Shrimp Cocktail is a chilled seafood appetizer made with tender shrimp, lemon, onion, parsley, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, and optional hot sauce. It is refreshing, easy to serve ahead, and especially useful for summer gatherings, holidays, and party trays.
The shrimp are briefly marinated with lemon, gently cooked, then chilled before they are mixed with the sauce. Keeping the shrimp cold before serving gives the appetizer its clean, refreshing texture.
Why This Shrimp Cocktail Works
- Make-ahead friendly: The shrimp can be cooked and chilled before the sauce is mixed.
- Bright flavor: Lemon juice keeps the creamy tomato sauce from tasting too heavy.
- Easy party food: Serve in small bowls, glasses, or on a chilled platter.
- Adjustable heat: Hot sauce is optional, so you can keep it mild or add more spice.
Tips for Tender Shrimp
Do not boil the shrimp aggressively. Once the salted water comes to a boil, the heat is turned off before the shrimp are added. That gentler cooking method helps keep them from becoming rubbery.
Chill the shrimp completely before mixing them with the sauce. Warm shrimp can thin the sauce and make the finished cocktail less refreshing.
Ingredient Notes
Large shrimp: Peeled and cleaned shrimp are easiest for serving. Keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
Lemon juice: Part of the lemon is used before cooking and the rest goes into the sauce.
Mayonnaise and tomato sauce: These form the creamy base of the cocktail sauce, with onion, parsley, pepper, and optional hot sauce adding flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and cleaned
- 1/2 cup lemon juice, divided
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
- Olive oil, for garnish
How to Make Shrimp Cocktail
- Place the shrimp in a medium bowl and add 1/3 cup lemon juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then drain and discard the lemon juice.
- Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the shrimp, turn off the heat, and let them sit until cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to a container and refrigerate until chilled.
- In a small bowl, combine the onion, remaining lemon juice, ketchup, mayonnaise, pepper, hot sauce, and parsley.
- Add the chilled shrimp and mix gently.
- Serve in glass bowls over lettuce, with crackers if desired, and garnish with olive oil and parsley.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can cook and chill the shrimp several hours ahead. Keep the shrimp and sauce refrigerated until close to serving. Leftovers should stay refrigerated and are best eaten within 1 to 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make shrimp cocktail the day before?
Yes. Cook and chill the shrimp ahead, then keep everything refrigerated. For the freshest texture, combine with the sauce closer to serving time.
How do I keep shrimp from becoming rubbery?
Use gentle residual heat rather than actively boiling the shrimp for several minutes, and chill them as soon as they are cooked.
More Easy Seafood Appetizers
Try Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, or Crispy Fried Shrimp. Browse more in the Appetizers and Seafood collections.