Easy Shrimp Cocktail

This shrimp cocktail recipe is a quick and easy appetizer. Succulent pieces of seafood are gently poached to prevent overcooking and then served with a tasty dipping sauce.

Are you looking for a simple and healthy appetizer to share with friends and family? This shrimp cocktail recipe has a squeeze of lemon juice and a spicy, tangy sauce that adds a ton of flavor to each serving. The dish is straightforward to prepare, but properly cooking the delicate crustaceans is key to preventing tough and rubbery bites.

Unlike searing shrimp on the stovetop, I poach them in water to heat the proteins evenly. It only takes a few minutes. The gentle heat preserves the sweet and salty flavor, and immediately chilling them in an ice bath halts the cooking process. Whisk together a homemade cocktail sauce, and you’ve got a gourmet appetizer that will disappear fast!

Shrimp selection

A two-bite size is ideal. Look for a 16-20 count raw shrimp at the seafood counter of your local market. Otherwise, if buying frozen, look for packages labeled extra jumbo. The count is how many pieces you will get per pound. 

I typically use brown shrimp. They have a slight mineral taste and turn bright pink when cooked. Alternatively, white shrimp have a slightly sweeter flavor. You can also buy them pre-cooked, but make sure to rinse and dry them before serving.

Defrosting and cleaning

If using store-bought frozen shrimp, place the pieces in a colander and run them under cool water until no longer solid, about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can defrost them inside the refrigerator for about 24 hours before cooking.

To peel and devein the shrimp, use kitchen shears to cut through the shell, then use a paring knife to cut a shallow line down the back and remove the dark digestive tract. This technique also gives a butterflied appearance once cooked. Remove the shell, but leave the tail end intact, making it easier to grab and dip.

Gentle cooking method

Poaching uses mild heat at 160 to 180°F (71 to 82ºC) to prevent overcooking. There should barely be any bubbles forming on the surface of the liquid. I heat to the higher end because the cold shrimp brings the temperature down about 20 degrees.

I use a submersion technique to completely cover the shrimp in seasoned water with salt, lemon zest, and bay leaves. Once the appearance turns from translucent to opaque, and the thickest part reaches 140ºF (60ºC), they’re done cooking.

Immediately stop the cooking process

After poaching, shock the shrimp in an ice water bath to halt the cooking process immediately. If the pieces continue to curl into a tight “O” shape, the texture will get too harsh, so you want to stop any more heat transfer quickly. This appetizer is usually served cool, so this also helps to chill the pieces right away.

Serve with a dipping sauce

Making a shrimp cocktail sauce is easy! It’s a tomato-based sauce combined with bold ingredients to add depth and a little bit of heat. I use concentrated tomato paste that I dilute with water and vinegar. The heat comes from Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and creamy prepared horseradish.

Just whisk everything together and adjust the seasonings and heat level to your liking. The sauce can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Ready to serve

• For a larger party, I recommend placing the cooked shrimp on top of crushed ice in a larger shallow bowl. It’s an elegant presentation, but it also keeps everything chilled and safer to eat if left at room temperature for over an hour.
• If eating right away, you can lay them out on a serving platter on top of large lettuce leaves like romaine, butterhead, or little gem with a small bowl of sauce.
• You can also add some of the sauce into large or small cups (like a margarita glass with a wide rim) and hang the tails over the edge. This works great for individual portions.
• Serve with freshly sliced lemon wedges or lime juice to squeeze on top. The acidity brings out the sweet flavors of the shrimp.