Homemade Seafood Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

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Elevate your seafood experience with this homemade cocktail sauce recipe that perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Crafted with just a handful of ingredients, this sauce adds a zesty kick to any shrimp cocktail or seafood dish.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Customization: Creating your own cocktail sauce allows you to tailor the flavors precisely to your liking. You can adjust the spice level, sweetness, tanginess, and overall balance of the sauce to match your preferences.
• Freshness: Homemade sauces often utilize fresh ingredients, providing a vibrant and more authentic taste compared to store-bought versions that may contain preservatives or additives.
• Quality Ingredients: By making the sauce from scratch, you have control over the quality of each ingredient, ensuring they are fresh, flavorful, and of your choosing.

Key Ingredients

• Ketchup
• Horseradish
• Sweetener or Sugar
• Lemon Juice
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Hot Sauce
• Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper

What Does it Taste Like

• Tangy: The zesty flavor comes from the addition of ingredients like ketchup and lemon juice.
• Sweet: The sweetness comes from the natural sweetness of ketchup or the addition of a small amount of sweetener. The sweet element helps balance the tanginess and adds a pleasant undertone.
• Spicy (optional): The level of spiciness is typically adjusted by adding horseradish or hot sauce.
• Savory: Worcestershire sauce contributes to the savory notes of the sauce.
• Hint of garlic: Complements the seafood.

How to Store/How Long it Will Last

The sauce can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 weeks. However, it’s always best to rely on your senses to determine if it is still good to use. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, mold, or unusual texture, discard the sauce.

More Sauce Recipes

Remoulade Sauce for Crab Cakes and Salmon
Crawfish Boil Sauce
Seafood Boil Sauce
Creamy Dill Sauce for Salmon
Mango Dressing (Fresh or Frozen)

Pair With These Recipes

Steamed Lobster Tail
Pan Seared Shrimp
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Steak and Shrimp Surf and Turf

Homemade Seafood Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

Elevate your seafood experience with this homemade cocktail sauce recipe that perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Crafted with just a handful of ingredients, this sauce adds a zesty kick to any shrimp cocktail or seafood dish.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dressing, sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 1 cup

Calories 42 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1-2 tablespoons horseradish Adjust to taste for desired spiciness. I use 1 tablespoon.
• 1/2-1 tablespoon sweetener or sugar Adjust to taste or omit if preferred.
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce Optional, for added heat
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the flavors according to your preference. If you prefer it spicier, add more horseradish or hot sauce. For a tangier taste, add a bit more lemon juice.
• Once you are satisfied with the flavor, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the sauce to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Refrigerate the cocktail sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop. (This is optional, but great for the best flavor).

Notes

I recommend starting with 1/2 tablespoon of horseradish. Taste and adjust accordingly.

For a smaller batch you can divide the ingredients in half, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 9gFat: 1g

Keyword cocktail sauce for shrimp, homemade cocktail sauce, seafood cocktail sauce

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