Classic Shrimp Cocktail with Homemade Sauce
A refreshing and elegant appetizer, this classic shrimp cocktail features perfectly cooked, tender shrimp served with a zesty, homemade cocktail sauce that's easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Ice bath (bowl with ice)
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- Large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on or off)
- Lemon slices
- Bay leaf
- Black peppercorns
- Salt
For the Homemade Cocktail Sauce:
- Ketchup (good quality)
- Prepared horseradish (white, not creamy)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh chives or parsley finely chopped (for decoration)
Instructions
Shrimp Preparation
- In a large pot, bring water to a strong boil with lemon slices, a bay leaf, black peppercorns, and ample salt.
- Carefully add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until they turn pink and opaque, avoiding overcooking.
- Immediately transfer the cooked shrimp to an ice bath to halt the cooking process and maintain their tenderness.
- Once cooled, drain the shrimp thoroughly, pat them dry, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- In a medium bowl, combine good quality ketchup, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh lemon juice.
- Season the sauce with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, adding hot sauce to taste if a spicier kick is desired.
- Whisk all ingredients until the cocktail sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings, adding more horseradish for pungency or lemon for tang as preferred.
- Cover the sauce and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
Serving
- Arrange the chilled shrimp around a serving bowl of homemade cocktail sauce, optionally on a bed of crushed ice, and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped chives or parsley.
Notes
To ensure perfectly tender shrimp, be careful not to overcook them; they only need a few minutes until they turn pink. For the best flavor, allow both the shrimp and the cocktail sauce to chill thoroughly before serving.