What Sauce Goes With Shrimp? 10 Delicious Pairings

Shrimp is one of the most versatile proteins out there. Its sweet briny flavor pairs beautifully with a variety of sauces that can take it from appetizer to entree and everything in between. But with so many options out there, what sauce actually goes best with succulent shrimp? Read on for my top 10 recommendations of sauces that complement and elevate shrimp’s natural flavors.

1. Cocktail Sauce

The classic pairing for shrimp, cocktail sauce is a go-to for a reason. Its punchy horseradish flavor and vinegary tomato base cut through the richness of the shrimp. Cocktail sauce comes together with just a few simple ingredients – ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. The brightness of the horseradish livens up the sweetness of the shrimp. Cocktail sauce is ideal for chilled peeled shrimp or shrimp cocktails.

2. Tartar Sauce

Another vintage shrimp combo – tartar sauce. Mayo-based tartar sauce adds a cool, creamy contrast to the shrimp’s texture. Tartar sauce typically contains mayo, sweet pickle relish, pungent onions, herbs, and a dash of lemon juice. The tanginess of the relish and onion gives the sauce a delightful zing. Tartar sauce is great with crispy breaded fried shrimp or shrimp tacos.

3. Remoulade

Remoulade is essentially a fancy French-inspired take on tartar sauce made with mayonnaise, mustard, capers, anchovies, herbs, and cornichons. It has those signature tart, briny, herby flavors that pair beautifully with shrimp. The extra kick from the mustard and slight olive-y taste from the anchovy paste gives remoulade a more robust flavor that stands up well to the sweet shrimp. It’s especially tasty with po’ boy sandwiches.

4. Garlic Butter

Buttery garlic sauce is a quick and easy way to dress up shrimp. The rich, velvety butter softens the shrimp’s texture while the garlic provides a sweet yet pungent punch of flavor Melt the butter and gently cook the garlic in it to mellow its bite. Then toss the garlicky butter with grilled, sauteed, or boiled shrimp. The sprinkle of parsley gives it freshness. Garlic butter shrimp is fantastic piled on pasta or polenta

5. Marinara Sauce

Savory, herb-filled marinara sauce makes a perfect pairing for shrimp. The lycopene-rich crushed tomatoes in marinara offer a sweet yet acidic bite that brings out shrimp’s brininess. Onion, garlic, oregano, and basil add layers of aromatic flavor. Simmer the shrimp right in the marinara to infuse it with flavor. Then enjoy shrimp marinara over creamy polenta, zucchini noodles, or your favorite pasta.

6. Soy Ginger Sauce

For an Asian flair, this easy soy ginger sauce dresses shrimp beautifully. The salty umami soy sauce enhances the shrimp’s sweetness. Grated ginger root gives it a spicy kick and bite. Rice wine vinegar contributes tangy notes while honey balances it out with subtle sweetness. Scallions provide freshness and color. Toss grilled or sauteed shrimp in this sauce or use it as a dip for tempura shrimp.

7. Lemon Butter

Buttery, bright lemon is an effortless way to elevate shrimp. Lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic season the melted butter. Basting the shrimp with lemony butter as it cooks gives it incredible flavor. The tangy citrus cuts the richness of the butter, and the garlic adds a nice bite. Lemon butter sauce takes mere minutes to make and goes great on shrimp pasta, risotto, or with crusty bread for dipping.

8. Cocktail Sauce

This modern spin on cocktail sauce incorporates Greek yogurt for a luscious texture and probiotic boost. The creamy, tangy yogurt mixed with ketchup, lemon juice and zest, prepared horseradish, and Worcestershire mimics the flavors of traditional cocktail sauce while adding richness. The probiotics and protein from the yogurt provide bonus nutritional benefits. Use it as a dip for steamed shrimp or shrimp cocktails.

9. Salsa

Fresh, colorful salsa makes a fantastic dipping sauce for shrimp. The acidity of the tomatoes, kick of onions and chiles, and bright cilantro flavor complement the shrimp perfectly. The juicy chunks of tomato offer great textural contrast too. You can use store-bought or homemade salsa. Tomato-based varieties work best. Scoop up some crispy breaded shrimp with creamy avocado salsa for a match made in heaven.

10. Spicy Mayo Sauce

For a quick, creamy, slightly spicy dipping sauce, whip up some spicy mayo. Combining mayo with sriracha or other hot sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, and cilantro yields a tasty sauce in minutes. The creamy mayo tames the heat of the hot sauce and lends rich flavor to balance the shrimp. Dunk tempura shrimp or shrimp spring rolls into spicy mayo for an easy appetizer.

So there you have it – 10 sauces that pair perfectly with shrimp to amp up the flavor. From classic combos like cocktail sauce to fun new mixes like yogurt cocktail sauce or spicy mayo, these sauces all complement shrimp’s signature sweet and briny taste. Match the sauce to your cooking method and meal for endless shrimp recipe possibilities. With the right sauce, humble shrimp can become the star player in everything from appies to mains. Give these sauces a try tonight for shrimp that’s sauced to perfection.