This homemade Cocktail Sauce is ready in minutes and only needs a few staples from your pantry. Simply combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and hot sauce and whisk together for a delicious dip. The spicy flavor is the perfect pair to oysters, shrimp, or any of your favorite seafood recipes.
Table of Contents
Whether serving with a Shrimp Cocktail platter or alongside raw oysters, clams, or even crabs, there’s nothing like enjoying your own homemade cocktail sauce!
The spicy kick from the horseradish and Tabasco sauce complements the sweet and tangy taste of the ketchup to give you a sauce that pairs well with just about any seafood dish. (Even this Air Fryer Fish!)
Ingredients
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, you can jump to the recipe.
- Ketchup. This creates the base of the sauce, so make sure to choose one that you enjoy the taste of. Opt for a sugar-free type if you’re on a keto, Paleo, or Whole30 diet.
- Horseradish. Creamy horseradish sauce adds a flavorful bite that perfectly complements the sweetness of the sauce.
- Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed is best, however if you must use bottled, pick a pure lemon juice.
- Hot sauce. Select your favorite chili sauce such as Tabasco, Frank’s Red Hot, or even Sriracha sauce.
How to Make Cocktail Sauce
Jump to the recipe for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
- Add to a bowl. Measure out the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garlic into a medium-sized bowl.
- Whisk until smooth. Stir the ingredients together until well incorporated. A whisk does a good job of evenly dispersing all of the ingredients, but a fork may also be used.
Store in Refrigerator
You can serve this sauce immediately, but it gets better with time! Make it 24 hours in advance for the best flavor. You can store this seafood sauce in an airtight container or jar.
Make a Shrimp Cocktail Platter
To serve Fresh Shrimp Cocktail pour the sauce into a small bowl and place in the middle of a large plate with ice. Top the ice with peeled, deveined, boiled, and chilled shrimp. Garnish with parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
Meal Prep and Storage
- Prep-Ahead: Most of the ingredients are incredibly shelf stable which means you can completely make the sauce in advance.
- Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: This is not recommended as the sauce will change texture.
FAQs
There are some variations, but most cocktail sauces include ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.
Cocktail sauce is a popular pairing for shrimp. Other good flavors include remoulade sauce, piña colada dipping sauce, tartar sauce, or even sriracha mayo.
Both condiments have a bit of a tangy taste, but they are different. Cocktail sauce has more ingredients and often includes chili sauce in it.
Of course, shrimp is a perfect accompaniment to cocktail sauce. But you can also get creative and try it on clams, oysters, crab cakes, or even meatloaf or burgers!
Other Sauce and Dip Recipes
The following recipes go great with a wide variety of appetizers.
Pair this Teriyaki Sauce with whatever protein you have on hand. Top tacos with Spicy Sriracha Mayo or Lime Crema
Just about anything is better dipped in Secret Sauce, Homemade Buffalo Sauce, or Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip. And you can’t go wrong with a classic Thousand Island Dip or Tartar Sauce.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce is creamy and delicious, as well.
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Cocktail Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Add all of the cocktail sauce ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk until well combined.1 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, 1 clove garlic, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 teaspoon hot sauce
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Sauce will last if stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
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Notes
- Prep-Ahead: Most of the ingredients are incredibly shelf stable which means you can completely make the sauce in advance.
- Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: This is not recommended as the sauce will change texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you heat this recipe for steamed oysters?
You absolutely can, Sheila! It will heat up pretty quickly, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Thanks for asking- I hope you enjoy those steamed oysters (they sound ah-mazing!) ♡London