This Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Recipe is not only simple to make, but it’s also low in fat and calories. It’s elegant enough for more formal gatherings, but also a favorite at casual parties or for game day.
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If you are looking for an incredibly quick and easy party appetizer, this is one of the easiest. You will only need a few things and it also gets bonus points because it’s low in calories and low in fat.
There is a couple tips to making this Quick & Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer recipe.
First, you’ll want small glasses that are perfectly sized for your shrimp. We recommend using small glasses that hold about 1 1/2 ounces – which is your typical “shot glass” size. The shooter-style glasses you see in our photos work great for jumbo sized shrimp, plus they work great for other mini appetizers (like veggies with dip) or mini desserts.
Second, you’ll want to use jumbo sized shrimp for a great presentation. To be sure that you are truly getting jumbo size shrimp, you should only get about 11-15 jumbo shrimp per pound. They fill the glasses nicely, leaving plenty of the tail to hang over the edge, giving your guests plenty of shrimp to dip into the cocktail sauce.
Another great thing about using a jumbo shrimp is that you will only need one per glass, per person.
Assuming that you are starting with uncooked shrimp, you’ll likely need to devein your shrimp. To make this process as quick as possible, I highly recommend using a Shrimp Deveiner & Cleaner.
Lastly, for ultimate ease, use a pre-made cocktail sauce. For this Quick & Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer recipe, we used a jarred cocktail sauce, which you can buy online or in the condiment aisle of your grocery store. You can also check near the seafood counter.
Quick & Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Recipe
Here’s the full instructions for making your own easy Shrimp Cocktail appetizers. If you aren’t ready to make this yet, be sure to pin this recipe to one of your Pinterest boards for safekeeping.
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Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Recipe
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
This Easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Recipe is not only simple to make, but it’s also low in fat and calories. It’s elegant enough for more formal gatherings, but also a favorite at casual parties or for game day.
Ingredients
- 12 small shooter-style glasses
- 12 jumbo uncooked shrimp
- 1 in lemon (cut quarters)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups cocktail sauce
- 4 slices of lemon – cut in quarters
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, first thaw shrimp by placing shrimp in a strainer and running under cold water. Peel shells from shrimp, leaving tail intact and devein shrimp. Rinse.
- Fill a large pot with about 2 quarts of water. Add lemon quarters, bay leaf, and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5-8 minutes.
- Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque in color and slightly firmed (about 2 minutes). Be careful not to overcook.
- Remove from heat immediately and run cooked shrimp under cold water until cooled. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble your shrimp cocktails (cooking the shrimp can be done up to a day ahead).
- Fill each glass halfway with cocktail sauce. Place one shrimp in each glass with the tail hanging out over edge of glass. Place a quarter of a lemon slice on the rim of each glass, for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you prefer to use pre-cooked shrimp, skip the cooking process. After peeling and deveining, rinse shrimp and place in a bowl. Squeeze 1/2 of a lemon over shrimp and toss to coat. Assemble shrimp cocktails in the same manner.
- Category: Appertizer
- Cuisine: American
Miz Helen says
I love a shrimp cocktail, it will be a great appetizer! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I love shrimp cocktail. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Have a wonderful week!
Shelbee on the Edge says
I am always a fan of shrimp cocktail for just about occasion where there is food served! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me On the Edge.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Theresa (@DearCreatives) says
Oh yummy shrimp cocktail. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Sharing.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Looks so simple too! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Debra Needles says
That looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing with us at the Funtastic Friday Blog Hop!
Karly says
Great appetizer idea! Thanks for linkin’ up with What’s Cooking Wednesday!
Melissa Ruddy says
Very pretty, classic appetizer.
Audrey says
Whenever I get the chance to order shrimp cocktail I do. mmm! Can I come to your house for a party/ Thanks for partying with us on #TastyTuesdays
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
that looks so inviting! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up.
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
I love the idea of serving shrimp cocktail in shot glasses! Much more eye pleasing on a buffet table than your typical shrimp ring with sauce in the middle. Pinning to bookmark and share. Gone is the shrimp ring from my party food table!