Description
This classic Shrimp Cocktail recipe features perfectly poached shrimp served chilled with a tangy, homemade cocktail sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon, Worcestershire, and Tabasco sauces. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s an elegant appetizer perfect for parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Poaching Liquid
- 2 1/2 quarts water or broth
- 1 onion, chopped into quarters
- 10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 lemon, halved
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Sea salt, to taste
Shrimp
- 1 pound raw shrimp, shell-on, deveined and rinsed
Cocktail Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced (about 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the poaching liquid: In a large stock pot, combine the water or broth with the quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, halved lemon (lightly squeeze the lemon juice into the pot before adding the halves), fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Season the mixture with sea salt to taste.
- Simmer the broth: Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the raw shrimp to the simmering broth and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on shrimp size, until the shrimp curl, turn pink, and are no longer transparent.
- Shock the shrimp: Quickly drain the shrimp, discarding the poaching liquid and aromatics, then immediately transfer the shrimp to a bowl of ice water to cool rapidly and stop the cooking process.
- Peel the shrimp: Once cooled, peel the shrimp, leaving the tail on if desired for presentation.
- Make the cocktail sauce: In a bowl, combine the ketchup, lemon zest and juice, horseradish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Arrange the shrimp on a serving platter with the cocktail sauce chilled on the side. Keep refrigerated if not serving immediately.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp as they can become rubbery; they should turn pink and curl slightly when done.
- If preferred, you can poach the shrimp in just water, but using broth adds extra flavor.
- The cocktail sauce can be adjusted to taste by adding more horseradish or hot sauce for extra kick.
- Keep shrimp chilled until serving to maintain freshness and safety.
- You can prepare the shrimp and sauce a few hours in advance for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
