This delicious and decadent Easy Shrimp Appetizer comes with two creamy dipping sauces - spicy sriracha mayo and the sweeter and more mellow Marie Rose sauce. A real crowd pleaser and so easy to make - its the perfect dish for relaxed entertaining!
This recipe came about because I'm not at all keen on traditional on cocktail sauce. But I love cocktail shrimp, so I started to ask myself - what else can you serve with shrimp as a dipping sauce?
I could actually eat all of these myself but do, upon occasion, share them with my family (if they’ve been very nice to me 😉
Whenever I make this dish I also always find that kids love it too! It's a great way to get children into seafood. They tend to like the sweetness of the shrimp and the dash of ketchup in the Marie Rose Sauce!
Why you Should Try this Easy Boiled Shrimp
- Serving shrimp is a great way to make your guests or family feel special and immediately creates a sense of occasion.
- This cocktail shrimp starter could not be easier.
- The appetizer has the nice option of two different dipping sauces for different tastes.
What is Marie Rose Sauce?
Marie Rose sauce is traditionally made from a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup, seasoned with lemon juice and tabasco.
The key to a good Marie Rose is seasoning and simplicity. It is supposed to complement the delicate flavor of the shrimp rather than overpower it.
What You Will Need to Make this 5 Minute Shrimp Dish
Shrimp
Though this dish is simple I do try to shell out (pardon the pun) on the best shrimp I can find. The quality of the shellfish is what make this special.
How to Choose the Best Cocktail Shrimp?
- To make the perfect shrimp cocktail at home you need to buy good quality shrimp.
- Go to an independent fishmonger if possible and ask for their recommendation.
- You want to buy large and juicy shrimp which are as fresh as possible.
- For ease and convenience I buy ready cooked shrimp, already peeled.
- Crucially - the tail should be left on so that people have something to dip the shrimp with!
Can You Use Frozen Shrimp?
You can use frozen cooked shrimp if the quality is very good. But fresh is generally preferable. If you are using frozen make sure they're carefully defrosted in the refrigerator overnight before being used.
Mayonnaise
I use good old Helmans Mayo here since I like the flavor. If I want to be more health conscious I also like to use an avocado based mayonnaise like Sir Kensington. There are lots of good options around these days.
If the amount of mayonnaise going into this recipe worries you, feel free to lighten it up and substitute out up to a quarter cup of mayo for plain or greek yoghurt.
Tomato Ketchup
This clearly needs no introduction but here adds a lovely sweetness to the sauce. And that lovely millennial pink color which goes so nicely with the shrimp.
Lemons
You can’t serve shrimp without lemons and I love to add some extra cut up slices or wedges to the bowl as a garnish too.
Tabasco
In a nod to the classic cocktail sauce the tabasco adds a little heat and picancy to an otherwise rich and creamy dip. Other hot sauces work fine here too.
Sriracha (pronounced See-ro-cha)
Made from jalapeno peppers, this is a moderately hot store cupboard staple in our house. Once you start cooking with it, it’s incredibly useful to have around and mixed with mayonnaise, it’s off the charts good.
Do I Need to Serve this Easy Shrimp Appetizer over Ice?
You don’t have to serve shrimp over ice as long as the shrimp is on a chilled plate, is cold from the fridge and is eaten immediately.
If you do want to serve it over ice to make the dish extra special, or to include it on a buffet table, here’s the easy way to do it:
- Don’t put the shrimp directly on the ice. Waterlogged shrimp is not a good look!
- Find two shallow bowls, one which is slightly bigger than the other.
- Set the shrimp in the smaller bowl.
- Place the ice in the bigger bowl and nestle one inside the other.
Tips for Making the Best Easy Shrimp Appetizer
- Presentation is key with this appetizer. Go to town with the lemon and add plenty of slices or wedges to your serving dish to brighten up the shrimp.
- Pro tip - I also squeeze a small amount of lemon and some sea salt over my shrimp just before serving. It really makes the flavors pop.
- For a festive variation on Marie Rose Sauce, add a splash of brandy when you’re mixing the ingredients. You’ll be surprised how much it makes the flavors of the sauce sing!
What Can I do with Leftover Sriracha Mayonnaise?
If you have extra Sriracha Mayo left over, put it to good use!
It’s delicious as a spread on sandwiches, as a dip for grilled chicken or with crudités, salads and a million other things.
Pin This Easy Shrimp Appetizer with Dipping Sauces Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.
Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!
More Easy Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Easy Shrimp Appetizer with Dipping Sauces
Ingredients
- 1½ lb Shrimp - cooked & peeled
- Pinch Sea Salt
- 1 Lemon - juice only
Marie Rose Sauce
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Dash Tabasco Sauce
- 1 tsp Brandy - optional secret ingredient!
Sriracha Mayo
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Sriracha - to taste
Garnish
- 2 Lemon - sliced
Instructions
Make the Dipping Sauces
- Make the Marie Rose sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Add a small splash of brandy to taste if you choose to use it.
- Mix the mayonnaise and sriracha together in another small bowl. Start with half of the quantity of sriracha and keep adding it until you are happy with the taste and spice level.
- Put each sauce into a small dipping bowl.
Assemble the Appetizer
- Arrange the cooked shrimp on a nice plate with the slices of lemon.
- Season with sea salt and the juice of a lemon
- Add the bowls of dipping sauce and serve!
Nutrition
This recipe has been shared with the #CookBlogShare community which was hosted this week by Lavender & Lovage
Chloe Edges says
I cannot get enough shrimp. I love it so much! I love how simple this is. A great dipping sauce is essential!
Karen Booth says
WE all LOVE prawns in our household and this looks truly scrumptious
Thanks so much for linking up to #CookBlogShare week 6 - Karen