Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

Ten, nine, eight, seven…does it seem like we are always on a count down?  Well, we are again this week to a Happy New Year.  At our party, I will be serving Chopped Shrimp Cocktail, a wicked little starter guaranteed to get my guests to 2016 with a smile!  I love that I can cook the shrimp, chop everything up, whip up a spicy cocktail sauce, and chill till evening.

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

My maternal grandmother was “a hostess with the mostess!”  She was always so happy when serving others in a beautiful way.  She had lovely things and a real flair for using them, a gift that always impressed me.  She was famous in our family for bringing huge vats of her Chopped Shrimp Cocktail to all of our celebrations.

Generally, Prawn or Shrimp Cocktails are served in a martini glass, (I want these), filled with cocktail sauce with shrimp dangling from the rim of the glass.  It’s a lovely presentation, however just dipping the shrimp in sauce, isn’t nearly as good as having it chopped with crunchy celery and fresh green onions in a spicy sauce.  It makes for a easy to serve and eat appetizer when entertaining.

Just a few tips, using fresh shrimp is optimal, but most shrimp is flash frozen on the boat. I buy shrimp, a 2 pound bag generally that has about 30 frozen shrimp in it.  I like to use all of the celery, especially the pretty leaves.  It’s an inexpensive way to stretch it a little.  Always make your own fresh cocktail sauce.  It’s so worth just a few extra minutes of your time.

So let’s get started

Cut the lemon in half and add one half of it to a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the shrimp and cook, uncovered, for only 3 minutes, until the shrimp are just cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl of cool water. When the shrimp are cool enough to handle, peel and devein them.  Cut shrimp into 3 or 4 pieces.

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

Chop celery and slice green onions.

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail
Use the other half of the lemon for the sauce.  Combine the chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Mix with the shrimp, celery, and green onion.

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

Chill well, until ready to serve.

Chopped Shrimp Cocktail

 

5 from 1 reviews
Chopped Shrimp Cocktail
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Looking for a heavenly appetizer or healthy meal? Chopped Shrimp Cocktail is perfect for parties year-round. Wait till you try the recipe for the best cocktail sauce ever!
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: English
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 lemon
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 pounds large shrimp in the shell (about 30)
  • ½ cup chili sauce (recommended: Heinz)
  • ½ cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)
  • 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco
  • 1 bunch green onions, sliced finely
  • 4 large stalks of celery, diced (about 2 cups)
Instructions
  1. Cut the lemon in half and add half of it to a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the shrimp and cook, uncovered, for only 3 minutes, until the shrimp are just cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl of cool water. When the shrimp are cool enough to handle, peel and devein them.
  2. Cut shrimp into 3 or 4 pieces.
  3. Add sliced green onion and diced celery to the shrimp.
For the Cocktail Sauce:
  1. Combine the chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Mix with the shrimp, celery, and green onion.
  2. Chill well and keep cold until ready to serve.
Notes
I always double the amount of celery to stretch my servings for a party. You may also enjoy adding Chopped Shrimp Cocktail on top of shredded romaine lettuce for a summer cocktail salad. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and black olives.

Looking for a heavenly appetizer or healthy meal? Chopped Shrimp Cocktail is perfect for parties year-round. Wait till you try the recipe for the best cocktail sauce ever!

About The Author

Renée

Renée is passionate about making and sharing ALL things delicious! Her happy place really is her kitchen where she loves whipping up memories with her family and friends. Raised in sunny Southern California she's spent her adulthood in Idaho, both sides of her great state. She's married to an amazing man, and together they have 5 children, who gave them five more, and now they have 28 grandchildren. So there’s always a reason to cook and celebrate around their place!

49 Comments

  1. Mollie

    This looks so good! I will definitely have to try this at my next get together with friends or just for dinner one night!

    Mollie

    Reply
    • Renée

      Wow Mollie, we hope you and your friends will enjoy Shrimp Cocktail as much as we do!

      Reply
  2. Sophie

    Wow this looks amazing! I’ve never thought of cutting up shrimp and putting it right into the cocktail sauce! Brilliant. Less mess too. This’ll be perfect for my next Spring dinner party! Thanks for the recipe. Looks like its super easy too!

    Reply
    • Renée

      You got it Sophie, it’s very easy and perfect for a dinner or cocktail party!

      Reply
  3. aNA

    I was looking for new cocktail drink and I got it! Thanks for sharing this post with us!

    Reply
    • Renée

      Just so you know Ana, it’s not so much a drink. It’s saucy, but you could add more water or juice and blend it a little to make a chunky cocktail.

      Reply
  4. Andrea

    It looks easy enough to eat – and considering that the weather has finally warmed up a little bit 🙂

    Reply
  5. Pink

    Yummy cocktail seems delicious specially in hot weather wow amazing I will try it and descover the taste

    Reply
    • Renée

      I’m with you Pink, it’s a light summer time meal, or a perfect party appetizer!

      Reply
  6. Klaudia

    Thank youuuuu ! This is so fantastic , finally a shrimp cocktail served in a lot of fat mayonnaise or pink cocktail sauce . I live on ” shrimpy island” , I cook a lot with shrimps , in risottos or pasta dishes or as well in cool salad combos with fresh pineapple or oranges . I am so happy about this new idea , a nice glass of white or a fruity Sangria with that , how perfect for hot summer nights . I must tell my friends about 😉

    Reply
  7. Celeste Sundragonlady Choi

    Hi Rene,

    This looks delicious. Going to have to make this for my mother-in-law. She’s always making me something awesome. This would be a great treat for her and I. Great post. 😉

    Celeste SundragonLady Choi
    http://sundragonlady.org/

    Reply
  8. Dominic Barrios

    I must say the first photo that welcomed me in this article made me really hungry. I’d definitely share this recipe to my wife and mom. This is a good appetizer for special occasion or family gatherings.

    Can it be used for tacos also? Wondering what’s a good partner for this cocktail.
    Dominic Barrios recently posted…How To Spot A Good DiamondMy Profile

    Reply
    • Alison

      Yes, this is a great appetizer for family gatherings. I have never tried it for tacos but how can you go wrong?! 🙂

      Reply
  9. ANDREA

    I’m not a big cook myself, but your instructions are so detailed and the pictures so helpful that I might just try deveining and chopping up some shrimp for this recipe!

    Reply
    • Alison

      Seriously! It is worth it to try it out! SO good!

      Reply
  10. berlin

    My young man loves shrimp and surely he will enjoy this should I make one. I will just lessen the spicy ingredients chili sauce or totally remove it from the list. I hope it will taste as good as yours. Thank you for this.

    Reply
  11. Karla

    This seems easy enough, I could even handle it! They look like Bloody Marys – except I don’t like Bloody Marys, but I think I would like these a lot!

    Reply
    • Alison

      Yes, these are definitely different than Bloody Marys! Give them a shot – I bet you will love them!

      Reply
  12. ROBERT LEE

    I have never tried a shrimp cocktail. What does it taste like… for some reason I can’t imagine what it tastes like but I guess it’s more of because I am thinking the shrimps are better off being chewed and swallowed. Ummm, this is silly, but this is eaten with a spoon yes?

    Reply
  13. Jasmine Watts

    Wow… This looks so good and super easy to make!! I would love to give it a try!!

    Reply
  14. Marge Gavan

    I’ve had shrimp cocktail in one event. I didn’t even know what it was called then. All I knew is that it’s delicious. Now I can make my own version because of your recipe. Thanks for this!
    Marge Gavan recently posted…The Good Samaritan and the Temples of Siem ReapMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Travel Pockets (Crystal)

    I’m not a big fan of shrimp, but your pictures look delightful and makes me want to try this recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Alison

      I am picky about my shrimp too but this recipe is amazing!

      Reply
  16. Cheryle

    I don’t think it’s even possible. But you did! Now I still can’t imagine what it tastes like? mmm… Mouthwatering yet full of wonder!

    thedailywhim.com

    Reply
    • Alison

      It is a perfect appetizer and tastes even better than shrimp cocktail!

      Reply
  17. Laura H

    This is one of my favourite starters when going out for a nice meal but I’d never thought of making it myself! I always assumed it would be hugely time consuming but you make it look quite simple!

    Reply
    • Alison

      It is simple and so good! Seriously try it out!

      Reply
  18. Sonnie

    Deveining and cutting shrimps into small pieces is time consuming. But it sure looks sumptuous so all the challenge will be worth it as soon as it”s chow time. BTW is this an Asian dish?

    Reply
  19. maryam

    It looks delicious ! I always eat shrimps the same way, stir fry or in a salad ! never heard of something like that before 🙂 definitely worth a try 🙂 I think I’m too lazy to make my own sauce
    maryam recently posted…Why it’s important to take a breakMy Profile

    Reply
    • Alison

      It comes together so easily you will be surprised! It is definitely a fun way to switch up shrimp!

      Reply
  20. Michelle T

    This looks really good. I never thought about chopping shrimp up like that and putting it in a glass mixed with cocktail sauce. Looks really yummy, I love shrimp.

    Reply
    • Renée

      It’s perfect for a pool or cocktail party where you are visiting with others. Enjoy Michelle!

      Reply
  21. AIKA lORAINE

    looks like shrimp in a salsa. but any how it’s prepared, i would taste that for I love shrimp! Your site looks girly. I love it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Renée

      Thanks Aika, so glad you like CK. We think you’ll like our Shrimp Cocktail too!

      Reply
    • Alison

      Shrimp is definitely one of my favorites! This recipe is made for you because you can throw it together in no time at all!

      Reply
  22. Tescha

    I have never being a Fan of shrimp, but this recipe sounds delicious. I am def going to give it a try. Love your photography too 🙂

    Reply
  23. Prairie Gal Cookin

    This looks so yummy – Would love some shrimp right now!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Alison

      Thanks Prarie Gal Cookin!

      Reply
  24. Pawena Kaniah

    I would never that thought of a shrimp cocktail! Thanks for bringing this to life. I’m definitely showing this to my mom first thing in the morning, she is going to be elated.

    Reply
    • Alison

      I am so glad you like the recipe, Pawena! That makes our day!

      Reply
  25. Debbie-jean lemonte

    I am falling in love with your recipes! I love shrimp. My only issue is, if I dislike tomatoes/ketchup, what do you think would be a great substitute or there’s none?

    Reply
  26. Alex

    Add some chopped avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of lime like they do in Mexico. YUM!

    Reply
  27. Annette

    Going to make for Christmas eve, for our family gathering. Can I leave out the hot sauce for the young kids
    ? Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Alison

      Yes, you sure can!

      Reply
  28. Cammi

    Is the sauce mixture the same as cocktail sauce, or is this different? I don’t eat shrimp cocktail often, and I’d like to make this for a party. I have a couple bottles of cocktail sauce I should use soon, but if this sauce is different, I would go ahead and make this instead. Let me know what you think, the party is next week. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Alison

      No it is a similar flavor as cocktail sauce! Enjoy!

      Reply

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Welcome to CK!

We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! Read More…

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