

Yes, you need a Costco membership to order catering items (you have to show your membership card at the entrance when you go to place your order, and then again when you pick it up). They also ask you to include your membership number on the catering order form.

Does Costco still have pinwheel sandwiches?

Sadly, not anymore. Costco used to have a few more options on the catering menu — like the fan-favorite Chicken & Swiss Pinwheel Platter ($39.99) and a Meat & Cheese Platter ($26.99) — but these options disappeared from the catering menu at the end of 2023, according to shoppers.

So no more pinwheel sandwiches, and no meat and cheese platter without fruit. The pinwheel sandwiches were replaced by the Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter (which costs $10 more), and the meat and cheese platter was replaced with the Fruit, Meat & Cheese Platter (a whopping $13 more).

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Best Costco Prepared Meals

• How to Order Costco Sheet Cakes

• Costco's Food Court Menu and Prices