Channel your inner George Costanza and double dip with this snappy, fresh, easy, and savory Shrimp Cocktail Recipe that celebrates the pure flavor of one of our favorite gifts from the sea. This classic appetizer always gets a party started and is ideal for any occasion.
Part of what makes a shrimp cocktail so appealing as an entertaining dish is what’s in it. At its core, it’s simply gently poached shrimp served with a dipping sauce, often the tangy ketchup-based cocktail sauce. It can be as effortless as shrimp poached in lightly salted water or as elaborate as shrimp cooked in a court bouillon with plenty of aromatics, sunny lemons, and herbs.
What is Shrimp Cocktail?
All of us seafood lovers have at one time or another indulged in sweet, succulent shrimp draped over a cocktail glass or sitting neatly in a plastic container from the grocery store. Whether high-end and classy at a steakhouse or quick and easy while shopping, shrimp cocktail is a beloved dish enjoyed around the world. But what exactly is shrimp cocktail?
Shrimp cocktail, or prawn cocktail, is a seafood dish that dates back to ancient times and has taken many forms. Its popularity grew during the 1920s along with its name. With Prohibition in full effect in America, shrimp began to be served in cocktail glasses. The popularity of this seafood cocktail took off in Las Vegas during the 1950s, when casinos began selling the dish at cheap prices in large volumes.
The Perfect Shrimp for Your Cocktail
Not all shrimp are created equal and suited to making shrimp cocktail. Different shrimp species and sizes are better suited to creating the perfect shrimp cocktail. There’s nothing more magnificent than diving into a jumbo shrimp cocktail. Larger shrimp not only make for a more impressive presentation, but also have the ideal texture for poaching and boiling shrimp for shrimp cocktail. These are the two most common methods for cooking shrimp cocktail.
Size matters when purchasing shrimp to create your shrimp cocktail. For the best flavor and texture, look for shrimp that are at least 16/20, or colossal. This means that there will be 16/20 shrimp per pound. Our colossal shrimp, which are 8-12 shrimp per pound, will impress friends and family. See our guide on how shrimp are sized.
Selecting the Right Shrimp
Aside from size, there are more things you should consider when purchasing your shrimp for your shrimp cocktail recipe. Here are some tips for selecting the ideal shrimp.
| Wild Caught Shrimp | Farm Raised Shrimp |
| Look for farm-raised shrimp that are raised without chemicals or artificial feed. You can even find shrimp certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, or BAP. | Always look for farm-raised shrimp that are environmentally sound or wild-caught shrimp that are sustainably sourced. There are pros and cons to both farm-raised and wild-caught shrimp. |
| Always avoid shrimp with preservatives, phosphates, additives, or antibiotics. | Certain shrimp species are better suited to shrimp cocktail. Tiger shrimp, pink shrimp, and white shrimp are all great options, while rock shrimp is typically used for more delicate dishes such as pasta. |
| Certain shrimp species are better suited to shrimp cocktail. Tiger shrimp, pink shrimp, and white shrimp are all great options, while rock shrimp is usually used for more delicate dishes like pasta. | Seafood Watch from the Monterey Bay Aquarium has farmed tiger shrimp from Vietnam that are raised in mangroves such as our colossal shrimp rated as a best choice. |
| Buy brown, pink, and white shrimp except when caught by skimmer trawl vessels less than 40 feet long outside of Florida state waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Turtle bycatch is an issue when shrimp are caught by these smaller skimmer trawl vessels | Avoid white leg shrimp farmed in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, or Vietnam (intensive ponds only). |
Step-by-Step Guide: Preparing Your Shrimp Cocktail
Knowing how to make shrimp cocktail is an easy cooking skill that will make you feel like a rockstar for any occasion. With just a few simple steps and tips, you can easily throw together this classic appetizer. Boiling shrimp for shrimp cocktail requires minimal ingredients and little effort.
- Defrost your shrimp overnight. For the best results, allow the shrimp to gently defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
- Peel and devein your shrimp if necessary. Feel free to leave the tails on; not only does it make for a beautiful presentation, but they’re also nature’s handles.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. You can add aromatics if desired, such as garlic, onions, thyme, bay leaves, or lemon halves. Hold off adding any salt or seasoning to the pot until the water is boiling. Allow the salt to dissolve.
- Lower the heat and add your shrimp. Turn the heat to low and add the shrimp carefully. Use a spoon to gently keep the shrimp moving. This will gradually lower the water temperature and help prevent the shrimp from overcooking. Allow them to cook for 3-5 minutes until they turn pink and curve into a “C” shape. Immediately remove them from the water and allow them to drain.
How long to boil shrimp for shrimp cocktail depends on the shrimp size. Always go by how the shrimp look and their internal temperature. You want a C shape, not an O. The internal temperature for shrimp is 120°F.
How to Make Perfect Cocktail Sauce?
Part of the whole experience of eating shrimp cocktail is that glorious dunk into a thick, tangy, sometimes spicy sauce. Good shrimp cocktail recipes should also include a great cocktail sauce or another sauce. We won’t even judge if you double-dip into the best shrimp cocktail recipe.
Shrimp cocktail sauce ingredients are easy to find. An easy shrimp cocktail recipe typically includes ketchup, horseradish, lemon, and occasionally Worcestershire sauce, seafood seasoning, or minced jalapeño or onion. It is made from readily available pantry ingredients.
Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2-3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Splash of hot sauce
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Stir ingredients together until combined. Cover and allow to refrigerate for at least an hour. This will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Have fun trying different combinations of flavors and ingredients. Take inspiration from a classic cocktail, such as a Bloody Mary, and add a splash of vodka with celery salt. Love things spicy? Add additional horseradish or finely diced jalapeño.
Serving Suggestions
There’s nothing complicated about how to serve shrimp cocktail. From a large party-ready platter to individual shot glasses, the ways to display your shrimp cocktail appetizer are endless.
Anything can be used as a shrimp cocktail serving dish. If you want to serve individual shrimp cocktails, you can use small items such as shot glasses or Asian soup spoons. Place a small amount of the cocktail sauce in the vessel and then top with a shrimp or two.
For a large presentation of your shrimp cocktail recipe, pick a beautiful platter and serving bowl for the cocktail sauce. You can also opt for a tiered serving platter and add other chilled seafood, such as steamed lobster tails or lobster claws.
The possibilities of what to serve with shrimp cocktail are also endless. It can be part of a larger appetizer display. Serve it up with lobster bisque, clam chowder, or lobster roll sliders for a hearty seafood experience. You can also go all out and make the shrimp cocktail part of a larger sea-cuterie board. In addition to the steamed shrimp and cocktail sauce, add seared scallops, smoked salmon, oysters with a mignonette sauce, and your favorite tinned fish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While shrimp cocktails recipes are almost always easy and straight forward, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure that you have perfectly cooked shrimp and a tasty sauce every time.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat before adding the shrimp. This will help prevent your shrimp from overcooking.
- Shrimp only take minutes to cook, so don’t walk away from your pan. You are looking for the visual signs that they’re done. They will go from slightly translucent to opaque and turn pink or orange depending upon the species. You also want them to be in a C shape. If they’re O-shaped, they’re overcooked.
- Some recipes instruct you to add the boiled shrimp to an ice water bath after cooking. With this method, you risk diluting their flavor and making the texture watery. The best way to cool down your shrimp is put them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and let them chill in the refrigerator.
- When in doubt, temp check. The best way to ensure you cook your shrimp without overcooking it is to check its internal temperature. You want it to be 120 degrees.
- Keep your shrimp refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. You only want the shrimp out an hour or two maximum. You can keep them chilled on ice if you like.
- Cocktail sauce might not have a lot of ingredients, but it packs a bold punch of flavor. Always allow it to refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors can meld and deepen.
Variations
- Serve your prawns for prawn cocktail with the classic English dipping sauce, Marie Rose. This is similar to cocktail sauce but with the addition of mayonnaise.
- Add cocktail shrimp as a garnish to a Bloody Mary or Canadian Caesar for a prawn cocktail.
- Instead of boiling shrimp, try roasting or grilling them.
- Take a trip south of the border and serve up a Mexican shrimp cocktail, or coctel de camarones.
How to Store Leftovers
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to an airtight container and refrigerate until serving. They will last for up to four days refrigerated.
- Always keep the cocktail sauce stored separately from the shrimp. You’ll also want to keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week.
Nutritional Information and Dietary Considerations
Shrimp cocktail is a healthy option when choosing an appetizer. Depending on the size of the shrimp and the amount of cocktail sauce served, the average cocktail shrimp will range between 100 and 150 calories per serving. It’s relatively low in fat and high in protein.
Unlike other heavy, fatty appetizers like fried foods, quickly boiled crustaceans make shrimp cocktail a great choice for those looking for a lower-fat, high-protein option that still packs a ton of flavor. That said, just like anything else, it needs to be consumed in moderation.
Shrimp Cocktail Nutrition Tips
- If you’ve never had shrimp cocktail before, you might be wondering if shrimp cocktail is cooked. Unlike ceviche, shrimp cocktail uses cooked shrimp, so it’s not ideal for someone following a raw diet. Eating raw shrimp is never recommended, so when ordering, you should never have to worry if the shrimp cocktail is raw.
- While shrimp is low in calories and fat, it is higher in cholesterol than some proteins, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.
- Shrimp cocktail is almost always dairy-free and usually gluten-free. If you are sensitive to gluten or dairy, consider the ingredients in the cocktail sauce. Items such as soy sauce may contain hidden gluten, so ask before consuming.
- Cocktail sauce can be high in sugar due to its ketchup base. Use a sugar-free or high-fructose variety if this is a concern.
Recipe For Easy Shrimp Cocktail
Print
How to Make Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Channel your inner George Costanza and double dip with this snappy, fresh, easy, and savory Shrimp Cocktail Recipe that celebrates the pure flavor of one of our favorite gifts from the sea.
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1–2 lbs 16-20 count shrimp or go bigger!
- 10 cups of water
- 2 bay leaves
- 2–3 sprigs of fresh parsley
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- Dutch oven or large stock pot to boil your shrimp
Instructions
- Defrost Overnight in the Refrigerator. Allow your shrimp to defrost in a colander placed inside a bowl overnight in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch for time you can defrost them by placing the in a bowl and running cold water over them.
- Peel and Devein Shrimp if necessary. Wash the shrimp and peel and devein under running cold water. Using your thumbs, split open the thin shell along the bottom between the two rows of legs. Peel the shell away. Use a small knife to make a shallow slit along the back to expose the dark, intestinal vein tract. With a knife tip or your fingers, lift up the vein and discard. Rinse shrimp.
- Add Thawed Shrimp to Boiling Water. Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add your aromatics, sea salt, and black peppercorns. Once boiling add your shrimp.
- Cook Shrimp. Use tongs or strainer to gently keep the shrimp moving. The tails will turn red first and then the bodies will turn pink and opaque. The entire process should take no more than 3-5 minutes. See more on how to tell if shrimp are done.
- Chill Shrimp. Drain the shrimp immediately and place on a baking sheet to chill in the fridge.
- Serve. Serve chilled with lemon wedges and your favorite cocktail sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 4
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 366mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 122 g
Frequently Asked Questions
Shrimp cocktail shouldn’t be left out past two hours at room temperature. If the room is warm or if it’s being served outside reduce the time to 1 hour.
Fresh shrimp should smell slightly briny and sweet, but never fishy. If there is any fishy odor, discoloration, or sliminess, discard the shrimp immediately.
Always make sure to properly drain shrimp when defrosting. Once defrosted whether the shrimp is raw or cooked make sure you always thoroughly pat it dry with paper towels.
You can reuse cocktail sauce as long as it hasn’t been dipped it. You want to ensure that you prevent cross contamination. Cocktail sauce should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Bump up the flavor of your cocktail sauce by adding additional horseradish, a squeeze of lemon or lime, or splash of hot sauce. You can also add fresh herbs like dill or parsley.
Yes. You can boil the shrimp and prepare the cocktail sauce a day in advance. Make sure you store them separately. Assemble your shrimp cocktail just before serving.
As long as your shrimp are properly chilled they are safe to serve not on ice. You can also place your plate in the freezer prior to serving.