When it comes to great recipes that elevate any seafood dish, nothing beats a bold, tangy shrimp cocktail sauce made from scratch. This homemade cocktail sauce recipe is proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list or complicated steps to make a perfect pairing for your pounds of shrimp, crab legs, or even shrimp tacos.
Restaurant Cocktail Sauce
This isn’t just any cocktail sauce—it’s the same recipe I used for years in professional kitchens. In every restaurant I worked in, we never used the bottled stuff. We made our own cocktail sauce fresh, every single day.
It was the only way to get that perfect balance of tangy ketchup, bold horseradish, and bright lemon juice that pairs so well with seafood.
Making it from scratch takes just minutes, and the flavor is miles beyond anything you’ll find on a store shelf.
With just a handful of ingredients, this spicy cocktail sauce brings out the best in your seafood dishes. Skip the bottled stuff at the grocery store—this homemade version is faster, fresher, and easy to tweak to your taste.
3-Ingredient Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe with Horseradish
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Catsup your favorite brand or even homemade ketchup if you’re feeling ambitious
- 3/4 Teaspoon Horseradish adjust the amount of horseradish to your taste
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
Instructions
- In a small serving bowl, stir together the ketchup, lemon juice, and horseradish until smooth.1 Cup Catsup, 3/4 Teaspoon Horseradish, 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Taste and tweak.
- Cover and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
Optional flavor boosters
• A splash of Worcestershire sauce• A dash of hot sauce or hot pepper sauce
• A pinch of black pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, or even a tiny bit of brown sugar
• A bit of cider vinegar or lime juice if you prefer a zestier kick
Nutrition
🦐 Why This Is the Best Cocktail Sauce Recipe
There’s something satisfying about making your own cocktail sauce instead of reaching for store-bought. The perfect balance of zesty lemon, spicy horseradish, and sweet tomato makes this the best cocktail sauce recipe we’ve tried. You can even use fresh horseradish or horseradish root for a stronger bite.
Bonus: It also makes a great dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, or fried seafood, and it doubles as a spicy ingredient in a Bloody Mary!
Storage Tip
Leftovers? Store your shrimp cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the fridge up to a week.
It’s great to prep ahead for a special dinner, picnic, or party.
This sauce pairs wonderfully with cocktail shrimp, crab cakes, or a grand seafood platter. Garnish with lemon wedges for that final touch.
My family loved this!