My favorite easy Shrimp Cocktail sauce recipe only requires three ingredients and a few seconds to make. You’ll never reach for store-bought cocktail sauce again!
Want more shrimp recipes? Try Shrimp and Grits, Kung Pao Shrimp, Shrimp Alfredo, or Shrimp Tacos!
Why I love this recipe:
- Easy and Elegant – If I want a fancy holiday appetizer in seconds, I always turn to shrimp cocktail. All you need is ketchup, horseradish and lemon juice to make homemade cocktail sauce.
- Delicious – Shrimp is expensive and deserves a sauce of equal quality. The flavor of this homemade cocktail sauce compliments the shrimp perfectly and is better than any of those pre-made options.
How to Make Shrimp Cocktail:
Combine: Add ketchup, lemon juice, and prepared horseradish to a bowl then mix well to combine. Taste and adjust to your preference (more horseradish if you want more of “punch” and more ketchup if you prefer milder.
Serve: Refrigerate shrimp cocktail sauce for at least an hour then serve cold, with cooked shrimp. Arrange on a platter and watch it disappear!
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Shrimp cocktail sauce can be made several days in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
To Store: Shrimp cocktail should be kept covered and in the refrigerator when not enjoying.
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Recipe
Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1 ½ lbs large, cooked, tail-on shrimp* , rinsed with cold water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well to combine.
- Taste and adjust to your preference (more horseradish if you want it spicier and more ketchup if you want it mellower).
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for several days in advance. Serve cold with shrimp.
Notes
Nutrition
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*I originally shared this recipe December 2015. Updated October 2019 and December 2023.
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One teaspoon of horseradiish is not enough. Start with a tablespoon and go from there.
Lauren Thank You. I’m on the other side of the world and we Americans were craving the good old shrimp cocktail with the authentic cocktail sauce. You saved us. It’s just scrumptious.
How long do you think we can keep this in the fridge? Freezer?
Happy New Year!
Lauren, I think I’ll keep using mine. Much better and everyone loves it.
1 Cup Heinz Chili Sauce
Generous squeeze of lemon juice
1 generous tsp hot horseradish (or more)
Mix; refrigerate and enjoy!
“From scratch!” First ingredient is ketchup. Smh.
Yep–Here’s my homemade ketchup recipe (also linked in the ingredient list): https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/homemade-ketchup/
I used 3/4 C ketchup with two heaping top of prepared horseradish, 1 tsp lemon juice and added 1/2 tsp old bay seasoning. Personally more flavorful and less ketchup taste. The ads popping up on your site made it difficult to write this comment, btw
Several recipes call for ketchup as the base! My recipe which I developed from tending bar in a high end dining place years ago: one bottle of chili sauce combined with equal amount of ketchup! That’s the old school base! Everything else can be used for taste! I made my bloody Marys with horseradish, olive and lime juice! Other ingredients are my secret but easy to figure out! PS…. Use canned tomato juice not the pre made stuff!