Chilled Shrimp with Zesty Sauce (Printable version)

Tender chilled shrimp paired with zesty, tangy cocktail sauce for effortless entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
02 - 1 lemon, sliced
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1 tsp black peppercorns

→ Cocktail Sauce

05 - ½ cup ketchup
06 - 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
07 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
10 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Fresh parsley (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Fill a large pot with water. Add lemon slices, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat.
02 - Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2–3 minutes, until pink and just cooked through. Do not overcook.
03 - Immediately transfer shrimp to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let chill for at least 10 minutes.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly and adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Drain the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange on a serving platter over a bed of crushed ice or fresh lettuce leaves.
06 - Serve chilled with cocktail sauce in a small dipping bowl. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade cocktail sauce puts storebought versions to shame and takes two minutes
  • Perfectly cooked shrimp every time without any guesswork or rubbery texture
02 -
  • The ice bath is nonnegotiable because shrimp continue cooking after leaving the hot water
  • Room temperature shrimp never taste as good as properly chilled ones so plan ahead
03 -
  • Buy the best quality shrimp you can find because this simple recipe lets the main ingredient shine
  • Double the sauce recipe and keep the extra in your refrigerator for unexpected guests
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