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!
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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
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
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Measure out each ingredient, pour into a small bowl.
- Whisk it together to combine. Refrigerate until serving.
- 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
Nothing! It's the same thing. Seafood and cocktail sauce is a tomato-based sauce seasoned with horseradish or wasabi.
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.
Yes, leftovers must be refrigerated. It can sit out at room temperature for two hours.
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.
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!
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Best Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe
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
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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.
Lois
This is a great and tasty sauce. So good.
Bowl Me Over
This is delicious and so much better than storebought!
Arlie
Love all the recipies
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Arlie!!!
Sandra Shaffer
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!
Bowl Me Over
I agree, it takes so little effort to make something that is super delicious! Thank you Sandra
Sandi
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 🙂
Bowl Me Over
I know right? I could go back tomorrow! We feasted while we were there!!
Michaela Kenkel
Shrimp cocktails are one of the best appetizers in my opinion!! This sauce recipe is a keeper!! Thank you!!
Bowl Me Over
You are welcome Michaela, enjoy!
Madi
I love the idea of making homemade cocktail sauce! This looks so good!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Madi, it's so good and so easy too!
Ashlyn
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!
Bowl Me Over
The ocean is definitely my happy place, thanks Ashlyn! Enjoy that sauce too!!
Healing Tomato
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.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Rini!! I love that spicy pop of flavor!
Julie
What a beautiful view! I'd never want to leave. We always made our cocktail sauce too and I love the recipe for yours!
Bowl Me Over
I know right? We're already making plans to return! Enjoy Julie!!!
michele
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!
Bowl Me Over
ooooh!!! Now I'm wanting more seafood, YUM!! Glad you enjoyed the recipe Michele!!!
Angela
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!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful - when you do, swing back by Angela - I'd love to hear what you thought of this easy recipe!!
Liza
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!!!!!
Bowl Me Over
So tasty, thank you Liza - please give it a try, I know you'll be so happy with this recipe!!