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Homemade Cocktail Sauce is a spicy sweet dip made with ketchup and horseradish that is typically served with shrimp cocktail. It’s easy to make at home in just a few minutes and tastes so much better than bottled. The fresh pop of flavors in this homemade cocktail sauce cannot be denied, plus it’s so easy you’ll never buy bottled again!
This cocktail sauce recipe pairs perfectly with my Shrimp Cocktail, Crispy Fried Shrimp, or Spicy Garlic Shrimp.
5 Key Tips for Making Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- Start with a Good Base. Ketchup is the classic base. It gives you sweetness and tomato flavor without extra effort. If you’d rather cut down the sweetness, try mixing in a little chili sauce or even plain tomato sauce.
- Add the Heat. Prepared horseradish is what makes cocktail sauce taste sharp and lively. Start small and add more until it hits the spice level you like.
- Add acidity. Fresh lemon juice helps brighten the flavor and balance the heat.
- Season Simply. A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds depth. A pinch of salt is usually enough, but you can also stir in a drop of hot sauce if you want extra kick.
- Let it Sit. Stir everything together and give it at least 30 minutes in the fridge so the flavors meld.
recipe walkthrough
How to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- Stir the ingredients together in a small bowl until they are well combined.
- Be sure to taste your sauce and adjust the flavors to your liking, because everyone’s palate is different!
- Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve alongside some juicy shrimp for dipping.
What to Serve With Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail Sauce is a delicious, spicy ketchup-based sauce that is traditionally served with shrimp cocktail. Its fresh flavors and acidic pop make it an excellent choice as a pairing with a variety of seafood, like shrimp, crab legs, oysters, calamari, or seafood cocktails.
I like to place the shrimp on a pretty platter, with a small bowl of the cocktail sauce in the center. To make the presentation even more beautiful, garnish with some fresh minced parsley and lemon wedges.
Variations
Spicy Cocktail Sauce
- Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use extra horseradish for a stronger kick.
Smoky Cocktail Sauce
- Stir in a little smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a subtle smoky taste.
- A splash of chipotle hot sauce works too if you like both smoke and heat.
Citrus Twist
- Swap part of the lemon juice with lime juice for a brighter, slightly tangy flavor.
- Add a little lemon zest if you want it extra fresh.
Garlic Lover’s Sauce
- Mix in a small amount of finely grated fresh garlic or a pinch of garlic powder.
- Keep it light so it doesn’t overpower the shrimp or seafood.
Storage Tips
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: You can make cocktail sauce a day or two before serving. In fact, letting it sit overnight gives the flavors time to blend. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a quick stir before serving, since it can separate a little. If it tastes too strong after sitting, add a bit more ketchup to mellow it out.
Freezing is not recommended as the texture and flavor will change.
More Seafood Recipes to Try
Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Prepared horseradish or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice or more to taste
- Pinch of salt or more to taste
Instructions
- Stir together ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and salt in a small bowl until well combined.
- Taste and adjust flavors to your liking.
- Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- The horseradish brings the heat. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking.
- This recipe makes a decent amount that’s perfect for a party. But if you happen to have leftovers, store the sauce in an airtight container for up to one week.
- You can also freeze it for up to 4-6 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
This is foolproof solid recipe! Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome Nigella! Thanks for stopping by.
This is a good recipe. With that being said, why do folks always tell you that concoctions like this can be kept for up to a week in the refrigerator? A week? No, this suff will last for months in an airtight container.
Super easy to make with pantry ingredients. Spicy, but not too hot. Add more horseradish if you want more heat.
Awesome feedback Kathryne! Thanks for stopping by.
K.
Very Good, said my wife. I made a hotter version with sriracha. It’s really a good flavor, with either. I use a lot of plain horseradish.
Nice! Thanks for sharing John.
Add some Garlic Chili Paste as well YUMMM
Great idea Janet! Thank you for stopping by!