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Easy Shrimp Cocktail

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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!

Front view of a shrimp in a small bowl of cocktail sauce.

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.

Overhead view of shrimp and a small bowl of cocktail sauce on a white plate.

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!

Front closeup view of shrimp on a white plate with cocktail sauce and a lemon wedge.

Overhead view of a red dutch oven with water, peppercorns, garlic, parsley, lemon and bay leaves.

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.

Front closeup view of shrimp on a white plate.

Cheers to easy cooking… enjoy!

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Easy Shrimp Cocktail

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: 1 pound
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Description

This delicious shrimp cocktail is a quick and easy make-ahead appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 3 to 4 sprigs fresh Italian parsley
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
  • Cocktail sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
  3. 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.
  4. Refrigerate shrimp until cold and serve with cocktail sauce.
  • Category: Seafood
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy shrimp cocktail

 Easy Shrimp Cocktail | theblondcook.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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!

    Reply

  4. 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!

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

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