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    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Starters » Seafood Appetizers » Restaurant-Style Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

    Restaurant-Style Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Jun 2, 2021 · Modified: Jun 27, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley · 36 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    5 from 59 votes
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    pinterest image for shrimp cocktail

    When it comes to restaurant appetizers I don’t think anything is ordered more often than Shrimp Cocktail.

    And my classic version boasts big, plump, succulent, perfectly-cooked shrimp that is so easy to make that you’ll never look at this appetizer the same way again.

    overhead view of shrimp cocktail on ice with cocktail sauce and a lemon wedge

    Follow my recipe to make this restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail with a classic lemony-horseradish cocktail sauce that never disappoints!

    What ingredients do I need to make shrimp cocktail?

    ingredients to make shrimp cocktail

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Restaurant Style Shrimp Cocktail. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    What kind of Shrimp should I use to make shrimp cocktail?

    The biggest issue with making a really outstanding shrimp cocktail or any shrimp dish at home is the type of shrimp that are used.

    Believe it or not many restaurants use precooked, shelled and deveined frozen shrimp for their shrimp cocktail. And without even mentioning the quality issues, the real problem comes in when they defrost the already cooked shrimp.

    For a precooked frozen shrimp to be edible, it has to be served within minutes of thawing. The longer it sits, the worse the texture gets and the lack of flavor becomes more noticeable.

    If you can’t taste the shrimp because of all the cocktail sauce you put on it, don’t waste your money.

    The best shrimp to use for shrimp cocktail will be caught in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the US, and the Pacific Coast of the US. You can also get amazing shrimp from Australian waters and from parts of the European Union.

    *Shrimp are almost always frozen when processed onboard ships. If you see shrimp that aren’t frozen, it’s a good bet they were frozen and thawed to put on sale.

    The shrimp you need to avoid like the plague will be originating in Asian, Indonesian, and Indian waters. And for the most part, any shrimp that’s farmed is not a good choice.

    As with everything, there will be exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, these are not the shrimp you want to eat.

    What size Shrimp should I use for shrimp cocktail?

    The bigger the better (within reason). I usually make shrimp cocktail out of 16-20 count shrimp. That means that you’ll get 16-20 shrimp per pound (also referred to as Jumbo Shrimp). And that includes the shell in the weight. If you can find them and want to splurge U-15 shrimp (under 15 to a pound) are the best choice. Any larger than that and they start to get a little tough.

    *Usually, when you find large shrimp advertised in a grocery store they’re a 26-30 count

    Pink or White shrimp are preferable, but brown shrimp are okay as they will cook up pink. Brown shrimp can have a higher iodine content and more minerally taste. It’s not enough that most would notice, but it’s always something to be aware of.

    *Brown shrimp are usually used in spicier dishes or dishes with sauces.

    How do I make Shrimp Cocktail?

    pot with seasoned water to cook shrimp

    For my recipe, I used a 3-quart saucepan to cook the shrimp. The water was seasoned with Old Bay, pickling spice, and half a lemon with the lemon juice squeezed into the water.

    shrimp added to pot of boiling seasoned water

    Bring the water to a boil and add the shrimp.

    Chef Dennis Tip

    Always cook the shrimp with the shells on and not deveined for the best shrimp cocktail.

    shrimp boiling in a pot on the stove

    Cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes depending upon their size. I cooked my shrimp for 3 minutes and they were perfectly done.

    If the pan is overcrowded it could take longer. I usually let the water come back to a boil and let the shrimp cook for 1-2 minutes longer. A cooked shrimp should feel firm, not soft.

    drained shrimp in strainer

    When the shrimp have finished cooking, drain them in a colander. DO NOT cool them in cold water or ice water!

    *Ice water may chill them quickly, but it will also negatively affect the flavor.

    shrimp and ice in a large bowl

    Instead, add ice to a large bowl and toss the shrimp in the ice bath, allowing them to quickly chill. You can also use the colander for this process if it’s large enough.

    shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce on an iced plate with a lemon wedge

    After the shrimp have chilled, peel and devein the shrimp. Serve the Shrimp Cocktail on crushed ice with cocktail sauce and a lemon wedge. And get ready for rave reviews.

    Another favorite appetizer is my Grilled Shrimp Street Tacos. Served as tacos or with tortilla chips it’s another delicious way to enjoy shrimp!

    How do I make Restaurant Style Cocktail Sauce?

    ingredients to make cocktail sauce

    This isn’t just a homemade cocktail sauce, it’s a shrimp cocktail sauce like your favorite seafood restaurant serves. And it all comes down to the addition of an ingredient you would never have thought to add.

    Chili Sauce is the secret ingredient, and not just any chili sauce will do. Heinz Chili sauce is what turns a good cocktail sauce into an amazing cocktail sauce. If you’ve wondered why the cocktail sauce you make at home is never quite as good as when you dine out, now you know.

    *You can also add lemon zest or lime zest to enhance the flavors of the sauce, and lime juice instead of lemon juice can be substituted.

    cocktail sauce in a glass bowl

    Mix all the ingredients together and chill for an hour or two to let the flavors develop into a delicious horseradish sauce for all your seafood dishes.

    *You don’t have to use chili sauce in your cocktail sauce, it will still be good without it.

    More Seafood Appetizers You’ll Love!

    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp
    • Clams Casino Recipe – Restaurant Classic
    • New Zealand Mussels Served 5 Ways

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    overhead view of shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce on an iced plate with a lemon wedge
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 59 votes

    Restaurant Style Shrimp Cocktail

    See how easy it is to make perfect Restaurant-Style Shrimp Cocktail in your kitchen with all my cooking and shrimp buying tips.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time4 mins
    Course: Appetiser, Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 198kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Shrimp Cocktail

    • 1 pound 16-20 count shrimp shell on
    • 1 tbsp Old Bay
    • 1 tbsp pickling seasoning optional
    • ½ lemon

    Cocktail Sauce

    • ½ cup ketchup
    • ½ cup Heinz chili sauce
    • 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
    • 3-4 tsp prepared horseradish more or less depending upon how spicy you like cocktail sauce
    • 2 tsp lemon juice
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Shrimp Cocktail

    • Use a 3- 4 quart saucepan to cook the shrimp. Add the Old Bay, pickling spice and a half a lemon with the juice squeezed into the water.
    • Bring the water to a boil, then add the shrimp.
      Always cook the shrimp with the shells on and not deveined.
    • Cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes depending upon their size. I cooked my shrimp for 3 minutes and they were perfectly done.
      If the pan is overcrowded it could take longer. I usually let the water come back to a boil and let the shrimp cook for 1-2 minutes longer. A cooked shrimp should feel firm, not soft.
    • When the shrimp have finished cooking, drain them into a colander. 
      DO NOT cool them in ice water! Ice water may chill them quickly, but it will also negatively affect the flavor.
    • Add ice to a large bowl and toss the shrimp in the ice, allowing them to chill for 5-7 minutes. 
      You can also use the colander for this process if it’s large enough, that way the melted water will drain out.
    • After the shrimp have chilled, peel and devein the shrimp.
      Cooking and preparing the shrimp can be done ahead of time leaving the shrimp to continue chilling in the fridge. Don't cook the shrimp more than 8 hours ahead of time.
    • Serve the Shrimp Cocktail on crushed ice with cocktail sauce and a lemon wedge.

    Cocktail Sauce

    • Mix the ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
      Depending upon how spicy you like cocktail sauce adjust the amount of horseradish. Remember you can always add more.
    • Chill until needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1657mg | Potassium: 388mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 426IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brianna

      June 14, 2021 at 8:44 pm

      5 stars
      Shrimp cocktail is a classic for a reason! Your cocktail sauce is the best!

      Reply
    2. Ramona

      June 14, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      I am really craving this as a snack right now and I am definitely loving the presentation! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I cant wait to make these soon!

      Reply
    3. Jamie

      June 14, 2021 at 1:21 am

      5 stars
      That cocktail sauce is so flavorful and easy to make! I love how big and juicy the shrimp is, just like in a restaurant and that old bay seasoning is a great addition!

      Reply
    4. EA Stewart

      June 13, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      Simple and delicious! You put together a great tutorial for making shrimp cocktail. I especially enjoyed your info on choosing shrimp. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. Katie Crenshaw

      June 13, 2021 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      These are such great tips on how to make perfect shrimp cocktail! I agree, where your shrimp comes from is important. Adding the pickling spice is brilliant.

      Reply
    6. Naiby

      June 13, 2021 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for the shrimp info! Now we’ll know what to stay clear of!

      Reply
    7. Amy Liu Dong

      June 11, 2021 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      It such a delicious and easy dish to serve with my loved ones this weekend.
      Thanks for sharing your tips with us, Chef!

      Reply
    8. Eva

      June 11, 2021 at 9:28 am

      5 stars
      Did you know that in Italy we use Marie Rose sauce for shrimp cocktail? It’s usually mild but I like to spice things up with a little sriracha to make things more interesting. Thank you for the precious cooking tips, I am the lazy one who always buys the expensive stuff – hand-peeled shrimps in brine. They are just very popular and easy to come by where I live, the best alternative to frozen shrimps. Fresh, they’re a bit rare unfortunately. But now that I know how to perfectly cook them I will definitely look for fresh next time they’re available.

      Reply
    9. Tristin

      June 10, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      Great tip on letting us know the best areas to get your shrimp. I will be staying away from any that come from Asian, Indonesian and Indian waters!

      Reply
    10. Monica Y

      June 09, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      We have a party coming up and I think I am going to serve this as one of our appetizers, look delicious

      Reply
    11. Sally

      June 09, 2021 at 3:05 am

      This is great. I will have to make it the next time I have guests over.

      Reply
    12. Swathi

      June 09, 2021 at 2:20 am

      5 stars
      This shrimp cocktail recipe looks delicious perfect treat I need to make this for this father’s day.

      Reply
    13. Kita Bryant

      June 09, 2021 at 2:08 am

      I have got to try this! Shrimp is one of my favorite things to snack on.

      Reply
    14. Tasheena

      June 08, 2021 at 7:31 pm

      My family loves shrimp cocktail, I can’t wait to try this recipe.

      Reply
    15. Louisa

      June 08, 2021 at 4:16 pm

      This is going to be perfect for my birthday this summer. Definitely trying it out

      Reply
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