This cocktail sauce recipe has just 5 ingredients, is easy and quick to make, and is the perfect companion to seafood, and more.
I’m a self-professed condiment junkie. If you peer into my fridge, you’ll see endless bottles of sauces, mustards, pickled things, and the like. But there are just some sauces that are really worth making from scratch. Sauces like pesto, tartar sauce, and my easy coleslaw dressing. And, of course, this super easy homemade cocktail sauce recipe. It’s one of those sauces that require no cooking and come together effortlessly in mere minutes (too easy and delicious not to make!). It’s the perfect companion to fresh seafood. From crab to shrimp cocktail to oysters, cocktail sauce has such a great sweet and savory flavor and a zesty kick that I just love.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love It
- This cocktail sauce recipe only has 5 ingredients and takes just 5 minutes to make (or less), and couldn’t be easier
- There’s no cooking involved
- It’s perfect for shrimp cocktail, but would also be killer in a bloody mary!
What is Cocktail Sauce Made Of?
- Chili sauce—use any brand that you like (you could also use ketchup if you prefer)
- Lemon—for some brightness and acidity
- Prepared horseradish—(I like the hot variety), usually located in the refrigerated dairy section of your meat/seafood department
- Worcestershire sauce—for umami
- Ground mustard—I love Coleman’s brand
Note: If you don’t have chili sauce, you can use ketchup and just add a little bit of hot sauce (such as Tabasco). Add more chili sauce to taste if you like a spicy cocktail sauce.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make The Best Cocktail Sauce Recipe
- Combine everything and mix! In a small bowl, mix the chili sauce with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, the horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and ground mustard. Taste and adjust to your liking (add salt or more lemon juice or fresh horseradish if you like).
Does Cocktail Sauce Need to be Refrigerated?
Yes! The cocktail sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of serving, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for 3-4 months.
Cocktail Sauce Recipe Serving Ideas
- Use for shrimp cocktail, of course!
- Enjoy as a dip for fries, onion rings, or chips
- Add to the best bloody mary
- Enjoy as a dipping sauce for Dungeness crab or Alaskan king crab legs
- Eat alongside these crab poppers
- Add to crab cakes
- Use as an accoutrement to raw oysters
- Use as a dip for fried shrimp
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Cocktail Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ½ lemon
- 2 teaspoons prepared hot horseradish
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the chili sauce with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, the horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and ground mustard. Slice the rest of the lemon into wedges if you're doing shrimp cocktail.
Notes
Nutrition
More Sauce and Condiment Recipes to Try
- THE BEST Pesto
- The Best Tartar Sauce
- Easy Coleslaw Dressing
- Blender Hollandaise Sauce
- THE BEST Chimichurri Sauce
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