How to Make A Mouthwatering Shrimp Cocktail Using Fresh Shrimp
When most people think about seafood, shrimp is one of the first things to mind. Luckily, it’s also one of the easiest dishes to make at home.
As a classic appetizer, the shrimp cocktail is perfect for any occasion.
This post will show you how to make a delicious shrimp cocktail using fresh shrimp. So if you’re looking for an impressive appetizer for your next dinner party, look no further than these simple tips for a perfect shrimp cocktail!
What shrimp is best for a shrimp cocktail?
Fresh shrimp are the perfect choice for shrimp cocktails. They have a sweet, delicate flavor, enhanced by a simple dressing of lemon juice and cocktail sauce. Shrimp are also very versatile and can be served either chilled or warmed.
We recommend purchasing large shrimp — about 21-25 shrimp per pound — and always opting for fresh, over frozen.
Whether you are hosting a casual get-together or a formal dinner party, fresh shrimp will wow your guests.
Preparing the Shrimp for the Cocktail
You can either choose to peel and devein your shrimp before or after you cook them. (Just remember to leave the tail on for a more excellent presentation and a more desirable way for guests to serve themselves.)
The most common way to cook fresh shrimp for a cocktail is to poach them. This method is quick and easy, ensuring that the shrimp will be cooked evenly.
To poach fresh shrimp, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then completely remove it from heat, add shrimp, and cover with a tightly fitted lid. They’re done when opaque and pink — usually about 4-7 minutes.
You can also add some aromatics to the water for extra flavors, such as lemon wedges, fresh herbs, etc. (Make sure you add these before you boil the water.)
How to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce
The key to a fantastic shrimp cocktail is the sauce. While you can always purchase pre-made sauce at the store, it’s easy to make your own at home.
The base of the sauce is ketchup and horseradish, but you can also add lemon juice, hot sauce, or any other ingredients to personalize the flavor.
Add cooked shrimp and serve it chilled along with your perfect shrimp cocktail sauce. Your guests will be impressed with your homemade sauce, and they’ll be sure to ask for the recipe.
Shrimp Cocktail: The Presentation
The cocktail sauce may be the key to a shrimp cocktail, but the presentation isn’t far behind it, when it comes to creating a mouthwatering shrimp cocktail. How you present the shrimp cocktail will leave your guests coming back for more.
Here are a few great ways to present your shrimp cocktail dish:
- When served in individual bowls or glasses, a shrimp cocktail is both elegant and easy to eat.
- It’s also a fun presentation to use martini glasses or long stem wine glasses.
- If you opt to use one serving dish for the table, a shallow-sided dish is best.
- Place a smaller container in the middle with the cocktail sauce and add ice around, then hang the shrimp along the outside rim of the main dish.
Don’t forget to leave the tail on to make it easy for guests to grab the shrimp, as well as include ice under or around the serving bowls when possible. The ice will ensure that the sauce and shrimp stay chilled, making for a more pleasant taste.
And there you have it: how to make a mouthwatering homemade shrimp cocktail! This appetizer can come together in under 15 minutes.
Have fun and make the flavor all your own. Also, be sure to have plenty of shrimp cocktail on hand — it’s one of those appetizers that everyone always seems to want more of!
Ready to make your shrimp cocktail? Order today or come into our Scarborough, Maine location to purchase premium cocktail shrimp.