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Best Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe: Zesty and Spicy in Five Minutes

A close-up of a small, white, fluted ramekin filled with bright red, chunky homemade cocktail sauce.

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Make restaurant quality homemade cocktail sauce from scratch in just five minutes. This zesty, tangy dipping sauce balances sweet and spice perfectly for your shrimp cocktail and other seafood.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup prepared horseradish (use more for extra kick)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Gather all your cocktail sauce ingredients.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, prepared horseradish, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
  3. Stir the mixture well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Taste the sauce. Add more horseradish for spice or more lemon juice for tang, if desired.
  5. Stir in a small pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the homemade cocktail sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For a thicker sauce, use less lemon juice or chill longer.
  • This sauce tastes best when made ahead of time; it keeps well in the refrigerator.
  • If you prefer a fiery kick, substitute chili sauce for the ketchup, or increase the amount of hot sauce.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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