Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Our classic Shrimp Cocktail recipe is the easiest fun and festive appetizer. Juicy, tender shrimp paired with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce that’s so much better than store-bought.

This easy Shrimp Cocktail recipe combines 3 ingredients to make a zesty and flavorful cocktail sauce that pairs with fresh shrimp perfectly.

Shrimp Cocktail is Instant Elegance in 5 minutes.

Shrimp Cocktail is my go-to when I need an appetizer that’s easy but feels elegant, especially during the holidays. It comes together in 5 minutes, but always looks impressive on the table. All you need for homemade cocktail sauce is ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice and the flavors are so worth the tiny bit of extra effort.

Check out more of my holiday appetizers, like Classic Cheese Ball, Potato Skins, Blistered Shishito Peppers, Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Baked Brie.

How to make Shrimp Cocktail:

Mix Ingredients: It's as easy as mixing together ketchup, lemon juice, and prepared horseradish. Stir well, then be sure to taste it and adjust to your liking: add more horseradish for extra kick, or more ketchup for a milder flavor.

Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cocktail sauce for at least one hour (or for up to one week ahead of time!). Serve it cold with cold, cooked shrimp arranged on a platter.

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This easy Shrimp Cocktail recipe only takes 5 minutes and 3 ingredients. It tastes fresher and better than anything you can buy at the store!

Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail is a timeless appetizer made a bold, tangy cocktail sauce from scratch, and cooked shrimp for serving. It’s the ultimate make-ahead appetizer for parties, holidays, or any occasion that calls for something quick, elegant, and delicious.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 41kcal

Author Lauren Allen

Cost 15

Equipment

Mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1 ½ lbs large, cooked, tail-on shrimp* , rinsed with cold water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well to combine.

1 cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
Taste and adjust to your preference (more horseradish if you want it spicier and more ketchup if you want it mellower).
The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for several days in advance. Serve cold with shrimp.

1 ½ lbs large, cooked, tail-on shrimp*

Notes

Shrimp: There are about 16-20 large shrimp in one pound, and I recommend buying about 1 ½ lbs. You can double the recipe to serve a larger crowd. Choose large, tail-on, frozen shrimp. Large shrimp fill the space in the platter beautifully, and tail-on are more flavorful and easy for guests to grab and eat. I prefer frozen, pre-cooked shrimp for ease in preparation (as long as it's high quality). (Shrimp sold at inland grocery seafood counters was likely shipped frozen, and thawed for display.)

Make Ahead Instructions: Shrimp cocktail sauce can be made up to one week in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.

Storage Instructions: Keep leftover shrimp and sauce in the fridge.

Nutrition

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*I originally shared this recipe December 2015. Updated October 2019 and December 2023 and November 2025.

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Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Shrimp Cocktail is Instant Elegance in 5 minutes.

How to make Shrimp Cocktail: