Description
This classic Shrimp Cocktail recipe features perfectly cooked shrimp served chilled with a tangy and spicy homemade cocktail sauce. The shrimp are gently poached in a flavorful brine, then chilled to maintain their tender texture, making it an elegant and refreshing appetizer perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 lemon (halved)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 pounds shrimp (peeled and deveined; tails on or off, about 20-30 shrimp)
For the Cocktail Sauce
- ½ cup Heinz Chili Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Kosher salt (to taste)
For Serving
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ice Bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice and then fill it with water until full. Set this ice bath aside to chill the shrimp immediately after cooking.
- Cook the Shrimp: In a large pot, add 6 cups of water along with kosher salt, granulated sugar, lemon halves, and a bay leaf. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and add the shrimp, stirring occasionally. Let the shrimp cook in the hot water until just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Chill the Shrimp: Immediately remove the shrimp from the pot using a slotted spoon or strainer and transfer them to the prepared ice bath. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain a firm texture. Once the shrimp are completely cool, drain them and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make the Cocktail Sauce: In a small bowl, combine Heinz chili sauce, ketchup, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, ground black pepper, and kosher salt to taste. Stir well until evenly mixed.
- Serve: Arrange the chilled shrimp on a platter alongside the cocktail sauce and optional lemon wedges for squeezing. Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh or previously frozen shrimp for best results.
- Adjust the horseradish and hot sauce amounts in the cocktail sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Keep shrimp chilled until serving to maintain their freshness and texture.
- Peeling and deveining shrimp beforehand ensures a quick poach and bite-sized portions.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved easily depending on the number of guests.
