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Perfect Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Platter Recipe with 3 Easy Homemade Sauces

chilled shrimp cocktail platter - featured image

A fresh and elegant shrimp cocktail platter featuring tender chilled shrimp served with three house-made sauces: smoky chipotle cocktail sauce, lemon-garlic aioli, and avocado-lime dip. Perfect for casual gatherings or holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • Kosher salt for boiling water and seasoning
  • 1 large lemon, halved (for boiling shrimp and garnish)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • For the Smoky Chipotle Cocktail Sauce:
  • 1 cup (240ml) ketchup
  • 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Pinch of smoked paprika
  • For the Lemon-Garlic Aioli:
  • ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Avocado-Lime Dip:
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt for vegan option)
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shrimp (15 minutes): Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tbsp kosher salt, the halved lemon, and bay leaves. Bring to a rolling boil. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Immediately drain and transfer shrimp to an ice bath to chill and stop the cooking. Once cool, drain again and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Make the Smoky Chipotle Cocktail Sauce (10 minutes): In a bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, lime juice, chopped chipotle pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir well. Taste and adjust heat by adding more chipotle if desired.
  3. Prepare the Lemon-Garlic Aioli (5 minutes): Mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and zest in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Whip up the Avocado-Lime Dip (5-7 minutes): In a food processor or bowl, mash the avocado with lime juice, Greek yogurt, garlic, salt, and chopped cilantro. Blend until smooth or leave a bit chunky if preferred.
  5. Arrange the Platter (5 minutes): On a large chilled serving dish, neatly fan out the shrimp, leaving space for the three sauces in small bowls. Garnish the shrimp with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; chill serving platter beforehand to keep shrimp cool longer. Sauces can be made ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving. For a vegan option, use dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayonnaise. Grilling shrimp is a flavorful alternative to boiling.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp cocktail, chilled shrimp, seafood appetizer, homemade sauces, chipotle cocktail sauce, lemon garlic aioli, avocado lime dip, easy appetizer, party platter