Hot And Zesty Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Elevate your seafood with this unbelievably delicious, restaurant-quality Hot & Zesty Cocktail Sauce! Bursting with fresh lemon zest and spicy kick, it's far superior to any store-bought version. This easy 20-minute recipe will become your new go-to for shrimp cocktails, fish tacos, and more!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Calories 51.2 kcal

Protein 2g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Hot And Zesty Cocktail Sauce

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup finely diced celery rib
1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice)

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How to Make Hot And Zesty Cocktail Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of ketchup and 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Taste and adjust the hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness. Add more for extra heat, or less for a milder flavor.
Finely dice 1/4 cup celery rib.
Zest one lemon using a microplane or fine grater, aiming for about 1 teaspoon of zest.
Juice the lemon, yielding approximately 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Add the diced celery, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the ketchup and hot sauce mixture. Stir gently to combine.
For serving: Steam 1 pound of shrimp until pink and cooked through (approximately 3-5 minutes).
Serve the cocktail sauce alongside the steamed shrimp for dipping. Alternatively, gently toss the cooked shrimp in the sauce for a more immersive flavor experience.