Dad's Famous Shrimp Cocktail

Elevate your appetizer game with Dad’s Famous Shrimp Cocktail, a classic dish that combines perfectly tender, poached shrimp with a zesty, homemade cocktail sauce bursting with bold flavors. This easy yet impressive recipe starts with large shrimp simmered delicately in a fragrant broth of lemon, garlic, and bay leaf, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful. Paired with a tangy sauce featuring ketchup, horseradish, and a splash of Worcestershire, this seafood favorite strikes the perfect balance of heat and brightness. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for parties, holidays, or an elegant start to any meal. Serve chilled with a sprinkle of parsley for garnish, and watch this showstopping shrimp cocktail steal the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 cups Water
• 1 whole Lemon, sliced
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 2 tbsp Prepared horseradish
• 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 tsp Hot sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.25 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, combine the water, sliced lemon, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook.

Step 3

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to an ice bath (a bowl of cold water with ice cubes). This will stop the cooking process and keep the shrimp tender.

Step 4

Once the shrimp are chilled (about 1-2 minutes), drain them and pat them dry with paper towels. Set aside in the refrigerator while you prepare the cocktail sauce.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more horseradish or hot sauce for extra kick.

Step 6

Arrange the chilled shrimp on a platter or individual serving glasses. Serve with the cocktail sauce on the side for dipping.

Step 7

Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp for a pop of color before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2264.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	857.6

Total Fat 17.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.3g
Cholesterol 873.3mg	0%
Sodium 4853.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 70.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	0%
Total Sugars 47.5g
Protein 110.5g	0%

Vitamin D 2.6IU	0%
Calcium 450.8mg	0%
Iron 2.7mg	0%
Potassium 1416.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.2%

Protein: 49.9%

Carbs: 32.0%