The Best Places to Buy a Shrimp Cocktail Platter

A shrimp cocktail platter is the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering. It’s simple yet elegant, and who doesn’t love shrimp? However, finding a high-quality shrimp cocktail platter can be tricky. As a party planner and food blogger, I’ve tasted my fair share of sad, rubbery shrimp and watery cocktail sauces. Through trial and error, I’ve discovered the best places to buy ready-made shrimp cocktail platters that look beautiful and taste delicious.

In this article, I’ll share my picks for the top three stores to buy shrimp cocktail platters as well as tips on what to look for when selecting a platter. Whether you’re feeding a few friends or a whole party you’ll find the perfect shrimp cocktail platter after reading this.

Check Your Local Grocery Store Deli

Many grocery store deli sections sell ready-made shrimp cocktail platters This can be a quick and convenient option, especially if you’re already shopping for other party supplies. However, quality really varies from store to store I’ve had luck finding great shrimp platters at nice grocery stores like Whole Foods, Gelson’s and Bristol Farms. The key things I look for are

• Large, Fresh-Looking Shrimp: The shrimp should be plump and firm, not shriveled. Bright color is good too.

• Enough Cocktail Sauce: There needs to be sauce cups for dipping. Bonus if lemon wedges are included too.

• Crowd-Pleasing Size: Get a platter meant to serve 8-12 people for a party. For just a few people, the small platters are fine.

The prices at grocery store delis range from $13-$18 for their medium platters up to $40 for jumbo platters feeding 25+ people. Even if they’re a little pricier than the Costco or Sam’s Club versions, the quality can be worth it.

Order from Costco

Out of all the pre-made shrimp cocktail platters I’ve tried from big warehouse stores, Costco’s is hands-down the best. Here’s why it beats the competition:

• Giant Fresh Shrimp: The shrimp are huge and extra juicy and flavorful. You can tell they weren’t frozen.

• Great Value: For $15 you get over a pound of shrimp, which is enough for a party.

• Minimal Effort: Just open and serve. The shrimp are pre-arranged in a pretty flower shape.

The one negative is that the cocktail sauce is on the mild side. I solve that by adding a squirt of sriracha or horseradish to the sauce before serving. Overall, for convenience, quality and price, Costco’s shrimp cocktail platter is hard to beat.

Order from The Fresh Market’s Seafood Counter

The Fresh Market is a gourmet grocery store that puts care into all of their prepared foods. Their jumbo cocktail shrimp platter is no exception. Here’s what I love about it:

• Flavorful, Tender Shrimp: These shrimp are cooked perfectly in the shell and have a sweet, briny flavor.

• Specialty Cocktail Sauce: The sauce is thicker than most and has lots of horseradish kick.

• Garnished Platter: The shrimp are arranged on a bed of ice with fresh lemon wedges.

At $27 for a platter that serves 6-8 people, this is one of the pricier options. But the premium quality makes it worthwhile for a special occasion or holiday party where you want to impress. This platter really looks and tastes homemade.

How to Pick the Right Shrimp Cocktail Platter for You

Beyond where you buy it, there are a few other considerations when selecting a shrimp cocktail platter:

• Number of Guests: Look at the suggested serving size and buy accordingly. It’s better to have extra shrimp than run out.

• Frozen vs Fresh: Freezing preserves texture better but fresh shrimp have the best flavor. Both can be good.

• Presentation: Make sure the platter will look appetizing on your table or buffet spread.

• Allergies: If you have guests with shellfish allergies, look for pre-peeled options.