Shrimp Cocktail Platter Recipe Easy Zesty Appetizer for Entertaining
A quick and zesty shrimp cocktail platter perfect for last-minute guests and holiday parties, featuring a homemade cocktail sauce with horseradish and fresh lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds frozen cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail-on
- 2 tablespoons grated horseradish
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- A few dashes hot sauce
- Sea salt to taste
- A handful fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Thaw the shrimp by placing them in a large bowl of cold water, changing the water every 5 minutes until fully thawed but still cold (about 15 minutes). Avoid hot water.
- Prepare the cocktail sauce by mixing ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, and salt in a small bowl. Taste and adjust horseradish or hot sauce as desired.
- Drain the thawed shrimp in a colander and pat dry with paper towels to ensure the sauce adheres well.
- Fill a serving platter or large shallow dish with crushed ice. Arrange the shrimp over the ice in a circular pattern or rows with tails out.
- Add lemon wedges and sprinkle chopped parsley or dill over the shrimp for garnish.
- Place the cocktail sauce bowl in the center or to the side of the platter and serve immediately, encouraging guests to squeeze fresh lemon over shrimp before dipping.
Notes
Use real grated horseradish for authentic zing. Keep shrimp chilled on crushed ice to maintain freshness and texture. Pat shrimp dry before plating to help sauce adhere. Adjust hot sauce and lemon juice to taste. Store shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Avoid reheating shrimp; serve cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 ounc
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 14
Keywords: shrimp cocktail, appetizer, easy appetizer, party food, zesty cocktail sauce, entertaining, frozen shrimp, quick appetizer