Best 4 Chef Johns Shrimp Cocktail Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

If you're looking for a classic and delectable appetizer that will impress your guests, Chef John's Shrimp Cocktail recipe is the perfect choice. This iconic dish features plump and succulent shrimp, bathed in a tangy and flavorful cocktail sauce that perfectly complements the briny sweetness of the seafood. Whether you're hosting a party, a special gathering, or simply craving a delightful seafood treat, Chef John's Shrimp Cocktail is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL



The Shrimp Cocktail image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     appetizer

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 cups ice
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup prepared chili sauce
4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon sugar
Few grinds fresh black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning

Steps:

  • Using a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Eviscerate shrimp and rinse under cool water leaving shells intact.
  • Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes. While shrimp are brining, place tomatoes, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, pepper, and salt in food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate cocktail sauce until ready to serve.
  • Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired.
  • Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately.
  • Once shrimp have chilled, arrange with cocktail sauce in a martini glass or as desired.

CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Chef John's Shrimp Cocktail image

Before I knew much about food or dining out, I knew that if they brought shrimp cocktails to the table as an appetizer, we were eating at a 'fancy' restaurant. I'm sure I enjoyed the shrimp, but what I really loved was dipping the crackers in the spicy, horseradish-spiked cocktail sauce.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Seafood     Shrimp

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 quarts cold water
¼ onion, sliced
½ lemon
2 cloves garlic, peeled and bruised
2 sprigs fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup chili sauce
¼ cup prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 drops hot sauce, or to taste
1 pinch salt
2 pounds shell-on deveined jumbo shrimp

Steps:

  • Stir water, onion, lemon, garlic, tarragon, seafood seasoning, peppercorns, and bay leaf together in a large pot; bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, about 15 minutes.
  • Whisk ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt together in a bowl; refrigerate until chilled, at least 15 minutes.
  • Bring poaching liquid to a rapid boil. Cook the shrimp in the boiling liquid until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water and immerse in ice water until cold; drain. Arrange cold shrimp on a platter and serve with chilled sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 305.6 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Cholesterol 345 mg, Fat 4.3 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 47.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 1414.9 mg, Sugar 10.4 g

IRON CHEF SPICY SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Iron Chef Spicy Shrimp Cocktail image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 pound (16/20) shrimp, head-on if possible, thawed if frozen, peeled and deveined with tails on
Lemon wedges, for garnish
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Thai sweet chile sauce
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Steps:

  • For the shrimp: In a large saucepan of water, add the bay leaves and black peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Line a sheet pan with paper towels.
  • For the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, chile sauce, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.
  • Add the shrimp to the water and cook at a very low simmer, stirring, until the centers are fully cooked and no longer translucent, about 3 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to the lined sheet pan. Chill for an hour before serving.
  • Serve the shrimp with the cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

MEXICAN-STYLE SHRIMP COCKTAIL



Mexican-Style Shrimp Cocktail image

You can pretty much get Mexican food like tacos and burritos in just about any corner of the country these days. However, Mexican Shrimp Cocktails don't seem to have caught on elsewhere as they have in the Bay Area. Here's my version--you can adapt your own recipe using the listed ingredients and amounts as a rough guide.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Seafood     Shrimp

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup clam juice
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 ¼ cups peeled, seeded, diced ripe tomatoes
1 cup diced English cucumber
½ cup diced celery
½ cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons seeded and diced jalapeno peppers
½ cup ketchup
2 limes, juiced
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
Mexican-style hot sauce, to taste
1 large Hass avocado, cubed

Steps:

  • Place clam juice and oregano in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and stir just until shrimp turn pink and are not quite cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve liquid. Let shrimp cool to room temperature.
  • Place chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, red onion, and jalapenos is a mixing bowl. Add ketchup, cooking liquid from the shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, and hot sauce. Gently mix until ingredients are well blended.
  • Chop shrimp into bite-size pieces, leaving a few whole for garnishes. Stir chopped pieces into the vegetable mixture. Wrap mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Place reserved shrimp in a bowl; wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate shrimp cocktail and reserved shrimp until thoroughly chilled, 2 to 3 hours.
  • If mixture seems a bit thick, add a little tomato juice or pickle juice. Stir in avocado cubes. Serve, if possible, in clear glass bowls. Top with reserved whole shrimp and some cilantro leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 267.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22.8 g, Cholesterol 174.4 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 7.6 g, Protein 22.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 690 mg, Sugar 11 g

Tips:

  • Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp is essential for making a great shrimp cocktail. Look for shrimp that are firm, plump, and have a slight briny smell.
  • Cook the Shrimp Properly: Overcooked shrimp are tough and rubbery. To avoid this, cook the shrimp for only 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Make a flavorful Cocktail Sauce: The cocktail sauce is what really makes the shrimp cocktail. Use a combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce to create a sauce that is both tangy and flavorful.
  • Serve the Shrimp Cocktail Chilled: Shrimp cocktail is best served chilled. This helps to keep the shrimp firm and flavorful.
  • Garnish the Shrimp Cocktail: Garnish the shrimp cocktail with lemon wedges, parsley, and a sprinkle of paprika for a beautiful and delicious presentation.

Conclusion:

Shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer that is both easy to make and delicious. By following the tips above, you can make a shrimp cocktail that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Related Topics