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Looking to take seafood night to the next level of yum? This recipe for Homemade Cocktail Sauce recipe is it! With the perfect balance of tangy ketchup, zesty chili sauce, a kick of horseradish, and a pinch of sweetness, this shrimp sauce is a total game changer. Plus, it’s super easy, totally customizable, and way tastier than store-bought, too!

Overhead photo of a bowl of shrimp cocktail sauce with a serving spoon in the bowl.

Table of Contents

About this homemade cocktail sauce

If you’re looking for a perfectly tangy seafood sauce that will elevate EVERYTHING it touches, look no further! Bursting with tangy ketchup, zesty chili sauce, spicy horseradish, robust old bay, a hint of fresh lemon, and a touch of sweetness, this shrimp cocktail sauce is packed with bold flavors that perfectly complements sweet shrimp—or any seafood recipe, really.

Made with easy-to-find ingredients, this homemade horseradish cocktail sauce comes together in a matter of mere minutes and it’s totally customizable—make it as fiery-hot or mild and tame as your tastebuds like.

When it comes to shrimp, the right sauce will make all the difference. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, enjoying a casual seafood night, or just craving something zesty and delicious, this recipe for homemade shrimp sauce is exactly what you need!

Why you’ll love this recipe

This homemade goodness is going to impress everyone who tries it. Here’s why:

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors. There’s something magically delicious about the balance of tangy, zesty, robust, and slightly spicy flavors in this cocktail sauce with horseradish—nothing boring or bland about it!
  • Super Easy to Make with Pantry Staples. This seafood sauce is super simple to whip up with easy-to-find ingredients. And, there’s no complicated steps—just mix, taste, and serve.
  • Versatile As Ever. While it’s the ultimate dip for shrimp, don’t be surprised if you find yourself using this sauce on everything, from Bloody Mary cocktails and omelets to fish sticks or seafood burgers and beyond.
  • Customizable. You can make this sauce as spicy or sweet as you’d like by simply adjusting the ingredients. Or, take it in a whole new direction with a sriracha, garlic, a herbaceous kick, and more. Your sauce, your rules!
Overhead photo of ketchup, horseradish, prepared chili sauce, lemon juice, and seasonings in a large bowl - before being stirred together.

Ingredients for shrimp cocktail sauce

Below you’ll find the pantry-friendly ingredients you need to make homemade cocktail sauce for shrimp at home:

  • Ketchup. This is the base of your sauce, providing that classic, sweet tanginess everyone knows and loves.  
  • Horseradish. The star ingredient that gives the sauce that signature spicy punch! Freshly grate horseradish root for the best flavor and be sure to adjust it to your taste—use more for spicy heat and less for milder flavor.
  • Chili Sauce. This zesty condiment is similar to ketchup, but with a much more tangy, sharp flavor that screams cocktail sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce.  A dash of this savory sauce lends the cocktail sauce an umami boost that really ties everything together. Swap: You can swap in soy sauce for a similar umami flavor.
  • Lemon Juice. Be sure to use a whole lemon and juice it yourself for a fresh, zesty brightness that balances out the rich flavors.
  • Granulated Sugar. You just need a little bit of white sugar to balance out all the tangy, zesty flavors and bring the sauce together.
  • Old Bay. While not a traditional ingredient in shrimp cocktail sauce, old bay seasoning is my secret ingredient. It’s such a simple way to lend BIG flavor that pairs terrific with shrimp.
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper. For overall flavor.
  • Hot Sauce. If you like things a little spicy, a few dashes of tabasco hot sauce will kick things up a notch.

Recipe variations

While I love this recipe for horseradish cocktail sauce the way it is, there’s plenty of room for customization. Below are some ideas to inspire:

  • Super Simple Cocktail Sauce. Looking for shrimp sauce without any bells and whistles? Use a simple mix of just the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon, and tabasco hot sauce.
  • Spicy Shrimp Sauce. If you prefer your cocktail sauce with a fiery kick, incorporate a little spicy sriracha sauce or cajun seasonings along with the hot sauce.
  • Smoky Chipotle Sauce. Add a smoky twist by blending a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce into the horseradish sauce.
  • Herbaceous Shrimp Cocktail Sauce. Give your sauce a ton of bright, fresh flavor by incorporating your favorite fresh herbs. Basil, parsley, and thyme will particularly play well here.
  • Garlic Lovers Sauce for Shrimp. If you’re feeding an admirer of garlic (hi, that’s me!), mix in a little fresh minced garlic or garlic powder for a punch of fragrant flavor.
  • Bloody Mary Shrimp Sauce. Add a couple splashes of vodka along with a little bit of celery salt and create a dipping sauce inspired by the morning cocktail.
Overhead action photo of a whisk stirring together homemade shrimp sauce in a white bowl.

Follow these chef expert tips to make the best cocktail sauce with horseradish

  • Fresh Is Best: Be sure to use fresh lemon juice—that stuff in a yellow bottle lacks the same bright flavor. And, if you have fresh horseradish on hand, use it! It’ll give your homemade shrimp sauce an extra punch of flavor that jarred horseradish really just can’t match.
  • Correct Chili Sauce. Prepared chili sauce isn’t the same thing as Thai sweet chili sauce! Make sure you are using regular chili sauce—I personally like Heinz chili sauce.
  • Use What You’ve Got. Fresh out of chili sauce or missing a lemon? Don’t sweat it, just use what’s in your fridge or pantry. Swap the horseradish for wasabi, Worcestershire for fish sauce, or use honey instead of sugar. Just be sure to taste as you go.
  • Taste and Adjust. The beauty of cooking at home is that you can tweak recipes to YOUR specific taste buds. Be sure to taste the cocktail sauce and adjust it to suit your tastes—adding more horseradish for punch, old bay for robust flavor, sugar for sweetness, or salt for overall flavor. This is your sauce after all, do you!
  • Let it Chill. If you’ve got the time, I highly recommend letting your cocktail shrimp sauce hang out in the fridge for an hour before serving and enjoying. This time allows the flavors to marry and meld together. Just don’t forget to taste the sauce and adjust it again before serving.
  • Make it Ahead. Cocktail sauce keeps great in the fridge, so I like to make a big batch before parties—it will last in the fridge up to 1 week.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

Can I use this sauce with other seafood?

For sure! This shrimp cocktail sauce is terrific with any shellfish, think: crab and lobster, and it’s great with various fried fish, like fried clams, fried calamari, or fried cod. If you’re looking to think outside the box, it’s also terrific with french fries and hushpuppies. 

What if I don’t have chili sauce?

If you don’t have chili sauce or don’t want to purchase any, don’t worry. You can simply swap out the chili sauce and use more ketchup. However, you may want to add a splash of white vinegar to recreate the tangy flavor.

Is this homemade cocktail sauce spicy?

I personally don’t think this shrimp cocktail sauce is spicy. However, it’s really going to depend upon your taste. The spicy flavor comes from the horseradish and hot sauce. So, if you’d like to keep things mild, just reduce the horseradish and omit the hot sauce. And, if you’re in the mood for a little fiery heat, dial up the hot sauce and horseradish.

What temperature do you serve cocktail sauce?

You can serve cocktail sauce at room temperature or straight from the fridge, depending upon your preference.

Can I make this shrimp cocktail sauce ahead of time? 

Absolutely. In fact, I recommend making it ahead of time as it gives the ingredients and flavors an opportunity to meld together.

Overhead photo of a platter of cocktail shrimp with a bowl of cocktail sauce with horseradish.

Serving homemade shrimp sauce

Common serving suggestions

  • Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer. For a classic pairing, serve your sauce with chilled, cooked shrimp cocktail or peel and eat shrimp plus plenty of lemon wedges.
  • Or as a Dipping Sauce for any Shrimp Recipe. While cocktail shrimp are the classic pairing, this horseradish sauce goes great with most shrimp recipes, like this old bay air fried shrimp.
  • Alongside Crab Cakes. Cocktail sauce is fantastic as a dipping sauce for crispy homemade crab cakes or crab balls.
  • With Fish Of All Kinds. Add a dollop of shrimp sauce to the top of grilled white fish or fried fish sticks for a burst of tangy, zesty flavor.
  • Seafood Platters. This shrimp sauce is the perfect accompaniment to a spread of oysters, scallops, lobster tails, and/or mussels.

Unique serving ideas

  • On a Burger. Spread a little on your seafood burger or even a veggie bean burger for a zesty twist.
  • As a Dip for Veggies. Don’t just save this sauce for seafood! Try it with crunchy veggies like carrots, celery, and cucumbers for an unexpected pairing.
  • With Fried Calamari. I personally love to dip crispy fried calamari into this tomato-based sauce for a flavorful bite.
  • Topping for Po’boys. Give your shrimp or fish po’boy an upgrade with plenty of shredded lettuce and a few dollops of this homemade cocktail sauce.

Storing leftovers

  • Store your sauce in an airtight glass container to maintain freshness.
  • This recipe for cocktail sauce with horseradish will keep for 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Storage Tips: Use a label to write the date you made the sauce and stick it on the container to keep track of freshness. And, make sure you taste the sauce and adjust the flavors before serving. I find that adding a little bit of fresh lemon juice will brighten up the sauce mixture and bring it back to life after storing.
Close-up action photo of a spoon stirring horseradish cocktail sauce in a bowl.

This homemade shrimp sauce is an absolute must-have for any and all seafood lovers! Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or a casual family dinner, this recipe for shrimp cocktail sauce with horseradish is the perfect way to elevate any shrimp dish. 

I hope you give it a try! And don’t forget to share your results with me in the comments section. Happy dipping, friends.

Cheyanne

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More shrimp sauce recipes!

Overhead photo of a bowl of homemade cocktail sauce surrounded by cocktail shrimp.

Cocktail Sauce with Horseradish

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Looking to take your seafood night to the next level of yum? This recipe for Homemade Cocktail Sauce is it! With the perfect balance of tangy ketchup, zesty chili sauce, a kick of horseradish, and a pinch of sweetness, this shrimp sauce is a total game changer. Plus, it’s super easy, totally customizable, and way tastier than store-bought, too!

Equipment

  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl – for making the cocktail sauce
  • 1 Whisk – for mixing

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Combine Cocktail Sauce Ingredients: To a small to medium size mixing bowl, add the ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, Worcestershire, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ heaping teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, old bay, and tabasco.
    Use a whisk and vigorously stir the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
  • Chill Seafood Sauce: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can develop.
  • Taste and Adjust the Shrimp Sauce: Uncover the bowl of cocktail sauce, taste it, and adjust it to suit your taste buds, adding more sugar for sweetness, horseradish for tang, old bay or tobacco for heat, and salt for overall flavor.
  • Serve Cocktail Sauce with Horseradish: Transfer the cocktail sauce to a serving bowl. Serve with cocktail shrimp and garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can!
  • Yield: 1 1/4 cup shrimp cocktail sauce
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 5 (1/4 cup) servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal    Carbohydrates: 13g    Protein: 1g    Fat: 0.1g    Saturated Fat: 0.02g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g    Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g    Sodium: 604mg    Potassium: 181mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 10g    Vitamin A: 312IU    Vitamin C: 6mg    Calcium: 12mg    Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American

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