This cocktail sauce recipe is a mix of ketchup, chili sauce, and horseradish, perfect with shrimp or prawns. Learn how to make cocktail sauce at home.
Cocktail Sauce Recipe
It's time for some cocktail sauce, my friends! Do you enjoy cocktail sauce? If you've ever enjoyed a shrimp cocktail, you'll understand the deliciousness of that spicy red sauce that comes with those succulent shrimp.
It's spicy and zingy and so robust in flavor. Quite addictive, isn't it?
I just love the stuff. Many people call it a "shrimp cocktail sauce", but it's actually great with any type of seafood.
I served this on a raw bar for a New Year's Eve celebration, along with oyster shooters, stone crab claws, and plenty of cooked shrimp and prawns, and it was a huge hit.
Everyone loved it. It's so much better than store bought.
Make this sauce ahead of time to allow the flavors to mingle, especially the horseradish.
If you're throwing a party this year, give this recipe a go. Your friends and family will love you! Or hey, just enjoy it on your own. Date night, perhaps?
Let's about about how to make cocktail sauce, shall we?
Classic Cocktail Sauce Ingredients
The full ingredient list with amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ketchup.
- Chili Sauce. Try my homemade chili sauce recipe.
- Lemon Juice.
- Clam Juice.
- Chili Powder.
- Fresh Garlic.
- Prepared Horseradish. You can use fresh minced horseradish.
- Hot Sauce. For a touch of heat.
- Cilantro.
- Salt and Black Pepper. To taste.
How to Make Cocktail Sauce - the Recipe Method
- To a large bowl, combine all ingredients - ketchup, horseradish, chili sauce, lemon juice, clam juice, chili powder, fresh garlic, hot sauce, cilantro, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Taste and adjust to your personal preferences.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to mingle.
- Enjoy! Easy cocktail sauce!
BOOM! Easy enough, isn't it? One of the easiest recipes around. Of course you can grab a bottles cocktail sauce from the grocery store, but it's so much better when you make it at home. You can control what goes into it! It's such an easy recipe.
It will intensify in flavor the longer you let it sit. Also, you can easily vary up the ratios of these ingredients to your personal preference. The thing about cocktail sauces, and sauces in general, is taste, taste, taste!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Extra Zing. If you'd like even MORE zing and spiciness to your cocktail sauce, add in an extra tablespoon (or more!) of prepared horseradish. That is where most of the zing resides.
- Fresh Horseradish. I have made this recipe with both prepared horseradish and fresh horseradish. Both are great. If you use fresh horseradish, be sure to grate it finely, and let the cocktail sauce sit overnight or even longer. The flavor and pungency continue to develop over time.
- Extra Ingredients. Some other ingredients that go nicely in a homemade cocktail sauce recipe include lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, tomato sauce (in lieu of ketchup), Tabasco sauce (as your hot sauce - nice and vinegary), and fresh ginger. Give them a try as a nice variation.
Storing Information
Homemade cocktail sauce will last 1 week or longer in the refrigerator stored in a sealed container. You can also freeze it in vacuum sealed containers for 3 months or more.
Serving Cocktail Sauce
Here are some ways to enjoy this versatile sauce:
- Shrimp Cocktail. This is the classic way to enjoy cocktail sauce. Try my Mexican spin with boiled shrimp, or any seafood cocktail.
- Fried or Grilled Seafood. Cocktail sauce is a perfect accompaniment to your favorite seafood such as shrimp, oysters, or calamari for dipping. It's a great general seafood sauce.
- Crab Cakes. Serve cocktail sauce with your favorite crab cake recipe for a delicious flavor combination.
- Vegetable Dip. Use cocktail sauce as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables like celery, carrots, and cucumber, or fried mushrooms.
- Meatballs. Cocktail sauce makes a tasty and unexpected dipping sauce for meatballs. Use it to make this grape jelly meatballs recipe.
- Bloody Mary. Add a spoonful of cocktail sauce to your Bloody Mary for some extra zing.
- Eggs. Cocktail sauce is a unique topping for deviled eggs or scrambled eggs.
That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy my spicy shrimp cocktail sauce recipe. It ROCKS! Nice and zingy, just how we like it. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear!
Try Some of My Other Popular Condiment and Sauce Recipes
- Homemade Ketchup (+ a spicy version!)
- Ranchero Sauce
- Peri Peri Sauce
- Hot Honey
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Homemade Sriracha
- How to Make Mustard
- Homemade Mumbo Sauce
- Homemade Condiments Recipes
- Homemade Sauce Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 6 ounces clam juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 clove fresh garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (or you can use fresh minced horseradish)
- Dash of hot sauce or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well.
- Taste and adjust to your personal preferences.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to mingle.
- Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition Information
This post was updated on 11/15/19 to include new information, photos and a video. It was originally published on 1/9/14.
Bo Boyd says
I read your recipes every day!!
You are the master!
Ever since French’s quit making prepared horseradish, I’ve tried every other one on the market. Been searching for years for a good one. Nope.
Please let us know what brand you recommend. I do love the hot rarity.
Mike Hultquist says
Hey, thanks, Bo. I appreciate it. Right now I have a bottle of Reese brand, though I don't stick to any particular brand for this.
Ron Peacock says
I would like to know what type of chili sauce you are using in this recipe. Is this a chili sauce we find in the supermarket such as Heinz Chili Sauce or is this a spicy Asian chili sauce similar to Thai chili sauce?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Ron, you can use either of them if you'd like. Many people like a sweeter chili sauce, like the Heinz brand you mentioned. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Brittany says
I love adding horseradish to this recipe! I bet this sauce would go really well with oysters as well! Thank you for sharing,
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Brittany. Oh yes! I would definitely enjoy this with a good dozen oysters or so! Nice.
Wendell Shirk says
What spice did you put on the shrimp? How did you cook the shrimp? When I cook shrimp they come out tough. Thank you
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Wendell, I cook shrimp in many different ways, but for this one, I did a light butter poach. Basically, melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a pan then add the shrimp and some seasoning. Use something like Old Bay or your favorite, like Cajun or Creole. Cook them on low heat. You don't want to sear them here, though you can if you want. Cook them on low until they turn nice and pink and cook mostly through, then flip them and cook them through. Only takes a few minutes. Shrimp can get tough if you cook them for too long, or if you boil them for too long. Let me know if this helps.
Altie says
I go easier! Chili sauce and tons of horseradish!!