Easy Seafood Sauce, Perfect for Shrimp or Imitation Crab

This easy seafood sauce for shrimp is tangy, bold, and ready in minutes. Made with simple ingredients, it is perfect for shrimp cocktail platters, fried seafood, and party appetizers.

Cocktail Sauce
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There is a reason seafood sauce has stayed popular for generations. It is cold, tangy, slightly spicy, and perfect with chilled shrimp. This homemade version comes together in just a few minutes using pantry staples, but it tastes fresher and bolder than most store-bought sauces.

Ingredients for Seafood Sauce
Ingredients for Seafood Sauce

The balance of ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce creates a classic shrimp cocktail flavour that works for everything from holiday platters to summer BBQ appetizers. You can also adjust the heat level to match your taste.

Whether you are serving poached shrimp, fried seafood, crab, or even fish sticks for the kids, this easy seafood sauce adds a bright and punchy finish without much effort.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe

Seafood sauce with Imitation crab and a Lemon Wedge
Kevin Bouchard

Seafood Sauce

A quick and easy homemade seafood sauce for shrimp made with ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for shrimp cocktail platters and seafood appetizers.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Calories: 27
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Prepared Horseradish
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp Hot Sauce Optional for heat
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 pinch Salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or Whisk
  • Measuring spoons
  • Airtight Container

Method
 

Mix the Sauce
  1. Add the Ketchup, Prepared Horseradish, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce, Black Pepper, and Salt to a bowl.
Stir Until Smooth
  1. Mix well until the sauce is fully combined and smooth.
Chill Before Serving
  1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavours blend together and gives the sauce a colder, fresher taste.
Serve
  1. Serve cold with chilled shrimp, fried seafood, crab legs, or seafood platters.

Nutrition

Calories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 0.2mgSodium: 311mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 124IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg

Notes

For more heat add you 1/2 teaspoon of your favourite hot sauce or another tablespoon of the horseradish 

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Let us know how it was!

When serving chilled shrimp platters, always follow proper seafood handling and storage practices to keep seafood safe to eat.

Tips for the Best Sauce

What to Serve with This Sauce

This seafood sauce pairs well with:

FAQ

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the flavour improves after a few hours in the fridge.

Is seafood sauce the same as cocktail sauce?

In North America, seafood sauce and cocktail sauce are usually the same thing.

How do I make it spicier?

Add more prepared horseradish or extra hot sauce.

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