Elevate your appetizer game with this classic and elegant Cocktail Shrimp recipe, perfect for any occasion. Featuring tender, jumbo shrimp poached in a fragrant broth of garlic, bay leaf, and fresh lemon juice, this dish achieves the perfect balance of delicate flavor and succulent texture. Quickly chilled in an ice bath to lock in freshness, the shrimp are served cold with a zesty cocktail sauce for dipping, making them irresistibly refreshing and ready in just 15 minutes. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or crafting a light, seafood-forward starter, this easy-to-make dish is a showstopper that will impress your guests. Keywords: cocktail shrimp, shrimp appetizers, easy seafood recipes, poached shrimp, classic shrimp cocktail.
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the salt, the juice of half the lemon (reserve the other half for garnish), the smashed garlic cloves, and the bay leaf to the boiling water.
Reduce the heat to medium and let the aromatics infuse the water for 2 minutes.
Gently add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and curl into a 'C' shape. Avoid overcooking, as this will make the shrimp rubbery.
Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water while the shrimp are cooking.
Using a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the cooked shrimp to the ice water to stop the cooking process and chill them. Let them sit in the ice water for 2-3 minutes.
Drain the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels.
Arrange the shrimp on a serving platter, garnished with lemon wedges from the reserved half of the lemon.
Serve the shrimp chilled alongside a small bowl of cocktail sauce for dipping.
Calories |
665 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.8 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 886 mg | 295% | |
| Sodium | 4854 mg | 211% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.2 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.7 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.1 g | ||
| Protein | 112.7 g | 225% | |
| Vitamin D | 20.3 mcg | 101% | |
| Calcium | 258 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 5.2 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 1664 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.