Shrimp Cocktail
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Discover the timeless appeal of classic Shrimp Cocktail with this quick and easy crowd-pleasing recipe! Featuring perfectly cooked, plump shrimp paired with a zesty homemade lemony horseradish cocktail sauce, this elegant and refreshing cold appetizer is a perfect choice for any occasion.
Best Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Shrimp cocktail is a beloved classic cold appetizer that showcases succulent poached shrimp served with a tangy tomato-based sauce with a kick. It’s a delicious, timeless favorite known for its refreshing and zesty flavors, as well as its elegant presentation. And making shrimp cocktail is incredibly quick and easy.
Sure, you could pick up some pre-cooked shrimp and a jar of store-bought cocktail sauce, but with this easy recipe, there’s no need! Cooking your own shrimp and preparing a homemade cocktail sauce is super simple and makes all the difference in the overall quality and taste. Whether enjoyed as a starter or a light meal, this versatile dish is perfect for any occasion and never fails to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Cocktail
- Easy Appetizer! Making homemade shrimp cocktail is super simple! You can easily impress your friends and family with minimal effort. With just a few easy steps that anyone can follow, you’ll find that this foolproof recipe comes together in just minutes.
- Classic Shrimp Cocktail! This recipe stays true to the classic essence of shrimp cocktail, featuring the perfect combination of perfectly cooked succulent shrimp and a zesty homemade cocktail sauce. It’s a timeless appetizer that never goes out of style.
- Perfect For Entertaining! Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party, having a potluck with friends and family, or enjoying a casual game day gathering, this classic cold shrimp appetizer is a fantastic go-to choice that never fails to impress.
- Large Shrimp – Fresh is best, but you can use fresh or frozen raw shrimp. And peel them yourself or buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails intact.
- Water – Used to make the poaching liquid.
- Lemon – Sliced lemon adds refreshing citrusy notes to the cooking liquid and enhances the natural flavor of the shrimp.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives the cooked shrimp a little more depth.
- Bay Leaf – Adds a hint of earthiness and aromatic flavor to the poaching liquid.
- Salt – Used to season the cooking liquid and to bring out the flavor of the shrimp.
- Ketchup – Used as the tomato base for the tangy cocktail sauce, the ketchup adds a touch of sweetness too.
- Prepared Horseradish – Brings a delightful kick to the cocktail sauce with its pungent and spicy flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Contributes a layer of rich umami flavor that adds depth and complexity.
- Hot Sauce – A touch of hot sauce such as Tabasco provides a touch of heat. You can adjust the amount according to your preference.
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used to season the cocktail sauce to your taste.
- Lemon Wedges – Served alongside the shrimp cocktail, squeezing fresh lemon juice over the shrimp enhances their flavor and adds a refreshing tang. Fresh lime juice is another option for a twist.
- Fresh Parsley – Used to garnish the dish and add a pop of color and freshness.
This iconic cold shrimp appetizer is incredibly quick and easy to make. From perfectly cooking the shrimp to making a homemade tangy cocktail sauce, this recipe requires very little prep time and almost no cooking skills.
To begin, you need to add the water, lemon slices, crushed garlic, bay leaf, and salt to a large pot big enough to fit all the shrimp. Then bring the water to a boil. Now, add the shrimp to the boiling water and simmer them for just 2 to 3 minutes until they are pink and fully cooked. Be very careful not to overcook them or your shrimp can become rubbery.
Once your shrimp are done, drain them in a colander right away. Then rinse them under cold water to cool them off and stop the cooking process. This step ensures that your shrimp remain perfectly cooked and prevents them from becoming overcooked or chewy.
After the shrimp have been poached, you need to whip together the zesty sauce. Stir the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Then give the sauce a taste and adjust the seasonings according to your liking. Add more horseradish or hot for spiciness or more lemon juice for tanginess.
With your shrimp cooked and cocktail sauce prepared, it’s time to assemble the dish. First, arrange the shrimp on a platter around a small bowl of cocktail sauce. Next, garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley, and then serve your shrimp cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make it in advance?
You can pre-cook the shrimp the day before and prepare the cocktail sauce up to 3 days in advance. Then just keep them refrigerated separately until you’re ready to assemble and serve.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Fresh shrimp is always the top choice. However, you can use frozen shrimp with no problems. Just make sure to properly thaw them before cooking.
Can I substitute the horseradish in the cocktail sauce?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of horseradish, you can omit it or substitute it with Dijon mustard, which will still add a tangy kick to the sauce.
How much shrimp cocktail per person?
The amount of shrimp per person can vary depending on whether it is being served as an appetizer or a light meal. As a general rule, you can plan for around 3 shrimp per person as an appetizer and 9 shrimp as a light meal.
Can I use cocktail sauce for other dishes?
Definitely! It can be used as a dipping sauce for other seafood, such as crab cakes, fried clams, or fried calamari. Additionally, it can be used as a tangy spread for seafood sandwiches.
Expert Tips
- Choose high-quality shrimp. For the best results, pick fresh shrimp from reputable sources to ensure that they have been properly handled and stored.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Keep a close eye on the cooking time to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery. And once they are done, immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Customize the cocktail sauce. Adjust the flavors of the cocktail sauce by adding more horseradish for extra heat, more lemon juice for tanginess, or experiment with different types of hot sauce.
- Enhance the presentation. Serve your shrimp on a bed of lettuce or crushed ice. You can also add other garnishes like chopped avocados, tomatoes, cucumber, or fresh cilantro for a different burst of freshness and color.
- Serve it chilled. For the best flavor and texture, make sure both the shrimp and the cocktail sauce are cold before serving.
Storage
If you have any leftovers, transfer the shrimp and cocktail sauce to separate airtight containers and store them in the fridge. Then consume the shrimp within 1 to 2 days and the cocktail sauce within a week. It’s also possible to freeze the cooked shrimp for up to 3 months and the cocktail sauce for up to 6 months.
Discover Other Shrimp Recipes
- Italian Shrimp Bake
- Oven Baked Shrimp
- Szechuan Chili Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Spicy New Orleans Shrimp
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Shrimp Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails left on)
- 2 cups water
- ½ lemon (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tablespoon salt
Cocktail Sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 tablesoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 lemon (cut in wedges, for serving)
- fresh parsley (for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the water, lemon slices, garlic, bay leaf, and salt to a boil.
- Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Do not overcook.
- Drain the shrimp and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the cooked shrimp on a platter and serve with the cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley leaves.
Notes
- Shrimp Size: I recommend using large shrimp for this recipe. They are the perfect size for dipping and have a great meaty texture.
- Cocktail Sauce: This recipe includes a homemade cocktail sauce, but feel free to use store-bought if you prefer. If you’re making your own, you can adjust the heat to your liking by adding more or less horseradish.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the shrimp cocktail in individual glasses for a classy touch, or on a platter for family-style serving. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley for an extra pop of color and flavor.
- Make Ahead: This shrimp cocktail is a perfect make-ahead appetizer. The shrimp can be cooked, cooled, and stored in the fridge a day ahead, and the sauce can be made 2-3 days in advance.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
