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5 Ingredients or Fewer

Shrimp Cocktail Trio

November 25, 2024
5 5 out of 5 stars /
2 Ratings5 total ratings /
Photo by MJ Kroeger
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 2 minutes
  • Serves 10
Author Notes

I've always had a complicated relationship with shrimp cocktail. While I love perfectly poached shrimp, cocktail sauce itself was never my favorite. I wanted to create a shrimp cocktail experience I could actually enjoy with a trio of globally-inspired dips that are all five ingredients (not including salt and pepper) and perfect for large holiday gatherings. A sweet and spicy Southeast Asian chili-lime sauce with a hint of ginger, a creamy harissa yogurt dip, and a deep, garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce with fresh basil and lemon. —César Pérez

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • FOR THE POACHED SHRIMP
  • 2 pounds large shrimp, shell-on, peeled and deveined
  • 2 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
  • 4 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 shallot, halved
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 4 lemon slices
  • SOUTHEAST ASIAN-INSPIRED SAUCE
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • NORTH AFRICAN-INSPIRED SAUCE
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED SAUCE
  • 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (from the jar if they're EVOO-packed)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Directions
  1. For the poached shrimp: In a large saucepan, combine water, salt, peppercorns, thyme, shallot, garlic, and lemon slices. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add shrimp and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let stand until shrimp are pink and opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool completely. Transfer to a paper towel lined sheet tray to drain.
  2. For each individual sauce, combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with your favorite poached shrimp.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

1 Review

anniette December 29, 2024
I am looking forward to trying this recipe, but I am surprised that the shells are removed prior to cooking. We’ve always thought the shells add a lot of flavor to the pot, and it is easier to peel cooked shrimp than raw ones.
 

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