Chilled Shrimp with Zesty Sauce (Print Version)

Tender chilled shrimp paired with zesty homemade sauce. An elegant appetizer ready in 20 minutes.

# What You'll 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
10 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Fresh parsley

# Method:

01 - Fill a large pot with water. Add lemon slices, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat.
02 - Add the shrimp to the 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 the cooking process. Chill for at least 10 minutes.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt. Stir until thoroughly blended. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Drain the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange on a serving platter over crushed ice or lettuce leaves.
06 - Serve chilled with cocktail sauce on the side. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in seconds but tastes like something from a seafood restaurant
  • Make it ahead and keep everyone happy while you finish the rest of dinner
02 -
  • The ice bath isn't optional—without it residual heat keeps cooking and your shrimp will turn rubbery
  • Let guests customize their own sauce heat level by keeping extra horseradish on the side
03 -
  • Ask your fish counter to devein the shrimp for you—saves so much time and they never mind
  • The shrimp should curl slightly into a C shape when perfectly cooked, not tight O's
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