This recipe for the Best Shrimp Cocktail features succulent jumbo shrimp paired with a zesty, homemade cocktail sauce. It’s a quick, easy-to-prepare, and amazingly delicious appetizer, perfect for any occasion.
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Jump to:
- ❤️ Why You'll Love This Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
- 🛒 Ingredients for Keto Shrimp Cocktail
- 🔪 How to Make Shrimp Cocktail
- ☑️ Storage Instructions
- 🍴 What to Serve with Easy Shrimp Cocktail
- 💡 Tips for Roasting Shrimp
- 🔄 Other Tasty Dipping Sauces for Roasted Shrimp
- Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
- How Do I Know When My Shrimp Are Done?
- Is Shrimp Cocktail Keto?
- How Many Shrimp Do I Serve Per Person?
- 🍽️ More Keto Shrimp Recipes
❤️ Why You'll Love This Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
- Jumbo tender shrimp
- Roasted to give them more flavor
- Serve with a homemade sugar-free cocktail sauce
- Quick and easy Keto appetizer
- Perfect for special occasions
Shrimp cocktails are typically associated with fancy dinners or seafood restaurants. Yet, with this simple recipe, you'll discover how easy it is to whip up at home whenever the cravings strike. The secret to this version is gently roasting the shrimp in the oven, enhancing their natural sweetness.
This easy sheet pan method, paired with a zesty, homemade cocktail sauce, results in an appetizer that's not only quick to prepare, but also incredibly flavorful. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply want a special treat for dinner, this shrimp cocktail will add the perfect gourmet touch to any occasion.
While cocktail sauce is typically served with these shrimp, if you prefer a creamy sauce, this Keto Tartar Sauce is incredible and super easy to make.
🛒 Ingredients for Keto Shrimp Cocktail
- Jumbo shrimp
- No-sugar added ketchup
- Horseradish
- Lemon
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
🥣 Recommended Tools
- Baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Serving platter
🔪 How to Make Shrimp Cocktail
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Add the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and half the salt into a small mixing bowl.
Whisk until well combined, then chill in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Wash and dry the shrimp, then pour them out onto a baking sheet.
Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the salt and ground black pepper over the shrimp.
Gently toss the shrimp, making sure each are well coated.
Bake for 6–9 minutes or just until cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on how large your shrimp are. Mine took exactly 8 minutes.
Remove the shrimp from the oven and allow them to cool, then chill them in the fridge until they are nice and cold.
When you’re ready to serve them, place them on a platter lined with crushed ice and serve with the chilled cocktail sauce and some lemon wedges on the side.
Alternatively, you can serve several in a cocktail glass placed around the rim, with cocktail sauce and a lemon slice.
Another fun way to serve them is in small shot glasses with cocktail sauce and lemon.
☑️ Storage Instructions
You'll want to store leftover shrimp and cocktail sauce separately in the fridge. The shrimp will stay fresh for up to a couple of days when stored in an airtight container. The sauce will stay fresh for about 4-5 days in the fridge.
🍴 What to Serve with Easy Shrimp Cocktail
A selection of low-carb crackers like these Keto Everything Bagel Crackers or toasted crostini are perfect for enjoying the shrimp and its tangy cocktail sauce. Fresh vegetables, such as cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and celery sticks offer a refreshing crunch.
Sliced avocado or Guacamole adds a creamy texture that complements the shrimp well. Don’t forget to include lemon wedges for a citrusy kick to enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
For added variety, you can serve them with a side salad with mixed greens with a cool and creamy homemade Ranch. Offering condiments like Creamy Horseradish Sauce or hot sauce allows guests to customize their shrimp cocktail according to their preference.
💡 Tips for Roasting Shrimp
- You'll want to use large or jumbo shrimp for this recipe. Jumbo shrimp have a meatier texture, which holds up well to high-heat cooking methods like roasting.
- Make sure to use shrimp that are peeled and deveined before roasting. Leave the tails on for presentation if desired, but make sure they are cleaned thoroughly.
- Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in 6-10 minutes depending on their size and the oven temperature. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking, as they can become tough and rubbery if left in the oven too long.
- Make sure there is some space between each shrimp on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than roasting.
- Optionally, for a quick finish and a slightly charred exterior, you can switch the oven to broil for the last minute or two of cooking. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- After roasting, allow the shrimp to cool slightly before chilling them in the refrigerator. Chilling helps them firm up and enhances their texture when served cold.
🔄 Other Tasty Dipping Sauces for Roasted Shrimp
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before roasting for best results.
How Do I Know When My Shrimp Are Done?
Shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking, because this can make them tough and rubbery.
Is Shrimp Cocktail Keto?
Yes, this shrimp cocktail recipe is keto-friendly. It uses no-sugar-added ketchup which is low in carbs, making it perfect for Keto or low-carb diets.
How Many Shrimp Do I Serve Per Person?
For a shrimp cocktail served as an appetizer, plan on serving about 3 jumbo shrimp per person (depending on the size). This amount provides a satisfying starter without filling you up before the main course.
🍽️ More Keto Shrimp Recipes
- Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp
- Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
- Fried Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
- Grilled Lime Cilantro Shrimp Skewers
- Creamy Shrimp Alfredo
- Shrimp Scampi with Cauliflower Rice
- Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
- Shrimp Alla Vodka
- Bang Bang Shrimp
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Best Shrimp Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on
- 1 cup no-sugar added ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Add the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and half the salt into a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk until well combined, then chill in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- Wash and dry the shrimp, then pour them out onto a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the salt and ground black pepper over the shrimp.
- Gently toss the shrimp, making sure each are well coated.
- Bake for 6-9 minutes or just until cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on how larger your shrimp are. Mine took exactly 8 minutes.
- Remove the shrimp from the oven and allow them to cool, then chill them in the fridge until they are nice and cold.
- When you’re ready to serve them, place them on a platter lined with crushed ice and serve with the chilled cocktail sauce and some lemon wedges on the side.
- Alternatively, you can serve several in a cocktail glass placed around the rim, with cocktail sauce and a lemon slice.
- Another fun way to serve them is in small shot glasses with cocktail sauce and lemon.
Recipe Notes
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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