Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron)

This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail recipe is a quintessential summer appetizer, especially when served with grilled shrimp. It includes an easy homemade shrimp cocktail sauce made with common, natural ingredients.

The sauce is bursting with rich, sweet and tangy flavors, and the entire recipe takes less than 20 minutes. 

Shrimp cocktails, also known as coctel de camaron, are common in Mexican restaurants. However, they’re so easy you can enjoy them at home with just a handful of ingredients. Especially when you use pre-cooked shrimp. For best flavor, I prefer grilling the shrimp but will provide few options for cooking shrimp.

Grilling the shrimp enhances adds a rich, smoky flavor and is also fun for summer. Watch your guests salivate as they wait for perfectly grilled shrimp to mix into their sweet and spicy shrimp cocktail mix.

How to make shrimp cocktail

To start, you’ll need a homemade cocktail sauce. This recipe features a unique tomato mixture made from scratch.

Traditional Mexican Shrimp Cocktail recipes feature a pre-made clam and tomato drink (usually Clamato), which you could use. If you want a more natural ingredient base then use an organic vegetable juice blend and simply add ingredients like diced tomatoes, minced garlic, red onion, cilantro, squeezed lime juice, horseradish, and organic ketchup. 

Shrimp cocktail sauce ingredients

• Vegetable juice, tomato sauce, and/or clam and tomato drink: The main base that adds umami tomato flavor.  You could use plain vegetable juice or a drink like Clamato for extra flavor
• Can diced tomatoes, drained: Adds nice texture to the shrimp cocktail
• Ketchup: More tomato flavor and sweetness which is common in most cocktail sauces
• Freshly squeezed lime juice: Tanginess balances out the sweetness
• Hot sauce or chili sauce: For a bit of kick, add desired amount.
• Minced garlic: Enhances flavors and adds a bit of bite.
• Horseradish: A different type of spiciness that pairs well with tomato-based drinks
• Cilantro leaves: Any good Mexican recipe should include cilantro.
• Diced red onion: Adds texture and flavor
• Diced avocados: Rich and creamy, and pairs well with shrimp

To make a shrimp cocktail, simply stir together all these ingredients in a large bowl and serve with cooked shrimp.

Cook the shrimp (3 different options)

Shrimp must be cooked before adding to cocktail sauce. To make this recipe even easier, or if you’re short on time you can use pre-cooked shrimp found in the seafood section of your local grocery store. Here’s how to cook shrimp cocktail…

How to grill shrimp:

1. Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat. Place shrimp in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper to coat.
2. Lightly grease grill and cook shrimp 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and are lightly charred.

Pro tip: If shrimp is small use a grill basket or skewers to prevent falling through grates. 

How to boil shrimp:

1. Bring to a boil a large pot of lightly salted water.
2. Dump in shrimp and stir. Boil 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3. Drain water then sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper.

How to cook shrimp in a pan:

1. Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet to medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Cook shrimp 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and are cooked through.

Answers to common questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?

If grilling or pan-cooking shrimp, defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking. If boiling, you can add frozen shrimp but would need to add 2-3 minutes of cooking time.

Calories in shrimp cocktail

An average size serving of shrimp cocktail with 5 pieces of shrimp has about 350 calories. If you didn’t include avocado it would be even less.

This recipe is loaded with lean protein and healthy fats, making it a healthy seafood appetizer. One serving has 34 grams of protein and 17 grams of healthy fats.

How to serve shrimp cocktail

This recipe is great on its own. You can simply use your hands and dip the cooked shrimp in the cocktails sauce. Be sure to scoop up a bit of the onion and avocado bits.

For extra flavor, serve with lime or lemon wedges. For a classic shrimp cocktail experience, serve with saltine crackers.

How to store leftovers

First of all, if you end up with any leftovers I’d be surprised as this may be the best shrimp cocktail recipe ever. 

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To serve leftovers, simply eat as is out of the fridge.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail at-a-glance:

Flavor profiles: Tangy, spicy and umami paired with savory grilled shrimp.
Texture: Moist tender shrimp, creamy avocado in a chunky tomato cocktail sauce.
Dietary options/substitutions: Use more or less hot sauce depending on the desired spiciness. Preferably use organic vegetable juice, tomatoes, and ketchup, as well as natural horseradish.

You might also like these shrimp recipes:

• Coconut Curry Shrimp
  
• Shrimp Paella
• Coconut Shrimp Spring Rolls
• Shrimp Scampi Flatbread
• Shrimp Zoodles

More seafood recipes you’ll like:

• Italian Fish Soup
• Ahi Tuna Bites
• Tuna Nori Wraps
• Tuna Cakes
• Salmon Kabobs

Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.

 

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5 from 5 votes

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron)

A unique twist on classic shrimp cocktail makes a perfect summer seafood appetizer.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican, Seafood

Keyword Mexican shrimp cocktail, shrimp cocktail, shrimp cocktail recipe

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Calories 349kcal

Servings 6

Author: Matt Ivan

Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 3 cups vegetable juice blend, or Clamato
• ▢ 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• ▢ ½ cup fresh squeezed lime juice, 3 to 4 limes
• ▢ 3 tablespoons ketchup
• ▢ 2 tablespoons horseradish
• ▢ 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• ▢ 3 cloves minced garlic
• ▢ 3 medium avocados, cubed
• ▢ ½ cup cilantro leaves
• ▢ ½ cup diced red onion

Instructions

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place shrimp in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to coat.
• Lightly grease grill and cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove shrimp and cool slightly. If you don't have a grill, see notes below.
• In a clean bowl, stir together remaining ingredients until combined. Place desired amount of cocktail sauce in glasses or small bowls.
• Peel tails off shrimps (optional) then place on edge of prepared glasses and serve.

Notes

• If shrimp are small, use a grill basket or skewers to prevent falling through grates.
• Sprinkle shrimp with lemon juice for extra flavor.
• Clamato has more sodium than vegetable juice. Reduce salt in the recipe if using. Or use a low-sodium version.
• Use organic vegetable juice for the most nutrients and the best flavor.
• To serve, simply dip the cooked shrimp into the sauce. Or serve with saltine crackers.

How to boil shrimp:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
2. Dump in shrimp and stir. Boil 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3. Drain water then sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper.

How to cook shrimp in a pan:

1. Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick pan to medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Cook shrimp 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and are cooked through.

Nutrition Facts

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron)

Amount Per Serving (1 shrimp cocktail)

Calories 349 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 381mg127%

Sodium 1537mg67%

Potassium 771mg22%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 34g68%

Vitamin A 1230IU25%

Vitamin C 59.7mg72%

Calcium 258mg26%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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