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Try this cocktail sauce for a creamy (and better) alternative to the traditional chili sauce and horseradish version. It's got mayo for creaminess and lemon juice for bite, plus any spicy ingredient you want to throw in to make it your signature sauce.
5 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated onion
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
salt, to taste
In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, and celery salt. Season to taste with salt.
Use immediately or store the creamy cocktail sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
If the sauce is too tangy, you can balance it out with a small amount of sugar or honey.
For a finer texture, grate the onion on the finest holes of a grater.
Let the sauce chill in the fridge for a bit before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Serve the sauce in a small bowl or ramekin for easy dipping.
Try adding ingredients like chopped capers or gherkins for a twist.
For a creamier sauce, you can blend the ingredients in a food processor.
Label the container with the preparation date for easy reference.
Yes, you can use any type of mayonnaise, including low-fat or vegan mayonnaise.
You can use soy sauce or a mix of vinegar and tamarind paste as a substitute.
Yes, add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or horseradish for added heat.
The sauce's thickness is primarily determined by the mayonnaise. For a thicker sauce, use full-fat mayo or add a bit more mayo. Or, reduce the lemon juice and/or Worcestershire sauce.
You can use bottled lemon juice, but fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor.
Feel free to add herbs like dill or parsley, or spices like paprika or black pepper, or some minced garlic.
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Yes, you can make it ahead of time. The flavors often meld and develop more when refrigerated for a few hours.
Serve with seafood dishes, like shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, fried seafood, or fish fillets. It also makes a zesty dip for french fries or chicken nuggets.
Yes, lime juice can be used for a slightly different citrus flavor.
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reviews & comments
October 12, 2019
You people haven't had MY traditional cococktail sauce. It's better than this stuff (which tastes pretty good). You must hate horseradish or something. This sauce is a pretty good alternative though.
December 14, 2013
I added a little sriracha for extra kick! Amazing! I loved the mayo in this as it cut the acidity that normal cocktail sauce has. This kind of reminds me of the shrimp sauce we've had a Japanese restaurants.
February 7, 2011
I love this recipe! It is so simple to make and my fiance who is really picky liked it too. I didn't have celery and I like things with a little spice so I substituted the celery for chinese chili sauce (very small amount as it is very spicy) and I used fat free Miracle Whip because its what I had on hand.
December 20, 2010
Many years ago while I was working in Brasil we were invited to a Brasilian co workers home for dinner and this is the sauce she served for dinner with the shrimp. almost forgot the recipe as we too get tired of the traditional ketchup , horseradis and lemon juice.
December 31, 2009
I don't like "traditional" coctail sauce served with shrimp and was looking for something different when I found this. Yum! What a nice change of pace!