You can wow your guests by making shrimp cocktails yourself. It’s not as hard as it looks, and it will cost you a lot less than buying them already made.
A beautifully arranged shrimp platter is sure to wow your guests at your next gathering With multiple types of shrimp, flavorful sauces, and fresh garnishes, you can create an appetizer spread that looks and tastes amazing Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a shrimp platter that will be the highlight of any party.
Select the Best Shrimp
The key to an incredible shrimp platter starts with the shrimp itself You’ll want to use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture Here are some tips for choosing shrimp
-
Go for raw, shell-on shrimp – Raw shrimp will give you the most control over doneness and texture. Shell-on shrimp also looks beautiful arranged on a platter.
-
Choose wild-caught or sustainably farmed shrimp – These methods produce the best-tasting shrimp. Avoid shrimp that’s been treated with chemicals like sodium tripolyphosphate.
-
Pick a variety of sizes – Having small, medium, and jumbo shrimp makes for a more visually appealing platter. Aim for 21-25, 26-30, and 31-35 count per pound.
-
Buy frozen if you can’t find fresh – Frozen shrimp is an excellent alternative when fresh isn’t available. Make sure it’s uncooked and shell-on.
Prep and Cook the Shrimp
Now it’s time to get the shrimp ready to go on the platter. Here’s how:
-
Peel and devein the shrimp – Use a paring knife to peel off the shell while leaving the tails on. Then devein the shrimp by making a shallow cut down the back to remove the digestive tract.
-
Season generously with salt, pepper, and spices – A flavorful seasoning blend is key. Old Bay, jerk seasoning, and cajun seasoning are all good options.
-
Quickly sauté or boil the shrimp – Cooking the shrimp until just pink and curled ensures the perfect tender, yet firm texture. Don’t overcook!
-
Shock in an ice bath – Plunging the cooked shrimp in ice water stops the cooking process so they don’t get rubbery.
Make Some Delicious Dipping Sauces
No shrimp platter is complete without sauces for dipping. Whip up a couple of these crowd-pleasers:
-
Cocktail sauce – A classic pairing with shrimp. Make it yourself or spice up store-bought sauce.
-
Garlic aioli – This creamy, garlicky sauce is so addictive. Add spicy chipotle if you like heat.
-
Sweet chili sauce – With a kick of chili and touch of sweetness, this sauce is a fun twist.
-
Spicy sriracha mayo – Mix sriracha with mayo and a squeeze of lime for a quick sauce with a bite.
Craft a Beautiful Platter Display
Now for the fun part – assembling the platter! Follow these tips for an eye-catching spread:
-
Use a large platter or tiered stand – This gives you plenty of room to arrange the shrimp and garnishes.
-
Alternate shrimp sizes and orientations – Mix it up by placing shrimp every which way.
-
Garnish with lemon wheels, fresh herbs, and edible flowers – Citrus, herbs, and flowers make it look vibrant.
-
** Serve sauces in small bowls** – Place dipping sauce bowls beside the platter for easy access.
-
Chill the platter before serving – An ice bath keeps cooked shrimp cold until party time.
With chilled and perfectly cooked shrimp, tangy sauces, and fresh garnishes, your homemade shrimp platter will rival anything you’d get at a restaurant. Your guests are sure to be impressed with this show-stopping appetizer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Shrimp Platters
What are the best shrimp to use?
Go for raw, shell-on shrimp that’s either wild-caught or sustainably farmed. This ensures great flavor and lets you control the texture. Have a mix of sizes for visual appeal.
How do I prevent the shrimp from overcooking?
Cooking the shrimp briefly until just opaque, then plunging them into an ice bath stops the cooking so they don’t get rubbery. Don’t leave them in the sauté pan or boiling water too long.
Can I prepare the platter ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the shrimp, make the sauces, and prep any garnishes ahead. Just reserve assembling the platter until right before serving. Keep the shrimp chilled.
What are creative garnish ideas?
Lemons, fresh herbs, edible flowers, chili peppers, seaweed salad, microgreens, pickled vegetables, and salty caviar lend vibrance and texture.
How long will the platter last at room temp?
It’s best to serve a shrimp platter within 2 hours of assembling for optimal freshness and food safety. Keep platters with cooked shrimp on ice as much as possible.
Can I freeze leftover shrimp and sauce?
Leftover shrimp keeps for 2-3 months in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge before serving again. Sauces can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Inspiring Shrimp Appetizer Ideas
- Shrimp cocktail shooters
- Shrimp ceviche with fresh lime juice
- Chili garlic shrimp skewers
- Shrimp tempura with dipping sauces
- Seared scallops wrapped in prosciutto
- Coconut shrimp with mango salsa
- Shrimp spring rolls with pickled vegetables
With so many options for creating a sensory overload of colors, flavors, and textures, a DIY shrimp platter is guaranteed to be a highlight of your next gathering. Impress everyone with your culinary skills with this step-by-step guide. Let’s get this party started!
Fresh, Raw Shrimp is Best
Before we start, here’s a quick tip: the “fresh” shrimp in the meat section of your store isn’t really fresh. OK, maybe if you live in Alaska or Maine or wherever and it was fresh caught that morning. For the rest of us, though, I can promise you that the shrimp behind the glass was frozen and was just thawed. It wasn’t freshly caught that day, or the day before, or probably even in the last week.
Skip a step and ask for frozen shrimp instead if you want to eat fresh shrimp. Ask for “wild caught” shrimp that isn’t peeled, is raw, and preferably hasn’t been veined, unless you don’t mind that you have to do it yourself. I have found shrimp like this on sale for $5 a pound. You can take it home and keep it frozen until you’re ready to use it. If you get it out from behind the counter, thaw it, and then freeze it again, it won’t taste as good.
If you want to save even more money, make your own cocktail sauce with things you probably already have in your fridge. The recipe is below, and it is delicious. You will never buy the bottled stuff again.
How to Present Shrimp Cocktail
A shrimp cocktail is a naturally pretty appetizer for a party. It is also easy to garnish. Usually, just some parsley and fresh lemon wedges will do the trick. Here are a few more presentation ideas, depending on what you are going for:
- This is how the cocktail shrimp in the recipe below are served at a party: on a platter. If you think the shrimp will be out at room temperature for a while, it’s best to put them on a platter or shallow serving bowl with ice cubes on top of them. Either put lemon wedges in a bowl on the side or put them on the platter with the shrimp. Don’t forget that having too many lemon wedges is better than not having enough.
- Single servings—For this show, you want to make single servings with everything in a small cup or glass. In the bottom of the cup or glass, I like to put a spoonful of cocktail sauce. Then I like to hang the shrimp over the edge. You can choose how many shrimp to use based on the serving dish. There will probably only be room for one shrimp in a shot glass. If you use a cocktail glass, three to four shrimp should fit over the edge. Garnish each with a lemon wedge and parsley.
- When I make ceviche, I like to use small shrimp, but you can use medium-sized shrimp if you take off the tails and cut them in half or thirds. Mix the shrimp with fresh tomato, red onion, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, a little hot sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add lime juice and toss everything together. You can even add chopped cucumber or celery. Put the food in a large serving dish or into individual serving cups. You don’t have to serve this style with tortilla chips, but I do.
Yes! Frozen shrimp is rich in flavor and still has the save great texture. Be sure to thaw them before serving them.
Make a small cut along the back of the shrimp shell with a knife or a tool for deveining. A dark vein will slowly be removed and come out.
Prepare the cocktail sauce according to the recipe card and then store it in the refrigerator.
Leftover shrimp cocktail sauce can stay in the fridge for two days.
Sure! Shrimp cocktail pairs well with crab and lobster too.
Cooking shrimp does not take long. Overcooking the shrimp will give the shrimp a rubbery outside texture. Once the shrimp turn pink and opaque, transfer them to an ice bath. The ice bath will store the cooking process and keep them chilled.
