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Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Whether you make a little or a lot, you can adjust this Classic Shrimp Cocktail recipe any way you like. After one bite of perfectly cooked shrimp with a generous dab of this simple sauce… You’ll be amazed! Serves 4 for appetizers.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings 4
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound fresh 13-15 count shrimp
- ½ - 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 6 cups water approximately
- ½ lemon cut into wedges for shrimp water
- A bowl of ice
For the Cocktail Sauce
- ½ cup organic ketchup I like Trader Joe’s brand
- 1 – 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish again, I like Trader Joe’s brand
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ¼ lemon
- A few grinds of fresh-cracked black pepper
Garnish
- Romaine lettuce leaves optional
- ¼ lemon cut into thin wedges for garnish
Instructions
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In a small, glass bowl, combine the cocktail sauce ingredients. Stir well, cover and set aside to allow flavors to marry.
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In a tall-sided sauce pan, add water and sea salt. Squeeze 3 or 4 lemon wedges (roughly ½ a lemon) into the water then toss in the lemon wedges, cover the pan and allow it to come to a boil while you clean the shrimp. If needed, please see notes above on Cleaning Fresh Shrimp.
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Put some ice in a bowl and set aside.
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When water is boiling, carefully add cleaned shrimp to the sauce pan. Allow to boil just until the shrimp begin to curl and turn brighter pink – usually no more than one minute. Do not allow the shrimp to curl too tightly (in which case they’re overcooked and may not be as tender).
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Remove shrimp from the pan as they’re cooked - a spider strainer is especially handy for this - and place them in the bowl of ice to stop the cooking process and cool them down quickly.
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If preparing ahead, place cooled shrimp in a covered container and refrigerate until serving.
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To serve, place small Romaine lettuce leaves on a platter and set chilled shrimp on top of the leaves. Tuck a small bowl of cocktail sauce on the platter, squeeze fresh lemon over everything, and enjoy immediately!
Recipe Notes
Both the shrimp and the cocktail sauce may be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover both tightly (separately), and refrigerate until just before serving.
There are many other ingredients that can be added to classic shrimp cocktail sauce - Worcestershire, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes to name a few. But if you appreciate simplicity, and use fresh ingredients, this is all you need!