Description
This shrimp cocktail recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with tender, shell-on shrimp boiled in aromatic spices and served with a bold, homemade cocktail sauce. Quick to prepare, low in fat, and bursting with freshness, it’s the perfect appetizer for parties, holidays, or light meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 extra-large tail-on raw shrimp: for juicy texture and flavor
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning: adds traditional seafood spice
- 1 lemon, halved: brings citrus brightness
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: enhances savory notes
- 1 clove garlic, minced: adds aromatic depth
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder: adds mild heat
- 1 teaspoon salt: boosts flavor and improves texture
- 1/2 cup Heinz Chili Sauce: base of the cocktail sauce
- 1 cup ketchup: adds sweetness and body
- 1 tablespoon horseradish: gives the sauce a spicy kick
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce: adds umami
- Juice of 1/2 lemon: brightens the sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco: adds subtle heat
- 1/2 clove garlic, minced: builds flavor
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro: brings freshness
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, Tabasco, minced garlic, and cilantro. Refrigerate until serving.
- In an 8-quart pot, bring water to a boil with Old Bay, garlic powder, fresh garlic, chili powder, lemon halves, and salt.
- Add shrimp to the boiling water. Once the water returns to a boil, cook for 2–3 minutes until shrimp turn pink.
- Drain and immediately transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water. Let cool for 2 minutes.
- Peel shrimp, leaving tails on. Serve chilled with the homemade cocktail sauce and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Don’t skip the ice bath — it stops the cooking and preserves texture.
- Prepare the sauce a few hours ahead for better flavor.
- Leave the tails on for better presentation and easier dipping.
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw in cold water — never at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 6 shrimp + sauce)
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 1449mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: shrimp cocktail, seafood appetizer, homemade cocktail sauce, boiled shrimp, party starter