0 from 3 votes
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Make a classic shrimp cocktail with plump and juicy shrimp. Includes a homemade sauce bursting with flavor.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 223 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 2 pounds Shrimp deveined, shells removed, and tails left on
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 8-10 black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 lemons juiced, divided
- ice
Cocktail Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2-4 teaspoons horseradish to taste
Instructions
Shrimp
- Clean shrimp and set aside.
- Add cold water, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, and juice of 1 lemon in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add shrimp.
- Let cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp becomes opaque and begins to curl.
- Meanwhile, add ice and cold water to a large bowl.
- Remove shrimp and immediately submerge in an ice bath to stop cooking.
- Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- Add the juice of the remaining lemon.
- Set in the refrigerator while preparing cocktail sauce.
Cup of Yum
Cocktail Sauce
- Mix ketchup, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl.
- Whisk in 1 teaspoon horseradish at a time until desired taste, until smooth
- Serve with shrimp immediately or store in a container in the refrigerator
Notes
- It might be tempting to just toss the shrimp in a pot of boiling water and call it a day, but cooking them in a flavorful broth makes a difference.
- Don't overcook your shrimp! This is the number one mistake I see people make regarding this appetizer. When those shrimp turn pink and curl up, get them out of the pot and into an ice bath. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and tough, and nobody wants that.
- Play around with the ratios in the cocktail sauce until you find your perfect balance.
- Cooking and chilling the shrimp ahead of time means you'll have one less thing to worry about when it's time to serve. For the best flavor, though, don't cook them more than a day ahead
- It might be tempting to just toss the shrimp in a pot of boiling water and call it a day, but cooking them in a flavorful broth makes a difference.
- Don't overcook your shrimp! This is the number one mistake I see people make regarding this appetizer. When those shrimp turn pink and curl up, get them out of the pot and into an ice bath. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and tough, and nobody wants that.
- Play around with the ratios in the cocktail sauce until you find your perfect balance.
- Cooking and chilling the shrimp ahead of time means you'll have one less thing to worry about when it's time to serve. For the best flavor, though, don't cook them more than a day ahead
Nutrition Information
Calories
223kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
26g
(9%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
243mg
(81%)
Sodium
2102mg
(88%)
Potassium
699mg
(20%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Vitamin A
423IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
24mg
(27%)
Calcium
123mg
(12%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 223
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 223kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 243mg | 81% |
| Sodium | 2102mg | 88% |
| Potassium | 699mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 423IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 123mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.