This Homemade Cocktail Sauce is a quick and easy recipe that adds a flavorful kick to your seafood dishes. Made with simple ingredients like ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce, it’s the perfect complement to shrimp, crab, or any of your favorite seafood appetizers. This tangy and zesty sauce comes together in just minutes and can be stored for months, making it a must-have for any seafood lover!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Homemade Cocktail Sauce is packed with bold, tangy flavors that will elevate any seafood dish. The combination of ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce gives it a delicious balance of sweetness, spice, and umami. It’s quick to make, versatile, and can be stored for up to 6 months, ensuring you always have a perfect dipping sauce on hand for your next seafood feast. Plus, you can adjust the horseradish to suit your spice preferences, making it as mild or fiery as you like!

Homemade Cocktail Sauce

Ingredients

½ cup ketchup
1 ½ tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic (minced)
⅛ tsp black pepper

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Combine ingredients: In a small dish, combine all ingredients.
Whisk together: Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
Store: Store the cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12 (1 tablespoon per serving)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Variations

Extra spicy: Add more horseradish to make the sauce spicier, or include a dash of hot sauce for an additional kick.
Lemon zest: Add some fresh lemon zest for an extra citrusy flavor.
Sweet and tangy: If you like a sweeter sauce, add a teaspoon of sugar or honey to balance out the flavors.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Keep the cocktail sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months. The flavors will meld and improve over time.
Reheating: This sauce is best served chilled, so there’s no need to reheat it.

FAQs

How long can I store cocktail sauce?

You can store homemade cocktail sauce in the fridge for up to 6 months, as long as it’s kept in an airtight container.

Can I adjust the spiciness of the cocktail sauce?

Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less horseradish. You can also add hot sauce for extra heat.

What seafood can I serve this cocktail sauce with?

This sauce is perfect for shrimp, crab, oysters, and any other seafood you like. It also works great as a dipping sauce for fish sticks or seafood cakes.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes! This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, where the flavors will continue to develop and meld.

Is this cocktail sauce gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this recipe are gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

This Homemade Cocktail Sauce is the perfect tangy, spicy addition to your seafood dishes. Quick and easy to make, it’s the ideal dipping sauce for shrimp, crab, or any of your favorite seafood appetizers. With simple ingredients and a quick prep time, it’s a must-have in your recipe collection. Whether you’re hosting a seafood feast or just craving a snack, this sauce will take your dishes to the next level!