Homemade Cocktail Sauce

I absolutely love seafood. Crabs, shrimp, fish, crab cakes, oysters… I can’t get enough. But I also always want a good dip to go along with it. And there’s something special about the sweet-meets-heat style of a quality homemade cocktail sauce recipe.

What You’ll Need

The ingredient checklist for this homemade cocktail sauce is small, but mighty. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.

• Ketchup – Commercial ketchup is often sweetened. You can also make your own ketchup or buy an unsweetened version. I honestly like the sweet and spicy flavor combo, so I use good old Heinz. Some folks also want to use tomato paste, but it is often too thick and too tomato-y.
• Prepared Horseradish – Horseradish is actually root, similar to wasabi, but is fibrous and tends to dry out very fast. To prevent, this, it is placed in a brine, usually vinegar based, to preserve it. Test different brands to find your perfect fit. Some are spicier than others and a couple I find to have a weird aftertaste- even though my husband disagrees.
• Fresh Lemon Juice – A fresh lemon wedge is always packs more natural flavor. Bottled is slightly muted. If you are craving that fresh lemony flavor, also opt to add a few grates of lemon zest to the mix. You can choose your perfect amount.
• Worcestershire Sauce – The most mispronounced ingredient in the English language is also the one that gives this flavorful sauce a bold and heady flavor.
• Hot sauce – I use Franks to add a spicy kick to this seafood cocktail sauce, but take it up a notch with Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce or omit it for a milder version.
• Fine Sea Salt – If you follow us, you know we like to coarse salt, but for this recipe it won’t have time to dissolve and integrate, leaving you with salty crunchies. Fine sea salt works best, opposed to an iodized table salt which can leave a metallic aftertaste.
• Black Pepper – Make sure it is a fine grind so you don’t get peppery crunchies. Freshly ground will be the best for peppery flavors. White pepper can also be used, but will be a tad milder. 

Let’s Make It

I adore easy recipes, and this cocktail sauce recipe could not be easier to make! It’s the perfect complement to any shrimp cocktail appetizer. Just follow these basic steps.

1. Combine ingredients. Combine one cup ketchup with the horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
2. Stir. Stir well.
3. Chill. Chill this sauce in the fridge for at least one hour so the flavors can marry. It can get a little gelatinous, which is normal, just let it sit at room temp for a few minutes and give it a good stir. If you store it overnight or for a few days, it might need a little more lemon juice or salt to revive the flavors and loosen. It tends to get a little gelatinous while cold.
4. Serve. Serve in a small bowl alongside your favorite appetizers, cold shrimp, any delicious seafood, or even add it to your bloody marys.

Tasty Companions

Of course the most popular use for this cocktail sauce is dipping for shrimp cocktail or other seafood like crab cakes. Some people simply call it shrimp cocktail sauce and assume it has no other uses! But there are so many other ways to use this seafood sauce.

Storage and Freezing

How to Store

This sauce is actually better when you make it ahead of time. The trouble is that it gets a little gummy. Allow it to come to come to temperature for 15-20 minutes and give it a good stir before serving. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Can I Freeze Cocktail Sauce?

You can freeze cocktail sauce, but it I’ve very rarely heard of it being done. If you do, freeze it in small batches in sandwich bags or even an ice cube tray so you can just defrost a little bit for dipping when needed. 

More Classic Sauce Recipes

I happen to think any dish can be elevated with a sauce recipe, so here are a few more to try.

Beef Main Dishes

Mushroom Sauce for Steak

4.22 from 204 votes

Seafood Main Dishes

Remoulade Sauce for Crab Cakes

4.17 from 30 votes

Sauces

Creamy Horseradish Sauce Recipe

4.38 from 137 votes

Best Homemade Cocktail Sauce

4.17 from 395 votes

Classic Cocktail Sauce is more than just ketchup and horseradish. Come see how to make a spectacular, restaurant quality sauce in just 5 minutes!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings: 1 cup

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Equipment

• Favorite Storage Containers

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1-2 tablespoons prepared horseradish or more if you like it spicy
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Dash of finely ground black pepper

Instructions

• Combine the 1 cup ketchup, 1-2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt and Dash of finely ground black pepper.
• Stir well. Sauce can be served immediately or chill for 1 hour for best results.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Video

Notes

If you store it overnight or for a few days, it might need a little more lemon juice or salt to revive the flavors and loosen. It tends to get a little gelatinous while cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 293 kcal, Carbohydrates: 69 g, Protein: 3 g, Sodium: 3093 mg, Potassium: 928 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 55 g, Vitamin A: 1230 IU, Vitamin C: 24.6 mg, Calcium: 57 mg, Iron: 1.9 mg

Author: Chef Jessica Formicola

Calories: 293

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cocktail sauce

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