![A plate of shrimp with a bowl of red cocktail sauce.](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/64b95f35d24917cd9997ca5e/1:1/w_2560%2Cc_limit/RedShrimpCocktailSauce_RECIPE_071823_56942.jpg)
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Active Time
5 minutes
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Total Time
5 minutes
A good cocktail sauce recipe balances sweetness, heat, and acidity in perfect harmony. Sweetness comes in the form ofketchup, a fridge-door staple that provides the backbone of this recipe. While many versions call for chili sauce, ketchup lets you add your desired level of spice to tailor it to your exact taste. The heat stems from two main sources: prepared horseradish, which gives the sauce its signature back-of-the-throat heat, and a generous amount of black pepper provides a sharper aromatic kick. The final key component, acidity, comes from both lemon zest and juice. While the former might not provide any actual acidity, its peppy flavor brightens the sauce and adds a welcome tartness that counteracts the sweetness of the ketchup. A touch of celery salt and dash ofWorcestershire sauceadds complexity, and ties the sauce together.
While serving the sauce withpoached shrimpis a classic pairing, coupling it with other seafood such as raw oysters,crab cakes, or fried fish is a guaranteed win. The tangy, slightly spicy flavor cuts through the richness of heavier seafoods and provides much-needed brightness to any fried option.
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What you’ll need
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Heinz Tomato Ketchup
$3 At Amazon
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Celery Salt
$3 At Amazon
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Worcestershire
$4 At Amazon
Ingredients
About 1½ cups
Mix1 cup ketchup,3 Tbsp. prepared horseradish,2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest,2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice,1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce,1½ tsp. hot sauce (preferably Tabasco),½ tsp. freshly ground pepper, and½ tsp. celery saltin a medium bowl to combine. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Do Ahead:Sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled.
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