Shrimp Cocktail

Name: Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/4 cup kosher salt; 2 tbsp prepared horseradish; 1 tbsp sour cream; 1 tsp hot sauce; 1 tsp spicy seasoning blend; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 lemon, juiced; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 lemon, cut into wedges for garnish

Classic shrimp cocktail combines tender, perfectly cooked shrimp with a zesty homemade sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire. This elegant appetizer comes together in minutes and requires minimal ingredients.

🌍American 🏷️Shrimp cocktail 🏷️Shrimp 🏷️Appetizer 🏷️Cocktail sauce Horseradish

🏷️

🏷️Easy recipe

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TikTok

Total

10 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tbsp sour cream
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp spicy seasoning blend
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup ketchup
1 lemon, cut into wedges for garnishoptional

10 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add a generous amount of kosher salt.
2
While the water is heating, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water.
3
Add the raw shrimp to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes, until they are pink and opaque.
4
Using a spider strainer, immediately remove the shrimp from the boiling water and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
5
Once the shrimp are completely chilled, set them aside.
6
In a small bowl, combine the prepared horseradish, sour cream, hot sauce, spicy seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and the juice of half a lemon.
7
Add the ketchup to the bowl.
8
Mix all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
9
Serve the chilled shrimp with the homemade cocktail sauce and lemon wedges for garnish.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Chill cooked shrimp immediately in ice water to stop the cooking process and firm the texture for better presentation.
Don't skip the kosher salt when cooking—it seasons the shrimp throughout and prevents them from becoming mushy.
Balance the sauce acidity: taste as you go when mixing in horseradish and hot sauce, as both vary in intensity by brand.
Arrange shrimp around the rim of a chilled glass for classic presentation, with sauce in the center for easy dipping.

Substitutions

prepared horseradish → fresh grated horseradish (use 1 tbsp; reduce liquid slightly)
sour cream → mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (maintains creamy texture)
hot sauce → cayenne pepper or sriracha (adjust quantity to taste)
ketchup → cocktail sauce base (omit if using store-bought cocktail sauce instead of homemade)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Assemble just before serving to keep shrimp from absorbing excess moisture.