Perfect Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Super easy, flavorful, and fun this Shrimp Cocktail Recipe is a go-to appetizer for any time of the year. Minimal ingredients and time make it the perfect treat.

Pin

One of our favorite foods is seafood! What better than a classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe? How about one with a twist?

Around this time of year, there are tons and tons of get-togethers! From family and friends to work parties, there is an endless need for dishes that can please a crowd.

Adding white wine while cooking these gorgeous shrimp adds a lot of flavor and will surely please everyone at the party!

With various vegetables, seasonings, and flavors, the large shrimp are boiled to perfection and served with our homemade cocktail sauce.

This is a unique recipe you do not want to pass up, especially if you are a huge seafood lover like I am. 

We get so many requests for this recipe, and living by the ocean makes it easier for us to have access to fresh seafood, so this is one recipe we always bring to gatherings.

I just know you’re going to love this shrimp cocktail recipe. It’s certainly my favorite way to enjoy seafood!

Pin

1. With fun and delicious flavors, everything works well together in this homemade shrimp cocktail.
2. The addition of wine to this really makes it amazing.
3. You can double this recipe to serve more people – it’s a great thing you can get all the ingredients at any grocery store.

• Dry white wine
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic
• Old bay seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Pepper
• Raw Shrimp
• Cocktail sauce for serving
• Lemon wedges for serving

Pin

1. In a large pot, add the wine, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, old bay, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
2. Add water until it is 3/4 of the way up the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, uncovered.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.
4. Add the jumbo shrimp and stir them into the pot. These shrimp cook in just a couple minutes. You know they are fully cooked when they rise to the top of the water and are a bright white color on the inside, up to 5 minutes.
5. Strain the mixture and discard the veggies.
6. Serve warm or place in the fridge until cold. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauces like cocktail sauce or aioli. 

Pin

WHAT KIND OF WINE IS BEST FOR THIS?

We use a dry white wine for this recipe, so any of your favorites will work.

We usually use a chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc.

WHY DO YOU LEAVE THE TAILS ON?

Leaving the tail on is the best practice for a couple of reasons.  First of all, it looks better, and it’s like a restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail. 

The presentation is really important because you eat with your eyes first. The tail sort of completes the appearance of the dish. 

It also serves the practical purpose of a handle, giving people something to grab onto when they pick the shrimp up. This is perfect for gatherings.

Unless you are making a dish where the shrimp is cooked into it, we usually leave the tails on for these reasons.

WHAT IS THE BEST SHRIMP FOR SHRIMP COCKTAIL?

We prefer raw, fresh shrimp if we can get it, if not then frozen uncooked peeled and deveined shrimp with the tail on is what we like to use. 

Otherwise, the shrimp that are unpeeled but easy to peel is preferred for this recipe.

Get what you can, but these are what we like to use. Frozen shrimp that are raw are fine too, just thaw before using.

I also like to use large shrimp instead of smaller shrimp, like a 16-20 count or larger, for a nice presentation.

Pin

ANY ADDITIONS?

This shrimp dish is the best way to go for parties.

There are so many different ways to do it too!

• Spicy Sauce: Serve with a spicy cocktail sauce or a Heinz chili sauce for a kick.
• Celery Seed: Sprinkle some celery seed on top for added flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the poaching liquid for a fresh, citrusy taste.
• Black Peppercorns: Add whole black peppercorns to the poaching liquid for a subtle peppery flavor.
• Hot Sauce: Serve with a side of hot sauce like Worcestershire sauce for those who like it spicy.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.
• Horseradish Sauce: Serve with a tangy horseradish sauce for a traditional cocktail

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

There are ways to swap out parts of this recipe from the type of shrimp to the cooking liquid.

• Lime Juice: Substitute lemon juice with lime juice for a different citrus flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Replace some of the water with chicken broth for added depth of flavor.
• Clam Juice: Use clam juice instead of water for a brinier taste.
• Kosher Salt: Use kosher salt instead of table salt for a cleaner taste.

This can be stored in airtight container or ziptop bag  this will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

I do not recommend freezing already cooked shrimp.

The cocktail sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will last up to 1-2 weeks.

Pin

Shrimp recipes are my favorite.

If you want a flavorful and classic appetizer with a twist, then you need to make this Shrimp Cocktail Recipe ASAP!

It’ll get rave reviews with any crowd.

If you’ve tried this SHRIMP COCKTAIL RECIPE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!