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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressings, Sauces and Spice Mixes

Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Published: Dec 25, 2022 · Modified: Jan 6, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 24 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Homemade Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe - tangy with just a little bit of ZIP, this sauce is perfect for dipping cocktail shrimp, fried shrimp, oysters, you name it! Making your own cocktail sauce is so much better than store-bought!

Next time try Cilantro Garlic Sauce - it's a great dipper!

A close up view of a glass bowl full of spicy and tangy shrimp cocktail sauce.
You'll love this spicy cocktail sauce!
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Best Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️  You have all the ingredients on hand.

✔️  It's easy to make.

✔️ Without a doubt, it tastes 100 times better than store-bought cocktail sauce!!!

Ingredients

A plate of seafood, crab, eggs and cucumbers with red cocktail sauce.
This is the best cocktail sauce, and perfect with your favorite seafood!

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • catsup - regular or low-sodium ketchup is great for this recipe.
  • jarred horseradish sauce - you can use grated or creamy, personal choice.
  • Worcestershire sauce - you can substitute with soy sauce if you'd prefer.
  • freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice is best, though in a pinch you can use jarred lemon juice.
  • Hot sauce - I use Tabasco, but you can use your favorite sauce. Though spice is optional, give it a taste test until it gives you that perfect spicy flavor!

Instructions 

A spoonful of red cocktail sauce over a plate of seafood.
You'll only need four ingredients to make Seafood Cocktail Sauce

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Measure out each ingredient, pour into a small bowl. 
  2. Whisk it together to combine. Refrigerate until serving. 
  3. This will make about one cup of sauce.

Equipment

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  • small bowl to whisk the ingredients - these are super cute and are great for indoor or outdoor parties!
  • speaking of a whisk, you'll need that or just a small spoon.

FAQ's

What is the difference between seafood sauce and this easy shrimp cocktail sauce?

Nothing! It's the same thing. Seafood and cocktail sauce is a tomato-based sauce seasoned with horseradish or wasabi.

Is it seafood sauce spicy?

It can be. Cocktail sauce gets its zip from the horseradish and Tabasco sauce. It can be more or less spicy with the addition of more or less of those sauces.

Does it need to be refrigerated?

Yes, leftovers must be refrigerated. It can sit out at room temperature for two hours.

What is the best shrimp?

I prefer to buy large shrimp or a shrimp ring. Fresh shrimp is better than frozen, BUT most shrimp is frozen before it gets to the store.

Tips

Horseradish gives Shrimp Cocktail Sauce a zesty bite. Though you can use creamy horseradish (mild, not near as spicy) sauce, I prefer to use the extra hot grated horseradish. It gives your sauce an extra ZING!

You can buy jarred horseradish that has been grated or grate your own. I use the jarred version.

Shrimp salad on plate with shrimp cocktail sauce.
Seafood Cocktail Sauce with shrimp and crab!

Variations

If you don't like horseradish you can substitute with:

  • wasabi is your best substitute!
  • fresh grated ginger
  • spicy mustard

If you prefer a milder sauce, use less horseradish sauce.

Storage

Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container, Refrigerate up to three to four days.

Freezer -  I do not recommend freezing leftovers, use or toss them!

Related recipes

Looking for more tasty seafood sauces?

  • Thousand Island Sauce - you love it on a crab louie right? It's also delicious as a seafood dip!
  • Ponzu Sauce - citrus, salty and spicy this is perfect for seared tuna!
  • Hollandaise Sauce - rich, buttery and lemony this adds an amazing elegance to any seafood feast!
  • Creamy Dill Sauce - dill, garlic, cream another delicious homemade sauce!

For more delicious sauces be sure to try these - Alabama white sauce recipe or Homemade Tomato Relish just click on the link!

Serve with

Serve as a dipping sauce with your favorite seafood - jumbo shrimp, crab, raw oysters, or fish - also delicious topping a yummy po'boy sandwich!

This would be amazing to spice up a Bloody Mary!

Serve with plenty of lemon wedges as well!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Shrimp Cocktail Sauce in a glass bowl.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Best Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

This tangy cocktail sauce is easy to make and It's so much better than store-bought! Serve with a pile of cooked gorgeous shrimp, crab cakes, or tortilla chips.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Calories: 13kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup catsup
  • 2 tablespoon horseradish I prefer grated, though creamy will work. No horseradish? Substitute with wasabi!
  • dash Worcestershire sauce
  • dash Tabasco sauce
  • ½ lemon or lime, juiced

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Measure out each ingredient, pour into a small bowl. 
  • Mix the shrimp sauce well. Refrigerate until serving. 
  • This will make about one cup of sauce. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for three to four days.
  • Serve with pre-cooked shrimp.

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 40mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lois

    December 29, 2019 at 10:56 am

    5 stars
    This is a great and tasty sauce. So good.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      December 31, 2019 at 9:08 am

      This is delicious and so much better than storebought!

      Reply
  2. Arlie

    August 14, 2018 at 3:23 pm

    5 stars
    Love all the recipies

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      August 14, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      Thank you Arlie!!!

      Reply
  3. Sandra Shaffer

    January 29, 2018 at 7:05 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade shrimp cocktail sauce is so much better than the bottled stuff. What a great recipe to have on hand and so simple to make. Don't you love the recipe inspiration you get when traveling? Beautiful photos of Morro Bay!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 31, 2018 at 10:41 am

      I agree, it takes so little effort to make something that is super delicious! Thank you Sandra

      Reply
  4. Sandi

    January 29, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    5 stars
    Morrow Bay looks like such a quaint little ocean town...I am so glad you share pictures from all of your journeys with us. Now I am craving shrimp cocktail 🙂

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 31, 2018 at 10:43 am

      I know right? I could go back tomorrow! We feasted while we were there!!

      Reply
  5. Michaela Kenkel

    January 29, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Shrimp cocktails are one of the best appetizers in my opinion!! This sauce recipe is a keeper!! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 31, 2018 at 10:44 am

      You are welcome Michaela, enjoy!

      Reply
  6. Madi

    January 29, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    I love the idea of making homemade cocktail sauce! This looks so good!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you Madi, it's so good and so easy too!

      Reply
  7. Ashlyn

    January 29, 2018 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    This sauce looks totally yummy and so easy to make, too! Glad you had a great trip! Your photos make it look so beautiful and relaxing!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      The ocean is definitely my happy place, thanks Ashlyn! Enjoy that sauce too!!

      Reply
  8. Healing Tomato

    January 28, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    5 stars
    I am all for spicy sauces because they make the appetizers that much better. You have a very good talent of blending the right amount of spices to make a wonderful sauce. This looks so good.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks Rini!! I love that spicy pop of flavor!

      Reply
  9. Julie

    January 28, 2018 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars
    What a beautiful view! I'd never want to leave. We always made our cocktail sauce too and I love the recipe for yours!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      I know right? We're already making plans to return! Enjoy Julie!!!

      Reply
  10. michele

    January 28, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    I love a good shrimp cocktail sauce... I just tried this with your suggestion to sub wasabi.... (I had horseradish, but the wasabi sounded so good I had to try). It was FAN FLIPPING TASTIC!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:54 pm

      ooooh!!! Now I'm wanting more seafood, YUM!! Glad you enjoyed the recipe Michele!!!

      Reply
  11. Angela

    January 28, 2018 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love shrimp cocktail and the cocktail sauce just may be my favorite part! I love the sound of your recipe and cant wait to give it a try soon!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:55 pm

      Wonderful - when you do, swing back by Angela - I'd love to hear what you thought of this easy recipe!!

      Reply
  12. Liza

    January 25, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    5 stars
    I tried to make a cocktail a few times because I thought it was easy: just matchup + horseradish... But... it never came out as good as the one from a restaurant. And that's because I didn't have your recipe! Now I know what to do! It's really all about these little "touches" of flavor like Worcestershire sauce and lemon sauce that make all the difference in the taste! Wonderful recipe! Thanks!!!!!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      January 29, 2018 at 2:56 pm

      So tasty, thank you Liza - please give it a try, I know you'll be so happy with this recipe!!

      Reply

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