This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This shrimp cocktail sauce recipe is made with ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper. It’s quick, easy, and upgrades all your seafood recipes.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Cocktail sauce is the perfect combo of tangy tomato and spicy horseradish with a splash of lemon juice that goes with any kind of seafood.
- Skill Level: 4 ingredients, one step, and one bowl are all you need for this easy recipe.
- Swaps: Make an extra zesty cocktail sauce by using chili sauce instead of ketchup.
What’s in Cocktail Sauce?
- Ketchup: Choose any ketchup you like! Try a low or no-sugar version for fewer carbs.
- Horseradish: Horseradish is a root that’s been pureed and mixed with vinegar, giving it that distinctive spicy kick. It comes in basic, creamy, or with beets added for a pop of sweetness. We use the basic version for this recipe, but any one will work.
- Seasonings: Lemon juice blends the ketchup and horseradish together, but for a flavor kick, stir in some homemade Old Bay seasoning or a Cajun blend that’s perfect for an old-fashioned shrimp boil. No Worcestershire sauce? No problem, use soy sauce or coconut aminos instead.
- Variations: Add homemade cocktail sauce to a little bit of mayonnaise for a creamier dip or spread if desired. Make it extra spicy and add a few shakes of buffalo sauce, Tabasco, sriracha, sambal, or a little jalapeno juice.
Storing Cocktail Sauce
Keep leftover cocktail sauce in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Whisk leftover cocktail sauce into cream cheese and serve with fresh veggies, crackers, or tortilla chips.
Ways to Use Cocktail Sauce
Did you enjoy this Easy Cocktail Sauce Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Easy Cocktail Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Mix well and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- a few dashes hot sauce
- replace 2 tablespoons of ketchup with chili sauce
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food, Sauce
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Instead of using only ketchup, try using chili sauce instead, or use half of each. Heinz, or other brand, chili sauce has a more interesting flavour and texture, and I prefer it to only ketchup. White pepper will also add a bit of heat, and will not be visible in the mix.
Thanks for the suggestions, Robert!
Works great as a dipping sauce for deep-fried mozzarella sticks! I much prefer it with chili sauce over ketchup however.
Ooo, that would be delicious!
I make this recipe all the time, but never had the measurements, just went by experience. The only thing I do differently is I add about a teaspoon of lemon zest. Either way, delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it, Trish! Thank you for sharing your tip.
This was easy, forgiving and had a nice bite. I added hot sauce because we are a spice-loving family. I especially like how easy it was to make and the simple, straightforward ingredients.
So glad you loved it Gilda!