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–+ servings
Overhead of a platter of poached shrim cocktail with one piece of shrimp in the cocktail sauce.

Poached Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by: Erin Gierhart
Tender poached shrimp with a zingy cocktail sauce is an elegant yet simple appetizer.
5 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
 

Shrimp

  • 2 pounds jumbo easy-peel shrimp (16-20 count per pound)
  • 3 quarts water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 whole peppercorns
  • ½ lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bay leaf

Cocktail Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup creamy horseradish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
  • 1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2-3 dashes hot sauce

Instructions
 

Poaching the Shrimp

  • Thaw the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator, or under running water for 5 minutes.
    2 pounds jumbo easy-peel shrimp (16-20 count per pound)
  • Remove the peel, leaving the tail on.
  • Bring water to a boil in a large stock pan.
    3 quarts water
  • Add salt, peppercorns, lemon and bay leaf. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
    ½ teaspoon salt, 8 whole peppercorns, ½ lemon, 2 garlic cloves, 1 bay leaf
  • Add the shrimp. Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp is opaque.
  • Drain the water and refrigerate shrimp until ready to serve.

Preparing the Cocktail Sauce

  • In a small bowl, mix ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
    1 cup ketchup, ¼ cup creamy horseradish sauce, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire, 1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2-3 dashes hot sauce
  • Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Poached shrimp can last in the refrigerator for up to 2 days if stored properly. To store, place the cooked shrimp in an airtight container and keep it in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
If your shrimp will be out of the refrigerator for 2 hours or longer, then serve the shrimp on ice or on a chill platter.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 103 kcal

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 904mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 103IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional facts provided are only estimates. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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