• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sip and Feast
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About me
  • Shop
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes » Appetizers » Shrimp Cocktail

    Shrimp Cocktail

    Published on Dec 19, 2022 by Tara · Updated on Dec 19, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Shrimp cocktail is one of those appetizers that's so much better homemade!  Colossal shrimp are boiled in a blend of water, lemon, and Old Bay until pink and plump and served alongside homemade cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.  Once you see how easy this is, you'll never buy storebought again!

    Shrimp cocktail in grey plate with lemons and cocktail sauce.

    Shrimp cocktail is one of the simplest appetizers, yet it's often something that is picked up from the grocery store in a plastic ring.

    And it's usually not that good:  the shrimp are tiny and water-logged, and while it gets eaten, no one is ever blown away by it.

    But homemade shrimp with cocktail sauce is another thing entirely!

    The shrimp are firm and plump and the sauce is fresh; storebought just can't compare!

    Shrimp cocktail is a great appetizer for any occasion or holiday, or as a precursor to a special steak dinner along with other appetizers, like clams casino.

    Ingredients shown: horseradish, Tabasco, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemons, shrimp, baking soda, salt, onion, and Old Bay seasoning.

    How to make it

    Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

    1. Mix 1 ½ pounds of colossal shrimp with a ½ teaspoon of baking soda and a ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and set aside allowing the shrimp to set for 20 minutes before boiling.

    Shrimp cocktail recipe process shot collage group number one.

    1. In a small bowl combine 1 cup of ketchup, 3 tablespoons of prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon of Tabasco sauce, and sea salt to taste.
    2. Prepare a large bowl of ice water and bring a pot filled with 8 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, 1 medium onion with the skin removed and cut in half, 1 tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil. 

    Recipe process shot collage group number two.

    1. Add the shrimp to the pot.
    2. Cook the shrimp until they turn slightly opaque.  For 12-15 count shrimp they took exactly 3 minutes to cook. 

    Recipe process shot collage group number three.

    1. Drain the shrimp and place them immediately into the ice water to stop them from cooking further.  After the shrimp have chilled, dry any residual water off of them, and serve on a large platter with the cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.  Enjoy!

    Overhead shot of large plate of shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce and lemons.

    Top tips for shrimp cocktail

    • Shrimp.  We used colossal shrimp, size u12-15, meaning there are 12-15 shrimp per pound.  You can use any size shrimp you like but keep in mind that smaller shrimp will require less cooking time so keep an eye on them and don't overcook.  Once they're opaque, they're done.  For 12-15 count shrimp (by the way these are very affordable from Costco) they took exactly 3 minutes.  Smaller shrimp could take as short as 90 seconds to cook so watch carefully!  If you're not sure if the shrimp are done, simply remove one from the pot and cut it open.  If it's opaque, remove all the shrimp right to the ice water bath.
    • Ice water.  Don't skip the ice water bath. It is 100% necessary.  It's important to submerge the shrimp in the ice water as soon as they're done otherwise they'll continue to cook and may become tough.
    • Cocktail sauce. Sure you can use storebought, but homemade is so much better.  We added a ½ teaspoon of Tabasco to ours, but if you like it very spicy, add a little more, or serve with extra Tabasco on the side. 

    Overhead shot of shrimp cocktail platter and small plate with shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce.

    More great appetizers

    If you're looking for appetizers, here are a few of our favorites!

    • Fried calamari - lightly fried, tender calamari with a marinara dipping sauce.
    • Clams oreganata - baked clams stuffed with garlicky breadcrumbs.
    • Mussels in white wine sauce - white wine, garlic, parsley, and butter tossed with mussels.

    If you’ve enjoyed this shrimp cocktail recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and leave a review.

    We strive to satisfy a number of learning styles.  If you are someone who prefers to learn by watching, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

    Shrimp cocktail recipe featured image.

    Shrimp Cocktail

    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 7 mins
    Brining time: 20 mins
    Total Time: 27 mins
    Servings: 4
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: James

    Ingredients

    For the cocktail sauce

    • 1 cup ketchup
    • 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
    • sea salt to taste

    For the shrimp

    • 1.5 pounds colossal shrimp u12-15 - see notes below
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

    For the poaching liquid

    • 8 cups water
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 medium onion skin removed and cut in half
    • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
    • 1 tablespoon salt

    Instructions

    Boiling the shrimp

    • Mix the shrimp with the baking soda and salt and set aside. Wait 20 minutes until boiling. While the shrimp are sitting in the brine, mix the cocktail sauce.
    • Prepare a large bowl of ice water for shocking the shrimp and set aside.
    • Add all of the boiling ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil.
    • Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they turn slightly opaque. Drain the shrimp and place them immediately into the ice water bath to stop the cooking process.

    For the cocktail sauce

    • Mix together all of the ingredients and taste test. Adjust salt and pepper if required.

    Serving the shrimp cocktail

    • Serve the shrimp on a large platter (over crushed ice is great but not required) with the cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • For convenience, cleaned and deveined U12-15 shrimp were used.  Feel free to use shell on shrimp if you desire and peel right after shocking in the ice water bath.
    • Any size shrimp can be used.  Smaller shrimp will take less time so keep an eye on them.  Once they are opaque, they are done and should be drained and shocked in ice water immediately.
    • Shrimp cocktail can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.5g | Protein: 39.9g | Fat: 3.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 358mg | Sodium: 1133mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14.3g | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Mention @sipandfeast or tag #sipandfeast
    « Clams Casino
    Braised Short Ribs »
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brian

      December 31, 2022 at 9:09 am

      I'm kinda new to your site, but what is the purpose of the baking soda before preparing the shrimp? Thx in advance.

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 31, 2022 at 2:43 pm

        Hi Brian, the baking soda and salt brine the shrimp making them more plump and juicy. Hope that helps.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile pic.

    About Jim

    Welcome! I'm Jim and I'm here to help you make awesome Italian food that you would normally enjoy at some of your favorite New York style Italian restaurants. While my recipes are typically Italian, you'll find some other great ones as well. Take a look around, and get cooking!

    Learn more about me →

    Reader's Favorites

    • Fettuccine with Cherry Tomato Butter Sauce
    • Authentic Italian Meatballs And Sunday Sauce Recipe
    • Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle
    • Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce Spaghetti
    • Baked Artichoke Hearts with Seasoned Breadcrumbs
    • Chicken Scarpariello
    • Pasta alla Norcina
    • Grandma Pizza

    Featured On

    Sip and Feast featured in publications sidebar.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Sip and Feast

    133 shares