<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000096021</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SYSCO CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SYY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001046854</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WICKUS JAMES D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1390 ENCLAVE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77077-2099</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP, Foodservice Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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            </transactionAmounts>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.1875</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            </transactionAmounts>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>221765.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6460.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.2813</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>228225.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4768.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>232993.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14144.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>37.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>218849.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/1/94</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.3750</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20764.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-09-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20764.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11236.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 8/31/95</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.1875</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13912.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-08-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13912.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/3/98</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.9375</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8668.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-09-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8668.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17332.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/2/99</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.2813</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6460.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-09-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6460.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17540.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy) Date Granted 9/7/00</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.9688</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4768.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-09-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4768.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19232.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grants are made annually with exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant. If certain performance criteria are met, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant.  If certain performance criteria are met in any fiscal year during the first 5 years after the grant, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest at the end of the first year in which the performance criteria are met.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant.  If certain performance criteria are met in any fiscal year during the first 5 years after the grant, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest at the end of the fiscal year in which the performance criteria are met.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James D. Wickus</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2004-06-21
0
0000096021
SYSCO CORP
SYY
0001046854
WICKUS JAMES D
1390 ENCLAVE PARKWAY
HOUSTON
TX
77077-2099
0
1
0
0
Sr VP, Foodservice Operations
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
M
0
20764.0000
6.375
A
199185.0000
D
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
M
0
13912.0000
7.1875
A
213097.0000
D
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
M
0
8668.0000
10.9375
A
221765.0000
D
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
M
0
6460.0000
16.2813
A
228225.0000
D
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
M
0
4768.0000
20.9688
A
232993.0000
D
Common Stock
2004-06-21
4
F
0
14144.0000
37.63
D
218849.0000
D
Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/1/94
6.3750
2004-06-21
4
M
0
20764.0000
0.00
D
2004-09-01
Common Stock
20764.0000
11236.0000
D
Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 8/31/95
7.1875
2004-06-21
4
M
0
13912.0000
0.00
D
2005-08-31
Common Stock
13912.0000
0.0000
D
Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/3/98
10.9375
2004-06-21
4
M
0
8668.0000
0.00
D
2008-09-02
Common Stock
8668.0000
17332.0000
D
Incentive Stock Option (Right to Buy) - Date Granted 9/2/99
16.2813
2004-06-21
4
M
0
6460.0000
0.00
D
2009-09-02
Common Stock
6460.0000
17540.0000
D
Stock Option (Right to Buy) Date Granted 9/7/00
20.9688
2004-06-21
4
M
0
4768.0000
0.00
D
2010-09-06
Common Stock
4768.0000
19232.0000
D
Grants are made annually with exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant. If certain performance criteria are met, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant.
Exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant.  If certain performance criteria are met in any fiscal year during the first 5 years after the grant, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest at the end of the first year in which the performance criteria are met.
Exercises not permitted prior to the first anniversary of the grant.  If certain performance criteria are met in any fiscal year during the first 5 years after the grant, one-third (1/3) of the shares covered by the grant vest at the end of the fiscal year in which the performance criteria are met.
James D. Wickus
2004-06-22