The 37 Best Costco Appetizers and Party Foods

Entertaining is always easier when you plan a finger food menu instead of a big, complicated sit-down meal. Everyone will find something they like and eat as little or as much as they want, all while mingling and drinking. For a diverse but frugal menu of fresh and frozen appetizers, dipping sauces, party platters, treats, and bite-sized snacks, grab some top-rated Costco party food. Here are the best Costco appetizers for the holidays, Super Bowl parties, and beyond. 

Not a Costco member? Apply here.

Prices and availability are subject to change. Prices may vary in-store.

Around $17 per package

No holiday gathering is complete without shrimp cocktail. Costco does all the work for you with its deli-made version. It comes with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges, but reviewers note that the sauce could use an extra dose of horseradish and lemon juice.

$11.89 for 24 ounces

Assemble your own grazing board and feed a crowd with this charcuterie package. It comes with an array of Italian cured meats including chorizo, calabrese, and peppered salame. It's a perfect addition to a charcuterie board. 

$11.99 for 48 pieces

Hot little fingers foods are always welcome at a holiday party. This box has bite-sized puff pastry bites in four flavors: roasted red pepper and cheddar, spinach and parmesan, caramelized onion and ricotta, and artichoke, jack, and jalapeno. Just pop them in the oven for a few minutes.

About $14 for 12

For a more substantial finger food there are these popular chicken and cheese roller sandwiches. Deli meat, cheese, vegetables, and spreads are rolled in a flatbread that's filling and delicious.

$14.79 for 46 ounces

There's about 60 meatballs in this refrigerated — not frozen — package. They're tangy, slightly spicy, and made with chicken instead of beef for fewer calories. Throw them in a crockpot with your favorite sauce and watch them get gobbled up.

$16.49 for 52 ounces

Chicken wings are expensive, which makes these fully cooked wings a steal. But beyond saving money, these wings taste great and are easy to prepare, coming fully cooked and ready to pop in your air fryer or oven. Toss them in your favorite hot sauce when they're done.

$17.99 for 30

Hidden in the frozen food aisle, you'll find these Japanese-style fried shrimp, which you can cook to a satisfying crisp in the oven, deep fryer, or air fryer. Dip them in cocktail sauce or try the included soy-based sauce.

$9.49 for 31 oz.

If you're a fan of sweet heat, this La Terra Fina dip is for you. It's made with cranberries and jalapenos in a creamy base that's got a medium heat level. Spread it on flatbread crackers, toasted baguette, or even dip chicken into it.

$15.99 for a 2-pack

You can't throw a party without a bowl of fancy olives. Costco sells these Spanish versions, which come pitted and stuffed with pimiento peppers. They can be used in martinis, too, and are a great deal at this price.

$15.69 for 5 lbs. (82-92 per package)

Mozzarella sticks are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These are made using mozzarella string cheese and can be popped into the air fryer for a quick party appetizer. Pair them with a marinara sauce, and you've got all the ingredients for a mouthwatering appetizer.

$14.99 for 3 lbs.

Chinese soup dumplings, also known as xiao long bao, are a unique restaurant-style addition to your holiday festivities. Just throw them in a steamer for 12 minutes and you'll have hot, juicy dumplings. 

$4.99

If you have extra time to prepare your hors d'oeuvres and are particularly frugal, consider picking up one of Costco's famous rotisserie chickens for a delicious meal. From no-bake pizza to rotisserie chicken salad, there are plenty of quick, easy, and cheap appetizers that make use of this year-round deal.

$11.99 for 22 ounces

Baked brie is a party staple, but it can be a pain to wrap it all up yourself. This refrigerated version topped with fig jam and walnuts takes all that fussy stuff out of the equation. Just pop it in the oven and serve with crackers and bread.

$19.99 for 36

People love crab cakes, but they're expensive and don't fit into a finger food setting. Both those problems are solved with these mini crab cakes. Set out some tartar sauce or remoulade for dipping.

$9.99 for 35 oz.

These pretzel sticks are addictive. And, since you can just pour them into a bowl and set 'em out, they're about the easiest party food to get into your party appetizer spread. They're also a great alternative to mixed nuts, whether you get them flavored or plain.

$14.89 for 2 lbs. 

Why did Swedish meatballs ever go out of style? These are fantastic because they're precooked with creamy gravy, and it even comes with sweet berry sauce. Just heat the tray up and serve them with toothpicks.

$14.99 for 2 lbs.

Coconut shrimp is another fun finger food that you usually only get in restaurants, so why not give it a try at home for the holidays? These breaded coconut shrimp come with sweet Thai chili sauce for dipping.

$13.89 for 3 lbs.

Mandu are Korean-style dumplings, similar to potstickers and gyoza. These big mandu are filled with sweet and savory beef bulgogi and vegetables for a Korean touch to your party.

$12.99 for 30

You can't go wrong with Tex-Mex snacks like these taquito-like Firecrackers. The crispy dough is filled with chicken, mild green chiles, and gooey monterrey jack cheese. Serve them with sour cream, guac, and salsa.

$12.99 for 22 ounces

Your cheese and charcuterie board is going to look extra put together if you include these little meat and cheese rolls. Each one has pepperoni, prosciutto, or soppressata rolled around fresh mozzarella. 

$5.89 for 34 oz.

Is any gathering complete without hummus served alongside a plate of olives? We think not. This organic version comes in a large tub that offers way more value than what you'd get at the regular grocery store. 

$5.99 for 19.4 ounces

Your guests are gonna need something carby to dip into their hummus, and serving Stonefire's mini naans won't even require you to break out a slicing knife. Easy peasy.

$5.99 for 40 oz. 

Even the party-size bags of tortilla chips at the regular grocery store are less than 20 ounces. With this monster bag, you're unlikely to run out of chips and it gives guests one more thing to load some delicious dips onto.

$9.99 for 21 ounces

Fancy up that charcuterie board a bit with a central display of imported French brie cheese. But, is it good? Some people certainly think so: "I'm impressed with how good it is compared to other more expensive bries," says one fan.

$23.99 for 29 ounces

There is never — never — too much cheese at any party, as far as we're concerned. If you're willing to spend a bit more to impress guests with some artisanal cheese, this flight offers five types: an alpine-style, aged cheddar, Iberico, pecorino, and fontal. Yum.

$12.99 for 2 pounds

If cheese is a necessity but you don't want to spend more than you have to, this pre-sliced option includes aged cheddar, jarlsberg, creamy havarti, and Dutch gouda.

$6.99 for 16 ounces

If you ever see this Toom Garlic Dip for sampling at your Costco, jump on it, because it's amazing. It's creamy and light and packed full of garlic flavor. It's great on its own (especially with those mini naan dippers) but it's also a great accompaniment to other things, like pizza or meatballs.

$9.99 for 16 ounces

The holidays are the time to pull out all the stops with seafood and other pricier dishes. This creamy, cheesy Big T Crab Dip will help everyone feel a little bit fancy. Crabmeat is the first ingredient listed, so you know they're not skimping on the seafood.

$16.99 for 48 

Go Mediterranean with the flavors of Greece with Costco's spanakopita. With four trays of 12, you can pop these in the oven (or air fryer!) as they start to run out. Either way, they take less than 20 minutes to get on the table.

$10.99 for 36.5 oz. 

With about 50 bites per package and four containers of dipping sauce — two cheese and two mustard — these tasty appetizers will almost certainly go fast. Even better? They take five minutes to prepare.

$13.99 for 36

Guests need sweets, too, and this macaron flight comes with six flavors: vanilla, pistachio, raspberry, chocolate, salted caramel, and red velvet. In other words, an array of flavors for pretty much any preference.

$6.99 for 16 ounces

A holiday goat cheese always makes an appearance at Costco in November and December. This year it's a cranberry and cinnamon version that's tart and tangy. It's an easy appetizer with crackers or bread.

$9.99 for 48 oz.

These fully cooked wontons are filled with chicken and cilantro. They just need a couple minutes in a pan or steamer, and the mini size makes them perfect party finger food. 

$8.89 for 32 ounces

Elote (aka Mexican street corn) is all the rage right now. This creamy dip has all the same flavors, with tangy lime, smoky chiles, and sharp cheeses. Serve it hot or cold with Fritos for dipping.

$16.99 for 72 pieces

Who says you can't have finger foods for brunch? Pop these classic Florentine and Swiss cheese and bacon flavored mini quiche into the oven pre-party — your house guests will love them.

$9.99 for two loaves

Doesn't this pull apart cheese bread sound amazing? The sourdough loaves (there's two!) come in their own tray for baking, and is filled with cheese, garlic, and herbs. Guests just pull it apart for ultimate cheese pulls. 

$39.99 for six sliders

OK, this one is a huge splurge, but there's no better time for that than the holidays. You get the ingredients for six sliders in this box, including brioche rolls, lobster meat, and lobster butter. You heat the lobster and the butter in a skillet, toast the rolls, and make them into decadent sandwiches.

For more great entertaining ideas and grocery tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.