Today I am going to share a recipe that is shrimp cocktail recipe. It is juicy, perfectly balanced with spices and it's quiet easy to make at home. The Mexican shrimp cocktail are lightly seasoned and they are served with a tangy sauce with a bold flavor. It requires minimal effort and this shrimp cocktail recipe is perfect for parties as an appetizer.
Looking for more party starters? Explore our Appetizers Recipes for easy and delicious recipes.
Background
Shrimp Cocktail platter is a popular American appetizer. It's loved because of it's simple flavor and tomato based tangy sauce. People enjoy having it and love it due to make ahead convenience.
A short story about Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
I have made this shrimp cocktail recipe a lot of times on holiday dinners, parties and at family gatherings. Guests have always enjoyed it and it's a stress free make-ahead recipe. I have tested different spice levels but today I am going to share a simple balanced flavor recipe.
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Ingredients For Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
For the shrimp
- 2 lbs raw jumbo shrimp (11 to 15 count), peeled and deveined, tails left on
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
For the cocktail sauce
- 1⁄2 cup Ketchup
- 1⁄4 cup Heinz chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Want more quick sauces and dips? Check out our Snacks Recipes for crowd-pleasing recipes.
Instructions
Prepare the shrimp.
- Preheat an oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the shrimp on a sheet pan, then
drizzle with salt, black pepper and 2 tablespoon olive oil.
Make cocktail sauce.
- Combine Ketchup, chili sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.
- Whisk to combine the shrimp cocktail sauce, then refrigerate until needed.
Bake the cocktail shrimp.
- Transfer to the oven and cook for 6-8 minutes.
- until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked. Cook time is very much
dependent on the size of the shrimp.
Serve warm or cold
- The shrimp can be enjoyed immediately or chilled for later.
- Serve with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and the cocktail sauce.
If you love shrimp, try our Shrimp Spring Roll Recipe for another tasty appetizer idea.
Why this recipe works?
- The simple seasonings used in the recipe enhance the flavor of the shrimps
- The sauce has a bold tangy flavor which perfectly pairs with shrimps
- The timings of the recipe are tested which ensures perfectly cooked shrimps
Substitutions
- Chili sauce: If chili sauce is unavailable use more ketchup with a pinch of paprika in Mexican shrimp cocktail recipe
- Hot sauce: If you want mild flavor skip this in your shrimp cocktail recipe but if you like extra spicy then add more than the given quantity
- Fresh lemon juice: If fresh is not available use bottled lemon juice
Variations
- Spicy - Add extra hot sauce for a spicy version
- Mild - Skip hot sauce if you want mild version
- Garlic Shrimp - add garlic powder to the shrimp seasoning for garlic flavored shrimps
Serving Suggestion
- Serve chilled at parties as an appetizer
- Pair with fresh cucumber salad or toasted bread
- Ideal for seafood platters or brunch
Nutrition (Estimated Values per Serving)
- Shrimp cocktail Calories: 220
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 7g
Estimated values
Storage
- Store leftover shrimp and sauce separately in an airlock container
- Yo can store the leftover for up to 2 days in the refrigerator
- Serve cold, reheating will ruin the best texture of the shrimps
Hungry for more? Browse our full Recipe Index to discover easy, delicious recipes for every occasion.
Top tip
A colder and chilled sauce tastes better and have more bold and balanced flavor when served with shrimps.
Products used in shrimp cocktail recipe
Heinz Chili Sauce, 3-12oz Bottles Bundled with Exclusive JFS Recipe Card
Add bold, spicy flavor to your meals with Heinz Chili Sauce plus a bonus exclusive recipe card.
Tabasco Hot Sauce, Original Red Pepper, 12 oz
Add bold, spicy flavor to any dish with Tabasco Original Red Pepper Hot Sauce.
French's Worcestershire Sauce, 10 fl oz
French's Worcestershire Sauce adds rich, tangy flavor to boost your meals with ease.
FAQs
Yes, you can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate.
They turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape.
Yes, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Bring water to a boil, add the shrimp, and cook for 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain and chill before serving.
Mix ketchup, chili sauce, hot sauce, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl until smooth. Chill for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Boil shrimp in well-seasoned water for 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque, then transfer immediately to an ice bath to stop cooking. Chill before serving.
Mix ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Chill for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
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Pairing
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Zain says
So good and super easy! The shrimp were perfect and the sauce tasted amazing. Will make this again for sure 😊