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 beloved appetizer that has been popular for decades. But what exactly is classic shrimp cocktail and how do you make it? In this article we’ll explain everything you need to know about this tasty appetizer.
What is Shrimp Cocktail?
Shrimp cocktail is boiled or poached shrimp that is chilled and served with a cocktail sauce The shrimp are often served over ice to keep them cold, The tails are left on the shrimp for presentation
Shrimp cocktail first became popular in the early 1900s. It was served at fine dining establishments and special occasions. Over time, it became a regular appetizer option at restaurants, parties, and gatherings.
These days, shrimp cocktail is still a go-to appetizer for many. It’s easy to prepare and makes for an elegant starter to a meal. The combination of tender shrimp and zesty cocktail sauce is hard to resist!
What is Classic Shrimp Cocktail?
When someone refers to classic shrimp cocktail, they typically mean shrimp that is boiled and then chilled and served with a horseradish-based cocktail sauce. This preparation keeps the recipe simple, letting the natural flavors of the shrimp and sauce shine.
Classic shrimp cocktail features a few key components:
- Raw, shell-on shrimp that is boiled until just cooked through
- The cooked shrimp is immediately cooled in an ice bath to stop cooking
- The shrimp is peeled and deveined before serving
- A cocktail sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce
- The chilled shrimp and sauce is served over ice with lemon wedges
This no-fuss take on shrimp cocktail has stood the test of time. The recipe relies on easy-to-find ingredients and basic preparations. Let’s look closer at how it comes together.
How to Make Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Making classic shrimp cocktail at home is easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Shrimp
Start by peeling the raw shell-on shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp turn pink. Immediately drain and transfer to an ice bath. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
While the shrimp cool, make the cocktail sauce. Combine ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (optional) to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Once chilled, drain the shrimp from the ice bath and pat dry. Arrange the shrimp over ice on a platter or in chilled glasses. Garnish with lemon wedges. Serve the cocktail sauce on the side for dipping.
That’s really all there is to it! The simple preparation is what makes this shrimp cocktail recipe a classic.
Tips for Making Perfect Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Here are some helpful tips for making the best shrimp cocktail at home:
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Use fresh shrimp – Fresh or thawed shrimp works best to ensure the sweetest flavor. Avoid using pre-cooked shrimp.
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Cook just until done – Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. They should turn opaque and pink with tails curled.
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Chill thoroughly – An ice bath stops the cooking and chills the shrimp quickly for best texture.
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Make the sauce fresh – Prepare the cocktail sauce within a couple hours of serving for the most flavor.
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Season to taste – Adjust horseradish, hot sauce, lemon, etc to suit your preferences.
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Serve ice cold – Keeping the shrimp chilled over ice keeps them refreshing.
Shrimp Cocktail Variations
While the classic boiled shrimp with horseradish cocktail sauce is always in style, there are some fun twists on shrimp cocktail you can also try:
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Grilled shrimp – For smoky flavor, grill peeled shrimp and then chill.
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Poached shrimp – Simmer the shrimp gently in seasoned liquid before chilling.
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Spiced shrimp – Add spices like Old Bay to the cooking liquid.
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Citrus shrimp – Use citrus juices and zest in the cooking liquid.
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Mexican shrimp cocktail – Use a sauce of tomato juice, horseradish, avocado, cilantro, lime.
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Cajun shrimp – Sprinkle Cajun seasoning on the shrimp before cooking.
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Tropical shrimp – Top with mango, pineapple, or guacamole.
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Bloody Mary shrimp – Use bloody Mary mix for a boozy sauce.
So get creative and put your own spin on shrimp cocktail! The basic formula works well with many fun adaptations.
Why is Shrimp Cocktail a Classic Appetizer?
It’s easy to see why shrimp cocktail has been a go-to appetizer for over a century! Here are some of the reasons it continues to be a classic:
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Simple elegance – The combination of just a few quality ingredients never goes out of style.
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Crowd-pleaser – Most people love shrimp! The cocktail sauce adds zing.
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Easy to make – No cooking expertise required for this starter.
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Light appetizer – Shrimp and sauce whets your appetite without filling you up.
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Retro appeal – It’s a taste of old-school entertaining glamour.
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Adaptable – The basic recipe can be tweaked endlessly.
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Luxurious ingredient – Shrimp feels special and indulgent.
So don’t be afraid to embrace this vintage classic! Shrimp cocktail may seem retro, but it will always have a place at our tables.
How to Serve Classic Shrimp Cocktail
One of the appeals of shrimp cocktail is that it can be served casually or elegantly. Here are some serving suggestions:
For a casual gathering:
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Serve in disposable glasses or bowls along with crackers, lemons, and sauce.
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Arrange on a platter garnished with lemon and sauce in ramekins.
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Set up a build your own shrimp cocktail station with ingredients and disposable cups.
For a elegant dinner:
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Arrange artfully on a tray with glass rimmed plates, cloth napkins, sauce dishes.
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Serve one jumbo shrimp in a martini glass with sauce and lemon wedge.
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Individual glasses layered with crushed ice, lemon, shrimp, more ice, and sauce.
For passed appetizers:
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Skewer one shrimp and fold lemon wedge behind. Pass with sauce in small dishes.
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Spoon a dollop of sauce on end of shrimp and pass on trays.
However you serve it, shrimp cocktail makes a fantastic appetizer for gatherings large and small.
How Will You Enjoy Shrimp Cocktail?
As you can see, classic shrimp cocktail is a cherished recipe that has stayed popular for over a hundred years. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, it’s easy to see why it has staying power.
Hopefully this overview has demystified exactly what shrimp cocktail is and how to make it. Next time you come across a recipe for classic shrimp cocktail, you’ll know it refers to boiled shrimp served chilled with a horseradish cocktail sauce.
While the original version with boiled shrimp and ketchup-horseradish sauce is a go-to, don’t be afraid to put your own spin on shrimp cocktail. Change up the cooking method, sauces, and garnishes to make it your own.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, chilled shrimp and a punchy sauce are the makings of a fantastic appetizer. So next time you host a gathering or dinner party, consider putting this vintage classic on the menu. Your guests are sure to love this tasty and refreshing appetizer.
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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.
Jacques Pépin’s Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe | Cooking at Home | KQED
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.
How do you make a shrimp cocktail?
Jumbo shrimp – For a classic shrimp cocktail, you’ll want tail-on shrimp that have been deveined. Frozen shrimp is usually the way you buy it at the grocery store. But just make sure it id deveined shrimp. Homemade cocktail sauce – You can either make your own cocktail sauce, or just buy some at the store.
What sauce do you add to a shrimp cocktail?
After the ketchup, horseradish, and salt, you can also add a bit of Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and/or hot sauce (like Tabasco). Here’s my favorite cocktail sauce recipe. You could also make British cocktail sauce which is called Marie Rose sauce. For a really great shrimp cocktail, you want to go with large shrimp.
Does shrimp cocktail need to be complicated?
Shrimp cocktail is all about the shrimp, with nothing for overcooked (or, cringe, undercooked) shrimp to hide behind. Cooking the shrimp properly is, therefore, three-quarters of the battle. Finally, there’s the issue of the cocktail sauce. Cocktail sauce does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be snappy.