Go Back
–+ servings

Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Tender, juicy poached shrimp served chilled with a zippy homemade cocktail sauce made from ketchup and horseradish. An elegant appetizer that takes just 15 minutes.
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: homemade cocktail sauce, how to make shrimp cocktail, shrimp cocktail
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 171kcal

Equipment

  • Large saucepan with lid
  • Large bowl (for the ice bath)
  • Medium bowl
  • 4 small bowls or glasses for serving

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 24 large shrimp 21 to 25 per pound, raw, deveined, easy-peel or peeled with tails on, thawed (see Note 1)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 lemon optional
  • 8-10 peppercorns optional
  • 1 handful fresh parsley optional

Cocktail Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp horseradish
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice optional
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce such as Tabasco, optional

Instructions

Shrimp

  • Fill a large saucepan three-quarters full with water and add the salt.
  • If using the lemon, squeeze its juice into the water, then drop in the squeezed lemon. Add the peppercorns and parsley if using.
  • Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, then take the pan off the heat and let the bubbling stop.
  • Add the shrimp, stir, cover with the lid and leave for 4 to 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
  • Meanwhile, make an ice bath: put 2 cups of ice in a large bowl and fill it halfway with cold water.
  • Drain the shrimp and move them (not the aromatics) into the ice bath. Leave for a few minutes until completely cold, then drain.
  • Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails on.

Cocktail Sauce and Serving

  • In a medium bowl, mix the ketchup, horseradish and a pinch of salt, plus the lemon juice, Worcestershire and hot sauce if using. Taste and add more horseradish if you like.
  • Divide the sauce between 4 small bowls or glasses, hang the shrimp over the rims and serve right away.

Notes

  1. Shrimp: Easy-peel or peeled shrimp with the tails left on are easiest; the tail makes a handy handle for dipping. You can also cook them from frozen: keep them in the hot water longer, about 10 minutes.
  2. Nutrition: Estimated per serving from the ingredients, without the optional ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 174g | Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 25.6g | Fat: 0.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 13.8g
Save