Vegan appetizers - the Costco edition

November 1, 2017 9:39 AM

Months ago I volunteered to provide the food for our local shelter's art fundraiser. Normally I'd cook, and enjoy it. However, work and life has thrown some curveballs, and it's become clear I'm overextended. The event is from 4-7 on a Saturday afternoon, so I'd been thinking mostly heavy, savory bites.

There's a minimal kitchen on site, but I live close enough to bake/warm things and bring them over and keep them mostly hot. What are your favorite vegan apps available at Costco? (really must be vegan - it's a decision by our local humane board) What would you avoid?

posted by korej to Food & Drink (13 answers total)

Best answer: If you need them to be pre-prepared, I'd say falafels.
Gardein has some delicious chick'n, beefless and crabless cake vegan offerings in various sauces, too!
posted by jillithd at 9:56 AM on November 1, 2017 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I suggest various Field Roast sausages serve sliced, with a few hearty mustard choices.
posted by jennstra at 10:00 AM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I generally enjoy hummus and guacamole as separate and distinct entities, but this stuff is quite good, if dips are an option. For individual snacks, maybe potstickers? These are best panfried but could be steamed or microwaved in a pinch.
posted by halation at 10:01 AM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Stuffed grape leaves, also this site.
posted by waving at 10:33 AM on November 1, 2017 [3 favorites]

The Costco requirement is flummoxing me because I don't know what they carry. Are there budget limitations? How many servings are you aiming for? Plates to dishes ratio (# expected attendees / # dishes served?)?
posted by amtho at 12:14 PM on November 1, 2017

Response by poster: Costco is because I understand they carry frozen appetizers, or things I could easily turn into apps (like the meatless meatballs). My budget is flexible. We expect approximately 100 people, and originally I'd been planning on 7 or 8 dishes.
posted by korej at 12:37 PM on November 1, 2017

Best answer: Costco almost always has excellent brussels sprouts, which could be roasted whole in advance and then served tossed in something like this mustard-maple dressing, served with toothpicks, either warm or room-temp.

They also usually have fantastic looong green beans or haricots verts, which you could serve with dip/dressing like this.

I think they carry mini tart shells that are made with vegetable oil (so they're vegan/kosher/halal), which you could fill with a vegetable puree like a garlicky butternut...or just give in and make vegan pumpkin pie filling.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:57 PM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: With your update, any chance you're near a Trader Joe's? They have tons of frozen vegan appetizers.
posted by FencingGal at 1:35 PM on November 1, 2017 [3 favorites]

Best answer: A raw veggie platter might not have a vegan dip, but that's an easy replacement...
posted by sexyrobot at 4:00 PM on November 1, 2017 [3 favorites]

Best answer: VegNews just ran an article on vegan items at Costco that could help you. Happy World Vegan Day :)
posted by homesickness at 5:12 PM on November 1, 2017 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Kirkland tortilla chips, Wholly Guacamole, and Kirkland mango salsa. Not a hot appetizer but filling, delicious and vegan.
posted by bluebelle at 6:57 PM on November 1, 2017

Best answer: They almost always carry frozen vegan egg rolls that are quite good, but last week, I did not see them at my local store. 50 egg rolls for $10, and they come with dipping sauce, though I prefer to serve them with a bottled sweet chili sauce instead of the provided sauce. There are some lovely new vegan dips in the refrigerated sections and many of their crackers are vegan.
posted by QuakerMel at 7:29 PM on November 1, 2017 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Super helpful, everyone. Thank you!
posted by korej at 6:55 AM on November 2, 2017