This recipe for the Best Roasted Shrimp Cocktail is the real deal! Juicy, tender shrimp are perfectly roasted and served with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce with just the right spicy kick. Forget boiling—roasting brings out that sweet, rich shrimp flavor in a way you’ll love. For any get-together or whenever you want to indulge in something special, this appetizer is as perfect as it gets!
Want to elevate your party game? Make my Brown Sugar Candied Bacon, Cream Cheese Sausage Balls, and Stuffed Mushrooms.
In This Post
When it’s time to entertain, I’ve found that the best plan is to have a few easy, tried, and true recipes in my back pocket. Mr. Southern Soul and I have always loved having people over, whether we’ve planned a party or folks stop by on a Friday afternoon to unwind. We want to spend time with our friends, not fussing over elaborate dishes in the kitchen. That’s why shrimp cocktail with homemade sauce has stayed on my top 10 list of successful dishes to serve when it’s time to party!
Pro Tips For Perfectly Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Every Time
- Dry the Shrimp Before Roasting: Patting the shrimp dry before drizzling with olive oil helps them roast beautifully. This step ensures they’ll caramelize just slightly, adding a delicate, natural sweetness.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking can make them rubbery. Keep an eye on them as they roast; as soon as the tails turn bright pink and the flesh is opaque, they’re done.
- Chill Before Serving: Nobody wants room-temperature shrimp. Thoroughly chill them after poaching, then serve straight from the fridge or over a bed of ice.
- Serve With Sauce: If you want the ultimate shrimp cocktail, like those steakhouse appetizers, make my homemade sauce. It takes this simple, classic dish to new heights!
Ingredients For Roasted Shimp And Cocktail Sauce
- Use medium to large shrimp that are cleaned and deveined and have tails on. The tails make for a perfect “handle” when serving shrimp cocktail, plus they help keep the shrimp tender as they roast.
- A drizzle of good olive oil keeps the shrimp juicy and prevents sticking as they roast, adding a hint of richness. A sprinkle of Kosher salt brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies the flavor. Add freshly ground black pepper to enhance the savory taste without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- Ketchup creates a tangy base for the sauce, adding a touch of sweetness and acidity. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice brightens things up with a hint of citrus that pairs perfectly with seafood.
- Grated horseradish adds a punch of heat, giving the sauce its signature kick, while Worcestershire sauce adds a layer of umami and subtle sweetness, balancing the tangy and spicy flavors.
- A pinch of salt and fresh cracked pepper deepen the sauce, tying all the flavors together. A few dashes of hot sauce, like Texas Pete, add just the right amount of spice.
Easy Variations To Make This Shrimp Cocktail Your Own
- Spice up the shrimp – Sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, (or Cajun season like in my Cajun Garlic Shrimp) over the shrimp before roasting for extra heat.
- Add citrus – For a twist, add fresh lemon or lime zest to the cocktail sauce or squeeze lemon over the shrimp before roasting.
- Swap the sauce – Not a fan of horseradish? Try adding a touch of sriracha or even a dab of Dijon mustard for a unique kick.
How To Make The Best Shrimp Cocktail
Step By Step Directions
- Season the Shrimp: Lay the cleaned shrimp on the prepared baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on salt and pepper, making sure to coat each shrimp evenly.
- Make The Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until well blended. Add the seasoning, stir and chill until ready to serve.
- Roast: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp’s tails turn bright pink and the flesh is opaque.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and chill. Place the cocktail sauce and shrimp on a pretty platter and serve.
How Long Does Shrimp Cocktail Stay Fresh?
Roasted shrimp can be made a few hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge until serving. If prepping, I like to make the cocktail sauce up to two days ahead. Store any leftovers in the fridge, where the shrimp will keep fresh for up to two days.
Shrimp Cocktail 101: Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Roast the shrimp and make the sauce a few hours in advance. Store both in the fridge until ready to serve.
Look for medium to large, fresh, or frozen shrimp that have already been cleaned and deveined, with the tails on, for easy serving. I like to use Gulf or Atlantic shrimp.
Sure! You can use garlic butter, spicy mayo sauce, green goddess dressing or Alabama white sauce. They are all excellent with roasted shrimp!
How To Use Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
- Toss in a salad – The roasted shrimp pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, avocado, homemade croutons, and creamy vinaigrette.
- Serve over pasta – Use the shrimp and garlic parmesan noodles or asparagus pea pasta salad for a seafood-inspired salad or cold pasta dish.
- Make shrimp tacos: Chop the shrimp and add it to tacos with shredded cabbage, lime, a bit of cocktail sauce, and avocado salsa.
Craving More Delicious Appetizers? Try These
If you tried this Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
Roasted Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp – cleaned , deveined with tails on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Cocktail Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon prepared grated horseradish
- 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 3-4 dashes hot sauce
Instructions
Roasted Shrimp Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay shrimp on paper and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on salt and pepper. Place in oven to roast for 6 to 8 minutes or until tails turn bright pink.
- Remove pan from oven. Chill in the fridge then place on a serving platter.
Cocktail Sauce Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, place ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish and worcestershire sauce and stir until blended. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce, stirring to mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
-
- Spice up the shrimp – Sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, (or Cajun season like in my Cajun Garlic Shrimp) over the shrimp before roasting for extra heat.
-
- Add citrus – For a twist, add fresh lemon or lime zest to the cocktail sauce or squeeze lemon over the shrimp before roasting.
-
- Swap the sauce – Not a fan of horseradish? Try adding a touch of sriracha or even a dab of Dijon mustard for a unique kick.
Nutrition
5 Days of Southern Summer Comfort Food!
My go-to summer recipes!
When I make seafood sauce I add 1 cup of Chili Sauce with the ketchup, lemon juice, prepared horseradish. When I was cook in the hotel I use to make seafood sauce with 100oz can of ketchup, & 100 oz Chili Sauce, 1 large bottle lemon juice and 100oz jar of horseradish.