{"id":46100,"date":"2026-01-15T00:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/?p=46100"},"modified":"2026-01-14T19:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T03:51:10","slug":"shrimp-cocktail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/shrimp-cocktail\/","title":{"rendered":"Shrimp Cocktail Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shrimp cocktail is a perfectly retro, simply delicious appetizer and I am obsessed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s something about a really well executed shrimp cocktail. Those perfectly plump pink shrimp just begging to be dragged through sauce are so good and remind me of a better more hopeful time. I\u2019ll admit it, I just really, really love shrimp.<\/p>\n

Shrimp cocktail (or prawn cocktail as the Brits call it) has run the gamut from the epitome of high-end to jumbo sized Costco shrimp cocktail rings. In any form though, shrimp cocktail is delicious, high-protein, satisfying, and so easy to make.<\/p>\n

\"shrimp<\/picture><\/p>\n

Shrimp cocktail is making a comeback<\/h2>\n

Shrimp cocktail seems to be showing up on menus everywhere lately. Mike and I just went to a new buzzy place and surprise, surprise, shrimp cocktail was on the menu.<\/p>\n

We ordered it of course and it was amazing and inspired me to do a version at home. It\u2019s like that meme – you want shrimp cocktail? We have shrimp cocktail at home!<\/p>\n

\"shrimp<\/picture><\/p>\n

What is shrimp cocktail?<\/h2>\n

Shrimp cocktail is a seafood dish consisting of cooked, shelled shrimp served with either a cocktail or Marie Rose sauce. Yes, there are two kinds of shrimp cocktail! Did you know? Because I did not until I tried some while in Europe.<\/p>\n

Double the deliciousness<\/h2>\n

Most of the shrimp cocktail you get in North America is served with cocktail sauce while the prawn cocktail you get in Europe is served with Marie Rose sauce. Both are delicious and if you\u2019re so inclined, it\u2019s so much fun to do version with both sauces so you can have a little sauce variety and discussion on which sauce you prefer.<\/p>\n

\"shrimp<\/picture><\/p>\n

How to make shrimp cocktail<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Defrost and peel the shrimp<\/strong> – defrost frozen shrimp in cold water. When defrosted, peel, leaving the tails on. Save the shells. Devein the shrimp using a toothpick.<\/li>\n
  2. Chill and plump the shrimp<\/strong> – Place the deveined, peeled shrimp into a large bowl and toss with a pinch of salt and baking soda. The salt will season the shrimp and the baking soda helps pump up the texture by raising the pH. A higher pH keeps the shrimp protein from bonding with each other which makes it so they contract less, meaning there\u2019s more space between the molecules. Put the dry brined shrimp in the fridge.<\/li>\n
  3. Prep the poaching liquid<\/strong> – Take the reserved shrimp shells and add them to a medium pot. Add 1\/2 onion, some celery, some smashed cloves of garlic, and a bay leaf. Simmer for 15-20 minutes then strain out the solids and discard.<\/li>\n
  4. Cook the shrimp<\/strong> – Take the shrimp out of the fridge and give them a rinse. Make sure the poaching liquid is at a gentle simmer then add the shrimp and cook until plump and pink.<\/li>\n
  5. Chill the cooked shrimp<\/strong> – When the shrimp are cooked, used a slotted spoon to scoop them out in a single\u00a0\u00a0onto a plate or rimmed baking sheet. Place the fridge to cool completely.<\/li>\n
  6. Make the sauce<\/strong> – While the shrimp are chilling, make the cocktail sauce. Stir together ketchup, chili sauce, lemon sauce, horseradish, and sugar. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Spoon the cocktail sauce into a small bowl.<\/li>\n
  7. Serve<\/strong> – place the chilled shrimp on a plate and serve with the cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"poached<\/picture><\/p>\n

    What is shrimp cocktail sauce?<\/h2>\n

    Cocktail sauce, aka seafood sauce, is a sauce cold or room temp sauce intended to be served with chilled seafood. In North America, cocktail sauce is usually comprised of ketchup, chili sauce, and horseradish sauce<\/a>. Lemon, Worcestershire and Tabasco are also common.<\/p>\n

    Marie Rose sauce<\/h2>\n

    In Europe, cocktail sauce is typically Marie Rose sauce, a sauce that\u2019s very similar to Thousand Island dressing. It\u2019s pink, like prawns, and has tomatoes, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and black pepper. A super easy version is simply ketchup and mayo mixed together with Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice to taste.<\/p>\n

    What size shrimp for shrimp cocktail?<\/h2>\n

    If you\u2019re having shrimp cocktail, you want a sizable shrimp, one with a satisfying bite. I like larger shrimp, like 16\/20. This number means in one pound of shrimp, you\u2019ll have about 16-20 shrimp. You can go a bit smaller, but I wouldn\u2019t go less than 26\/30, which is 26-30 shrimp per pound.<\/p>\n

    \"chilled<\/picture><\/p>\n

    What kind of shrimp for shrimp cocktail<\/h2>\n

    All shrimp are come frozen, even the \u201cfresh\u201d ones you see in the case at Whole Foods or your local Asian supermarket. Shrimp are flash frozen immediately after being caught to preserve them. The shrimp you see in the case has simply been defrosted, so in the case of shrimp cocktail, just go ahead and buy frozen shrimp and defrost it yourself.<\/p>\n

    How to defrost shrimp<\/h2>\n

    There are two ways to easily defrost shrimp, either overnight or immediately.<\/p>\n