Amazing and Easy Shrimp Cocktail With Homemade Sauce
Shrimp Cocktail is a quick, easy and delicious appetizer! I used to just buy precooked shrimp and a jar of cocktail sauce, and called it good. But now, I only ever make my own. This is the best easy shrimp cocktail recipe, and many people are surprised at how surprisingly simple homemade shrimp cocktail sauce is to make.
First, you quickly whip up the cocktail sauce, which uses ingredients that you most likely already have at home. Take ketchup, and add some prepared horseradish, a bit of salt, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and hot sauce if you want a spicy cocktail sauce.
Then, it is time to prepare the shrimp. I like to use large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound). I like to buy deveined and easy peel (the peels give the shrimp so much more flavor, and make the shrimp more tender and juicy). But deveined and peeled shrimp are great also (just make sure they are raw!). You can peel the shrimp before or after they are cooked, but make sure to leave the tail on. I always brine my shrimp before cooking, and this step adds just 20 minutes to the process and imparts tons of flavor. To cook the shrimp, first dry them off as best you can. Then, drizzle with a little olive oil and Old Bay seasoning. To cook, you broil the shrimp for 3 minutes on the first side, flip, and then for two-ish more minute on the other side.
And that's it! Easy Shrimp Cocktail.
Delicious, easy and fun to eat!
After brining, lay the shrimp out on a baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a little Old Bay seasoning.
Broil for 3 minutes on one side, flip and broil for about 2-ish minute on the other side, or until perfectly pink.
Serve with your zippy homemade cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges if desired.
Amazing and Easy Shrimp Cocktail With Homemade Sauce
Recipe details
Ingredients
For the brine
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 pound thawed deveined shrimp (buying peeled or ez peel shrimp is up to you)
For the broil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
For the cocktail sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (a little more or less to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- A couple dashes of hot sauce, optional
Instructions
To brine your shrimp
- Get a large bowl. Add water, kosher salt and sugar. Whisk vigorously until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Add shrimp and ice cubes. Let brine for 20 minutes.
- Remove from brine and drain. Pat dry with a paper towel.
To broil
- Preheat your broiler to 500 degrees f. Lay shrimp out in one layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and Old Bay seasoning. Broil the shrimp for 3 minutes on the first side, flip, and then for 2-ish more minute on the other side. Remove from oven, and remove from hot baking sheet immediately. I put mine in a large flat bowl and refrigerate for about 10 minutes or until cool. Serve with your homemade cocktail sauce and some fresh lemon wedges if desired.
- Place under broiler for about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn shrimp over, and broil for another 2ish minutes or until shrimp are no longer pink. Remove from oven and add sliced lemons and serve with your homemade cocktail sauce.
For the cocktail sauce
- Mix all cocktail sauce ingredients together and taste. Adjust as desired. Let chill until ready to serve.
Tips
- I like to stir together the cocktail sauce while the shrimp are brining.
Comments
Share your thoughts, or ask a question!
This looks so good!
I love all foods I have cooked from this page