I’m on a seafood kick this week but can’t help it… there’s nothing more delicious and beautiful to me than this Easy Shrimp Cocktail!
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If you buy your shrimp already peeled, this recipe comes together in just 15 minutes! 
Shrimp cocktail is perfect for game day, holiday gatherings or any get-together. The best thing is that you can make it ahead of time and show up like a rock star at your next party.
I used my recipe for easy cocktail sauce that you can throw together in just a couple of minutes. If you’re in a serious hurry just use your favorite bottled cocktail sauce… no biggie!
The beautiful simplicity of this recipe is simmering a mixture of Italian parsley, lemon slices, minced garlic, black peppercorns, kosher salt and bay leaves for a few minutes. Then add your shrimp and cook until they’re pink for another few minutes. Rinse the shrimp in cold water, refrigerate and you’re done.
Cheers to easy cooking… enjoy! 
Easy Shrimp Cocktail
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 1 pound
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Quick, easy and delicious shrimp cocktail prepared in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 black peppercorns
- 3–4 sprigs fresh Italian parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
- Cocktail sauce
Instructions
- Pour water in a dutch oven or large saucepan. Add lemon slices, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley and kosher salt. Heat over medium high heat to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2-1/2 to 3 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and cooked. Remove from heat and place shrimp in a colander. Rinse under cold water.
- Refrigerate shrimp until cold and serve with cocktail sauce.
Freya Osborne says
One of the great recipe with shrimp I have found on the web. Really looks deliciuos. I need to try this at home today.
Thanks for sharing an awesome recipe.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much, Freya… hope you enjoy! 🙂
Julia says
Love it, looks very delicious! I could eat that right now! You always do a great job taking your photographs, perfect shots! 🙂
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so very much, Julia! 🙂 I hope you enjoy this if you make it. Have a wonderful weekend!
Jane says
Party Fare for Christmas Eve! With four pounds of shrimp, I adjusted the measurements accordingly and cooked the shrimp in two batches. Two and one-half minutes for my jumbo shrimp was plenty. Our guests raved about the delicious flavor. They were gone in fifteen minutes!
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
So glad everyone enjoyed it, Jane! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Christine says
I’ve never left a review in my life but felt the need to comment on this one! This recipe is simple and amazing! I hosted Christmas dinner for the first time at my house and wanted to do something different for an appetizer. The flavor on the shrimp was amazing and my guests razed about it! Highly recommend it!
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much, Christine! So glad everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
Becca says
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Becca, I would thaw them first if using frozen. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Paul says
Great receipt . So much better than store bought. They are even flavorful without the cocktail sauce
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much, Paul! 🙂
Christina says
Amy @ The Blond Cook Followed your cooking instructions because I had all the ingredients on hand. But instead of rinsing the shrimp under cold water after cooking it’s better to put them in zip lock bag so you don’t lose the cooking flavors. They were delicious and a hit!