Like many of our favorite condiments, dips and sauces, the best ones are homemade! Learn how to make a homemade cocktail sauce with minimal ingredients and time – and it’s so much better than the store bought version.
I love making our own cocktail sauce because it’s so easy to customize – make it spicier, add more lemon juice, or tone it down. Any which way you like it, this cocktail sauce is going to take your seafood to a whole new level!
Shrimp cocktail is such an easy, longtime favorite for parties. Especially around the holidays, this delicious appetizer feels festive and fun.
However, it’s so easy to make your own – roast some fresh shrimp and create this homemade cocktail sauce to really elevate this classic appetizer! Once you’ve had roasted shrimp cocktail and this incredibly easy homemade cocktail sauce, you’ll never go back.
Whether you’re making this for an upcoming holiday party, or serving it as part of a fun dinner spread at home, I think you’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love this Cocktail Sauce
- So Easy
- Made with Just Six Ingredients
- Great for Customizing
- Better than any Store Bought Jar!
- Because there’s no added sugar, this cocktail sauce is Keto-friendly and Whole 30 compliant, too
Cocktail Sauce Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ketchup – for the rich, tomato base of your classic cocktail sauce.
- Horseradish – prepared horseradish is best. Be careful which one you choose, as many come prepared with additional lemon, hot sauce, etc, which can of course alter the flavor of your sauce.
- Lemon juice – freshly squeezed is best, but if you need to take a shortcut I’ll never judge! Lemon juice gives this sauce a bright, acidic flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds another smoky, rich layer of flavor to this cocktail sauce.
- Hot sauce – Choose your favorite! Remember, a little goes a long way.
- Garlic – minced. Freshly minced is always best, learn how to mince garlic here. Of course, a shortcut is fine too – feel free to use the minced garlic found in the produce section of your local store!
Variations
- For a cocktail sauce without horseradish, simply eliminate.
- Add up to two teaspoons of white granulated sugar for a sweeter flavor.
- A couple turns of your salt and pepper grinders add even more zest.
- Add two tablespoons (or more) of mayonnaise to create a creamy cocktail sauce. Try homemade mayo for an even more delicious result!
How to Make this Cocktail Sauce
- Combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and minced garlic.
- Serve as a dip with this incredible roasted shrimp cocktail recipe.
Watch the video where Julie will walk you through each step of this easy recipe. You will find a collection of recipe videos right here on our website with corresponding recipes.
Tips
- Play around with the amounts of each ingredients. For example, start with just a dash of hot sauce if you’re unsure how hot you’d like it!
- Buy high quality ingredients. In simple recipes like this one, each ingredient will shine.
- Be careful not to choose a flavored or enhanced prepared horseradish, as it can completely alter the taste of this recipe.
- Serve this cocktail sauce traditionally, in a bowl near your shrimp for dipping. Or, try an elevated presentation, using these shot glasses for individual servings!
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Shortcuts
- Buy prepared horseradish
- Use pre-minced garlic
- Try a bottle of lemon juice from the produce section
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Cocktail sauce does start with a base of ketchup, but it adds several layers of ingredients and flavors to turn it into another sauce entirely.
Chili sauce contains either chopped chili peppers or chili powder. It may also contain sugar, onions, peppers, vinegar, and spices.
Horseradish and lemon juice are the most popular main ingredients in a classic homemade cocktail sauce. Hot sauce is also a frequent addition, creating a zesty, spicy sauce for dipping your favorite seafood.
Make Ahead
- Cocktail sauce is great to make ahead, because it keeps so well in the fridge!
- Make your homemade cocktail sauce up to a week in advance, prior to serving.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – This sauce can sit out while serving for up to four hours. The acidity in the ketchup and lemon juice help prevent bacterial growth.
- Refrigerate – You can refrigerate your homemade sauce for up to a month in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Yes, you can freeze this sauce! Freeze it in an airtight container for up to six months and defrost as needed.
More Seafood Ideas
Dietary Considerations
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
More Sauce Recipes
Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons horseradish prepared
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and minced garlic.
- Serve as a dip with the shrimp.
Julie’s Tips
Tips
- Play around with the amounts of each ingredients. For example, start with just a dash of hot sauce if you’re unsure how hot you’d like it!
- Buy high quality ingredients. In simple recipes like this one, each ingredient will shine.
- Be careful not to choose a flavored or enhanced prepared horseradish, as it can completely alter the taste of this recipe.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
