You can make a delicious shrimp cocktail at home by following these steps: making your own cocktail sauce and cooking the shrimp so they are soft, juicy, and tasty.
I’ve had some amazing shrimp cocktails in my day. They’ve usually been served as appetizers at steakhouses. Cold and tender shrimp. Sweet and spicy sauce. So good. But when we make shrimp cocktail at home, it’s simple to buy some already cooked shrimp (maybe in a ring shape) and a jar of cocktail sauce. Then we just put it out for everyone to eat. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s tasty and easy.
To make the best shrimp cocktail, like the ones served at steakhouses, you need to do a few extra things. Not much more, mind you. Homemade shrimp cocktail is still surprisingly simple to do. Read everything you need to know by scrolling down, or click here to go straight to the recipe.
Shrimp cocktail is a classic party appetizer that never goes out of style. The combination of chilled, succulent shrimp with a zesty cocktail sauce is hard to beat. While shrimp cocktail may seem simple, the presentation and serving method can make a big difference. Follow these tips to serve shrimp cocktail like a pro and impress your guests!
shop for high-quality shrimp
The star of shrimp cocktail is obviously the shrimp! Don’t skimp here. Opt for large shrimp, ideally 16-20 per pound. Look for fresh, wild caught shrimp if possible. Farm-raised shrimp tends to have less flavor. If using frozen, defrost overnight in the fridge. Key West pink shrimp are my favorite – they have a naturally sweeter flavor.
Prep the shrimp
Unless you buy shrimp already peeled and deveined, you’ll need to prep them before cooking. Use kitchen shears to cut through the shell on the back and remove. Leave the tail on for presentation. Then, use a paring knife to slice down the back and remove the vein Rinse thoroughly.
Cook the shrimp
Lightly poach the shrimp in salted, boiling water just until opaque and curled, 2-3 minutes. Then shock in an ice bath to stop cooking. This ensures tender, not rubbery, shrimp. Drain thoroughly before assembling.
Chill completely
Shrimp cocktail must be ice cold. Prepare the components ahead of time and chill thoroughly. Place serving bowl over ice or in fridge 1-2 hours before guests arrive.
Arrange attractively
Use a clear glass bowl or vintage coupe so the shrimp are visible Fill bowl halfway with crushed ice Arrange shrimp around edges and on top, Scatter some lemon wedges attractively, Include cocktail sauce in small bowls for dipping,
Refresh ice
Check ice periodically and refresh so shrimp stays chilled. You don’t want guests digging into a lukewarm shrimp cocktail!
Provide cocktail sauce on the side
Serve cocktail sauce in individual small bowls for dipping rather than pouring all over shrimp This prevents the shrimp from getting soggy Offer lemon wedges for squeezing over shrimp, Provide cocktail napkins,
Choose appropriate dipping sauce
Of course classic cocktail sauce with ketchup and horseradish is always an option. But consider mixing it up with one of these fun dipping sauces:
- Spicy sriracha cocktail sauce
- Tangy Greek yogurt sauce with lemon and dill
- Chili lime sauce with cayenne and cilantro
- Creamy house ranch dressing with lemon pepper
- Guacamole or avocado salsa
Pick perfect garnishes
- Lemon and lime wedges
- Fresh dill sprigs
- Pitted green olives
- Pickled okra pods
- Sprigs of parsley, cilantro or mint
- Edible flowers
Serve in edible cups
For individual servings, serve shrimp in edible cups made from lettuce, cucumber, or jicama. Spoon cocktail sauce in bottom and nestle 3-4 shrimp attractively.
Make it interactive
Set up a DIY shrimp cocktail station so guests can assemble their own. Provide chilled shrimp, bowls of various sauces, lemons, and decorative garnishes.
Pair with perfect drinks
Chilled shrimp cocktail pairs beautifully with dry sparkling wines, light beers, or citrus-flavored cocktails like margaritas. Set up a drink station nearby.
Here are some additional tips for serving fantastic shrimp cocktail:
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Choose shrimp that are similar in size for even cooking. Aim for 16-20 per pound.
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Prepare components like cocktail sauce ahead of time so last minute assembly is easy.
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Allow 3-4 medium shrimp per person if serving as an appetizer.
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Brighten up flavor by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice over shrimp before serving.
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Serve additional lemon and lime wedges for guests to spritz their own shrimp.
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Provide plenty of cocktail napkins as shrimp can be messy to eat!
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Garnish with fresh herbs like dill, mint or cilantro instead of parsley for a pop of color.
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Consider serving shrimp on a bed of crushed ice rather than submerged in ice water to avoid sogginess.
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For easy passed appetizers, skewer 1 shrimp and 1 grape tomato on a decorative pick.
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Lettuce or cucumber make great edible vessels for individual servings.
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For buffets, nestle shrimp in an ice bowl next to the dipping sauces.
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Prepare shrimp up to 6 hours before serving and keep chilled until ready to serve.
How To Cook Shrimp For Shrimp Cocktail
You’ve got your raw shrimp, now you’ve got to cook them. The best way to cook shrimp for shrimp cocktail is to poach them gently. My preferred method is to bring a pot of salted water to the boil. You can start by adding some nice smells, like peppercorns, lemon juice and wedges, and a lot of fresh parsley leaves. Those items are optional though. The only thing that’s required is the water and salt.
As soon as the water starts to boil very quickly, remove it from the heat and let it cool down. Then, with the pot still off of the heat, add your shrimp. Cover the pot and let the shrimp cook in the water’s remaining heat. It will take 4-7 minutes. Check at that point – the shrimp are done when they’re opaque and pink.
The timing depends on how many shrimp you’re cooking and how much water you had. You can put 12 shrimp in a 3-quart saucepan that is 3/4 full of water. It will take about 4 minutes for them to cook. If you want to cook more shrimp, use a bigger pot and more water.
It can take up to two to four minutes longer sometimes, depending on the number and size of the shrimp, the size of the pot, and the amount of water in it. The beautiful thing about this method though is that you can’t really overcook them at this point. The water isn’t as hot as it used to be, and the shrimp are slowly cooking as you leave them.
While the shrimp are cooking, fill a large bowl with cold water and a lot of ice. Remove the shrimp from the hot water when they are done cooking. Leave the aromatics behind and throw them away afterward. You can use a slotted spoon or pour them through a colander. Then put the drained shrimp into the bowl of ice water and let them chill completely. After that, you can either serve them right away or drain them and put them in the fridge for up to 12 hours before serving.
Video: How To Make Shrimp Cocktail
First, to make restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail, you need a great-tasting cocktail sauce. If you buy one that you like, you can use that. I think the store-bought ones are a bit bland, so I either make my own or add horseradish sauce and hot sauce to them.
Making your own cocktail sauce isn’t very hard though. It uses ingredients that you probably already have at home. Ketchup mixed with horseradish and a pinch of salt are the basics. Make sure that you have a good-tasting horseradish sauce. Taste it by itself and make sure you like it. I like prepared horseradish better than horseradish sauce. Specifically, I like the prepared horseradish that comes in jars in the grocery store’s refrigerated section next to the pickles. It tends to have a spicier and more robust flavor.
You can add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and/or hot sauce (like Tabasco) after the ketchup, horseradish, and salt. Here’s my favorite cocktail sauce recipe. You could also make British cocktail sauce which is called Marie Rose sauce.
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe – Easy Appetizer in 15 minutes
How do you serve a shrimp cocktail?
As for presentation ideas, serve the shrimp cocktail in chilled martini glasses or on a bed of ice to keep them cool and fresh. Garnish with lemon wedges, parsley, or cocktail sauce to enhance the visual appeal. Shrimp cocktail, a classic appetizer that has stood the test of time, is a favorite among seafood lovers.
What are the side effects of eating shrimp?
Shrimp allergy can be identified from signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling it, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.
What is a shrimp cocktail?
A briny bite of cold, tender shrimp wrapped in tart, spicy cocktail sauce is what shrimp cocktail dreams are made of. Well, that and a dry Martini. This classic cocktail-hour appetizer is nothing more than cold cooked shrimp served with a spicy, tangy, tomato-based sauce for dipping.
What condiments go with shrimp cocktail?
Here are three recommended condiments to accompany shrimp cocktail: Cocktail Sauce: This classic condiment is a must-have for shrimp cocktail. Its tangy and slightly spicy flavor adds a kick to the shrimp, while the combination of ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice provides a refreshing balance.