With that classic horseradish bite and a bit of spice, this Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe comes together in just 5 minutes with 5 ingredients. Serve with chilled shrimp for a quick and easy shrimp cocktail appetizer.
Easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
This homemade cocktail sauce recipe is the latest in my mission to make as many condiments at home as possible – they truly just taste better and are surprisingly easy to make. This one, for example, requires just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes.
Like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce is a staple for seafood. You can easily make your own shrimp cocktail with juicy chilled shrimp, lemon wedges, and this sauce. Oh and the best part? It stores for weeks so you can make it once and use it whenever you need it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes. Making homemade cocktail sauce is as simple as combining a few ingredients together. It really takes less than 5 minutes (though I do recommend making it in advance so it can chill.)
- Customize the heat. You can make this cocktail sauce as spicy (or not) as you’d like. Add more horseradish if you love it or a little less if you don’t and as much hot sauce as you’d like.
- So many ways to use it. There are lots of ways to use this beyond a dipping sauce for shrimp. Add it to burgers or sandwiches, mix it with cream cheese to spread on crackers, and more. Lots of ideas below!
Ingredients Needed
Homemade cocktail sauce is made with just 5 main ingredients.
(Be sure to scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Ketchup – Adds a bit of acidity and rich tomato flavor. Use your favorite brand.
- Creamy horseradish – This has a strong, spicy flavor that can be similar to wasabi. I prefer creamy horseradish for my cocktail sauce. I don’t recommend grating fresh horseradish as it doesn’t mix in as easily.
- Fresh lemon juice – Adds a bright citrus flavor that enhances the other ingredients.
- Worcestershire sauce – This adds the savory umami undertones to the sauce.
- Hot sauce – Add more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
- Freshly cracked black pepper
How To Make Cocktail Sauce
This condiment is so simple to make at home! Just prepare it with time to chill.
(Be sure to scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Combine the ingredients. Whisk together all of the ingredients.
- Taste test. Give the sauce a taste and add more horseradish or hot sauce as needed.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for an hour. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the heat level. As noted above, you can add more horseradish and hot sauce to make a spicier cocktail sauce. If you prefer a mild flavor, you can omit the hot sauce completely.
- Use prepared horseradish. Prepared horseradish is not only creamier but is also made with salt and vinegar for added flavor.
- Always taste test. The saltiness and sweetness of ingredients like ketchup always vary from brand to brand so definitely give the cocktail sauce a taste before refrigerating. Adjust the ingredients as desired.
- Chill before serving. Technically you can serve this immediately but I think it’s better once the flavors have had time to chill together.
Ways To Use It
There are so many ways to use cocktail sauce. The most common way is with shrimp. I tend to either serve on a serving platter lined with crushed ice, topped with some parsley leaves, cooked and chilled shrimp, and lemon wedges, or serve the cocktail sauce in a cocktail glass with shrimp hanging over the edge.
However, there are lots of other ways to use this condiment too. Here are some ideas:
- With oysters
- On crab crakes
- With meatballs
- As a condiment on burgers and sandwiches
- Mixed with cream cheese as a dip for crackers
- In a Bloody Mary
- With popcorn shrimp
- With clam strips
Proper Storage
Shrimp cocktail sauce stores very well in the fridge. It will last for up to 3 months when stored in an airtight container (I like glass jars the best.) Just give it a stir before using.
More Homemade Condiment Recipes
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared creamy horseradish
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice , or to taste
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 to 5 dashes hot sauce , or to taste
- couple turns of fresh cracked black pepper
- For serving: cooked and chilled plump shrimp , lemon wedges, parsley leaves, and crushed ice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until well combined. Taste and adjust, if desired.
- For best results, cover and chill for 1 hour.
- Serve on a serving platter lined with crushed ice, topped with some parsley leaves, cooked and chilled shrimp, and lemon wedges. Or serve cocktail sauce in a cocktail glass with shrimp hanging over the edge.
