The Best co*cktail Sauce Ever Recipe (2024)

The Best co*cktail Sauce Recipe is made with a handful of ingredients, ready in 5 minutes, and is delicious served with fish and seafood! Quick, easy, and delicious recipe!

Homemade co*cktail Sauce is delicious served with boiled shrimp, scallops, shrimp tacos, and everyone’s favorite shrimp boil.

The Best co*cktail Sauce Ever Recipe (1)

I’m pretty picky about my co*cktail Sauce. The bottled stuff doesn’t make the cut with me. That’s the reason I developed my own years ago. And it’s absolutely the best I’ve ever tasted – and the reason I call it the Best co*cktail Sauce Ever.

This sauce comes together very simply in just a few minutes with only a handful of ingredients! My family loves this co*cktail sauce! I think you will love it as well!

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • How to Make Homemade co*cktail Sauce Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Storage Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Homemade co*cktail Sauce Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy. This co*cktail sauce recipe uses simple ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes! You control the amount of zestiness and heat without any ingredients you can’t pronounce!

Flavorful. This homemade co*cktail sauce is flavorful and delicious served with fish and seafood.

Meal Prep Friendly. You can make this co*cktail sauce and store it in the refrigerator to make dinner even easier. See the make-ahead information in my Storage Tips below.

How to Make Homemade co*cktail Sauce Recipe

The Best co*cktail Sauce Ever Recipe (2)

When you are making a special dinner that includes seafood or an appetizer like Boiled Shrimp, this homemade co*cktail sauce is essential! It’s so easy to whip together right before serving the meal or to make ahead and keep in the fridge. Its fresh, zesty taste makes seafood so much more delicious!

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

The Best co*cktail Sauce Ever Recipe (3)
  • Ketchup – the basis of this recipe is ketchup. Use your favorite brand that is mild-tasting with minimal ingredients.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – for the savory, or umami, flavor. You can use coconut aminos if you are sensitive to soy.
  • Lemon Juice – adds a touch of acid to the co*cktail sauce to enhance the flavor. It also adds a zip of freshness to the sauce.
  • Horseradish – grated horseradish adds a bit of zestiness and a touch of spiciness to the co*cktail sauce. Adjust the amount of horseradish to your preference. I’ve written this recipe as a “base recipe” that you can increase the amount of horseradish to your tastes. I also recommend serving additional horseradish on the side so those who prefer more can add it.
  • Stone House Seasoning – (optional) My house blend of salt, pepper, and garlic enhances the flavor of the co*cktail sauce but I recommend trying the sauce first and then add if you feel like it needs it. It really depends on the brand of ketchup used if you need this additional seasoning.
  • Hot Sauce – (optional) Can also be served on the side for those who prefer it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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  1. Add the ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), and horseradish to a bowl. Mix together until they are well combined. Taste and add more horseradish or hot sauce as desired. Add the Stone House Seasoning if you believe it is needed as well.
  2. Serve or refrigerate if making ahead.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. If the ingredients have settled, you may need to stir the co*cktail sauce before serving.

To make ahead. Prepare the co*cktail sauce according to the directions. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months or cover the serving bowl with wrap if planning to serve within a day or two. If the ingredients have settled, you may need to stir the co*cktail sauce before serving.

To freeze. Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for 6 to 12 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You may need to stir the co*cktail sauce to make sure well combined once thawed.

More Favorite Sauces

  • horsey sauce – (Horseradish Sauce)
  • comeback sauce
  • homemade BBQ sauce
  • enchilada sauce
  • hollandaise sauce
  • caramel sauce
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you keep homemade co*cktail sauce?

Homemade co*cktail sauce kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator lasts up to 6 months and in an airtight, freezer-safe container can be kept for 6 to 12 months in the freezer.

What are the ingredients for the best co*cktail sauce recipe?

My homemade co*cktail sauce recipe uses ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos). You can also add more horseradish to taste if you like more zest and add hot sauce if you like it spicy. Depending on the brand of ketchup, you may enjoy adding salt, pepper and garlic in my Stone House Seasoning.

What do you serve co*cktail sauce with?

co*cktail sauce is delicious served with seafood. Try it with shrimp, scallops, oysters, and more!

Here’s my recipe for Homemade co*cktail Sauce. I hope you enjoy it!

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Homemade co*cktail Sauce Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 48 votes

The Best co*cktail Sauce Recipe is made with a handful of ingredients, ready in 5 minutes, and is delicious served with fish and seafood! Quick, easy, and delicious recipe!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 – about 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons horseradish, adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning, Optional, to taste
  • hot sauce, Optional, to taste

Instructions

  • Add the ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), and horseradish to a bowl. Mix together until they are well combined. Taste and add more horseradish or hot sauce as desired. Add the Stone House Seasoning if you believe it is needed as well.

  • Keep refrigerated.

Notes

Storage Tips:

To store leftovers. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. If the ingredients have settled, you may need to stir the co*cktail sauce before serving.

To make ahead. Prepare the co*cktail sauce according to the directions. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months or cover the serving bowl with wrap if planning to serve within a day or two. If the ingredients have settled, you may need to stir the co*cktail sauce before serving.

To freeze. Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for 6 to 12 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You may need to stir the co*cktail sauce to make sure well combined once thawed.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.05g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 573mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Camping, Fish and Seafood Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, Meal Prep Recipes, No Cook Recipes, Recipes, Sauces, Simple Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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The Best co*cktail Sauce Ever Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is co*cktail sauce made of ketchup and horseradish? ›

A combination of pungent horseradish and sweet ketchup make up the foundation of this classic co*cktail sauce, which is seasoned with lemon juice, hot sauce and a dash of Worcestershire. Drizzle it on a shrimp co*cktail or dab it sparingly on raw seafood.

How long is unopened co*cktail sauce good for after expiration date? ›

If a sauce or marinade has expired but was never opened and is still sealed, is it safe to eat (2 months past expiration date)? Anything that was air-tight sealed in a bottle, jar, or can can be safely eaten for years after the expiration date.

What can I use instead of co*cktail sauce? ›

Five 2-Ingredient Sauces for Shrimp co*cktail
  • Curried Yogurt Sauce. This is a simple blend: start with 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon of curry powder, and lots of salt to bring out the flavors, then adjust as needed. ...
  • Sriracha Mayonnaise Sauce. ...
  • Ketchup-Mustard Sauce. ...
  • Avocado Hot Sauce. ...
  • Sour Cream-Chipotle Sauce.
May 1, 2019

What's the difference between ketchup and co*cktail sauce? ›

co*cktail sauce is usually made of a combination of ketchup, horseradish, worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. You can get fancy and add some black pepper, salt, Tabasco, and even chili sauce to the mix, or you can go super basic and just throw a bunch of horseradish into some ketchup.

What is mayo and ketchup together called? ›

Fry sauce in sealed plastic cups with fries on a tray in Utah. Although sauce composed of a mixture of equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise appears in a New Orleans cookbook published in 1900, fry sauce was popularized in Utah.

Can horseradish go bad? ›

How can you tell if horseradish is past its prime? Prepared horseradish starts out a creamy white color and, as it ages, the color darkens to brown and loses its potency. That's when it's time to get a new bottle. The horseradish experts recommend buying the smallest jar you can use up before it starts turning color.

Does sealed co*cktail sauce go bad? ›

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.

Does co*cktail sauce ever go bad? ›

According to the USDA, bottled co*cktail sauce can last in the fridge after it's been opened for up to six months like ketchup. But how long does homemade co*cktail sauce last in the fridge? The general consensus is one to two weeks.

Can you eat expired shrimp co*cktail sauce? ›

Storage and Food Safety

You can use co*cktail sauce up to 18 months past the expiration date as long as you store it safely. In the refrigerator, co*cktail sauce that has been opened can last for 6 to 9 months.

What can I dip shrimp in? ›

Since grilled shrimp cooks in mere minutes, spend a little time making a spectacular sauce to toss with them or serve alongside.
  • Green goddess dressing. Eric Wolfinger. ...
  • Miso butter. © Christina Holmes. ...
  • Oregano and lemon. © John Kernick. ...
  • Harissa. © Christina Holmes. ...
  • Aioli. © Con Poulos. ...
  • Romesco. © Edmund Barr.
Jul 8, 2022

Why does my co*cktail sauce gel? ›

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.

Is there a substitute for horseradish in co*cktail sauce? ›

Daikon and black radish are great swaps for fresh, raw grated horseradish, though they aren't as fiery and will yield a milder, juicier end product. Because of this, use twice as much daikon or radish as horseradish, though it will still be milder than horseradish.

Is Chile sauce the same as co*cktail sauce? ›

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.

What is fancy ketchup called? ›

Fancy ketchup is a U.S. grade A ketchup that has good color, good consistency, good flavor, and is free from defects, according to the USDA. Grade A ketchup must also have at least 33% tomato solids — making it thick enough to stay in place on your food.

Which ketchup is best sauce? ›

Heinz Ketchup There's a reason Heinz dominates the market. It's tangy and not too sweet, with a thick-but-not-too-thick consistency and spot-on flavoring that lends far more dimension and body than you would expect from bargain-priced tomatoes and sugar. Heinz tastes just like one expects ketchup to taste.

Are unopened sauces good after expiration date? ›

Unopened, many condiments will last about one year in the pantry. 1 You can determine a more specific timeline by checking the "use by" or "best by" date on the packaging. Even then, the listed date will indicate when the quality of the item will decline, rather than its safety, says Kimberly Baker, Ph.

Does jar sauce go bad if unopened? ›

According to FoodSafety.Gov, unopened jars of pasta sauce should be stored at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry. They can be kept for up to 18 months from the date of purchase. As outlined above, once opened, they should be used quickly to avoid spoilage.

How long after expiration date can you use unopened barbecue sauce? ›

Unopened BBQ sauce purchased from the store can last up to 1 year in the pantry. If you still haven't opened the BBQ sauce after 1 year and the appearance still looks acceptable, you are safe to continue storing the sauce until opening.

How long do bottled sauces last after expiration date? ›

Anything that was air-tight sealed in a bottle, jar, or can can be safely eaten for years after the expiration date. The ingredients may lose quality after a long period of time, but it's almost impossible for them to “grow” anthing that could make you sick.

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