Description
Maryland’s classic Old Bay Shrimp Cocktail delivers a zesty ocean-inspired appetizer that wows guests with its bold, spicy-sweet profile. Succulent Gulf shrimp shine with a perfectly seasoned kick, promising a delightful start to any coastal-inspired meal you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) raw jumbo shrimp (11 to 15 count), peeled and deveined, tails left on
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (or tarragon, if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cocktail Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup Heinz chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from half a small lemon)
- 3–4 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
- 1 teaspoon gin
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Serving Accompaniment:
- Lemon wedges
- Gin cocktail sauce or your favorite cocktail sauce recipe
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 425°F, ensuring the cooking surface is ready for the seafood preparation.
- Arrange the raw shrimp on a clean sheet pan, creating a single layer for even cooking.
- Generously drizzle olive oil over the shrimp, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
- Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning and kosher salt across the shrimp, distributing the flavors evenly.
- Slide the sheet pan into the preheated oven and roast for 6-8 minutes, monitoring the cooking process as shrimp sizes can impact total cooking time.
- Watch for the shrimp to transform into a vibrant pink color, indicating they are fully cooked and safe to consume.
- While the shrimp roast, prepare the cocktail sauce by combining ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, fresh lemon juice, hot sauce, gin, and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated condiment.
- Refrigerate the prepared cocktail sauce to allow the flavors to meld and chill.
- Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the oven and let them rest briefly.
- Plate the shrimp, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and accompanying lemon wedges.
- Serve the roasted shrimp alongside the chilled cocktail sauce, ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure shrimp are uniformly sized for even cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming overcooked or undercooked.
- Adjust Old Bay seasoning quantity based on personal spice preference, starting with less and adding more gradually.
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture, preferably wild-caught or sustainably sourced varieties.
- Customize cocktail sauce by reducing horseradish for milder heat or adding
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg