Best 5 The Shrimp Cocktail Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with our delectable shrimp cocktail. This classic appetizer, often gracing special occasions, combines succulent shrimp with a refreshing cocktail sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Prepared with a meticulous selection of fresh ingredients, our shrimp cocktail embarks on a culinary journey that tantalizes the palate. Dive into variations such as the tangy cocktail sauce with horseradish and lemon, the zesty addition of avocado and grapefruit, or the creamy elegance of a Marie Rose sauce. Each recipe promises a unique symphony of flavors, elevating the humble shrimp into an extraordinary culinary experience. So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will redefine your perception of shrimp cocktails.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Shrimp Cocktail image

During the '60s, shrimp cocktail was one of the most popular party foods around. And it is still a crowd favorite. It's the one appetizer that I serve for every special occasion as well as for munchie meals. -Peggy Allen, Pasadena, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 30m

Yield about 6 dozen (1-1/4 cups sauce).

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 quarts water
1 small onion, sliced
1/2 medium lemon, sliced
2 sprigs fresh parsley
1 tablespoon salt
5 whole peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)
SAUCE:
1 cup chili sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash cayenne pepper
Lemon wedges, optional

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, combine the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Add shrimp. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes. , Drain shrimp and immediately rinse in cold water. Refrigerate until cold, 2-3 hours. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. , Arrange shrimp on a serving platter; serve with sauce. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 59 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 555mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 9g protein.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Shrimp Cocktail image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     appetizer

Time 38m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

10 cups cold water
2 medium carrots, quartered
2 stalks celery, quartered
1 large onion, quartered
1 head garlic, halved
1 lemon, halved
1/2 bunch parsley
5 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 pound medium or large shrimp, in the shell, rinsed
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Cocktail Sauce, recipe follows
Lemon wedges
1 cup ketchup
1 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced
4 teaspoons prepared horseradish, or to taste, drained
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce, to taste

Steps:

  • Put the water, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, lemon, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, set a cover on top slightly ajar, and cook for 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Drop the shrimp into the liquid and turn off the heat. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they curl and turn pink, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. Drain and cool to room temperature. Peel the shrimp and remove the vein along the curve of the shrimp, if desired. Refrigerate if not serving right away. If refrigerated, bring the shrimp to room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
  • To serve put the cocktail sauce in a medium bowl and surround with the shrimp, or loop the shrimp over the edge of an individual cocktail glass and top with the sauce. Garnish with the lemon and serve.
  • Optional Tip: To de-vein the shrimp before cooking, hold a shrimp between the thumb and forefinger with the rounded side of the shrimp upward. Place the pointed end of a wooden skewer at the junction of the second and third segments of the shrimp shell, about 1/8-inch down from the top. Gently push the skewer through the shell and then lift up to remove the vein.
  • Combine the ketchup, lemon zest and juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Add hot sauce, if desired. Mix well, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups

CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Chef John's Shrimp Cocktail image

Before I knew much about food or dining out, I knew that if they brought shrimp cocktails to the table as an appetizer, we were eating at a 'fancy' restaurant. I'm sure I enjoyed the shrimp, but what I really loved was dipping the crackers in the spicy, horseradish-spiked cocktail sauce.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Seafood     Shrimp

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 quarts cold water
¼ onion, sliced
½ lemon
2 cloves garlic, peeled and bruised
2 sprigs fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup chili sauce
¼ cup prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 drops hot sauce, or to taste
1 pinch salt
2 pounds shell-on deveined jumbo shrimp

Steps:

  • Stir water, onion, lemon, garlic, tarragon, seafood seasoning, peppercorns, and bay leaf together in a large pot; bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, about 15 minutes.
  • Whisk ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt together in a bowl; refrigerate until chilled, at least 15 minutes.
  • Bring poaching liquid to a rapid boil. Cook the shrimp in the boiling liquid until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water and immerse in ice water until cold; drain. Arrange cold shrimp on a platter and serve with chilled sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 305.6 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Cholesterol 345 mg, Fat 4.3 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 47.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 1414.9 mg, Sugar 10.4 g

SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Shrimp Cocktail image

Shrimp is poached in a savory and fragrant court bouillon and served with traditional cocktail sauce.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 medium carrots, quartered
2 stalks celery, quartered
1 head garlic, halved
1 lemon, halved
1 large onion, quartered
1/2 bunch parsley
5 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 pound medium or large shrimp, in the shell, rinsed
1 cup ketchup
4 teaspoons prepared and drained horseradish
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced
Hot sauce, optional
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • For the shrimp: Put about 10 cups of water, the carrots, celery, garlic, lemon, onion, parsley, thyme and bay leaves in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, set a cover on top slightly ajar, and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Careful not to splash, drop the shrimp into the water and turn off the heat. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they curl and turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes for medium shrimp, 4 minutes for large ones. Drain and cool to room temperature. Peel the shrimp and remove the vein along the curve of the shrimp if desired. Refrigerate if not serving right away.
  • For the Cocktail Sauce: Combine the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire and lemon zest and juice in a small bowl. Add hot sauce if using. Mix well, then refrigerate until ready to serve
  • To serve put the cocktail sauce in a medium bowl and surround with the shrimp, or loop the shrimp over the edge of an individual cocktail glass and top with the sauce. Garnish with the lemon wedges and serve.

THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL



The Shrimp Cocktail image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     appetizer

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 cups ice
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup prepared chili sauce
4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon sugar
Few grinds fresh black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning

Steps:

  • Using a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Eviscerate shrimp and rinse under cool water leaving shells intact.
  • Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes. While shrimp are brining, place tomatoes, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, pepper, and salt in food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate cocktail sauce until ready to serve.
  • Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired.
  • Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately.
  • Once shrimp have chilled, arrange with cocktail sauce in a martini glass or as desired.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, large shrimp for the best flavor and texture.
  • Poach the shrimp in a flavorful court bouillon to infuse them with extra flavor.
  • Chill the shrimp thoroughly before serving to ensure they are crisp and refreshing.
  • Use a variety of dipping sauces to add different flavors to the shrimp cocktail.
  • Garnish the shrimp cocktail with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce for a classic presentation.

Conclusion:

Shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple tips, you can make the best shrimp cocktail that will impress your guests. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer, give shrimp cocktail a try.

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