She Strengthens

Effortless Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Get Ready for a Flavorful Treat

Impress your friends and family with this simple yet impressive shrimp cocktail recipe. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll be enjoying a delicious and refreshing appetizer in no time.

The Perfect Shrimp

When it comes to purchasing shrimp, it’s essential to get the right size. Look for “count,” which refers to the number of shrimp per pound. For this recipe, you’ll need 2 pounds of 21/25-count shrimp.

Game Plan

This recipe can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated, making it perfect for busy schedules. You’ll need about 40 minutes of active time, plus 1 hour of chilling time.

Shrimp Poaching Made Easy

Combine 8 cups of water, 1/2 cup of dry white wine, 1 medium lemon (thinly sliced), 3 fresh Italian parsley sprigs, 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of whole black peppercorns, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt in a 4-quart saucepan or pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Add the shrimp, stir, and remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let sit until the shrimp are opaque and just cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Cooling and Chilling

Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set it aside. When the shrimp are ready, drain them in a strainer set in the sink. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer, removing and discarding any solids from the poaching liquid that have stuck to the shrimp. Let sit until cooled to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

Classic Horseradish Cocktail Sauce

Meanwhile, mix up a simple yet flavorful cocktail sauce. Combine 1 1/2 cups of ketchup, 1/4 cup of prepared horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco in a medium bowl. Taste and season with more pepper as needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve the chilled shrimp with the cocktail sauce for dipping. Your guests will love the combination of tender shrimp and tangy sauce. Get ready for the compliments!