Description
A classic, elegant appetizer featuring tender, juicy shrimp served chilled with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce. Perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 1 tsp black peppercorns (optional)
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- Ice (for ice bath)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add the lemon slices, bay leaf, peppercorns, and kosher salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
- Immediately transfer the cooked shrimp to an ice bath to stop cooking and chill completely. Drain well.
- In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce if using. Adjust to taste.
- Arrange the chilled shrimp on a platter around a bowl of cocktail sauce. Serve with extra lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Add finely chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the cocktail sauce for extra flavor.
- Use pre-cooked shrimp for an even faster version—just thaw and chill.
- Serve shrimp cocktail in individual cups for a fun party presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (including chilling)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 190mg