The Shrimp Cocktail

Alton Brown

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Crustacean Nation

Picture of The Shrimp Cocktail Recipe 1 Video | Photo: The Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 107 Reviews
Total Time:
--
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp

For the brine:

  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups ice

For the cocktail sauce:

  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 cup prepared chili sauce
  • 4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Few grinds fresh black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning

Directions

Using a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Eviscerate shrimp and rinse under cool water leaving shells intact.

Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes. While shrimp are brining, place tomatoes, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, pepper, and salt in food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate cocktail sauce until ready to serve.

Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired.

Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately.

Once shrimp have chilled, arrange with cocktail sauce in a martini glass or as desired.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Rich, buttery white wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 107 reviews

  • on April 03, 2012

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    I have been making this recipe for years and it is still my ultimate go-to recipe for an appetizer.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on March 12, 2012

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    This is the BEST EVER way to prepare shrimp! I definitely recommend adding a good sprinkle of Old Bay with the olive oil to coat the shrimp before cooking. Never fails...a true crowd pleaser.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on February 17, 2012

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    OMG. this recipe was fantastic!! I made these as the appetizer for Valentines Day. My fiance & I devoured the shrimp! The ONLY thing I modified was adding about a tablespoon more of horseradish, it wasnt quite enough for us personally at first. Other than that, PERFECT. I will never ever ever make shrimp differently again! Thanks Alton!

    people found this review Helpful.
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