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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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.

Why does my homemade co*cktail sauce gel? ›

There is a natural reaction that occurs between the fresh horseradish roots and pectin in the tomato ketchup that can sometimes create a gel like consistency.

What can I use instead of co*cktail sauce? ›

Ketchup-Mustard Sauce

Equal parts ketchup and mustard make this the shrimp co*cktail sauce anyone can make since everything's already in the door of the refrigerator. I use Dijon mustard, but you can try a grainy, coarse mustard instead for some nice crunchy pops of mustard flavor.

What is a co*cktail ingredient? ›

Some of the most common co*cktail mixer ingredients that you probably already have at home include: Fruit juice (orange, pineapple, cranberry, tomato, etc.) Soda water (club soda) or tonic water. Cola.

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.

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?

Does co*cktail sauce go bad? ›

You can store unopened jarred co*cktail sauce at room temperature up until its expiration date. Once opened, though, it is far more ideal to store the sauce in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to six months.

Why do you add alcohol to sauce? ›

When alcohol of any sort is added as an ingredient it serves to both deepen the flavors in the dish itself as well as enhances the experience of those flavors.

How to make the perfect co*cktail? ›

The Golden Ratio is just this simple recipe:
  1. 2 parts spirit (rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, gin, cognac etc.)
  2. 1 part sweet (honey, simple syrup, agave syrup, triple sec, liqueur, fruit syrups etc.)
  3. 1 part tart (lemon, lime, grapefruit etc.)
May 4, 2018

Do 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.

What makes a co*cktail taste good? ›

Quality ingredients are essential for a delicious co*cktail. Use fresh fruits and herbs, and opt for high-quality spirits and mixers. Another important factor to consider is the presentation. A visually stunning co*cktail can be just as enjoyable as one that tastes great.

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

This can extend to 6 months if it is stored properly in the refrigerator. Homemade co*cktail sauce often doesn't last as long, usually 5-7 days in the fridge. Freezing isn't typically recommended for co*cktail sauce, as it may disrupt the texture and flavor.

Is there a substitute for horseradish in co*cktail sauce? ›

Daikon and black radish are great swaps for fresh, raw grated horseradish, though they aren't as fiery and will yield a milder, juicier end product. Because of this, use twice as much daikon or radish as horseradish, though it will still be milder than horseradish.

Why is it called co*cktail sauce? ›

It would make sense to think that the name co*cktail shrimp comes from the co*cktail sauce, but it's the opposite. co*cktail sauce as we know it now was made after co*cktails with shrimp and other seafood became popular. In fact, the sauce was made to go with them.

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.

Is shrimp co*cktail sauce unhealthy? ›

co*cktail Sauce is healthy, but it also has several nutritional values and health benefits. This tomato-based condiment is fat-free and adds advantages to the other ingredients like garlic, lemon, horseradish, etc. However, the sauce has high amounts of sugar and salt in it.

Why do they call it co*cktail sauce? ›

It would make sense to think that the name co*cktail shrimp comes from the co*cktail sauce, but it's the opposite. co*cktail sauce as we know it now was made after co*cktails with shrimp and other seafood became popular. In fact, the sauce was made to go with them.

Is shrimp sauce and co*cktail sauce the same thing? ›

It's the same thing. Seafood and co*cktail sauce is a tomato-based sauce seasoned with horseradish or wasabi.

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