Shrimp cocktail is a delightful appetizer, often served at parties or as a starter in restaurants. It typically consists of cooked shrimp chilled and served with a tangy cocktail sauce. Shrimp cocktails are easy to make at home and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. This article will provide you with a guide to creating the perfect shrimp cocktail, from selecting the right shrimp to making the most flavorful cocktail sauce. With a few simple steps and the right ingredients, you can create a shrimp cocktail that will impress your friends and family.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP COCKTAIL
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
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
THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL
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.
SHRIMP COCKTAIL
During the '60s, shrimp cocktail was one of the most popular party foods around. And it is still a crowd favorite. It's the one appetizer that I serve for every special occasion as well as for munchie meals. -Peggy Allen, Pasadena, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 30m
Yield about 6 dozen (1-1/4 cups sauce).
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, combine the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Add shrimp. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes. , Drain shrimp and immediately rinse in cold water. Refrigerate until cold, 2-3 hours. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. , Arrange shrimp on a serving platter; serve with sauce. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 59 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 555mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 9g protein.
CLASSIC SHRIMP COCKTAIL
One of Martha's favorite entertaining strategies is to serve a pared-down-but still special feeling-menu. Her classic shrimp cocktail is a perfect example: it's an easy but elegant starter that shines because it calls for the very best ingredients-including a quick homemade cocktail sauce. When preparing this spread, use high-quality, sustainably sourced shrimp, and plan on about three to six shrimp per guest.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Shrimp: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with ice (to later cool down shrimp). In a large stockpot combine 12 cups water, carrot, celery, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt, and peppercorns. Cut one lemon in half; squeeze half the juice into the water and add the rind. Cut remaining 1 1/2 lemons into small wedges for serving; set aside.
- Bring water to a boil. Add shrimp, cover; remove from heat. Let stand until shrimp are bright pink and curled; 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to prepared tray of ice to cool completely. Once cool, shrimp can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
- Cocktail Sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together all ingredients until combined. (Cocktail sauce can be made ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.)
- To Serve: Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact if desired. Using a paring knife, make a shallow cut along backs of shrimp to remove vein. Arrange shrimp neatly on a platter, shingling them slightly to make a pattern, and serve chilled with cocktail sauce and reserved lemon wedges on the side.
SHRIMP COCKTAIL
This method for a beloved appetizer maximizes flavor by gently poaching shrimp in a deeply seasoned broth of salt, chile powder and celery seeds. Rather than wash away all the spices with a rinse or a plunge in an ice bath, you stop the cooking by pouring ice directly into the hot bath. For dipping, go for a classic cocktail sauce with the sharp brightness of lemon and horseradish, or a simple garlicky dill butter, which makes the shrimp taste somehow of lobster, or a comforting, warmly spiced honey mustard, because you always need a creamy option. Enjoy the plump shrimp with your favorite sauce - or all three.
Provided by Eric Kim
Categories finger foods, seafood, appetizer
Time 15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Make the shrimp: In a large bowl, toss together the shrimp and 2 teaspoons salt, and set aside. Keep the 8 cups ice nearby, either in another large bowl or directly in the icemaker tray of your refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, fill a large pot with 8 cups water, 1/2 cup salt, the chile powder and celery seeds, and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp to the hot liquid, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer translucent on the inside, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Immediately dump the ice into the pot to stop the cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is cool to warm or room temperature, about 1 minute. Pour the contents of the pot into a colander in the sink, then transfer the drained, celery seed-dotted shrimp to a large platter and refrigerate until ready to eat. Cut the lemons into quarters lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise.
- Make the cocktail sauce: In a small bowl, stir the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish and garlic to combine, and season to taste with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
- Make the garlicky dill butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add the garlic, dill, lemon juice and sugar to a small bowl and stir in the hot melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Make the curried honey mustard: In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, lemon juice, curry powder and cayenne to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. All three sauces can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (The dill butter will need to be reheated in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat until liquid again.)
- To serve, cover a large platter with cubed or crushed ice, top with the poached and cooled shrimp and scatter the lemon pieces all over. Serve with one or more of the dipping sauces on the side.
CLASSIC SHRIMP COCKTAIL
This cocktail sauce was in the first Betty Crocker cookbook in 1950, along with the shrimp in another chapter. Now they appear together and it just seems to be right!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Appetizer
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In 3-quart saucepan, heat water to boiling. Add shrimp. Cover and return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink; drain.
- Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix sauce ingredients. Serve shrimp with sauce and lemon slices.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 100, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your shrimp cocktail.
- Cook the shrimp properly. Overcooked shrimp will be tough and chewy, so be careful not to overcook them.
- Use a flavorful cocktail sauce. There are many different recipes for cocktail sauce, so you can find one that suits your taste.
- Serve the shrimp cocktail chilled. This will help to keep the shrimp fresh and delicious.
- Garnish the shrimp cocktail with fresh herbs or lemon wedges. This will add a pop of color and flavor.
Conclusion:
Shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the perfect shrimp cocktail that will impress your guests.
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