Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
This simple shrimp cocktail sauce recipe uses ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce for a zesty dip that’s perfect with shrimp, crab, and other seafood.
Shrimp cocktail sounds a lot fancier than it really is, and the sauce is the easiest part. This shrimp cocktail sauce comes together in just a few minutes with pantry ingredients and a quick stir.
Adjust the heat to match your family’s preferences, then chill it until you’re ready to serve.
It’s great for shrimp, crab legs, or any simple seafood dinner when you want that classic steakhouse flavor at home.
What you’ll need
- Ketchup: Regular ketchup works best instead of low-sugar or flavored versions.
- Prepared horseradish: Start with 1 teaspoon for a mild sauce and go up to 1 tablespoon (or more) if you like it extra spicy.
- Lemon juice.
- Worcestershire sauce.
- Optional hot sauce: A few drops of hot sauce or using hot horseradish can take the heat up another notch if you like a spicier cocktail sauce.
How to make shrimp cocktail sauce
This recipe is super simple to make. Just mix everything, adjust the ingredients to your liking, and chill it so the flavors can meld.
The full recipe with ingredient amounts is further down the page.
- In a small bowl, add the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir until the sauce is smooth and everything is fully combined. Taste, and add more horseradish or even a dash or two of hot sauce if desired.
Quick Tip
Pair with more than shrimp: Use it with shrimp cocktail, crab claws, poached fish, or as a dip with fried seafood like popcorn shrimp or fish sticks.
Can I make shrimp cocktail sauce without horseradish?
You can, but it won’t taste like classic cocktail sauce. Horseradish is what gives the sauce its signature flavor.
If you don’t like horseradish, try a little hot sauce and extra lemon juice for a different kind of heat.
Storage
Store leftover shrimp cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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What You’ll Need
- 1 cup ketchup, homemade or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, adjust to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
How to Make It
- Add the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire to a small bowl.1 cup ketchup1 tablespoon prepared horseradish1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Taste, then cover and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Meet Kim
Hi, I’m Kim Vargo! I love making scratch-made desserts and classic dinners that bring back a little nostalgia. Whether it’s a stovetop meal or a simple pasta bake, I’m all about good food made without the extra fuss.
