Shrimp Cocktail

By Laurel Perry

Published Nov 27, 2023

Shrimp cocktail on a plate with ketchup and dipping sauce. - 3

This quick and easy Shrimp Cocktail recipe is the best appetizer for any occasion. A mix of chili sauce, horseradish, ketchup, and hot sauce makes the most delicious cocktail sauce for dipping shrimp. Whip this up in no time for your next party appetizer!

Sweet, juicy shrimp dipped in a bold and spicy tomato-based cocktail sauce…what more could you want? This classic and elegant appetizer is simple, delicious, and sure to impress!

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Shrimp

▢ 2 tablespoons kosher salt
▢ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
▢ 1 lemon halved
▢ 1 bay leaf
▢ 2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined; tails on or off (about 20-30 shrimp)

For the Cocktail Sauce

▢ ½ cup Heinz Chili Sauce
▢ ½ cup ketchup
▢ 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
▢ 1 teaspoon hot sauce
▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ Kosher salt to taste
▢ Lemon wedges optional, for serving

Video

Instructions

Fill a large bowl halfway with ice. Fill with water until full. Set aside.
Add 6 cups or water to a large pot. Stir in the salt, sugar, lemon, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the shrimp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes. 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 lemon, 1 bay leaf, 2 pounds shrimp
Immediately remove the shrimp and place them in the bowl of ice water. Once cool, drain the shrimp and pat them dry.
In a bowl, stir together the chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, hot sauce, pepper and salt. ½ cup Heinz Chili Sauce, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, Kosher salt
Serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. Lemon wedges

Becky’s Tips

If you cannot find the Heinz Chili Sauce, substitute ½ cup ketchup plus 1 tablespoon horseradish.
The cocktail sauce can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Shrimp Cocktail Step-by-Step

Make an Ice Bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice. Fill with water until full. Set aside.

ice cubes in a glass bowl on a white background. - 6

Cook the Shrimp: Add 6 cups of water to a large pot. Stir in 2 tablespoons of kosher salt, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 halved lemon lemon, and 1 bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and add 2 pounds of peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes.

Chill the Shrimp: Immediately remove the shrimp and place them in the bowl of ice water. Once cool, drain the shrimp and pat them dry

Make the Sauce: In a bowl, stir together the ½ cup of Heinz Chili Sauce, ½ cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and kosher salt to taste.

red sauce in a bowl on a white surface. - 9

Serve the Shrimp: Serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

shrimp on ice with sauce on a white plate. - 10

Fresh or Frozen Shrimp?

You can buy fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. In fact, most “fresh” shrimp at the supermarket is simply thawed frozen shrimp.

The easiest way to thaw shrimp is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. If you need o thaw them more quickly, you can seal the shrimp in a Ziplock bag, submerge the bag in a large bowl filled with cold water, and let sit for 20-30 minutes, or until fully thawed. Rinse the shrimp before using.

Variations on Cocktail Shrimp

There are tons of ways to change up this classic to better suit your tastes. I like mine a bit spicy, but if you’re not a fan of spice, you can omit the hot sauce for a milder sauce.

You can grill the shrimp for a smoky and charred flavor, or try coating the shrimp in Creole seasoning or blackened seasoning for an extra kick!

How to Store

Store leftover shrimp cocktail in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled. You can keep the cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

How to Freeze

Freeze leftover shrimp in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions

These shrimp are the perfect appetizer for your next party. Fill martini glasses with cocktail sauce and hang shrimp from the rim for an easy portable snack! Serve these alongside crudité and veggie dip or a charcuterie board . It’s a great appetizer if you want to feel a little fancy as you ring in the new year.

Always serve this dish cold! You can serve the shrimp directly on ice or place them in a bowl set on top of a larger bowl filled with ice. I do not recommend leaving shrimp out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours, though!

A plate of shrimp cocktail served on ice with lemon wedges. - 12

More Shrimp Appetizers to Try!

shrimp skewers with dipping sauce on a plate. - 13

shrimp skewers with dipping sauce on a plate. - 14

Bang Bang Shrimp

Shrimp Dip

Shrimp and Grits

Honey Sesame Shrimp

shrimp on ice with ketchup on a plate. - 21

Shrimp Cocktail Recipe