Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Shrimp cocktail with a tangy, flavorful sauce is a classic appetizer that’s simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. This easy shrimp cocktail sauce combines ketchup, lemon juice, and horseradish for a perfect balance of sweetness and spice to complement chilled shrimp.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1 1/2 lbs large, cooked, tail-on shrimp, rinsed with cold water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine the ketchup, lemon juice, and prepared horseradish. Stir well to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Step 2: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking by adding more horseradish for extra heat or more ketchup for a milder flavor.
- Step 3: Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled alongside the cold shrimp.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cocktail sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce—avoid bottled lemon juice for best flavor.
- Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.
Storage
Store the shrimp cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the cooked shrimp chilled and consume within 2 days for the best freshness. Reheat shrimp only if necessary, but they are best served cold.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use raw shrimp for this recipe?
No, this recipe requires cooked shrimp. If using raw shrimp, cook them first by boiling or steaming until fully opaque before chilling and serving.
Is there a substitute for prepared horseradish?
If you don’t have prepared horseradish, you can use a small amount of wasabi or Dijon mustard, but the flavor will be different. Prepared horseradish offers the classic sharp heat typical of shrimp cocktail sauce.
Print
Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce recipe combines tangy ketchup, zesty lemon juice, and spicy prepared horseradish to create a classic and flavorful accompaniment for chilled, cooked shrimp. Perfect for entertaining or a refreshing appetizer, this sauce is quick to prepare and can be made ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 lbs large, cooked, tail-on shrimp, rinsed with cold water
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add ketchup, lemon juice, and prepared horseradish into a mixing bowl and stir thoroughly until well blended.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the sauce and modify to your liking by adding more horseradish for spiciness or additional ketchup for a milder flavor.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the sauce for several hours to meld the flavors, then serve cold alongside the chilled cooked shrimp.
Notes
- The shrimp can be purchased pre-cooked and simply rinsed under cold water to chill before serving.
- The sauce can be made up to several days in advance for convenience, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or extra horseradish as preferred.
- Serve the shrimp cocktail sauce as a classic appetizer at parties or as a light meal accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: shrimp cocktail sauce, easy shrimp sauce, shrimp appetizer, cocktail sauce recipe, seafood sauce
