Cocktail Sauce is made in just 2 minutes and tastes amazing and nothing like the bottled variety. The perfect dipping sauce to wow your party guests.
Cocktail Sauce is an easy sauce recipe to keep in your back pocket like Sweet and Sour Sauce, Blue Cheese Dressing and A1 Steak Sauce (Copycat). The homemade versions always taste better than the bottled variety.
Cocktail Sauce
This recipe seems almost too easy to post. But as we’re heading into the holidays I promise you’re going to want this for your shrimp cocktail platter (shrimp cocktail recipe coming tomorrow!).
The difference in flavor from a bottled cocktail sauce and the fresh variety cannot be stressed enough. The bottled variety is like slightly spicy ketchup with chunks. This fresh version with horseradish and lemon just POPS.
I’ve been serving this recipe with shrimp cocktail at client events for almost 10 years and I can tell you that when you see people taste it for the first time they will either immediately ask you for the recipe of they just walk over to get more.
What is cocktail sauce made of?
Plus, it’s so incredibly easy to make. The magic is just in the freshness of the ingredients and the mixture. Yes, you’re using a pre-made ketchup but the Worcestershire sauce and the lemon add depth of flavor and a bright acidic punch. The horseradish brings out all the classic flavors of cocktail sauce.
Just make sure (this is the only important thing to be careful about), that you’re letting the mixture sit before serving. If you serve it right away the flavors will not have had time to come together and taste like cocktail sauce. It will taste like spicy ketchup.
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What to serve with cocktail sauce?
Along with the classic shrimp cocktail, cocktail sauce is often served with other shellfish and seafood including crab, oyster and even salmon. If you want to temper the flavors of it to make a glaze or a dipping sauce add some mayonnaise and serve it with fried mushrooms, or calamari. You can also use the glaze as a topping for meatloaf or add it with some tomato juice as a bloody mary starter.
Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup horseradish
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lemon , juiced
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate at least 60 minutes before serving.
Can this be made the day before?
Yes, just keep it refrigerated and give it a quick stir before serving. Enjoy!
Great recipe! You can adjust the ingredients to make it as spicy or mild as you like. Most of my family likes it with a kick so I add a little more horseradish and for mild a little less. Thank you so much.
So glad you love it!
Is the horseradish fresh and grated, or from a jar creamed?
Either would work but I used fresh grated for this recipe.
I have made mine like this for year and love.I have a tip sometimes I like it a little,more hot add lemon.When you buy horseradish it is not that hot.
Thanks for the suggestion, Gloria!
I love how simple and delicious this cocktail sauce is! Shrimp cocktail is always the first thing gone – and this cocktail sauce is so delicious!
Thanks Courtney!
we are huge cocktail shrimp lovers and I’ve never thought to make my own cocktail sauce!! Thanks for the recipe!!
You’re welcome!
I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!
You have all the best sauces! I’ve never seen such a pretty cocktail sauce or thought of making my own, but you make it so easy!
Thanks Julie!
Is it weird that I’m craving shrimp at 7am. This recipe sounds delicious!
xo Michael
Haha, sounds completely normal to me!
May I ask if you grate fresh horseradish or the bottled kind?
I used fresh, grated horseradish for this recipe but you can use bottled if that’s easiser.
I like the ingredients you used. In mine, I don’t use the Tabasco sauce or Worcestershire sauce. I add chilli sauce. When I made mine and it was for a major hotel in the city where I live.
I will give your recipe try at the next family gathering. Love your recipes. Even though I don’t comment very I love your recipes. Except for pasta ones as I am not a great fan of it. Have a great day and keep on cooking.
Thanks, Kim! I hope you enjoy it!