Cocktail Sauce Recipe

The perfect homemade cocktail sauce to pair with shrimp cocktail.

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One fond memory I have of growing up is eating shrimp cocktail as an appetizer during every major holiday and family gathering. I’ve loved shrimp ever since and still look forward to shrimp cocktails every holiday. Aside from the taste of the shrimp, the cocktail sauce was also a big part of the appeal. Eventually, I started thinking about making my own cocktail sauce to avoid the store-bought kind, which led me to this recipe.

This cocktail sauce comes together in no time. If you have shrimp but no sauce, it’s probably easier to make your own than to run to the store. Even better, I’ve found this cocktail sauce recipe to be superior in taste than any store-bought sauce I’ve tried. It has a great depth of sweetness combined with a tangy zip that blends perfectly with shrimp and other types of seafood.

Is Cocktail Sauce Healthy?

This cocktail sauce recipe is low in fat and calories. Plus, homemade sauce doesn’t contain preservatives the way store-bought sauces often do. It’s gluten-free and can be vegan-friendly if you swap in a plant-based Worcestershire sauce, making it a good option for a lot of different diets. In terms of nutritional value, this cocktail sauce doesn’t offer a lot, and bear in mind that it is high in sodium, too.

Tailor to Your Taste

The problem with store-bought cocktail sauce is that it’s a one-size-fits-all product. But when you make your own at home, you can balance the different flavors and ingredients however you want. It’s always possible to add a little more hot sauce or an extra tablespoon of horseradish if you want a spicier, more powerful flavor. On the other hand, a little extra lemon juice or ketchup can add more tang.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon horseradish
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (or more to taste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Combine all ingredients and blend well.

Chill

Refrigerate to enhance flavors.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Cocktail sauce can be made in advance and will last up to 1 week in the fridge, if stored in a jar or airtight container. The sauce can also be frozen in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

What Else Can I Use The Sauce For?

Though a quintessential pairing for shrimp and other seafood, you can also use the sauce as a dip for fries and onion rings. It’s also great on burgers and adds a burst of flavor when brushed on grilled chicken or steak. To make a creamier sauce, stir in 4 tablespoons of mayo. This makes it a real winner on wraps with chicken!

Serving Suggestions

In addition to shrimp cocktail, there are other shrimp recipes that can benefit from cocktail sauce on the side. Personally, I like having this sauce on hand when I make either Air-Fryer Shrimp or Sautéed Shrimp but it goes just as well with Fish Sticks or Fish Fingers. The zip of the sauce also makes for a great complement to Baked Cod and Poached Fish, too. Try it for yourself and see.