Elevate your appetizer game with this classic Shrimp Cocktail. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe features plump, juicy shrimp enveloped in a delightfully rich and creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and ketchup. It's an elegant, simple, and timeless dish perfect for any occasion, from holiday parties to any kind of party or celebration.
Tom the Chef Founder
Let’s talk about important parts of the recipe before you start…
Hello! I’m Tom the Chef, and I’m so excited to share with you my take on a truly timeless classic: the Shrimp Cocktail. This isn’t your average appetizer. My version focuses on a wonderfully rich and creamy cocktail sauce that perfectly complements the sweet, plump shrimp. Forget the overly sharp, horseradish-heavy sauces; we are creating an elegant dish that is smooth, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. This 15-minute recipe is my go-to for entertaining because it looks stunning, tastes divine, and requires minimal effort. The base of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a touch of ketchup creates a luxurious creamy sauce that clings to every piece of cooked shrimp, making each bite an absolute delight. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday gathering or just want a sophisticated starter, this Shrimp Cocktail is sure to impress.
The star of any Shrimp Cocktail is, of course, the shrimp itself, and selecting the right kind is crucial. In my recipe, I call for cooked shrimp because it makes this a true 15-minute recipe. When you’re at the store, look for shrimp that are already pink; this indicates they are cooked. The packaging will also confirm this. Gray-colored shrimp are raw and will require cooking before you can use them. While you absolutely can use raw shrimp, it adds extra steps. You’d need to defrost them, season, and sauté them for 3-5 minutes until cooked, then let them cool completely. Honestly, for this specific Shrimp Cocktail, buying pre-cooked shrimp is a fantastic shortcut. The rich and creamy sauce is so flavorful that it beautifully enhances the simple, clean taste of boiled or steamed cooked shrimp. So, for the sake of ease and speed, I highly recommend starting with a high-quality cooked shrimp for this appetizer.
Another decision you’ll make is about the size and style of your shrimp. I personally love using large or extra-large shrimp for a more substantial and luxurious feel, but smaller ones work just as well, creating a different texture where you get more sauce in every spoonful. The big question is often tail-on or tail-off. For the shrimp mixed directly into the creamy sauce, I strongly recommend using tail-off. This makes the Shrimp Cocktail much easier to eat, as your guests won’t have to fuss with removing tails while trying to manage a glass and a fork. However, for presentation, a few large, tail-on cooked shrimp hanging off the side of the glass adds a touch of classic elegance. It’s a stylish finish that makes this simple appetizer look like it came from a high-end restaurant. So, my perfect approach is tail-off for the main event and a few beautiful tail-on shrimp for that optional, decorative flourish.
One of the keys to making this a quick 15-minute recipe is my specific method for defrosting the shrimp. Instead of waiting hours for them to thaw in the fridge, I use a much faster technique. Simply place your frozen cooked shrimp in a mixing bowl and cover them completely with steaming hot water. Make sure the water level is an inch or two above the shrimp to ensure they are fully submerged. Then, cover the bowl with a plate and let it sit. In just 5 to 10 minutes, they will be perfectly defrosted and ready to go. A key tip is to ensure they are fully defrosted; if you don’t use enough hot water, they might remain partially frozen, slowing things down. The defrosted shrimp can even be a bit warm; it won’t affect the final dish once they are mixed with the cold, creamy sauce and chilled. This method is a game-changer for preparing this elegant dish in a hurry.
The heart of this Shrimp Cocktail recipe is its unique and luscious creamy cocktail sauce. Unlike the traditional red sauce that’s primarily ketchup and horseradish, my version is built on a foundation of mayonnaise and sour cream. This combination creates an incredibly rich, smooth, and tangy base. The ¾ cup of mayonnaise provides a savory depth, while the ½ cup of sour cream adds a light, refreshing tanginess that cuts through the richness. Finally, 3 tablespoons of ketchup give the sauce its classic color and a hint of sweetness. Seasoned simply with salt and freshly ground pepper, this cocktail sauce is balanced, sophisticated, and wonderfully different. It coats the shrimp beautifully, ensuring that every single bite is packed with both the flavor of the shrimp and the delicious creamy sauce.
There are two final, simple steps in this Shrimp Cocktail recipe that I insist you don’t skip: draining the shrimp thoroughly and letting the finished cocktail chill. After your cooked shrimp are defrosted, you’ll pour them into a colander. I recommend letting them sit there and continue to drain while you mix the cocktail sauce. This is critical because any excess water clinging to the shrimp will thin out your beautiful creamy sauce, making it watery and less flavorful. We want that rich sauce to cling to the shrimp, not slide off. Once you’ve mixed the well-drained shrimp into the sauce, the final magic happens in the refrigerator. Letting the Shrimp Cocktail rest for at least an hour, or even overnight, allows the flavors to meld together. The shrimp will absorb some of the savory notes from the sauce, and the sauce itself will become even more flavorful. This chilling time transforms a good appetizer into a truly great and elegant dish.
How you serve this Shrimp Cocktail can elevate it from a simple appetizer to a show-stopping centerpiece. While any small bowl will do, I have a strong preference for serving it in martini glasses. The wide brim and elegant stem of a martini glass instantly make the dish look more sophisticated and special. It allows you to beautifully arrange the cocktail and provides the perfect canvas for decoration. Dividing the creamy shrimp mixture evenly among the glasses is the first step. Then, for that professional touch, I like to hang a few large, tail-on cooked shrimp over the rim of the glass. A thin slice of lemon wedged onto the side adds a pop of color and a hint of fresh citrus aroma. Finally, a small sprig of fresh parsley provides a touch of green and a fresh, herbaceous note. These simple decorative elements take only a moment but make this 15-minute recipe look like a gourmet creation.
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