Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

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Need a Shrimp Cocktail Sauce recipe? I’ve got you covered! Whip up your own cocktail sauce for shrimp with just a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes. This appetizer is always a guest favorite for virtually any occasion, and seafood lovers will love this addition to your party spread. Shrimp Cocktail is a vintage recipe that never goes out of style!

I love a good shrimp appetizer. Its why this air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp is one of my absolute favorite recipes. This shrimp cocktail is another great party appetizer that can be prepared well in advance with minimal prep time to free yourself from the kitchen. Shrimp and cocktail sauce are a classic combination and this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

If there was ever a need for an easy, make ahead appetizer that can be prepared in 5 minutes, it is when you are hosting a party or trying to get out the door to gathering. Doesn’t matter the time of year or occasion, shrimp cocktail is always a good choice. It’s portable, simple to put together, and a tried-and- true favorite.

Having a dinner party or birthday party? Need to bring something to your holiday gathering or office potluck? Want a game day munchie? Looking for a pool side or beach snack? (Make sure to keep cold on ice.) I could keep going. In fact, I can’t think of an occasion where shrimp cocktail isn’t a good option unless you have an allergy.

Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make a cocktail sauce for shrimp. For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

• fully cooked shrimp: Large shrimp preferred, deveined with tails on.
• ketchup: I like to use ketchup with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup but you can use your favorite brand. (I used Target’s Good & Gather Organic Ketchup because I love it.)
• horseradish (not sauce)
• lemon
• Worcestershire sauce

Large shrimp is the standard for shrimp cocktail, but medium shrimp or jumbo shrimp also works if needed. Tails add a built in handle for guests to hold so most people prefer the tails on.

I used a cream-style horseradish, not a horseradish sauce which is much milder and uses a larger amount of cream or mayo and other added ingredients for a milder result.

You can make this recipe with just lemon juice, but I like fresh lemon juice best. Since you don’t need much lemon juice, you can use the extra lemon half to make lemon wedges or slices to garnish your shrimp cocktail.

I like to add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to add some depth of flavor and balance out the acidity and sweetness in the ketchup. Plus, it compliments the seafood.

How to Make a Cocktail Sauce for Shrimp

Making your own cocktail sauce with ketchup and horseradish is quite simple but I’ll still break it down in a few steps.

Add your ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Whisk until fully combined. I like to make my cocktail sauce ahead of time and chill so that the flavors have a chance to meld. But you can do this right before serving if you are short on time.

I highly recommend starting with a lower amount of horseradish and adding until you are satisfied with the amount of spice. Much like hot sauce, preferences vary widely on the kick and what kind of horseradish you use can also alter the taste. If serving to a group, I would error on the mild side so it is more appealing to a wider audience.

This cocktail sauce is the perfect complement to all kinds of seafood, not just for this easy shrimp cocktail recipe . Serve it with tartar sauce along side your favorite dishes such as fried shrimp, crab legs, or tilapia broil. This dipping sauce is an easy way to add extra flavor!

How to Serve Shrimp Cocktail

There are many ways to serve classic shrimp cocktail. I would consider the nature of your event and any potential time constraints. You can consider a more elegant presentation where the shrimp are hanging along the edge of serving bowl or individual serving dishes or glasses with the cocktail sauce in the center. I would try to prepare this in advance to give yourself plenty of time.

I like to place the cocktail sauce in a small dish and add it to the center of a larger serving bowl or platter. I add my fully thawed and patted dry shrimp around it. Then I garnish with lemon slices or lemon wedges and fresh parsley. So quick and easy! Honestly, a large platter piled high with tail-on shrimp and cocktail sauce still makes for a classy presentation naturally.

If you would like an easy way to serve this individually to a large group, consider using clear plastic cups and placing cocktail sauce in the bottom and a few pieces of shrimp. You can also use shot glasses to create cocktail shooters.

Keep Shrimp Cocktail Cold

Keeping shrimp cocktail cold is key! Take the length of your event into consideration. If your shrimp cocktail is going to be sitting out a while, incorporation ice either at the base of your serving dish or within the dish itself. Some ways to do this:

• Ice bed or Double Bowl: Place your serving dish on another platter or serving dish with crushed ice to keep it cold without the shrimp directly on ice. You can do this same method with a smaller bowl with the shrimp nested in a larger bowl containing ice.
• Frozen Serving Dish: You can freeze your serving platter or bowl ahead of time so the shrimp stays cold longer. This is my preferred method to avoid ice altogether but works better for shorter events.
• Ice Rings: You can make an ice ring to place the shrimp around it to keep the shrimp chilled. Consider adding fresh parsley and small lemon slices to the water before freezing for a more decorative touch. Any ring shaped pan can used to create an ice ring including bundt pans, tube pans and jello molds. (If the bottom is removable, wrap the outside seam in plastic wrap or foil and place on a baking sheet before adding water.)

Can I use raw shrimp for shrimp cocktail?

Absolutely! You might even prefer it. For me, I like the convenience of precooked shrimp. If you buy raw shrimp, you can steam them ahead of time. Shrimp cocktail is served cold which gives the shrimp a firmer texture. If you cook your shrimp, be sure chill ahead of time or plunge them into an ice bath after cooking before serving.

More Party Food Ideas

I love party foods so of course I have more ideas for you! Here are just a few more of my favorites: