The Retro Holiday Appetizer You Should Only Buy at Costco

The days are getting shorter, the nights are bitterly cold, and the songs on the car radio are more nostalgic than ever. All that means one thing: The holidays are fully upon us.

The winter holidays bring with them time to enjoy family and friends and reflect on the past year. For me at least, it’s the sentimental peak of the year. Given that, it’s no wonder that certain retro appetizers seem to have a magnetic pull on me at these winter gatherings. I grew up on a holiday diet of pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, and, of course, shrimp cocktail.

The classic chilled seafood app isn’t cheap—which is why I turn to Costco when I want to serve up this throwback app.

Why Shrimp Cocktail Is a Holiday Must

Shrimp cocktail is one of those perfect holiday appetizers—it feels special, it’s easy to eat, and it can be presented beautifully. It’s no surprise this mid-century treat has had decades-long staying power. 

As a kid, eating shrimp cocktail made me feel like a grown-up. Now, if I want to enjoy the sweet taste of nostalgia, I need to procure the crustaceans. That is, of course, where Costco comes in.

While I can always prepare shrimp cocktail myself, deveining and peeling shrimp is just not a task I enjoy. Luckily, in the wide world of subpar prepared shrimp cocktail, Costco stands head and shoulders above—or perhaps better to say head and tail above—its competitors.

Why You Should Buy Costco’s Shrimp Cocktail

Costco’s shrimp cocktail wins major points for the shrimp themselves—they’re large and juicy, with no off-flavors. Typically, when I’ve come across grocery-store shrimp cocktail, I’ve been scared off by its puny size and unattractive color.

Less-than-stellar shrimp cocktail can also be marked by its rubbery texture and lack of flavor; shrimp are mild, but should have a subtle sweetness. Costco’s shrimp have the firm, snappy texture I’m looking for as well as delicate, fresh flavor.

There’s about one pound of shrimp in the package, with about 21 to 25 shrimp. The package also includes a few lemon wedges and cocktail sauce for serving. One thing to note: The cocktail sauce is on the sweeter side, so you may want to supplement with your preferred brand, or make your own, if you’re up to it.

The whole package runs about $20, but the cost will fluctuate slightly depending on the total weight. It’s more expensive than buying a bag of Costco’s frozen cooked shrimp (a 2-pound bag of similarly sized cooked shrimp will run you about $22), but the convenience of the ready-to-eat version can’t be overlooked. Plus, if you transfer the shrimp to a martini glass filled with cocktail sauce, the throwback vibes will be so potent that you and your guests will forget the fact that it wasn’t all done from scratch.

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