Shrimp Cocktail

By Eric Kim

Published December 28, 2021

  • Beatriz Da Costa for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Susie Theodorou
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
4(987)
Comments
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This method for a beloved appetizer maximizes flavor by gently poaching shrimp in a deeply seasoned broth of salt, chile powder and celery seeds. Rather than wash away all the spices with a rinse or a plunge in an ice bath, you stop the cooking by pouring ice directly into the hot bath. For dipping, go for a classic cocktail sauce with the sharp brightness of lemon and horseradish, or a simple garlicky dill butter, which makes the shrimp taste somehow of lobster, or a comforting, warmly spiced honey mustard, because you always need a creamy option. Enjoy the plump shrimp with your favorite sauce — or all three.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

FOR THE SHRIMP

  • 2 pounds large (21- to 25-count) shrimp, shelled and deveined

  • Kosher salt

  • 8 cups ice cubes (about 2 pounds), plus more for serving

  • ¼ cup mild red chile powder, gochugaru or sweet paprika with a dash of ground cayenne

  • 1 tablespoon celery seeds

  • 2 lemons

FOR THE COCKTAIL SAUCE

  • ½ cup ketchup

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • Tabasco sauce

FOR THE GARLICKY DILL BUTTER

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely grated

  • ¼ packed cup finely chopped fresh dill (from 1 small bunch)

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

FOR THE CURRIED HONEY MUSTARD

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon curry powder

  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

17 grams carbs; 216 milligrams cholesterol; 318 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 19 grams fat; 3 grams fiber; 761 milligrams sodium; 25 grams protein; 10 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the shrimp: In a large bowl, toss together the shrimp and 2 teaspoons salt, and set aside. Keep the 8 cups ice nearby, either in another large bowl or directly in the icemaker tray of your refrigerator.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, fill a large pot with 8 cups water, ½ cup salt, the chile powder and celery seeds, and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp to the hot liquid, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer translucent on the inside, 2 to 3 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Immediately dump the ice into the pot to stop the cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is cool to warm or room temperature, about 1 minute. Pour the contents of the pot into a colander in the sink, then transfer the drained, celery seed-dotted shrimp to a large platter and refrigerate until ready to eat. Cut the lemons into quarters lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise.

  4. Step 4

    Make the cocktail sauce: In a small bowl, stir the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish and garlic to combine, and season to taste with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.

  5. Step 5

    Make the garlicky dill butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add the garlic, dill, lemon juice and sugar to a small bowl and stir in the hot melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  6. Step 6

    Make the curried honey mustard: In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, lemon juice, curry powder and cayenne to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. All three sauces can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (The dill butter will need to be reheated in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat until liquid again.)

  7. Step 7

    To serve, cover a large platter with cubed or crushed ice, top with the poached and cooled shrimp and scatter the lemon pieces all over. Serve with one or more of the dipping sauces on the side.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
987 user ratings
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Comments

Donna Gay

Sounds yummy. However, as a Louisianaian who makes stovetop boiled shrimp regularly, I have one suggestion. Always cook your shrimp unpeeled, then peel them afterwards. If you are cooking them in a sauce or butter this isn’t practical but it works in clean recipes. Shrimp shrink substantially while cooking. Large succulent shrimp on a platter are much more appealing and tasty than shriveled ones. They seem to maintain tenderness as well.

Allison

Not ketchup! The other Heinz product - Chilie Sauce.

Martha

For the retro cocktail sauce I prefer cocktail sauce, the ketchupy kind, instead of regular ketchup. I think it makes a more interesting product. I also add more horseradish, homemade when fresh horseradish is available, and ditch the Tabasco. Tabasco just brings heat and not much else. I prefer the sinus clearing horseradish for my heat.

Anya

The problem with the dill butter is that it solidifies at room temperature. So I served my shrimp and within 30 minutes the butter had solidified. It was also not dill-y enough. Cocktail sauce was delicious.

PCk

Use a spider to remove shrimp onto a chilled sheet pan.

Name. Barbara

The curry honey mustard dip is what makes this a five star. Delicious and could be used many ways…on sandwiches or pasta. Let the experiment begin!

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