Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

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No ratings yet
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Roasted Shrimp is the best way to make easy shrimp cocktail for parties! It’s done in less than 30 minutes and is perfect on it’s own or in another dish.

If you love this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Grilled Shrimp Kebobs or this Classic Shrimp Scampi.

A tasty Roast shrimp cocktail.

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Why this Roast Shrimp Recipe is a Keeper

This is the easiest way to cook shrimp! Plus, roasting the shrimp elevates the flavor of the shrimp cocktail.

  • Easy Ingredients: Cold shrimp appetizers use common ingredients you often have on hand but roasting it provides even more flavor.
  • Healthy: It’s a nutritious option using healthy ingredients that fits well into a balanced diet.
  • Special Occasion Worthy: It’s impressive enough to serve at a gathering or holiday.
  • Freezes Well: It’s great for making ahead and freezing for later.
  • Comforting: It has a comforting, homey feel that makes you want to return to it.
  • Impressive Presentation: It looks beautiful and appetizing when served.

Should I Use Fresh or Frozen Shrimp?

A platter of the finished appetizer.

You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp. However, you’re usually better off buying frozen.

Ingredient Notes for this Easy Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer

You will need just a few super simple ingredients to make baked shrimp recipes. The ingredients are all easy to find at the store, but you may even have some of the ingredients in your kitchen already.

  • Shrimp: You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp to make this recipe. If you do decide to use frozen jumbo shrimp, quickly thaw frozen shrimp in a colander in the sink and run cold water over the top.
  • Chili Sauce: I love to use Heinz chili sauce in this cocktail recipe.
  • Horseradish: Horseradish is gonna give this shrimp a tangy flavor.
  • Hot Sauce: Tabasco hot sauce is also absolutely delicious.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Prep Ahead Suggestions for Oven Baked Shrimp 

Prepping ahead of time can really help to save you time and kitchen space if you’re hosting a get together!

  • Make Sauce: Make the cocktail sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
  • Clean Shrimp: Make sure your shrimp is peeled and deveined, whatever way to prepare shrimp you use, so that they’re ready to roast for a quick and easy appetizer.

Pro Tip for Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

Brine the shrimp: Soaking shrimp in a saltwater brine for 30 minutes before roasting helps to infuse them with flavor and prevent them from drying out.

How to Make Roast Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail

This prawn recipe comes together in 3 quick and easy steps. This quick dinner side dish is so good, it will quickly become one of your favorite recipes!

These are the basic steps for making Roasted Shrimp Cocktail. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

The shrimp spread out on a roasting tray.

1. Preheat Oven and Prep Shrimp

Preheat the oven to 400℉ and clean your raw shrimp, leaving the tails on.

2. Roast Shrimp

Place shrimp on a baking sheet with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss the shrimp around so they’re evenly covered and arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the sheet pan. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes then set aside to cool.

3. How to Make Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

In a small mixing bowl combine chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Serve as a dipping sauce with the shrimp.

How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Baked Shrimp

  • Storing: This appetizer shrimp cocktail is best enjoyed immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating: It’s recommended that you reheat using the same method that you cooked them with. Place the shrimp with olive oil in a bowl and toss before reheating.
  • Using Leftovers: Enjoy easy shrimp leftovers on top pasta like Creamy Shrimp Alfredo!

Variations and Substitutions for Shrimp in the Oven

This roasted shrimp recipe is so versatile! Try taking it to the next level by experimenting with flavors, and trying different ingredients. 

  • Lemon-Garlic Shrimp: Combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and herbs like parsley and thyme.
  • Spicy Cajun Shrimp: Mix hot sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Sweet and Tangy Shrimp: Blend honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger.
  • Tropical Shrimp: Use pineapple juice, coconut milk, lime juice, and chili flakes.

Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions

How Long Should I Roast Shrimp?

Shrimp is ready when it’s just pink and firm, and cooked through. This should only take about 8-10 minutes however, large shrimp my need more cooking time.

How Can I Prevent the Roasted Shrimp from Becoming Overcooked?

The best way to prevent overcooking is to keep a close eye on the shrimp while it’s in the oven.

What to Serve with this Recipe

Serve with lemon slices, a variety of crackers or breads, a side of avocado, cucumber slices or a light salad.

How Do I Pick the Perfect Shrimp and What Size Shrimp Should I Use?

You can really use whatever size you want, this recipe calls for 12-15 count.

A tasty Roast shrimp cocktail.

Expert Tips for Making This Roasted Shrimp Recipe

  • Different Seasonings: Popular seasonings include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning.
  • Skewer the Shrimp: Skewering the shrimp before roasting can help to prevent them from curling up and makes them easier to flip.
  • Rest the shrimp: After roasting, let the shrimp rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
  • Thaw Shrimp: Quickly thaw frozen seafood in a colander under cold running water, or you can thaw the shrimp in a bowl in the fridge.
A tasty Roast shrimp cocktail.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

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Roasted Shrimp is the best way to make easy shrimp cocktail for parties! It's done in less than 30 minutes and is perfect on it's own or in another dish.
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Appetizers and Dips

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Ingredients
  

Roasted Shrimp

  • 2 pounds Shrimp, 12-15 count
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper

Cocktail Sauce

  • ½ cup Chili sauce, Heinz
  • ½ cup Ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons Prepared horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon Hot sauce, Tabasco

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉.
  • Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on.
  • Place shrimp on a sheet pan with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread them in a single layer. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through. Set aside to cool.
  • For the sauce, combine chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Serve as a dip with the shrimp

Christina’s Notes

  • Different Seasonings: Popular seasonings include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning.
  • Skewer the Shrimp: Skewering the shrimp before roasting can help to prevent them from curling up and makes them easier to flip.
  • Rest the shrimp: After roasting, let the shrimp rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
  • Thaw Shrimp: Quickly thaw frozen seafood in a colander under cold running water, or you can thaw the shrimp in a bowl in the fridge.
Helpful Tips for All RecipesThese quick tips will help you get perfect results every time.

  • Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
  • Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
  • Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.

For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.

Nutrition

Calories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 543mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 194IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.3mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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16 thoughts on “Roasted Shrimp Cocktail”

  1. Now I read this??? I just boiled some shrimp for shrimp coctail for an appetizer tonight! 🙂 I will definitely try it the next time I make shrimp. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Looks yummy! 🙂

    Just dropping in from the blog hop. 🙂

    I’m your newest follower.

    Please visit me at gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

    I’m having a 100 follower giveaway, too! 🙂

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. I saw you on Tuesday Follow again and had to drop in to say hello! Once again your blog made me so hungry!
    I am so excited! I never thought to put shrimp in the oven! So fantastic!
    Well my love, have a good week and I will talk to you soon!

    Reply
  4. I love shrimp and this sounds mouth watering! I love to cook and always welcome new recipes. I look forward to reading through more of what you have. Thanks for sharing all the yummy ideas.

    New follower from the TTT Tuesday Blog Hop

    Vanessa @Cooper Avenue

    Reply
  5. I am your newest follower from the Tuesday Blog Hop. I can’t wait to read more of your blog. Please stop by and follow.

    Lydia

    Reply
  6. This looks delicious!! Love shrimp. Will definitely be adding this to next weeks dinner menu.
    Spotted your blog on Design it Chic BMBF and am your newest follower. Love it you would check my blog out 🙂

    Delighted Momma

    Reply
  7. I found you at the Monday blog hop, looking for some great recipes and this looks so yummy. Our family just loves seafood and I will definitely be trying this out. I am a new google follower!

    Hope you have time to stop and check out my blog!

    Cherie

    http://lotsofjewels.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Back again this week to browse your recipes. I’m already a follower but I noticed we were both hopping on Meet Me Monday so came over to say hi and to read about your new recipe. 🙂

    Reply

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