co*cktail Sauce Recipe (2024)

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Forget about the bottled stuff, this homemade co*cktail Sauce recipe is so much better than anything you can buy at the store. A short list of easy to stock ingredients creates this zingy condiment in about 5 minutes!

My Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe is another easy seafood sauce that rivals store-bought.

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (1)

I recently bought some gorgeous shrimp for shrimp co*cktail and was positive I had a bottle of co*cktail sauce (or fish ketchup, as my boys have always called it) in my pantry. Well, nope! No sauce.

I had two choices. Mix up a homemade co*cktail sauce or skip the shrimp co*cktail. I went with the former and oh my!

I was shocked at how easy it is to create a super fresh, super delicious co*cktail sauce with ingredients I always have on hand. Why in the heck did it take me so long to do this?

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (2)

I will now and forever make co*cktail Sauce from scratch. No more store-bought sauce for me.

Table of contents

  • co*cktail Sauce Ingredients
  • How to Make co*cktail Sauce
  • Storage Tips
  • Serving Suggestions

co*cktail Sauce Ingredients

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (3)
  • Ketchup – Sweet and tomato-based – ketchup is the foundation for a good classic co*cktail Sauce.
  • Horseradish– I have made this recipe with both cream-style horseradish and extra hot horseradish and they were both great.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a bit of umami flavor.
  • Lemon – Fresh lemon juice is a must. It really wakes up the flavor and helps balance it out.
  • Freshly ground black pepper – Just a pinch for flavor.
  • Tabasco Sauce – Add a little or a lot or leave it out altogether for a delicious, but milder sauce.

A big bonus to making your own co*cktail Sauce is that theheat can easily be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the horseradish and Tabasco. Make a super mild, kid-friendly sauce or spice it up as much as you’d like.

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (4)

How to Make co*cktail Sauce

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (5)
  1. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and 1 tablespoon of the horseradish.
  2. Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Tabasco.
  3. Taste and add additional horseradish and/or hot sauce, if needed.

The sinus clearing zing in co*cktail sauce comes from horseradish. I recommend starting with a small amount and working your way up to the flavor you’re after.

Storage Tips

If you plan to use the co*cktail Sauce within a day or two, just cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For longer storage, transfer the sauce to an airtight container before refrigerating. The acid in the lemon and ketchup should help it stay fresh and tasty for up to two weeks.

co*cktail Sauce Recipe (6)

Serving Suggestions

What goes with co*cktail sauce? It goes beyond simple shrimp co*cktail!

  • A triple batch of this recipe can be used to make a stunning Mexican Shrimp co*cktail.
  • Serve it as a dipping sauce for Air Fryer Fish Sticks or Crispy Baked Fish.
  • Mix a little into a simple meatloaf recipe or spread it over the top before baking.
  • Place a small bowl on a platter with homemade Crab Cakes for a delicious appetizer.
  • Use co*cktail sauce for dipping Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket.

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co*cktail Sauce Recipe (7)

co*cktail Sauce Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Forget about the bottled stuff, this homemade co*cktail Sauce recipe is so much better than anything you can buy at the store. A short list of easy to stock ingredients creates this zingy condiment in about 5 minutes!

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Keyword: co*cktail sauce recipe

Print RecipePin RecipeRate Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Total Time:5 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, as needed (extra hot or creamed)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
  • Few drops of Tabasco, to taste

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Tabasco. Taste and add additional horseradish and/or hot sauce, if needed.

  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5 tablespoons · Calories: 22 kcal · Carbohydrates: 6 g · Protein: 0.2 g · Fat: 0.04 g · Saturated Fat: 0.01 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01 g · Sodium: 195 mg · Potassium: 67 mg · Fiber: 0.2 g · Sugar: 5 g · Vitamin A: 103 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 5 mg · Iron: 0.1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.

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Cold Appetizer Ideas

Mexican Shrimp co*cktail
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co*cktail Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is co*cktail sauce made of? ›

The standard ingredients (in roughly decreasing proportion) are ketchup, horseradish, hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco, Louisiana, or Crystal), Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. A soufflé cup is usually set in the middle of the platter of oysters along with a co*cktail fork and a lemon slice.

Does homemade co*cktail sauce go bad? ›

But how long does homemade co*cktail sauce last in the fridge? The general consensus is one to two weeks. The acidity from the lemon and ketchup will help preserve it, but it won't last as long as those store-bought options. Don't think you can eat it that fast?

What else is co*cktail sauce good with? ›

5 Ways To Use co*cktail Sauce
  • So here's some of my favorite ways to use Classic co*cktail Sauce with smoked Maine sea salt and my Tequila Lime co*cktail Sauce with smoked Maine sea salt.
  • 1.Grilled Shrimp with co*cktail Sauce. ...
  • 2.Kielbasa with co*cktail Sauce. ...
  • Mexican Shrimp. ...
  • Bloody Mary. ...
  • 1 oz steak sauce.
Feb 8, 2019

What are the ingredients in St Elmo's co*cktail sauce? ›

Each 12 oz bottle delivers a horseradish laden punch that you have come to know and love. Serve it to your guests at home, send it as a gift or simply enjoy for yourself. Tomato Paste, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Horseradish, Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Onion Powder, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavor.

What is shrimp co*cktail sauce made of? ›

This easy Shrimp co*cktail sauce recipe is made with just three ingredients (ketchup, lemon juice and horseradish). It's so simple, takes a few seconds to make, and compliments the shrimp perfectly.

What is red co*cktail sauce made of? ›

A combination of pungent horseradish and sweet ketchup make up the foundation of this classic co*cktail sauce, which is seasoned with lemon juice, hot sauce and a dash of Worcestershire. Drizzle it on a shrimp co*cktail or dab it sparingly on raw seafood. A little of this assertive mixture goes a long way.

Why does co*cktail sauce turn to jelly? ›

The change in consistency is primarily due to the pectin in the tomato sauce and the enzymes in the horseradish. To remedy this, stirring the sauce vigorously and adding additional liquids can help.

How long is homemade co*cktail sauce good for? ›

If you are storing homemade co*cktail sauce, the guidelines differ, however. We recommend tossing from-scratch sauce after two weeks. While you can freeze co*cktail sauce, it is best not to, as it will change the texture. The best way to ensure no co*cktail sauce goes to waste is simply to use it more often.

Why does homemade co*cktail sauce congeal? ›

However, more likely, the tendency of the condiment to gel actually lies in science. Undergoing a series of chemical reactions between ingredients, co*cktail sauce is sort of like an edible experiment. When pectin-rich ketchup is mixed with acid-rich horseradish, the two ingredients cause thickening.

Should you refrigerate co*cktail sauce? ›

You can keep unopened co*cktail sauce in a cool and dark pantry. Once opened, remember not to leave co*cktail sauce outside, as sunlight and humidity will affect the ingredients and flavor. It's safest to store opened co*cktail sauce (or homemade sauce) in the fridge to keep it from spoiling.

Is co*cktail sauce healthy to eat? ›

A fat-free, tomato-based condiment, co*cktail sauce can get prepared with any number of hot sauces, depending on your preference for heat. Other ingredients include garlic, lemon, and horseradish. But overall, the sauce contains a high amount of sugar and sodium so it should be consumed in moderation.

Is shrimp with co*cktail sauce healthy? ›

As far as finger food goes, shrimp co*cktail is nutritionally one of the healthier options out there. Consider: One large shrimp has just 7 calories and almost no fat yet packs more than a gram of protein.

What is co*cktail sauce real name? ›

Marie Rose sauce (known in some areas as co*cktail sauce or seafood sauce) is a British condiment often made from a blend of tomatoes, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and black pepper. A simpler version can be made by merely mixing tomato ketchup with mayonnaise.

What is co*cktail sauce Iceland? ›

It's "co*cktail sauce" mostly used with french fries. Every single fast food restaurant will have it on the menu. A simple homemade version is approx. 1 cup mayo, 2-3 tablespoons ketchup (or to taste) and optionally 1-2 teaspoons mustard (or to taste).

Why is it co*cktail sauce? ›

The name co*cktail sauce has often intrigued me. The origin of the name comes from prawns place on the edges of a co*cktail glass.

What is ketchup and mayo mixed together called? ›

Fry sauce is a condiment often served with French fries or tostones (twice-fried plantain slices) in many places in the world. It is usually a combination of one part tomato ketchup and two parts mayonnaise.

What can you use besides co*cktail sauce for shrimp? ›

Five 2-Ingredient Sauces for Shrimp co*cktail
  • Curried Yogurt Sauce.
  • Sriracha Mayonnaise Sauce.
  • Ketchup-Mustard Sauce.
  • Avocado Hot Sauce.
  • Sour Cream-Chipotle Sauce.
May 1, 2019

Is co*cktail sauce made from ketchup? ›

Many co*cktail sauce recipes call for the basics: ketchup or chili sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and tabasco. We've decided to include these traditional flavors, while adding a few extra for our own twist. We swap out lemon juice for lemon zest, and add applesauce.

References

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