Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Published on June 9, 2022

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Shrimp Cocktail is a classic appetizer of flavorful, poached shrimp served with a homemade cocktail sauce that is party ready in less than 20 minutes.

Shrimp Cocktail is part of a classic appetizer spread, but you can also enjoy shrimp a variety of ways. Some of our favorite shrimp recipes include Tomato & Shrimp Pasta, Lemon Pepper Shrimp, Fried Shrimp and Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.

An overhead shot of a large platter of shrimp cocktail.

Best Shrimp Cocktail Platter – A Party Favorite!

I have been enjoying shrimp cocktail for as long as I’ve been alive it seems. It was always the first thing on the list for any family party, and my dad was usually the first one to break into the platter. While my mom almost always made her own homemade cocktail sauce, we usually bought the pre-cooked stuff from the grocery store deli.

Buying pre-cooked definitely seems the easier way to do it, but the stuff you get from the grocery store tends to be rubbery from either over-cooking of an extended refrigeration time and it is sorely lacking in flavor. It can in fact have almost a watery taste if it had been frozen. I promise you that this recipe for poached shrimp cocktail platter is going to be so easy you’ll never buy pre-cooked again!

Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients

A pot of boiling water – This is the poaching liquid that will cook the shrimp.
Lemons, Garlic, Onions, Herbs (thyme, parsley, bay leaves), Salt – All added to the poaching liquid to flavor the shrimp.
Large shrimp – Look for the packages marked 31/35, which means there are approximately 31-35 shrimp per pound. You always want to choose peeled and deveined shrimp, but it’s preferable for the tails to be in tact.

How to Make Easy Shrimp Cocktail

Prepare the poaching liquid. The process of poaching in the liquid is incredibly easy. Simply boil all of the ingredients (except the shrimp) together to create the poaching broth. This liquid will impart a flavor to the meat without being overpowering. While the liquid is boiling you’ll want to prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Poach the shrimp. Add the shrimp to the poaching liquid and cook them just for a couple of minutes. They cook very quickly so it’s important that you watch them closely and don’t walk away. Once they are nice and pink and just beginning to curl, transfer them the ice bath. Serve chilled, garnished with minced parsley and with a side of homemade cocktail sauce.

Soup pot with water, lemons, onions and herbs.

Soup pot with hot water and cooked shrimp.

How to Peel and Devein Shrimp

If you’re able to buy raw shrimp from the butcher that’s already been peeled and deveined like we are, do that! However, if it comes with the shell still on, you’ll need to know how to peel and devein it. Never fear, it’s easier than you might think. In fact there’s something weirdly satisfying and primal about it.

Peel. To peel raw shrimp, start by cracking the shell open from the underside after you’ve removed the legs. Tear the shell away above the tail segment, leaving the tail in tact.
Remove the tail. To remove the tail, simply squeeze the sides of the tail and pull the body out. I recommend leaving the tail on to make it easier to pick up and eat once cooked.
Devein. To devein, use a paring knife to cut a small slit along the backside of the crustacean, then use the knife to gently remove the black strip of intestines and discard it.

FAQs

Is Shrimp Cocktail healthy?

It’s actually very low in fat and calories! A single, jumbo sized shrimp has about 14 calories, so one serving is just over 113 calories, making it an excellent choice for snacking. The homemade cocktail sauce has about 56 calories per serving, so overall this is a very healthy choice! It also has a high level of protein, and key nutrients and antioxidants.

How do you eat Shrimp Cocktail?

To eat seafood cocktails with your fingers, pick up a piece of poached shrimp by the tail. Dip in some cocktail sauce then place the shrimp in your mouth and gently squeeze the tail to remove it. Repeat, over and over again. If the tails are removed, place the shrimp on a plate and spoon cocktail sauce over them. Use a seafood fork to devour.

A large platter of shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce for dipping.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp with cocktail sauce is the traditional way to serve this type of shrimp, and it’s usually served chilled. You could also serve it with Tartar Sauce.

They are often a part of both simpler appetizer spreads and fancier cocktail parties.

Storage

Storage: Leftover cooked shrimp should not sit out longer than 2 hours for food safety. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezing: Arrange on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. Once the shrimp are solid you can transfer to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to a year.

Thawing: Do not thaw on the counter. Place frozen shrimp in the refrigerator until completely thawed. You could also place them in a bowl of cold water, in the fridge, to speed up the process.

A shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce held betwee two fingers.

More Shrimp Recipes to Try

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.