The Best Homemade Shrimp Cocktail

This Homemade Shrimp Cocktail with spicy cocktail sauce will make you rethink ever buying store-bought shrimp cocktail again. The flavor infused in this appetizer from the seafood stock combined with this tasty cocktail sauce is unmatched.

If you love this seafood appetizer, you may also loveSteamed Mussels in White WineorGarlic Sage Seared Scallops.

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Why You Need to Make This Homemade

Shrimp cocktail is often the forgotten-about appetizer that we pick up at the supermarket last minute before our guests arrive. It's a bland, rubbery shrimp dipped in barely seasoned ketchup. The alternative is the BESThomemade shrimp cocktail. And the best part is it only takes 15 minutes.

When you buy from the store and the shrimp comes already cooked, it loses all of its flavor upon defrosting. Sometimes, it's necessary to pick up last-minute items at the supermarket, but this shrimp paired with our spicy cocktail sauce truly makes this hors d'oeuvre worth having on the table, especially for the holidays. Place it next to your Veggie Stromboli and Italian Stuffed Baked Clams for a delicious set of appetizers!

If you're looking for more seafood to serve on Christmas Eve, serve Linguine with Red Clam Sauce as an entree!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Shrimp Stock. It's important to keep the shells of the shrimp to make the stock to boil the shrimp. A lot of the flavor comes from the shells.

Cocktail Sauce. The key to the cocktail sauce is the calabrian chili peppers. I always get mine from Trader Joe's but there are plenty of brands that sell them. I like to let the cocktail sauce marinate overnight but it's not necessary.

*Please see the recipe card below for more information on ingredients

How to Boil the Shrimp

This is the step where we infuse all of the flavor into the shrimp. It's important to buy uncooked shrimp with the shell on. The cocktail sauce is to die for, but most of the flavor of this dish is in the shrimp.

Peel the shrimp and place the shrimp aside. Save the shells for the stock!

Step 1: Start by filling a large pot with water ¾ of the way. Add 1 lager or golden ale to the water. I used a Landshark for mine. Squeeze in the juice from a lemon and throw the lemons in. Add the shells, stir in two tablespoon of old bay seasoning, and bring to a boil.

Step 2: Once the stock comes to a boil, add in your shrimp. Boil for 2-3 minutes or until they are pink and the tails are starting to curl. While cooking the shrimp, stay right on top of them. Overcooking them will result in a rubbery texture.

Step 3: As soon as the shrimp are done, remove them from the heat and strain them. Transfer the shrimp right into an ice bath and allow them to cool for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 4: Strain them again and toss in 2-3 tablespoon of old bay seasoning. The shrimp will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days, so this is the perfect dish to get out of the way in advance before your guests arrive.

Pro-Tips

1. When boiling the shrimp, be ready to pull them out immediately so that they don't overcook. As soon as they are opaque or pink, remove them from the stock. 
2. Letting the spicy cocktail sauce sit overnight will let the flavors marinate and make it taste even better. 

How to Make Spicy Cocktail Sauce

Step 5: The key to this sauce is the calabrian chili peppers. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix. Then taste!

Step 6: Adjust the heat of the sauce, by taste testing and then add more hot sauce or add in some Tabasco to increase the heat. Add more ketchup if it's too hot.

Making Ahead and Storage

This is a great appetizer to make a day or 2 in advance. In fact, it will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Place the shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate. Keep the cocktail sauce in a bowl and wrap it in plastic wrap. It will keep for 7 days.

Guests will always pick on shrimp cocktail, so whether you make this or buy it from the store, people will eat it. But if you want people to remember your appetizers as more than just a time filler before dinner, try this dish with our other favorite Italian appetizers, like Chicken Parm Sliders.

If you're looking for something to hold people over in the mornings of these holiday parties, try serving our Sausage and Cheese Quiche

Recipe FAQs

How long should you boil shrimp?

Boil shrimp for less than 3 minutes. Watch them carefully and as soon as the tails start to curl and they look opaque, pull them out. Immediately place them in ice so they don't overcook.

What can I do with leftover shrimp stock?

Leftover stock can be used in seafood soups like lobster bisque or clam chowder. You can also use it in a seafood risotto. Strain it and freeze it for up to 3 months.

Video Recipe

More Amazing Seafood Dishes!

• Pistachio Crusted Baked Sea Bass
• Pan-Seared Vermilion Snapper
• Lemon Garlic Broiled Flounder
• Linguine with Clams