Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe – This 5-minute recipe for zippy, zesty seafood sauce requires only a handful of ingredients and is easily adjustable to your liking. You’ll never buy jarred cocktail sauce again!
Table of Contents
The Best Cocktail Sauce Recipe
I can honestly say it’s been at least 14 years since I have purchased a jar of cocktail sauce.
After all, when the homemade version is so quick, cheap, and easy to make why would I spend the extra cash to buy a lesser quality product?
By simply combining a handful of ingredients you (most likely) already have in your fridge, you can make the most flavorful, tangy, absolute BEST Cocktail Sauce Recipe you have ever tried. I promise that you will definitely not miss the jarred stuff.
And of course, you can adjust it to taste and preferences! I love adding an extra dash of hot sauce to make a spicy dip for my shrimp cocktail, or including a bit more minced garlic for enjoying on a seafood pizza.
What Ingredients You Need For Seafood Sauce
- Ketchup – Essential for the perfect tomato base of a great cocktail sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice – The acidity needed to brighten all of the ingredients.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds a smoky, earthy depth of flavor. Use a vegan version to make this entire recipe vegan-friendly.
- Prepared horseradish – This gives the cocktail sauce its signature spicy zippiness.
- Minced garlic – Helps to perfectly balance the spice of the horseradish.
- Hot sauce (optional) – If you would like to make an even spicier sauce!
How to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce
In just about 5 minutes you’ll have this incredibly zesty and versatile condiment ready to enjoy.
Read more What’s the Best Substitute for Oyster Sauce? We Have 4 Tasty (and Fish-Free) Swaps
It is so easy to make, I highly recommend that you always keep a batch on hand in the fridge. You just never know when you’ll get a craving for spicy, tangy cocktail sauce!
Here are my simple steps for making the best cocktail sauce:
- In a small bowl mix together the ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic.
- Mix in prepared horseradish, tasting and adding more if desired. If you like, add a dash or two of hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
That is seriously it!
Try This Cocktail Sauce Recipe…
- With steamed, fried, or roasted shrimp (of course)
- On burgers or a roast beef sandwich – like these mouthwatering Caribbean Shrimp Burgers
- With cream cheese and tortilla chips
- Mixed into tomato juice for an easy Bloody Mary base
- As a tangy veggie dip
- On a seafood pizza
- In a cool, fresh salad
Seafood Sauce Frequently Asked Questions
What is cocktail sauce?
Cocktail sauce is a cool or room temperature sauce that is made to enhance the flavors of seafood, most particularly shrimp. It is made of a tomato base and seasoned with horseradish and citrus.
How Long Can You Keep Homemade Cocktail Sauce?
Kept it in an airtight container, in a refrigerator, this sauce will stay fresh for up to 6 months. You can also freeze cocktail sauce for at least 6-12 months.
Is cocktail sauce healthy?
It depends on your definition of healthy. Cocktail sauce is relatively low in calories and fat. Yet depending on how much you eat, can be high in sodium and carbohydrates. If pairing with shrimp or other high-protein seafoods, the carbs are definitely balanced out.
Read more How to Make and Freeze Homemade Tomato Sauce
Does making homemade cocktail sauce, rather than store-bought, really make a difference?
I 100% believe that making shrimp cocktail sauce at home results in the most flavorful and fresh tasting sauce. There is no comparison. Store bought cocktail sauce also has more preservatives to keep on room temperature shelves for longer. Whereas the homemade version will keep in the fridge and taste fresh for a good amount of time.
LOOKING FOR MORE QUICK & DELICIOUS CONDIMENTS?
- The Best Homemade Salsa
- Spicy Mustard Seafood Sauce
- Homemade Yum Yum Sauce (Shrimp Sauce)
- Southern Comeback Sauce
- How to Make the Best Tzatziki Sauce
- Easy Guacamole Recipe
Print Recipe 5 from 34 votes Leave a Review »
Best Homemade Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)
Prep Time: 3 minutesTotal Time: 3 minutes Once you've tried our homemade cocktail sauce, you'll never buy the jarred variety again. A zippy, zesty recipe you can make in just minutes! Servings: 6 ounces
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 3-4 dashes hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Mix the catsup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of horseradish. Taste and add more if desired. Then stir in a few dashes of hot sauce if you like your cocktail sauce with extra kick.
Video
Notes
Homemade cocktail sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container. Enjoy this sauce with seafood, on burgers, as a tangy veggie dip, and more!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 27kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 221mg, Potassium: 92mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 103IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg Course: Appetizer, Condiment, DipCuisine: American Author: Sommer Collier
Read more Easy Peri Peri Sauce (Homemade Nandos)
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
Share This Recipe With Friends!
Source: https://www.aspicyperspective.com/cocktail-sauce-recipe/
