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4.6 from 36 votes

The Best Shrimp Cocktail

Bring something special to the table with this well-loved recipe.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Shrimp:
  • 2 pounds deveined shell-on jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per pound)
  • 2 ½ tablespoons salt
  • 10 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons peppercorns
  • 3 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • 8 2-inch strips lemon peel plus 1/4 cup juice, from 2 lemons (reserve the lemon halves that have been juiced)
  • 8 cups ice
Cocktail Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the shrimp, 4 cups cold water, salt, thyme, peppercorns, bay leaves and celery seeds in a large pot. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring every so often, until the water registers 170 degrees and the shrimp are just beginning to turn pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat and add the lemon peels, juice and lemon halves that have already been juiced. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit until the shrimp are completely pink and firm, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the ice into the pot and let the shrimp cool completely, about 5 minutes. Drain the water and peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Refrigerate the shrimp up to 24 hours until ready to serve.
  3. For the cocktail sauce, whisk all the ingredients together until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve with the shrimp.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: the shrimp and sauce may be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. If you can't find shrimp that are deveined, simply cut through the top of the shell along the vein line (leaving the shell on the shrimp), and remove and discard the vein.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 190kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 243mg (81%) Sodium 3518mg (147%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 10g (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6-8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 190kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 243mg 81%
Sodium 3518mg 147%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 10g 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.