How to Make the Best Homemade Cocktail Sauce

It’s so much better than the bottled stuff.

Rachel Marek

Chances are you’ve seenshrimp cocktailon restaurant menus.

It’s a delicious appetizer made withpoached shrimp, cocktail sauce, and fresh lemon wedges.

Shrimp cocktail

Credit:Rachel Marek

For us, the shrimp is really just a vehicle for the sweet and spicy cocktail sauce.

you’re free to buy bottled cocktail sauce but it’s so easy to make at home.

With just four ingredients, you’ve got the option to have a batch on the table.

Here’s how to make our tried-and-true homemade cocktail sauce.

What Is Cocktail Sauce?

Often called seafood sauce, cocktail sauce is a condiment that’s commonly served with oysters or poached shrimp.

The dip has appeared on restaurant menus since the 19th century.

It’s made with ketchup, horseradish, lemon, and Worcestershire sauce.

Cocktail sauce is a versatile condiment that’s great on so much more than seafood towers.

It’s also delicious served with fresh veggies, crab cakes, meatballs, or fish.

Try using a bit of cocktail sauce in place of ketchup the next time you make meatloaf or burgers.

Our food editors love it with fried seafood,crab legs, and as a dip forrotisserie chicken.

Our cocktail sauce recipe is made with just four ingredients.

However, you’re free to easily customize it.

Try adding a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of crushed red pepper for heat.

Bottled chili sauce is also common and adds a bit more spice.

Some recipes will call for vinegar in addition to the lemon juice.

Prepare the cocktail sauce as directed.

Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

you’re free to make homemade cocktail sauce a few days before serving.

If you’re making the dip for a party, double the recipe to serve a crowd.

Let chill at least 1 hour before serving to develop flavors.

Cover and store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.