Homemade Shrimp Cocktail
Elevate your appetizer game with this classic Homemade Shrimp Cocktail recipe, a perfect combination of tender, chilled shrimp and a zesty, homemade cocktail sauce. Crafted with simple yet flavorful ingredients like freshly boiled shrimp infused with lemon, garlic, and a hint of bay leaf, this dish is as refreshing as it is elegant. The show-stopping cocktail sauce combines tangy ketchup, bold horseradish, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and an optional dash of heat from hot sauce, creating the perfect pairing for the succulent shrimp. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy yet impressive appetizer is perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or an upscale snack. Serve it beautifully over ice or lettuce for a stunning presentation that will wow your guests!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on)
- 6 cups Water
- 1 whole Lemon
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon Hot sauce (optional, for heat)
Instructions
Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
Slice the lemon in half. Squeeze the juice from one half into the pot, then toss the squeezed half into the water. Reserve the other lemon half for garnish if desired.
Add the garlic cloves, bay leaf, and salt to the boiling water for added flavor.
Reduce the heat to medium and let the water simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and curled into a 'C' shape.
Remove the shrimp from the pot immediately using a slotted spoon and transfer them to an ice bath (a bowl filled with cold water and ice) to stop the cooking process.
Once the shrimp have cooled completely, drain them and pat dry with paper towels.
In a small mixing bowl, prepare the cocktail sauce by combining ketchup, horseradish, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce if using. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Arrange the chilled shrimp on a platter or serving dish, either over ice or a bed of lettuce for presentation, and serve alongside the cocktail sauce.
Enjoy this classic homemade shrimp cocktail as the perfect appetizer for any gathering!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
218 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.6 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 226 mg | 75% | |
| Sodium | 1053 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.1 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.2 g | ||
| Protein | 27.8 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 95 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 361 mg | 8% | |
*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.
