Table of Contents

Whether serving with a Shrimp Cocktail platter or alongside raw oysters, clams, or even crabs, there’s nothing like enjoying your own homemade cocktail sauce!

The spicy kick from the horseradish and Tabasco sauce complements the sweet and tangy taste of the ketchup to give you a sauce that pairs well with just about any seafood dish. (Even this Air Fryer Fish!)

What Makes this Dip the Best?

Making it at home is simple to do and gives you a much more flavorful finished sauce.

With only 6 ingredients, and 5 minutes, you’ll have this DIY cocktail sauce recipe whipped up and ready to go!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, you can jump to the recipe.

Ketchup, garlic, tabasco, horseradish, worcecheshire sauce, and lemon juice are the ingredients for a homemade cocktail.
  • Ketchup. This creates the base of the sauce, so make sure to choose one that you enjoy the taste of. Opt for a sugar-free type if you’re on a keto, Paleo, or Whole30 diet.
  • Horseradish. Creamy horseradish sauce adds a flavorful bite that perfectly complements the sweetness of the sauce.
  • Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed is best, however if you must use bottled, pick a pure lemon juice.
  • Hot sauce. Select your favorite chili sauce such as Tabasco, Frank’s Red Hot, or even Sriracha sauce.
email this recipe!
Simply enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! You’ll also get the newest recipes from us every week.

How to Make Cocktail Sauce

Jump to the recipe for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

Ingredients are mixed together in a bowl.
Combine ingredients.
Whisk is used to combine the ingredients until smooth.
Whisk well.
  • Add to a bowl. Measure out the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garlic into a medium-sized bowl.
  • Whisk until smooth. Stir the ingredients together until well incorporated. A whisk does a good job of evenly dispersing all of the ingredients, but a fork may also be used.

Store in Refrigerator

You can serve this sauce immediately, but it gets better with time! Make it 24 hours in advance for the best flavor. You can store this seafood sauce in an airtight container or jar.

Make a Shrimp Cocktail Platter

To serve Fresh Shrimp Cocktail pour the sauce into a small bowl and place in the middle of a large plate with ice. Top the ice with peeled, deveined, boiled, and chilled shrimp. Garnish with parsley and fresh lemon wedges.

A plate of tender pink shrimp is served with homemade cocktail sauce.

Meal Prep and Storage

  • Prep-Ahead: Most of the ingredients are incredibly shelf stable which means you can completely make the sauce in advance.
  • Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezing: This is not recommended as the sauce will change texture.

FAQs

What is shrimp cocktail sauce made of?

There are some variations, but most cocktail sauces include ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.

What kind of sauces can I put on shrimp?

Cocktail sauce is a popular pairing for shrimp. Other good flavors include remoulade sauce, piña colada dipping sauce, tartar sauce, or even sriracha mayo.

Is Heinz chili sauce the same as cocktail sauce?

Both condiments have a bit of a tangy taste, but they are different. Cocktail sauce has more ingredients and often includes chili sauce in it.

What can I serve cocktail sauce on?

Of course, shrimp is a perfect accompaniment to cocktail sauce. But you can also get creative and try it on clams, oysters, crab cakes, or even meatloaf or burgers!

Recipe Tips

  • Go fresh. Use both fresh lemon juice and crushed garlic cloves for the best flavor.
  • Mix well. Stir the ingredients together with a whisk to ensure they disperse evenly.
  • Let it rest. For best results make the sauce 24 hours before serving and keep in the fridge.
  • Pick favorites. Because there are so few ingredients you want to choose a ketchup and a hot sauce you really like the taste of beforehand.
  • Mild or hot. Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your spice level preference.
An overhead shot is used to show a cup of cocktail sauce.

Other Sauce and Dip Recipes

The following recipes go great with a wide variety of appetizers.

Pair this Teriyaki Sauce with whatever protein you have on hand. Top tacos with Spicy Sriracha Mayo or Lime Crema

Just about anything is better dipped in Bang Bang Sauce, Secret Sauce, Homemade Buffalo Sauce, or Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip. And you can’t go wrong with a classic Thousand Island Dip or Tartar Sauce.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sauce is creamy and delicious, as well.

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 4 votes

Cocktail Sauce Recipe

By: London Brazil
This homemade Cocktail Sauce is ready in minutes and only needs a few staples from your pantry. Simply combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and hot sauce and whisk together for a delicious sauce.
Cocktail sauce is served from a bowl with a spoon.
Yield 8 servings
Prep 5 minutes
Total 5 minutes
Print Pin Comment
An image of an envelope sealed shut with the Evolving Table logo.

email this recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send it directly to you.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1-2 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tobasco
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions 

  • Add all of the cocktail sauce ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk until well combined.
    1 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, 1 clove garlic, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Sauce will last if stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 4 votes

Video

Notes

  • Prep-Ahead: Most of the ingredients are incredibly shelf stable which means you can completely make the sauce in advance.
  • Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezing: This is not recommended as the sauce will change texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 38kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 316mg, Potassium: 120mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 156IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

    1. You absolutely can, Sheila! It will heat up pretty quickly, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Thanks for asking- I hope you enjoy those steamed oysters (they sound ah-mazing!) ♡London

      Reply