The Greatest Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

The King of Appetizers.

This is not wedding shrimp. This is steakhouse shrimp cocktail. Massive wild Florida Gulf shrimp, perfectly poached and chilled, served over crushed ice with GOAT Cocktail Sauce, GOAT Mustard Drizzle and charred citrus.

The Shrimp

• 16 U8 or U10 wild Gulf shrimp
• Shell-on, head-off preferred

Poaching Liquid

• 1 gallon water
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 tbsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning

GOAT Cocktail Sauce

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup prepared horseradish
• 1 tbsp fresh grated horseradish
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp Key lime juice
• 1 tsp Key lime zest
• Fresh cracked black pepper

GOAT Mustard Drizzle

• ¼ cup Duke's mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp whole grain mustard
• 1 tsp Key lime juice

Method

1. Combine all poaching ingredients and bring to a simmer.
2. Allow flavors to infuse for 20 minutes.
3. Add shrimp and poach for 2–3 minutes until just cooked.
4. Immediately transfer to an ice bath.
5. Chill for 5–10 minutes.
6. Drain and peel, leaving tails on.
7. Mix cocktail sauce ingredients and chill.
8. Whisk mustard drizzle ingredients until smooth.
9. Fill a chilled serving bowl with crushed ice.
10. Arrange shrimp around the perimeter.
11. Place cocktail sauce in the center.
12. Add charred citrus and drizzle lightly with mustard sauce.
13. Finish with chopped chives.

Chef Notes

• Bigger shrimp always win.
• Ice bath is mandatory.
• The sauce should bite back.
• Quality shrimp make the dish.

Related Recipes

• The Greatest Cocktail Sauce Recipe
• The Greatest Tartar Sauce Recipe
• The Greatest Florida Stone Crab Salad Recipe
• The Greatest Caribbean Cracked Conch Recipe
• The Greatest Citrus Cole Slaw Recipe

GOAT Rule

If it doesn't look like it belongs next to a tomahawk steak and a lobster tail, it doesn't belong on the menu.