If you're a fan of the menu at this American chain of restaurants which serves a variety of foods such as burgers, steaks, pasta, and seafood then you'll love this collection of copycat recipes.
Basic Cocktail Sauce
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Cocktail sauce is a common condiment served with chilled seafood. It's so easy to make it yourself that there is no reason to buy it at the store. Feel free to adjust the ingredients as needed (we like lots of Tabasco!)
serves/makes:
ready in:
under 30 minutes
under 30 minutes
29 reviews
2 comments
ingredients
6 tablespoons tomato ketchup
2 tablespoons horseradish
4 tablespoons lemon juice
celery salt to taste
Tabasco sauce
directions
Combine the ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice in a bowl and whisk until completely mixed.
Add celery salt and Tabasco to taste and mix well.
Tastes best when well chilled. Store the basic cocktail sauce in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to a week.
recipe tips
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more horseradish or Tabasco for extra kick.
Chill the sauce before serving to enhance its flavor.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best taste.
Serve the sauce in a small bowl or ramekin for easy dipping.
Experiment with the ratios of ingredients.
Enjoy this homemade cocktail sauce as a healthier and more flavorful alternative to store-bought versions.
Remember to keep the sauce refrigerated until ready to serve.
Pair this sauce with your favorite seafood dishes.
common recipe questions
What type of ketchup is best for cocktail sauce?
Use a high-quality ketchup as the base flavor for the sauce.
Can I use fresh horseradish instead of prepared?
Yes, freshly grated horseradish can be used for a more potent flavor.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the sauce?
Increase or decrease the amount of Tabasco sauce to adjust the heat level.
Is there a substitute for lemon juice?
White vinegar can be used as a substitute, but lemon juice adds a fresher flavor.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, making it ahead allows the flavors to meld together better.
How long can homemade cocktail sauce be stored?
Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to a week.
What seafood pairs well with cocktail sauce?
It's traditionally served with shrimp, but it also pairs well with oysters, crab, and other chilled seafood.
Can I add other ingredients to the cocktail sauce?
Adding ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of garlic powder can enhance the flavor.
Can I make a larger batch of this sauce?
Yes, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
tools needed
Bowl: To combine the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, celery salt, and Tabasco for the cocktail sauce. A medium-sized mixing bowl works well for this task.
Whisk: For thoroughly mixing the ingredients for the cocktail sauce until they are well combined.
Measuring Spoons: For measuring the ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice. It's best to measure accurately first, then adjust as needed.
Container with Lid: To store any leftover cocktail sauce in the refrigerator. Make sure the container has a tight seal to keep the sauce fresh.
what goes with it?
Spicy Shrimp Cocktail: pair this zesty homemade cocktail sauce with some plump, juicy shrimp for a classic appetizer. The tangy ketchup and horseradish will perfectly complement the sweetness of the shrimp.
Crab Cakes: serve this basic cocktail sauce alongside some crispy, golden brown crab cakes for a delicious seafood combo. The acidity of the lemon juice will cut through the richness of the crab cakes, while the horseradish adds an extra kick of flavor.
Oysters on the Half Shell: drizzle this homemade cocktail sauce over fresh oysters for a simple yet elegant appetizer that will impress your guests. The tangy tomato ketchup and spicy Tabasco sauce will enhance the briny flavor of the oysters.
Fried Calamari: dip your crispy calamari rings into this zesty cocktail sauce. The combination of the tangy ketchup and fiery horseradish will add a burst of flavor to the tender calamari.
nutrition data
31 calories, 0 grams fat, 8 grams carbohydrates, 1 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in fat.
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reviews & comments
January 16, 2019
Simple, made excellent crab cocktails!
November 8, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this is.
February 17, 2015
Like it
June 25, 2014
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. This recipe for basic cocktail sauce is the perfect accompaniment to seafood favorites like shrimp, calamari, crab, and so much more. The tabasco sauce is totally optional for those who prefer sauce with a kick to it. If preparing this for kids, or anyone who simply does not care for too much spice, feel free to leave it out and you will still have a flavorful sauce from the other ingredients.
June 3, 2014
The best!
October 21, 2013
I'm impressed. Didn't expect it to taste like real cocktail sauce but it did!
October 13, 2013
OMG! Just looked this up when we realized we hadn't bought more cocktail sauce from the store...absolutely delicious!
May 2, 2013
MacGyver'ed cocktail sauce Brought some tasty Dungeness crab to work for lunch and forgot cocktail sauce, so I took three packs of ketchup one pack of horseradish a little Tabasco and finally sprinkled some lemon Crystal light and mixed together turned out great, special thank you to the canteen lady for providing the packets.
May 2, 2013
Good and simple cocktail sauce. If you like a bit more heat and zip add diced jalapeno for a fresh and tasty twist
December 21, 2011
this was a great basic recipe for me. i had no Tabasco sauce but use some chili powder and vinegar instead. also added some garlic and steak sauce. i like my cocktail sauce spicy. worked great. was very impressed.
January 9, 2011
I have been making my own sauce for years. Nothing store bought any more. I do add more horseradish for extra zip. Family expects this everytime we entertain.
December 31, 2010
Very easy and yummy
June 6, 2010
Just more proof that keeping it simple is the best way to go. This is a great sauce on its own, but can accommodate variations, too. This recipe tastes like the best quality sauces you would find in markets, but has better depth and finish, and compliments the food. Nicely.
March 20, 2010
loved it with tempura calamari!
October 10, 2009
This was so easy and good, I'll never buy cocktail sauce again! I added a dash of A-1 to give it a little richer flavor, and it turned out very fresh and tangy.
July 2, 2009
This is the best tasting cocktail sauce! I forgot to buy someone for a dinner party and in a panic I searched the net. I had all the ingredients for this on hand and OMG! The taste is just delicious!
May 25, 2009
So easy, and we had everything we needed on hand already. We had to add a little extra ketchup to thicken it...the lemon juice made it a little runny.
This is the perfect cocktail sauce recipe! Easy to make and tastes great!
December 25, 2008
This cocktail sauce was amazing! Tastes much better than anything store bought!
September 12, 2008
Excellent and inexpensive to make!
This was a great sauce, especially in pinch! I had to make this for my mom because there wasn't any casoctail sauce at the store. However, I on;y used 2 tablespoons of of Lemon Juice and added 1 teaspoon of Lea and Perrins instead of tabasco sauce. It tasted great! :P
August 15, 2008
I found it a little to sweet for my taste. I added some extra Tabasco and some Lea & Perrins and a itty bitty dash of garlich powder and I liked it much more. but it was super fast.
July 26, 2008
Perfect recipe. Quick and easy. Very few ingredients which are widely available. And delicious. Far better than commercial products I've tasted.
July 3, 2008
I made this last night to serve with fried mussels, it was a fabulous choice! You don't get faster or tastier than this recipe.
March 22, 2008
I am never buying cocktail sauce again! This tastes exactly like store bought and is easy to make.
August 21, 2007
this is the best cocktail sauce i have ever had!!!
April 15, 2007
A simple recipe for cocktail sauce. Nice and easy, and sometimes that's all it takes.
February 17, 2007
This cocktail sauce is great, and it's very simple.
Edited for language. Keep it G-Rated folks.
August 14, 2006
What a great cocktail sauce. easy and great taste. I doubled up on the horseradish. I like it to bring a bead of sweat to my eyebrow!!
March 21, 2006
A snap to make, a delight to taste...
February 22, 2006
this is an awesome cocktail sauce and easy to make! What a delight!