This homemade cocktail sauce is the perfect dip for shrimp, crab, oysters, and all your seafood. Made in minutes with simple ingredients, it's fresher and tastier than anything from a bottle.
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Perfect for pairing with all your cold seafood dinners from stone crab claws to shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, and peel-and-eat shrimp. This is so easy to make, you'll never get it in a bottle again.
Seafood cocktail sauce is made by blending tomato ketchup with horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
What is Seafood Sauce?
Seafood sauce, also known as cocktail sauce, is a blend of tomato ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
Horseradish is what gives cocktail sauce its distinctive flavor. It's a root vegetable with a strong smell and sharp, bold taste.
For the freshest taste, look for refrigerated horseradish on the top shelf of the grocery store's refrigerator. Shelf-stable options are also available in the condiments aisle.
Horseradish is in a glass jar and labeled as prepared horseradish, made by brands like Gold's, or Silver Spring. Look for it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
Ingredients
- Ketchup: We like Heinz for its classic flavor and smooth consistency, but feel free to use your favorite ketchup.
- Prepared Horseradish: Squeeze out any excess liquid before adding it to your sauce for the right consistency.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Lemon Juice
- Hot Sauce: Adjust the amount to control the heat. More for spicier sauce, less for mild.
How to Make Seafood Sauce
This couldn't be easier! In a small bowl, mix the ingredients.
For best flavor, let it chill for at least 30 minutes before using.
Storage
Store the sauce in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator.
It will stay fresh for up to one week. Stir before serving.
What To Eat with Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce is a classic match for chilled seafood, but it's just as delicious with fried fish and shellfish.
Serve it alongside shrimp cocktail, stone crab claws, peel-and-eat shrimp, boiled lobster, oysters, crab cakes, fried calamari, or pan-fried mahi mahi.
It also makes a tangy dipping sauce for french fries and fresh vegetables.
Cocktail Sauce FAQ
Yes, you can prepare seafood sauce up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and stir well before serving.
Use prepared horseradish found in the refrigerated section for the freshest flavor. Brands like Gold's or Silver Spring are great options. Squeeze out excess liquid before adding it to the sauce.
Add more hot sauce for extra heat or reduce it for a milder flavor. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an additional kick.
Homemade cocktail sauce lasts up to one week in the fridge when stored in a sealed container. Stir before serving.
Cooking in The Keys is a food blog dedicated to bringing you easy fish and seafood recipes from the Florida Keys.
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Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup use Heinz sugar-free ketchup for keto
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Serve cold with shrimp cocktail, seafood platters, or as a dip for vegetables.
Suzi says
My family loved this!
Tina says
Thanks!