Perfect Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Square photo overhead of Shrimp Cocktail Recipe with lemons and cocktail sauce.

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.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Shrimp Cockail, Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 130kcal

Author Dana DeVolk

Ingredients

1 cup dry white wine
1 small white onion peeled and cut into 4ths
3 medium carrots cleaned and cut into large chunks
2 celery stalks cut into large chunks
4 cloves garlic smashed
2 Tablespoons old bay seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 pounds large shrimp (16-20 count) peeled, deveined, tails on
Cocktail sauce for serving
Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

In a large pot, add the wine, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, old bay, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
1 cup dry white wine, 1 small white onion, 3 medium carrots cleaned and cut into large chunks, 2 celery stalks, 4 cloves garlic smashed, 2 Tablespoons old bay seasoning, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Add water until it is 3/4 of the way up the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, uncovered.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.
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.
3 pounds large shrimp (16-20 count)
Strain the mixture and discard the veggies.
Serve warm or place in the fridge until cold. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauces like cocktail sauce or aioli.
Cocktail sauce for serving, Lemon wedges for serving

Notes

Use your favorite dry white wine for this recipe.
This can be doubled to serve more people.
You can use store-bought cocktail sauce or use the recipe linked above.
We like to use fresh shrimp, see above on our favorite options.
This is great served with lemon wedges and some lemon juice squeezed over the shrimp.

Nutrition