Name: Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 quarts cold water; 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 1 lemon, cut in half; 2 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed; 1 teaspoon dried tarragon; 1 tablespoon Old Bay seafood seasoning; 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns; 1 bay leaf; 2 pounds large or jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on; Ice and cold water, for chilling; Homemade Cocktail Sauce, for serving; Lemon wedges, for serving

Classic Shrimp Cocktail

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This classic shrimp cocktail recipe pairs tender, gently poached shrimp with tangy cocktail sauce and lemon. Chill ahead for an easy appetizer for eight.

Author: Jennifer Locklin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 appetizer servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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3 quarts cold water
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 lemon, cut in half
2 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 tablespoon Old Bay seafood seasoning
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 pounds large or jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
Ice and cold water, for chilling
Homemade Cocktail Sauce, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

Fill a large bowl halfway with ice and cold water. Set it near the stove.
Check the shrimp for any remaining shell pieces or veins. Keep refrigerated while preparing the poaching liquid.
Pour 3 quarts of water into a large pot. Squeeze both lemon halves into the water, then add both squeezed lemon halves, onion, garlic, tarragon, seafood seasoning, peppercorns, and bay leaf.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a simmer for 15 minutes.
Increase the heat until the liquid boils. Add the shrimp, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
Cook for 2–4 minutes, depending on size, until the shrimp are pink outside and opaque through the center. Begin checking after 1 minute to avoid overcooking.
Lift the shrimp from the pot with a slotted spoon or skimmer and immediately transfer them to the ice bath. Discard the poaching liquid and aromatics.
Leave the shrimp in the ice water just until cold, about 5–10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and pat dry.
Cover and refrigerate until serving. Arrange on a chilled platter or divide among individual appetizer glasses with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

Notes

Substitutions: Replace dried tarragon with 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon or use dried dill for a different flavor. Frozen raw shrimp work well; thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking. If your seafood seasoning contains little or no salt, season the poaching liquid to taste.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings: Allow about 4 ounces of raw shrimp per appetizer serving. Serve with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and crackers. Pair with a green salad, coleslaw, or crusty bread for a light meal.

Storage: Refrigerate cooked shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. For the best texture, prepare no more than 1 day ahead. Store the cocktail sauce separately.

Freezing: Pat the chilled shrimp dry and freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer bag, press out excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and drain before serving.

Timing: The listed cook time is 18–20 minutes, including the aromatic simmer; the shrimp themselves cook for 2–4 minutes. Total time uses the 20-minute cook-time upper bound plus 15 minutes prep and 10 minutes chilling.

Equipment notes: Use a large pot with room for 3 quarts of water, the aromatics, and 2 pounds of shrimp; a large ice-bath bowl; a chef knife and cutting board; a liquid measuring cup and measuring spoons; a slotted spoon or skimmer; a colander; paper towels; and a covered airtight container. Serve on a chilled platter or in individual appetizer glasses. The baking sheet, parchment liner, and freezer bag are optional equipment for the freezing method only.

Find it online: https://jennifercooks.com/classic-shrimp-cocktail/