The secret to a great shrimp cocktail recipe? Zesty cocktail sauce. We offer several recipe options here.

This shrimp cocktail recipe is very easy to make, and your party guests will absolutely love it.

If you're hosting a small cocktail party, it's fun to serve the shrimp cocktail individually in martini glasses. If your crowd is larger, you'll have an easier time if you serve shrimp on a round platter with a small bowl of cocktail sauce in the middle for dipping. Be sure to also have a small empty bowl nearby for shrimp-tail shells.

You can serve chilled shrimp with your choice of cocktail sauce recipes offered below. Try them all or stick with the original classic (#1 below).

But first, here's how to prepare your shrimp.

  • If you're using cooked frozen shrimp, simply thaw it by placing it in a colander and running mildly cold water over it for about 3 minutes. You'll see the shrimp start to "de-ice" itself and soon it will be ready to serve.
  • If you're using frozen raw shrimp, follow the package directions for thawing and preparing.
  • If you're using fresh, raw, uncooked shrimp, you can prepare it by washing it, breaking off the heads, and then boiling it in a pot just 2 minutes after the boiling point is reached. Then drain and cool the shrimp, and peel off the shells (except the tail shells for dipping).

NOTE: You can certainly spice up the shrimp if you like. For example, you can simmer the shrimp for just 2 minutes in dry white wine and seasonings (Italian seasoning mix or Old Bay Seasoning), or simmer it in a little combination of wine, bay leaves, minced onion, carrot, and celery; and peppercorns.

Now here are four delicious shrimp cocktail sauce recipe options:

Classic Cocktail Sauce Recipe #1

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup chili sauce (mild to medium is best; some guests may not like it too hot)

1/3 cup lemon juice

3 Tb horseradish

2 tsps Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

4 drops Tabasco sauce

RECIPE

  1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Chill for about an hour.

Makes 1+ cups of sauce.

Cocktail Sauce Recipe #2 (with garlic)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup ketchup

3 Tb horseradish

1 tb lemon juice

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp minced garlic

4 drops Tabasco sauce

RECIPE

  1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Chill for about an hour.

Makes 1+ cups of sauce.

Cocktail Sauce Recipe #3

(Very different. with no tomato base. Instead, it features Dijon mustard.)

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tb red wine vinegar

1 Tb grainy Dijon mustard

1 Tb fresh basil, finely chopped (you may also use tarragon if you prefer)

RECIPE

  1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Serve at room temperature.

Makes nearly 1 cup of sauce.

This version is served best with individual martini glasses of shrimp alongside little bowls of dip for each person.

Mexican Cocktail Sauce Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup chili sauce (medium hot is best for a crowd)

2 Tb fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped

1 Tb fresh lime juice

1 Tb Tequila

1 green jalapeno pepper (remove seeds and chop into finely minced pieces)

RECIPE

  1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Serve at room temperature.

Makes nearly 1 cup of sauce.

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