Shrimp cocktail is a timeless vacation appetizer! Chilled jumbo shrimp (that get a recent squeeze of lemon) are dipped in a zesty, vivid crimson cocktail sauce – now what’s extra festive than that?
Shrimp Cocktail is a Traditional Vacation Appetizer
Yeah, it’s simple to buy a pre-made platter of shrimp cocktail from the market. However let me inform ya, this do-it-yourself model tastes ah-mazing, and it’s very easy to make! It’s a easy technique of poaching shrimp, mixing up my additional tasty model of shrimp cocktail sauce, and arranging all the things on a platter to serve.
Bonus – it may be made a day upfront, which is what all of us like to listen to once we’re stressed planning a Thanksgiving menu or Christmas dinner. So do your self a favor, and make this shrimp cocktail recipe throughout the vacation season. It’ll make you appear to be one heck of a chef, and it’s assured to be a success!
Components for Shrimp Cocktail
The shrimp itself doesn’t want a lot, except you make a poaching liquid with additional taste boosters comparable to garlic, peppercorns, or herbs. Then, you merely have to combine up a fast cocktail sauce! Right here’s what’s in it.
- Jumbo Shrimp: Since this can be a shrimp-heavy appetizer, I all the time want to purchase recent, uncooked shrimp the morning the day earlier than from my native fish monger. However don’t fear you too can use frozen! See my ideas within the subsequent part beneath.
- Lemons: You’ll want just a few lemons, all which will probably be utilized in other ways (i.e. for the poaching liquid, cocktail sauce, and serving).
- Ketchup: Use your favourite ketchup model right here since that is the bottom of the cocktail sauce.
- Ready Horseradish: Ensure that to seize ready horseradish versus horseradish sauce. There’s a distinction!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Simply 2 teaspoons are wanted for a touch of umami taste.
- Sizzling Sauce: For a spicy kick, I like to make use of Tabasco. However you should use any sizzling sauce!
Discover the printable recipe with measurements beneath.
Recent vs Frozen Shrimp
Each recent and frozen jumbo shrimp work nice on this recipe. Right here’s just a few issues to remember when looking for both one.
- Recent shrimp: For those who’re shopping for recent shrimp in a coastal space, make certain to ask your fish monger the place it’s coming from. You don’t need fish that’s been sitting out on ice for a very long time, or if it’s been beforehand frozen after which thawed. It’s gotta be “recent” catches of the day!
- Frozen shrimp: For comfort, particularly in the event you don’t stay close to the coast, seize a bag of frozen shrimp! Any jumbo shrimp will work. Simply make certain the bag states that the shrimp is deveined and tails are eliminated. I additionally advocate shopping for wild-caught.
How To Make Shrimp Cocktail
The one cooking you’ll have to do is poaching the shrimp. And that solely takes 3 minutes! So make certain to set your timer to forestall the shrimp from overcooking.
After that, all that’s left to do is to stir collectively the sauce in a separate bowl and organize all the things on a platter. Fairly easy for a elaborate appetizer eh?
Poach the shrimp. Fill a big pot with water and salt. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and add the lemon halves into the water. For added poaching liquid concepts – see the be aware beneath! Convey the poaching liquid to a boil, then flip the warmth all the way down to simmer. Add the shrimp and allow them to poach for two ½ to three minutes, or till they’re pink and agency.
Poaching liquid ideas: The bottom of the poaching liquid ought to all the time have some salt and lemon. However if you wish to add a bit extra taste to the shrimp, you too can toss in entire garlic cloves, sliced ginger items, halved onions, peppercorns, coriander seeds, and recent herb.
Drain and chill the shrimp. Drain the shrimp in a colander and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes, till they’re not steaming anymore. Then place them within the fridge to chill fully.
Make the cocktail sauce. In a small bowl, combine collectively the ketchup, ready horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sizzling sauce.
Serve on a platter. Serve the shrimp over ice on a big platter, together with the cocktail sauce and further lemon wedges. Or, you may serve the sauce in a smaller glass with shrimp hanging off the perimeters!
Storage and Make-Forward Ideas
- To retailer: Any leftover shrimp or cocktail sauce might be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- To make-ahead: Yep, you may make this complete recipe a day upfront! Simply retailer the shrimp and cocktail sauce within the fridge in separate containers. Then, assemble all the things on a platter with ice proper earlier than serving!
Shrimp Cocktail Recipe Video
Whereas this recipe is simple to make it all the time helps to look at a fast video (and be taught just a few ideas). Give it a watch beneath!
Extra Get together Appetizers
Appetizers can actually be the spotlight of a vacation banquet. So don’t skimp out and make any of those favorites beneath. They’ll get your company excited for what’s to come back the remainder of the meal!
There’s all the time a spot for a shrimp cocktail platter throughout the holidays. Once you make it – let me know the way it turned out in a remark beneath. Can’t wait to listen to your ideas!
Shrimp Cocktail
This shrimp cocktail platter will endlessly be a timeless vacation appetizer! Plus, I’ve received the right cocktail sauce recipe to pair with it.
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Poach the shrimp. Fill a big pot with water and salt. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and add the lemon halves into the water. Optionally available: add aromatics to the poaching liquid (see concepts above). Convey the poaching liquid to a boil, then flip the warmth all the way down to simmer. Add the shrimp and allow them to poach for two ½ to three minutes, or till they’re pink and agency.
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Drain and chill the shrimp. Drain the shrimp in a colander, let cool for a couple of minutes, then place within the fridge to chill fully.
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Make the cocktail sauce. In a small bowl, combine collectively the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sizzling sauce.
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Serve on a platter. Serve the shrimp over ice on a big platter, together with the cocktail sauce and further lemon wedges.
- For a lot of shrimp recipes you sometimes cool the shrimp rapidly in an ice water tub. However in the event you try this for this recipe you’ll take away a lot of the additional taste from the poaching liquid. So simply drain after which chill!
Energy: 118kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 16g, Fats: 1g, Saturated Fats: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 0.1g, Trans Fats: 0.01g, Ldl cholesterol: 143mg, Sodium: 1539mg, Potassium: 255mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 363IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 1mg
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