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:
- Preheat a gas 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 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:
- Bring to a boil a large pot of lightly salted water.
- Dump in shrimp and stir. Boil 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Drain water then sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper.
How to cook shrimp in a pan:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet to medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- 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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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron)
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.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Dump in shrimp and stir. Boil 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Drain water then sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Heat a bit of oil in a large non-stick pan to medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook shrimp 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and are cooked through.
I don’t think I’ve tried grilled shrimp cocktail before. This recipe looks good and it seems like it might even work with other types of fresh seafood as well.
hello i just made this and it devine for my husband birthday
My family won’t usually eat shrimp cocktail because the shrimp are cold. This is such an great response to them! Seared shrimp in this rock! And then you have avocado in the dish – count me in!
Such a fun twist on one of my favorite appetizers! I can’t wait to try this delicious looking recipe!
This Shrimp Cocktail is perfect for summer gatherings! So much flavor!
Fabulous summer appetizer that can easily be a hit for me this season. I get chills just from looking at your images – they are absolutely delicious!
It looks so delicious, refreshing and totally healthy. I love the fact that it’s a bit spicy. I’ll surely try it.
Could I add cucumber to this or even celery?
Hi Lora. You totally could! The celery would give it a nice crunch
I love shrimp cocktail and you’ve just reminded me that I haven’t had it in the longest time! I love your creative spin on it!
I sometimes go long stretches without having it to. Glad to help and thanks Annie!
I’m ALL about a good shrimp cocktail!! Love your fresh ingredients & that hot sauce!
That’s what I was going for. Thanks Gwen!
Hell yes!! I am loving this shrimp cocktail! The fresh mexican flavors just sound amazing! Sharing 🙂
Haha I like you enthusiasm! Thanks Dini!
I love shrimp. This is such a beautiful presentation and delicious recipe!
Thanks so much Kushi!
My Dad always enjoy a good shrimp cocktail and I think he would be so happy if I made this for him! I love how fresh your version is, with added avocado!
I think avocado and shrimp go together wonderfully. I’m sure he would be and thanks Emily!
What a perfect looking colorful summer snack. I love the addition of El Yucateco sauce in it, must be spicy n yum!!
It can be pretty spicy but do tasty! Thanks Molly!
I love shrimps cocktails yours loos so flavorful and very colorful thanks for sharing your secrets with us #client
I love them and so fun to make. Thanks Adriana!