Shrimp Cocktail with the Best Homemade Sauce

This Shrimp Cocktail with the Best Homemade Sauce is the ultimate no-fail appetizer for holidays, parties, or elegant dinners at home. Instead of boiling, the shrimp are quickly oven-baked to stay juicy, plump, and perfectly seasoned. Paired with a bold, zesty cocktail sauce made from simple pantry ingredients, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 15 minutes of cooking time. If you’re tired of bland shrimp rings and want something fresh, impressive, and incredibly easy, this shrimp cocktail is the answer. Serve it chilled with lemon wedges and watch it disappear fast.

table of contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 22 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 10 (as an appetizer)

Ingredients List

Oven-Baked Shrimp

• 2 lbs raw shrimp (16–20 count), peeled & deveined, tail-on
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional, for serving)

Homemade Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup mild chili sauce
• 3–4 tbsp prepared horseradish (to taste)
• 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp hot sauce (optional, to taste)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large rimmed baking sheet
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Whisk or spoon
• Paper towels
• Serving platter

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp
   Thaw shrimp completely, rinse under cold water, and pat very dry with paper towels.
2. Season evenly
   Place shrimp on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss gently 🦐
3. Bake quickly
   Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 8–10 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Transfer immediately to a platter to avoid overcooking.
4. Make the cocktail sauce
   In a bowl, stir together ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce 🌶️
5. Chill & serve
   Refrigerate shrimp and sauce for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled with lemon wedges 🍋

Pro Tips

• Baking keeps shrimp juicy without waterlogging
• Remove shrimp from hot pan immediately after baking
• Adjust horseradish for mild or spicy sauce
• Best served well-chilled
• Perfect make-ahead appetizer for parties

Nutrition Table (Estimated)

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 serving	143	19g	8g	3g	0g	6g

Disclaimer

Nutrition information is estimated using online tools and may vary based on ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutrition professional for precise dietary advice.

Conclusion

Homemade shrimp cocktail is simple, elegant, and always a crowd favorite. With juicy baked shrimp and a zesty sauce made from scratch, this recipe delivers unbeatable flavor with minimal effort perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you want to impress.