Delicious Seafood Cocktail Sauce Recipe – Easy to Make
“Come in, come in, let me tell you a little secret,” Auntie Emlou whispered as she dabbed her finger in the cocktail sauce and placed it into her mouth. “This recipe will have your taste buds tingling with excitement.”
Welcome to Auntie Emlou’s seafood cocktail sauce recipe, an unbeatable classic that will leave you begging for more. This homemade cocktail sauce is the perfect addition to any seafood dish, a delightful dipping sauce for prawns or even a topping for oysters.
The ingredients selected for this recipe were carefully chosen to create the ultimate combination of flavor and heat. From Heinz chili sauce to the hot horseradish sauce to Tabasco brand hot sauce, this cocktail sauce recipe has everything you need to wow your guests at your next gathering.
So what are you waiting for? Get ready to dive into a savory culinary experience with Auntie Emlou’s famous seafood cocktail sauce recipe. Trust me; it’ll soon become a staple in your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, my seafood-loving friends! If you’re looking for a sauce to add extra oomph to your seafood cocktail, then Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce recipe is the perfect choice for you. Trust me; you’re going to love this recipe.
Firstly, this homemade cocktail sauce is a step above any store-bought version. It’s incredibly easy to make and will save you from the tasteless jarred sauces that lack personality.
Secondly, if you are a fan of spicy flavors, this sauce recipe food com will definitely hit the spot. Chili sauce and horseradish hot sauce combine to create the perfect amount of heat for those who like it hot. But don’t be afraid; this seafood cocktail sauce can be customized according to your taste buds.
The combination of lemon juice, scallions, finely chopped celery ribs, and Worcestershire sauce in this homemade cocktail sauce adds an extra layer of flavor that will keep your taste buds wanting more. Plus, if you want more heat in your dipping sauce, adding some Tabasco brand hot sauce will also give it a further kick.
Finally, whether it’s alert colossal shrimp or Long John Silver’s classic prawn cocktail, Auntie Emlou’s seafood cocktail sauce pairs perfectly with everything seafood. This versatile dipping sauce is also excellent with other foods like ketchup and French fries or chicken nuggets.
Trust me; once you try Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce Recipe Food Com at your next party or get-together, you won’t look back!
Ingredient List
Before we dive into Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce recipe, let’s go over the ingredients. You’ll need:
- Heinz Chili Sauce (12 ounces): This will be the base of your sauce. Heinz is a popular brand for chili sauce and can be found at many grocery stores.
- Ketchup (1/4 cup): Ketchup is used to add extra sweetness to the sauce.
- Horseradish (2 tablespoons): Horseradish provides a spicy kick to the sauce. Make sure to use horseradish sauce, not pure horseradish.
- Hot sauce (1 tablespoon): You can use any hot sauce you prefer. Tabasco brand works well in this recipe.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 teaspoon): This ingredient adds depth and complexity to the flavor.
- Lemon juice (2 tablespoons): Lemon juice brightens up the flavor of the cocktail sauce.
- Scallions (2 finely chopped): Scallions provide a fresh, onion flavor to the sauce.
- Celery ribs (2 finely chopped): Celery adds crunch and texture to the cocktail sauce.
For seafood cocktail, you’ll need:
- Shrimp (Alert Colossal Shrimp or Long John Silver’s): If using frozen shrimp, make sure it’s fully thawed before serving.
Now that you have reviewed all of the ingredients, let’s move on to making Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce!
The Recipe How-To
Now let’s get down to business! To make Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce, you will need to gather your ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup chili sauce (Heinz is my go-to)
- 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (I use Tabasco brand)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
Once you have all your ingredients together, it’s time to start making the sauce!
Step 1: Mix it Up
In a bowl, add the ketchup, chili sauce, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Whisk until everything is combined.
Step 2: Add Some Sizzle
Add in the finely chopped scallions and celery. These two vegetables will add some crunch and sizzle to the cocktail sauce.
Step 3 – Heat Things Up
If you want to add some heat into your seafood cocktail sauce, feel free to add more hot sauce (or less if you prefer it mild).
This homemade cocktail sauce goes great with shrimp or prawn cocktail. Be sure to check out our serving suggestions in the next section!
Pro Tip: Make sure the ingredients are properly mixed before adding it in with the seafood.
Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
If you want to add your twist to Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce, here are some substitutions and variations that may suit your preferences.
– Tabasco or Sriracha Sauce: You can replace the hot sauce with Tabasco or Sriracha Sauce for a spicier flavor. Add a few drops of either sauce gradually until you get the heat level you like.
– Heinz Chili Sauce: If you can’t find chili sauce in your grocery store, you can use Heinz Chili Sauce instead. It has a milder flavor than chili sauce, but it still adds tanginess and sweetness to the sauce.
– Horseradish Cream: If you don’t like too much heat, but you love horseradish flavor, you can try using horseradish cream instead of horseradish sauce. Horseradish cream has a creamy texture, and it is less intense than horseradish sauce.
– Lemon Zest: To add freshness and citrusy aroma to the sauce, try adding some lemon zest. Zest the lemon before juicing it and then add the zest to the bowl with the other ingredients.
– Finely Chopped Scallions or Celery Ribs: You can also add some finely chopped scallions or celery ribs for some crunch and extra flavor.
– Classic Cocktail Sauce: If you’re more of a classic cocktail fan and prefer a recipe without chili sauce, you can make Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce without chili sauce altogether. Instead, just use ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, horseradish, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
– Dipping Sauce: Want to use the cocktail sauce as a dipping sauce? No problem! Just serve it in small bowls alongside freshly cooked shrimp or other seafood.
Whatever variation or substitution you choose to make to this homemade cocktail sauce recipe will surely result in an impressive spread that your guests will rave about at your next gather-around-the-table event.
Serving and Pairing
Now that your Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce is ready, let’s talk about how to serve it and what to pair it with. This homemade cocktail sauce pairs perfectly with seafood, which is why it is a staple dipping sauce for classics like prawn cocktails or shrimp cocktails. You can also use it as a condiment for seafood dishes like scallops or crab cakes.
To serve this sauce, I like to create an elegant platter of seafood that includes different types of shellfish like shrimp and crab, all beautifully arranged around a bowl of the homemade cocktail sauce. It looks picture-perfect and gives your guests the opportunity to indulge in a little bit of everything.
If you want to add a little heat to the dish, try adding some hot sauce or Tabasco brand sauce to the mix. Auntie Emlou’s recipe has some kick, but if you’re a true heat seeker, feel free to add more.
When pairing this homemade cocktail sauce with wine or beer, stick with light-bodied, crisp options that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of the seafood. A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc works nicely, or for beer lovers try a light lager or pilsner.
Remember, this sauce is not just for seafood! It also adds a tasty punch to french fries or sweet potato fries. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try using it as a dipping sauce for vegetables like celery ribs, bell peppers or even scallions.
Whatever you decide to pair it with, this homemade cocktail sauce will elevate any dish and impress your guests.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
What’s a great party without some make-ahead sauces? Lucky for you, Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce is perfect for this! You can easily make this sauce ahead of time, up to 3 days before serving. Just store it in an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
If you have leftovers, it’s also super easy to store and reheat. Just pour the remaining sauce into an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to eat again, simply reheat the sauce on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until your desired temperature is reached.
Keep in mind that since this seafood cocktail sauce contains fresh ingredients like scallions, celery ribs, and lemon juice, it’s best to consume within a few days of making it. So if you don’t think you’ll be using it all up within 3-5 days, play it safe and freeze whatever you don’t use. Simply transfer the leftover sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months.
When you’re ready to heat it up again, let the sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator first before reheating as usual. One thing to note is that when thawing sauces with horseradish or hot sauce (like this one), they may separate as they thaw out but just give them a good stir before reheating!
Pro tip: if you’re planning on making large batches of Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce and want to save time by doubling or tripling the recipe – go for it! This recipe scales very well and doesn’t require any special adjustments except maybe ramping up the amount of horseradish if you love a spicier dip.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now, when it comes to making the perfect Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you achieve just that. Here are some of my recommendations to ensure you get the best flavor and texture:
First and foremost, keep your ingredients fresh! Use fresh scallions and celery ribs for added flavor and crunch. The chili sauce used in this recipe adds an excellent kick, so make sure it’s a quality one. One of my personal favorites is the Heinz Chili Sauce.
For those who love their cocktail sauce extra spicy, add hot sauce or use a spicier chili sauce variation. This will give the seafood cocktail sauce that extra punch that some prefer.
When preparing your ingredients, make sure to finely chop them. This will ensure that all flavors blend together perfectly and your guests won’t be biting into large chunks of celery or scallions in their seafood cocktail.
The addition of horseradish and hot sauce gives homemade cocktail sauce an excellent kick. However, make sure you don’t add too much of them as it could overpower other flavors.
If you’re using colossal shrimp or prawns, make sure to split them down the middle before serving. Doing so will allow your guests to dip them into the homemade cocktail sauce easily.
Lastly, don’t forget about balancing the acidity levels of homemade cocktail sauce by adding lemon juice or vinegar. A little goes a long way, but it will take this delicious dipping sauce from great to expert level!
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have everyone at your next seafood cocktail party raving about your homemade Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce is the perfect complement to any seafood dish. With a few simple steps and the right ingredients, you can create a timeless classic that will leave your guests licking their fingers and asking for more.
This homemade cocktail sauce, which includes horseradish, hot sauce, Worcester sauce, and chili sauce among other fantastic ingredients, ensures that each sip is filled with delectable flavors. The ideal blend of sweet and spicy notes creates an unbelievable taste that pairs beautifully with shrimp or fish.
You can substitute or add in some ingredients to personalize your recipe, but it must include Auntie Emlou’s favorite: Tabasco brand hot sauce. Whether you’re serving colossal shrimp for a fancy dinner or just want to whip up a quick prawn cocktail at home, this recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Remember to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best possible flavor and finely chopped scallions and celery ribs to add a touch of freshness. It’s also very easy to store in the fridge for later use.
So next time you want to impress your friends or family, whip up Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce and enjoy an unforgettable dining experience!
Auntie Emlou’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce! Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup chili sauce, such as Heinz Premium Chili Sauce
- 2 -3 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 2 scallions, white and light green parts, finely chopped
- 1/2 fresh lemon, juice of
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (to taste)
- 3 dashes tapatio hot sauce (or to taste) or 3 dashes your favorite hot sauce (or to taste)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and chill.
- Mix with shrimp or crab to make a seafood cocktail.
- Or eat with a spoon! ;).
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!