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.
Cocktail shrimp are a party favorite, often served chilled with a zesty cocktail sauce for dipping. Their convenient cooked and peeled format makes them an easy appetizer option. But did you know you can also use them in a variety of cooked dishes?
Cocktail shrimp provide a quick protein boost to pasta, rice bowls, tacos, sandwiches and more. Their versatility and mild flavor allow them to work in countless cuisines and recipes. With a few tips on handling and storage, you can transform those leftover cocktail shrimp into easy weeknight meals.
What are Cocktail Shrimp?
Cocktail shrimp refer to cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp sold with the tails still attached. They are available both fresh and frozen. The name comes from their common use in chilled shrimp cocktails, where they get paired with a spicy tomato-horseradish sauce.
Cocktail shrimp are a larger shrimp size, usually 16/20 or 21/25 count per pound. The tails make a convenient handle for dipping in cocktail sauce. Stores sell them pre-cooked for convenience, since the raw shrimp only takes 2-3 minutes to cook
When buying cocktail shrimp, look for plump, shiny shells with no black spots. They should smell like the ocean with no hint of ammonia odor. Peeled varieties are often sold with a light glaze to help retain moisture. These work well for cooking too.
For the best flavor and texture, use cocktail shrimp within a couple days of purchase Freeze any extras you don’t plan to eat right away.
Handling Cooked Cocktail Shrimp
Cocktail shrimp are perishable since they are already cooked Follow these guidelines for safe handling and storage
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Keep cold until ready to use. Store in the coldest part of the fridge, usually the back.
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Don’t let them sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours total, including any serving time.
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Use within 2 days for best quality. Discard any with an off smell.
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Freeze extras in a single layer on a sheet pan until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Use within 3 months.
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Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water. Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp.
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Cooked shrimp also freezes well in dishes like shrimp salad or shrimp pasta.
Following these tips will help avoid food waste and make the most of your cocktail shrimp!
Cooking with Cocktail Shrimp
Cocktail shrimp add convenient protein to all kinds of recipes beyond shrimp cocktails. Their mild, slightly briny flavor works in a variety of cuisines. Try them in these quick and easy dishes:
Pasta
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Toss with olive oil, garlic, tomato and spices for shrimp scampi. Finish with parsley and lemon.
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Mix into creamy pasta salads with veggies like corn, peas and roasted red peppers.
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Make Cajun shrimp pasta by sautéing shrimp with Cajun seasoning, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion.
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Make a quick shrimp Alfredo by simmering shrimp in store-bought Alfredo sauce and tossing with hot pasta.
Rice Bowls
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Cook shrimp with teriyaki sauce, carrots, peppers and pineapple over rice. Top with sesame seeds and green onions.
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Make burrito bowls with shrimp, rice, black beans, corn, salsa and avocado.
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Sauté shrimp with cauliflower rice, garlic, peas and coconut milk. Season with curry powder.
Tacos
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Mix shrimp with a spicy mayo coleslaw for great shrimp tacos.
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Sauté shrimp with taco seasoning and use in tacos with all your favorite toppings.
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Grill shrimp and make tacos with pineapple salsa, shredded cabbage and Mexican crema.
Sandwiches
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Toss shrimp in buffalo sauce and place on buns with lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing.
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Mix with celery, onions and mayo for an easy shrimp salad sandwich filling.
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Sauté shrimp with hoisin sauce and use in banh mi sandwiches with quick pickled carrots, radishes and cucumber.
Soups and Salads
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Make a creamy shrimp and corn chowder by simmering shrimp in a seasoned cream base with potatoes and corn.
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Toss shrimp with mesclun greens, cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette.
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Mix into seafood pasta salads with shell pasta, celery, red onion and a creamy dressing.
Snacks and Appetizers
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Stuff shrimp into mini peppers or endive leaves for an easy passed appetizer.
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Toss with buffalo wing sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing for spicy shrimp bites.
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Make shrimp ceviche by marinating cooked shrimp in lime juice with tomatoes, onion and cilantro.
With so many possibilities, you’ll look at cocktail shrimp as an ingredient, not just an appetizer!
Tips for Cooking with Cocktail Shrimp
Cocktail shrimp need just a brief cooking time since they are already cooked. Follow these simple guidelines when adding them to recipes:
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Pat dry before cooking to prevent splattering. Removing excess moisture helps them sauté up crispy.
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Don’t overcook, 3 minutes max for reheating. They get rubbery if you cook them too long.
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Watch the cooking time if adding to soups or simmered dishes so they don’t get tough.
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Season just before serving since they absorb flavors easily. Go light on salt since they are often salty.
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If reheating, cook just until hot throughout. Reheating too much can dry them out.
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Add lemon juice, herbs and spices at the end to keep flavors fresh.
With a few cooking tips, you can take advantage of cocktail shrimp’s convenience while still retaining a tender, juicy texture.
Storing Leftover Cooked Shrimp
Like any cooked protein, leftover cocktail shrimp needs proper storage. Follow these guidelines:
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Let leftover dishes made with shrimp cool completely before storing.
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Store in airtight containers and use within 3-4 days.
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Freeze extra portions up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheat gently either on the stovetop or in the microwave. Don’t cook repeatedly.
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Check for off odors before eating leftovers with shrimp. Discard if it smells unpleasant.
With proper handling, you can transform leftover party shrimp into easy weekday meals. Getting creative with leftovers saves money and reduces food waste.
Enjoy Versatile Cocktail Shrimp
From party platters to nourishing meals, cocktail shrimp offer versatility, convenience and full-bodied flavor. Follow these simple handling methods to optimize quality and prevent waste.
Try tossing these cooked shrimp into some of your favorite recipes. Their mild brininess complements a world of cuisines from Italian to Mexican to Asian. With a few cooking tips, you can give new life to leftover cocktail shrimp.
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.
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.
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe – Easy Appetizer in 15 minutes
How to cook shrimp for making a shrimp cocktail?
To cook shrimp for a shrimp cocktail, gently poach them in a pot of salted water. Optional aromatics like lemon juice and lemon wedges, peppercorns, and fresh parsley leaves can be added to the water for extra flavor.
How do you make shrimp cocktail sauce?
Prepare a bowl of ice water. Add the shrimp and cook about 2 minutes (more or less time depending on size of shrimp), until bright pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and place it directly into the ice water bath to stop the cooking. Meanwhile, stir together the Shrimp Cocktail Sauce ingredients.
How do you serve shrimp with cocktail sauce?
Enhance the presentation. Serve your shrimp on a bed of lettuce or crushed ice. You can also add other garnishes like chopped avocados, tomatoes, cucumber, or fresh cilantro for a different burst of freshness and color. Serve it chilled. For the best flavor and texture, make sure both the shrimp and the cocktail sauce are cold before serving.
Which sauce is added to a shrimp cocktail?
You can add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and/or hot sauce (like Tabasco) to a shrimp cocktail, in addition to ketchup, horseradish, and salt. Here’s my favorite cocktail sauce recipe. For a really great shrimp cocktail, you want to go with large shrimp.