I’m a lover of homemade prawn cocktail sauce…
On everything. Especially any steamed, fried, broiled seafood, or Old Bay Seasoning Steamed Shrimp. It’s just so darn good. 😉
I actually absolutely love to dip my french fries in cocktail sauce. Does that make me weird?
No? Good. Because if you’ve never tried it, just try it once. So. darn. good. Period.
Now, there isn’t anything wrong with buying store-bought cocktail sauce, but it just never really has that zing I crave. This best homemade prawn cocktail sauce delivers exactly that! With simple ingredients you likely have lying around your kitchen, you’re winning at life with this recipe for homemade prawn cocktail sauce. 🙂
It’s seasoned to perfection with simple ingredients that you most likely have lying around your kitchen. How’s that for winning at life? 🙂
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOUSAND ISLAND AND PRAWN COCKTAIL SAUCE (MARIE ROSE SAUCE)?
Thousand Island and Marie Rose sauces are both creamy condiments, but they differ in ingredients, flavor profiles, and typical uses. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
Thousand Island Sauce
- Ingredients: Typically made with mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and various spices. Some recipes might also include chopped onions, garlic, or hard-boiled eggs.
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, and slightly creamy, with a hint of savoriness from the relish. The sweetness from the ketchup and relish is quite prominent.
- Common Uses: Often used as a salad dressing, sandwich spread, or dip. It’s famously associated with the Reuben sandwich and is popular in salads like the Cobb salad.
Marie Rose Sauce
- Ingredients: A British variation often made with mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sometimes additional flavorings like tabasco or cayenne pepper. Some versions might include brandy or sherry.
- Flavor Profile: Creamy and tangy, with a more pronounced savory flavor from the Worcestershire sauce. It has a bit of heat and acidity from the lemon juice and any added hot sauce.
- Common Uses: Traditionally served as a seafood sauce, particularly for prawn cocktails. It’s often used with shrimp, crab, and other shellfish, making it a staple in British seafood dishes.
INGREDIENTS USED TO MAKE HOMEMADE PRAWN COCKTAIL SAUCE
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
HOW DO YOU DEFROST FROZEN PRAWNS FOR PRAWN COCKTAIL?
In the Refrigerator (Recommended Method)
- Time Required: 8-12 hours or overnight.
- Steps:
- Remove the frozen prawns from their packaging.
- Place them in a covered bowl or container to prevent contamination.
- Let them sit in the refrigerator overnight or for about 8-12 hours. This slow defrosting method helps maintain the prawns' texture and flavor.
Cold Water Method
- Time Required: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Steps:
- Keep the prawns in their sealed packaging or place them in a resealable plastic bag, ensuring no air is trapped inside.
- Fill a bowl with cold water and submerge the prawns. Make sure the water is cold, as hot water can cook the prawns and change their texture.
- Change the water every 10-15 minutes to keep it cold. Prawns should be fully defrosted in about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on their size.
Quick Thawing (Microwave Method)
- Time Required: 5-10 minutes (not recommended for best texture).
- Steps:
- Remove the prawns from their packaging and place them in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Use the defrost setting on your microwave, checking the prawns every 30 seconds to ensure they do not begin to cook.
- This method can lead to uneven thawing and may affect the texture, so it's best used only in a pinch.
After Defrosting
- Once the prawns are thawed, drain any excess liquid and pat them dry with paper towels. This step helps prevent excess moisture in your prawn cocktail.
- For best results, use the defrosted prawns within 24 hours and do not refreeze them.
Tip
- For optimal flavor, you can marinate the prawns in a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 15-30 minutes before serving in your prawn cocktail.
Following these methods will ensure your prawns are perfectly defrosted and ready to shine in your delicious prawn cocktail!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PRAWN COCKTAIL SAUCE
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Voila! That’s it and you got yourself some of the best homemade cocktail sauce you will ever eat.
Yum…
QUICK COCKTAIL SAUCE RECIPE
- Author: Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cup
This homemade prawn cocktail sauce is quick, easy, thrown together in one minute, and perfectly seasoned.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
NOTES:
- It isn’t necessary to chill for one hour but I find that it makes the flavors meld together.
NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Total Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Looking for more delicious recipes to try? Check out So Damn Delish for a collection of mouthwatering dishes that are simple to prepare and full of flavor. You won’t want to miss these!
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Easy Homemade Prawn Cocktail Sauce
This homemade prawn cocktail sauce is quick, easy, and thrown together in one minute. It is seasoned to perfection with the recipe from So Damn Delish.
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- It isn’t necessary to chill for one hour but I find that it makes the flavors meld together.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Category: Dressings & Sauces
Nutrition
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
