Chilled Shrimp with Zesty Sauce (Printable)

Tender chilled shrimp paired with tangy homemade cocktail sauce. A classic starter ready in 20 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
02 - 1 lemon, sliced
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1 tsp black peppercorns

→ Cocktail Sauce

05 - ½ cup ketchup
06 - 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
07 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
10 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Fresh parsley (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Fill a large pot with water and add lemon slices, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add shrimp to boiling water and cook for 2–3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Do not overcook.
03 - Immediately transfer shrimp to an ice bath to stop cooking process. Chill for at least 10 minutes.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Mix thoroughly and adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Drain shrimp well and pat dry. Arrange on serving platter over crushed ice or lettuce leaves. Serve chilled with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade cocktail sauce puts restaurant versions to shame, and you can adjust the heat to match your crowd's preference
  • Everything comes together in under 20 minutes, leaving you stress free and actually able to enjoy your own party
02 -
  • Overcooking happens in seconds, so set a timer and remove shrimp the moment they turn pink
  • The ice bath is non negotiable, it stops the cooking process and prevents rubbery texture
03 -
  • Buy the best quality shrimp you can find, since this recipe lets their natural sweetness shine
  • Taste your sauce after it sits for 30 minutes, as horseradish heat intensifies over time
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