Gluten-Free Shrimp Cocktail
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
This classic shrimp cocktail offers plump, succulent shrimp bathed in a zesty, tangy sauce. It's a refreshing and elegant appetizer that's surprisingly simple to prepare.
At a glance: This easy snacks recipe yields 4 servings in about 20 minutes (10 min prep, 10 min cook). It uses 5 ingredients — including large shrimp, gluten-free cocktail sauce, fresh lemon juice — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more snacks recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Shrimp Cocktail: When preparing this snacks recipe, exercise caution with packaged ingredients like cocktail sauce and Worcestershire sauce, as they can sometimes contain hidden gluten. Always check labels for gluten-free certification to prevent cross-contamination In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools. Some Worcestershire sauces contain malt vinegar (from barley); use a certified gluten-free version.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Shrimp Cocktail: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on naturally GF ingredients. Always ensure your cocktail sauce and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup gluten-free cocktail sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp prepared horseradish
- 0.25 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- 1
Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the peeled and deveined large shrimp to the boiling water. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and float to the surface. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become tough.
- 2
While the shrimp are cooking, prepare the cocktail sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free cocktail sauce, fresh lemon juice, prepared horseradish, and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Stir these ingredients together until they are well incorporated and the sauce has a uniform consistency.
- 3
Once the shrimp are cooked, immediately remove them from the boiling water using a slotted spoon. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process and chill them quickly. Let them chill for about 5 minutes.
- 4
Drain the chilled shrimp thoroughly. Arrange the cooled shrimp on a serving platter. You can serve them upright with their tails showing for an attractive presentation.
- 5
Serve the chilled shrimp cocktail immediately with the prepared gluten-free cocktail sauce on the side for dipping. This appetizer is best enjoyed fresh.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Zest the lemon before juicing — it's nearly impossible to zest after the lemon is squeezed.
- Don't overcook shrimp — they're done the moment they turn pink and curl into a loose C-shape (1–2 min per side).
- These keep well for up to 5 days — make a batch at the start of the week for easy grab-and-go snacking.
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