The 10 Best Costco Party Platters, Ranked for the Holidays

Turn your party spread into a full-on tasting experience.

These Costco platters are ranked, paired with desserts, and matched with simple games that spark conversation, friendly debate, and repeat trips to the buffet—no extra cooking required.

1. The “Cult Classic” Flight: Chicken & Swiss Rollers

• Rank: 🏆 #1 (The Unbeatable Favorite)

• The Platter: Soft Lahvash flatbread pinwheels filled with roasted chicken, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and the secret weapon: cranberry cream cheese.

• Why for a Taste Test: This is the specific item Chowhound reviewers admit to making “special trips” for.

  • The Activity: “The Secret Ingredient Guess.” Don’t tell guests about the cranberry cream cheese. Have them taste it and guess what the sweet/tangy element is. Most expect mayo or mustard, so the reveal is fun.

• Dessert Pairing: Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake.

  • Why: The rollers are doughy and savory/sweet. The Tuxedo cake (with its brownie chunks and mousse) provides a rich, dark chocolate contrast that feels like a “formal” finish to the casual pinwheel.

2. The “Blind” Pastry Flight: Cuisine Adventures Puff Pastry Bites

• Rank: 🥈 #2 (Best Variety)

• The Platter: A 48-count frozen box (found near appetizers) with four flavors: Spinach/Feta, Roasted Red Pepper, Onion/Ricotta, and Artichoke/Jalapeño.

• Why for a Taste Test: They often look identical when baked.

  • The Activity: “Puff Roulette.” Serve them mixed up on a platter. Guests pick one and have to guess the filling. Rate them 1-4 to see which flavor is the party favorite (Spoiler: The Caramelized Onion usually wins).

• Dessert Pairing: Peppermint Bark.

  • Why: The pastries are buttery and flaky. You need a dessert with “snap” to cut through the grease. The cool mint refreshes the palate after the jalapeño or onion bites.

3. The “Seafood Standard” Flight: Shrimp Cocktail Platter

• Rank: 🥉 #3 (Best Quality)

• The Platter: 4lbs of tail-on shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

• Why for a Taste Test: The Takeout claims these are “substantially better” than restaurant shrimp.

  • The Activity: “Sauce Boss.” The shrimp is the control variable. Provide the Costco cocktail sauce, a homemade spicy remoulade, and a melted butter dish. Have guests vote on the best dipping vessel.

• Dessert Pairing: Kirkland Signature Cheesecake (with Strawberries).

  • Why: A classic New York steakhouse combo. The acidity of the cheesecake and fresh strawberries balances the brine of the seafood.

4. The “Artisan” Bread Flight: Artisanal Sandwich Platter

• Rank: #4 (The Heavy Hitter)

• The Platter: Ciabatta/baguette-style sandwiches with roast beef, grilled chicken, and Grillo’s Pickles (a specific detail noted by The Takeout).

• Why for a Taste Test: It replaced the beloved Croissant platter, causing controversy.

  • The Activity: “The Bread Verdict.” Cut the sandwiches into quarters. Ask guests to rate the “chew” of the artisanal bread versus the softness of a standard roll. Does the “Garlic Herb Aioli” carry the dish?

• Dessert Pairing: Mini Cream Puffs (Frozen).

  • Why: The sandwiches are dense and filling (“Each one would make a decent meal,” says Reddit). You need a dessert that is light, airy, and bite-sized so guests don’t feel overstuffed.

5. The “Ranch Wars” Flight: Vegetable Tray

• Rank: #5 (Most Controversial)

• The Platter: Broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, and mini peppers with a large tub of Ranch dip.

• Why for a Taste Test: The reviews are polarized.

  • The Activity: “Truth in Ranch.” Chowhound rated this dead last (#7), calling it “boring.” The Takeout says the “Everything Ranch” is “the real deal.” Have guests vote: Is this the best store-bought ranch they’ve ever had, or just average?

• Dessert Pairing: Holiday Cookie Tray.

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  • Why: You just ate raw vegetables; you earned a cookie. The variety (Red Velvet, Toffee Sandie) adds the excitement that the veggie tray might lack.

6. The “Sommelier” Flight: Kirkland Cheese Flight

• Rank: #6 (Most Sophisticated)

• The Platter: A curated package of 5 specialty cheeses (Monteau, Manchego, Cheddar, etc.) often found in the specialty deli aisle.

• Why for a Taste Test: It comes with printed wine pairing notes.

  • The Activity: “Rank the Rind.” Provide a scorecard. Guests rate each cheese on “Creaminess,” “Sharpness,” and “Funk.”

• Dessert Pairing: Macarons (Tipiak Variety Pack).

  • Why: Keeps the French/European “Tasting Menu” vibe alive. The almond flour lightness pairs beautifully with heavy cheese.

7. The “Grazing” Flight: Fruit, Meat, & Cheese Platter

• Rank: #7 (The Safe Bet)

• The Platter: Cubes of Gouda and Cheddar, Salami slices, and grapes.

• Why for a Taste Test: It’s a DIY kit.

  • The Activity: “The Perfect Stack.” Provide three different crackers (water cracker, wheat thin, fruit crisp). Challenge guests to build the single best bite using one meat, one cheese, and one fruit.

• Dessert Pairing: Panettone or Fruitcake.

  • Why: Lean into the traditional holiday theme. The dried fruit in the cake echoes the grapes on the platter.

8. The “Heat” Flight: Buffalo Wings Platter

• Rank: #8 (Best Hot Option)

• The Platter: Garlic Pepper or Buffalo wings (Deli section) served with Blue Cheese.

• Why for a Taste Test: Heat tolerance varies wildly.

  • The Activity: “Blue vs. Ranch.” If you bought the Veggie Tray (#5), bring that Ranch over. Have a “Dip-Off” to settle the eternal debate: Do wings belong in Blue Cheese or Ranch?

• Dessert Pairing: Key Lime Pie.

  • Why: The tart, citrusy custard cuts through the spicy grease and cools the palate instantly.

9. The “Aesthetic” Flight: Vacaville Dried Fruit & Nut Board

• Rank: #9 (Best Visuals)

• The Platter: Apricots, mangoes, dates, and nuts arranged on a wooden board (which doubles as a gift).

• Why for a Taste Test: It’s a texture journey.

  • The Activity: “Sweet vs. Savory Nut.” Have guests pair a dried apricot with a cashew, then a date with a pistachio, and vote on the best combo.

• Dessert Pairing: Dark Chocolate Truffles.

  • Why: You don’t need a cake here. You want small, bitter-sweet chocolate bites to complement the natural sugar of the dried fruit.

10. The “Texture” Flight: Shrimp Salad (Tub/Platter)

• Rank: #10 (The Wild Card)

• The Platter: A bulk tub or platter of creamy shrimp salad (mayo-based).

• Why for a Taste Test: Chowhound liked the taste but hated the mechanics (“hard to eat”).

  • The Activity: “Cracker vs. Croissant.” Serve this with both the Costco Croissants and a hard cracker. Ask guests to vote on which vehicle makes the “messy” salad edible.

• Dessert Pairing: Lemon Meringue Pie.

  • Why: The lemon curd mirrors the lemon juice usually squeezed over shrimp, providing a bright, acidic finish to a creamy, heavy meal.