Classic Shrimp co*cktail With Homemade Seafood Sauce (2024)

This classic shrimp co*cktail recipe uses ketchup and horseradish to create a co*cktail sauce that is similar to what you’ll find in a high-end steak restaurant. But since you’re making it at home, you won’t be paying the high-end price.

Shrimp co*cktail is one of those traditional appetizer dishes that is often associated with high-end steak and seafood restaurants.

Although it tastes great, it’s actually very easy to make at home (and it will cost you a lot less money!)

It’s perfect to serve for a dinner party (you can make it ahead of time)…or just to enjoy when you want a treat.

What Type And Size Of Shrimp Should You Use?

The first step to making awesome shrimp co*cktail is to get the best shrimp for your dish.

There are three main decisions you need to make when selecting your shrimp:

1. Raw or cooked
2. Shells on or off
3. Size

Here are my recommendations for each of these choices (although you may want to alter your decisions depending on your budget).

Raw or Cooked Shrimp

My first choice is always to buy raw shimp.

Most of the time pre-cooked shrimp has more of a rubbery texture that doesn’t taste as good. However, if you’re short on time, they are still a good option.

Shells On or Off

I always buy de-veined shrimp with the shells on.

Cooking your shrimp with the shells on leads to the best flavor.

Having them de-veined makes the shells easier to remove.

Size

The next decision is the size. Shrimp is sold by how many there are per pound. Smaller numbers per pound mean bigger shrimp.

For individual servings of shrimp co*cktail, larger shrimp (16 to 26 per pound) make a bigger statement.

If you are serving the shrimp buffet style, you can get away with medium-sized ones that are in the 30 to 45 per pound range.

One added tip: I usually find that wild-caught shrimp has more flavor that farmed. So I try to use that unless I’m really on a budget constraint.

Ingredients

Now that you know what kind of shrimp to get, here is your shopping list:

• shrimp – about 2 pounds
• ketchup – about 1 cup
• horseradish – about 2 Tablespoons
• lemon – you’ll need about half a lemon for fresh squeezed juice
• flavoring – 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, a dash of Tabasco sauce

How to make classic shrimp co*cktail

Prepare the Shrimp

If your shrimp is frozen, thaw them before cooking by putting them in a colander and running them under cold water.

Then heat some water on the stove in a sauce pan or steamer.

Once the water is boiling, boil or steam raw shrimp for about 5 minutes until they have turned pink and start to curl.

When the shrimp is done cooking, run it under cold water to prevent them from continuing to cook.

If you want to be nice to your guests, you can remove the shells from the shrimp (leave the tail on). However, I usually let them peel their own 🙂

Homemade Seafood Sauce

To make the co*cktail sauce combine 1 cup ketchup, 2 Tablespoons horseradish, about 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and a dash Tabasco sauce. Just mix them together

You can vary the amount of horseradish you add based on how spicy you want the dip to be. The more horseradish you add, the hotter it will be.

The good thing about this recipe is that it’s very forgiving, so nothing has to be exact 🙂 If you don’t like the taste, add some more of the other ingredients to change it up.

Other Appetizers You Might Like

• Cranberry Salsa Bites
• Easy Avocado Guacamole Dip Recipe
• Crock Pot Chicken Meatballs

Have comments or questions on our shrimp co*cktail recipe? Tell us in the section below.