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Forget about the bottled stuff, this homemade co*cktail Sauce recipe is so much better than anything you can buy at the store. A short list of easy to stock ingredients creates this zingy condiment in about 5 minutes!
My Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe is another easy seafood sauce that rivals store-bought.
I recently bought some gorgeous shrimp for shrimp co*cktail and was positive I had a bottle of co*cktail sauce (or fish ketchup, as my boys have always called it) in my pantry. Well, nope! No sauce.
I had two choices. Mix up a homemade co*cktail sauce or skip the shrimp co*cktail. I went with the former and oh my!
I was shocked at how easy it is to create a super fresh, super delicious co*cktail sauce with ingredients I always have on hand. Why in the heck did it take me so long to do this?
I will now and forever make co*cktail Sauce from scratch. No more store-bought sauce for me.
Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a bit of umami flavor.
Lemon – Fresh lemon juice is a must. It really wakes up the flavor and helps balance it out.
Freshly ground black pepper – Just a pinch for flavor.
Tabasco Sauce – Add a little or a lot or leave it out altogether for a delicious, but milder sauce.
A big bonus to making your own co*cktail Sauce is that theheat can easily be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the horseradish and Tabasco. Make a super mild, kid-friendly sauce or spice it up as much as you’d like.
How to Make co*cktail Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and 1 tablespoon of the horseradish.
Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Tabasco.
Taste and add additional horseradish and/or hot sauce, if needed.
The sinus clearing zing in co*cktail sauce comes from horseradish. I recommend starting with a small amount and working your way up to the flavor you’re after.
Storage Tips
If you plan to use the co*cktail Sauce within a day or two, just cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For longer storage, transfer the sauce to an airtight container before refrigerating. The acid in the lemon and ketchup should help it stay fresh and tasty for up to two weeks.
Serving Suggestions
What goes with co*cktail sauce? It goes beyond simple shrimp co*cktail!
A triple batch of this recipe can be used to make a stunning Mexican Shrimp co*cktail.
Serve it as a dipping sauce for Air Fryer Fish Sticks or Crispy Baked Fish.
Mix a little into a simple meatloaf recipe or spread it over the top before baking.
Place a small bowl on a platter with homemade Crab Cakes for a delicious appetizer.
Use co*cktail sauce for dipping Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket.
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co*cktail Sauce Recipe
5 from 2 votes
Forget about the bottled stuff, this homemade co*cktail Sauce recipe is so much better than anything you can buy at the store. A short list of easy to stock ingredients creates this zingy condiment in about 5 minutes!
1 to 2tablespoonsprepared horseradish, as needed (extra hot or creamed)
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice, or to taste
¼teaspoonWorcestershire sauce
Pinchof freshly ground black pepper
Few drops of Tabasco, to taste
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Tabasco. Taste and add additional horseradish and/or hot sauce, if needed.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
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The standard ingredients (in roughly decreasing proportion) are ketchup, horseradish, hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco, Louisiana, or Crystal), Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. A soufflé cup is usually set in the middle of the platter of oysters along with a co*cktail fork and a lemon slice.
Equal parts ketchup and mustard make this the shrimp co*cktail sauce anyone can make since everything's already in the door of the refrigerator. I use Dijon mustard, but you can try a grainy, coarse mustard instead for some nice crunchy pops of mustard flavor.
Chili sauce typically contains tomatoes, chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, and various spices. On the other hand, co*cktail sauce is primarily made with ketchup or chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
But how long does homemade co*cktail sauce last in the fridge? The general consensus is one to two weeks. The acidity from the lemon and ketchup will help preserve it, but it won't last as long as those store-bought options. Don't think you can eat it that fast?
Fry sauce is a condiment often served with French fries or tostones (twice-fried plantain slices) in many places in the world. It is usually a combination of one part tomato ketchup and two parts mayonnaise.
We periodically see this gelling issue with our co*cktail sauce and it usually responds well to a vigorous stir before use. There is a natural reaction that occurs between the fresh horseradish roots and pectin in the tomato ketchup that can sometimes create a gel like consistency.
"co*cktail sauce" is a bit of a misleading name since, despite all these varying mix-ins, the appetizer isn't made with alcohol. Instead, the name refers to the dish's prevalence in Prohibiton-era eateries and how it was served inside a co*cktail glass.
The main difference between Heinz Chili Sauce and Heinz Ketchup is that the chili sauce contains onions rather than onion powder, and the spices are slightly different.
The final sauce, the beloved red co*cktail sauce, is here to stay. It's a classic for a reason, and our version, which skews heavy on the lemon and horseradish, is fresh, zingy, and the ideal foil for rich shrimp.
What is the difference between ketchup and co*cktail sauce by the way? Nick Coe: Not much. Basic co*cktail sauce is chili sauce, which is a type of ketchup that has more peppers… and then you add horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.
co*cktail Sauce is healthy, but it also has several nutritional values and health benefits. This tomato-based condiment is fat-free and adds advantages to the other ingredients like garlic, lemon, horseradish, etc. However, the sauce has high amounts of sugar and salt in it.
You can store unopened jarred co*cktail sauce at room temperature up until its expiration date. Once opened, though, it is far more ideal to store the sauce in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to six months. If you are storing homemade co*cktail sauce, the guidelines differ, however.
If you notice mold growth, color changes, or an unusual texture, these can all be signs that your co*cktail sauce has gone bad. Discard it immediately to avoid any potential health risks.
"co*cktail sauce" is a bit of a misleading name since, despite all these varying mix-ins, the appetizer isn't made with alcohol. Instead, the name refers to the dish's prevalence in Prohibiton-era eateries and how it was served inside a co*cktail glass.
What is the difference between ketchup and co*cktail sauce by the way? Nick Coe: Not much. Basic co*cktail sauce is chili sauce, which is a type of ketchup that has more peppers… and then you add horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.
co*cktail sauce has a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor profile. The combination of ketchup, horseradish, and other ingredients creates a well-balanced sauce that complements the natural flavors of seafood.
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