Description
This Quick and Easy Shrimp Cocktail recipe offers a fast and flavorful appetizer featuring perfectly cooked shrimp served with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce. Ready in just 7 minutes, it’s an ideal dish for entertaining or a light meal, combining classic seafood flavors with tangy, spicy notes.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp (defrosted, peeled and deveined, tails on)
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)
Cocktail Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup mild chili sauce (Heinz recommended)
- 3-4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
Instructions
- Prepare Ice Water: Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it aside to chill the cooked shrimp quickly after boiling.
- Boil Seasoned Water: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt and if desired, optional seasonings such as Old Bay Seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic to enhance the shrimp’s flavor.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink and opaque. Immediately drain the shrimp and plunge them into the ice water to stop cooking and keep them firm.
- Make Cocktail Sauce: While the shrimp cool in ice water, combine ketchup, mild chili sauce, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Mix well to create a tangy and spicy cocktail sauce.
- Serve: Drain the shrimp from the ice bath and arrange on a serving platter. Serve chilled shrimp alongside the homemade cocktail sauce for dipping. Enjoy this refreshing and classic appetizer!
Notes
- Use peeled and deveined shrimp with tails on for easier dipping and better presentation.
- Old Bay Seasoning, lemon juice, and garlic are optional but add extra flavor to the shrimp while boiling.
- The cocktail sauce can be adjusted for heat by varying the amount of horseradish and hot sauce.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to keep shrimp chilled and fresh.
- For best texture, do not overcook shrimp; they cook quickly and become tough if boiled too long.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
