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Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

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Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail is an easy to make appetizer perfect for a party! Skip the poaching and turn to your oven instead. Roasting the shrimp quickly is so much easier and adds tons of flavor. This Roasted Shrimp Cocktail features plump, tender, and delicious shrimp that take 20 minutes to prepare.

This easy appetizer recipe is perfect for any occasion!

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

I’ve always loved a great shrimp cocktail. There’s something so swanky about the iconic appetizer that I can’t resist it whenever I see it.

But this classic recipe is getting a major upgrade! Long gone are the days of laboriously poaching and chilling shrimp, only to have it taste waterlogged with a rubbery texture.

Tossing the shrimp with garlic before roasting in the oven takes these succulent little shrimp to the next level! Did I mention that they’re served with the best homemade cocktail sauce ever?

Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party or a casual game day with friends, this garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail is going to be a huge hit! Looking for another jazzy shrimp recipe? Try my Fried Coconut Shrimp recipe!

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Quick and easy – Everyone loves an easy recipe for parties. This whole recipe truly takes 20 minutes start to finish!

Elegant – Is there anything more elegant than a shrimp cocktail at a party? This roasted shrimp cocktail takes that classic appetizer to the next level. This is an appetizer recipe to impress!

Healthy – Roasted Shrimp Cocktail is a healthy and light appetizer. When sticking to resolutions, it’s hard to attend parties and feel like there’s nothing to enjoy. This easy appetizer is delicious while still being light and fresh.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

How to Make Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

This garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail recipe is so easy to make! Perfect for any party or occasion!

Tools Needed

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Shrimp. Use fresh or defrosted shrimp that’s peeled and deveined. I always leave the tails on for easy handling and eating.
  • Garlic. Grating fresh garlic instead of mincing it ensures that the flavor totally coats the shrimp without having pieces that will burn in the oven.
  • Olive oil. Any neutral oil will do.
  • Ketchup. For really good cocktail sauce, you need high-quality ketchup! I like the organic ketchup from Trader Joe’s. It has the best texture and flavor.
  • Horseradish. Opt for prepared horseradish often in the refrigerated section or near the seafood. This is not the same as the cream of horseradish in the condiment aisle.
  • Worcestershire. This adds great savory flavor to the cocktail sauce.
  • Dijon mustard. This is an optional ingredient, but so good!
  • Lemon. Fresh lemon juice squeezed over the shrimp before serving and in the cocktail sauce adds freshness.

The Process

  1. Marinate the shrimp. In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper until well coated. Spread the shrimp in an even layer on a nonstick baking sheet.
  2. Make the cocktail sauce. Whisk the cocktail sauce ingredients together and set aside.
  3. Roast the shrimp. Roast the shrimp in a hot oven for 9-11 minutes, until pink and no longer opaque. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
  4. Serve. Serve Roasted Shrimp Cocktail warm, room temperature, or chilled with fresh lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

Tips for Making Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Pat your shrimp dry before cooking.  I use frozen shrimp often for making roasted shrimp cocktail. Make sure to defrost your shrimp thoroughly and then pat the shrimp very dry before tossing with the oil, garlic, and seasonings. Doing so allows the shrimp to brown slightly and adds flavor.

Don’t overcook your shrimp! As soon as those tails start to curl and they turn from grayish white to pink and opaque, they’re done cooking. Shrimp are all too easy to overcook, and when overcooked, they turn out rubbery.

Don’t skip the homemade cocktail sauce. Can you use store bought? Sure! But making your own is so easy and so much more flavorful than the store bought sauce.

Don’t make Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail too far ahead of time. This recipe is best when prepared just before your guests arrive.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Using the Right Sized Shrimp for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

I’m sure you’ve gone to the grocery store plenty of times looking for shrimp and were bombarded with a million different types and sizes! So what’s the best sized shrimp to use for garlic roasted shrimp cocktail? 

Whenever you shop for shrimp, there are usually numbers attached like 21-25, 16-20, 10-12, etc. These numbers refer to the size of the shrimp and how many you can expect per pound. The larger the number, the smaller the shrimp.

My favorite sizes for roasted shrimp cocktail are the jumbo U-12 (under 12 per pound) or the 10-15 size. The shrimp are large enough to feel filling and won’t overcook when you sear them. The shrimp stay plump and tender and easily feed a crowd.

Look for shrimp that is:

  • Raw (uncooked)
  • Fresh, or frozen (most shrimp are sold frozen)
  • Headless (head-on shrimp can get mushy and take more time to prepare)
  • Wild-caught (if available)
  • Tail-on – creates a handle for easier serving
  • “EZ peel” or Already peeled and deveined – saves time

Cooking Chart for Shrimp

Shrimp cooks quickly and it’s important not to overcook them or they’ll turn rubbery. For even baking, ensure that your shrimp are fully thawed, then pat them dry.

Bake in a fully pre-heated oven at 425 F so the shrimp bake up quickly and remain tender. When making Roasted Shrimp Cocktail, use the cooking chart below to determine cooking times.

  • Large 16-20 ct shrimp, bake for 7-9 min
  • Extra-Large 11-15 ct shrimp (or U-15), bake 8-10 min
  • Jumbo U-12, bake for 9-12 minutes

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Storing Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

After roasting the shrimp for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail, let the shrimp cool to room temperature. Store the shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You don’t have to re-heat the shrimp to serve them. Roasted Shrimp Cocktail can be served chilled.

Store the cocktail sauce in a container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail FAQs

Should I leave the tails on the shrimp?

I always leave the shrimp tails on for roasted shrimp cocktail! It makes them easier to eat and handle and adds flavor while they roast.

Should shrimp for shrimp cocktail be served on ice?

That’s up to you! You can serve this roasted shrimp cocktail slightly warm, room temperature, or cold. However, make sure to consume the shrimp within 2 hours of being put out. Otherwise, keep the shrimp on ice. This keeps bacteria at bay.

Is it best to buy fresh or frozen shrimp?

I always buy previously frozen shrimp for roasted shrimp cocktail. Shrimp are highly perishable and freezing them first guarantees that any bacteria is killed off. Defrost in the fridge and don’t let the shrimp sit in water.

How much roasted shrimp cocktail should I plan on per person?

When planning for a party, it’s safe to assume 4-8 oz per person. This also depends on how many other appetizers are available.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Next time you’re looking for an easy party appetizer, try this Roasted Shrimp Cocktail recipe! It’s one of my party go-to’s and never fails to impress. If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Seafood Appetizer Recipes to Try Now

Oysters with Mignonette
Fried Coconut Shrimp
Smoked Salmon Spread
Shrimp Ceviche

This post for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail contains affiliate links from which I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links allow me to keep providing great recipes for free and I never recommend products that I don’t love and personally own.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Appetizer, Appetizers

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail is an easy to make appetizer perfect for a party! Skip the poaching and turn to your oven instead. Roasting the shrimp quickly is so much easier and adds tons of flavor. This Roasted Shrimp Cocktail features plump, tender, and delicious shrimp that take 20 minutes to prepare.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 – 6 servings

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 1 1/2 lbs 11-15 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves, grated
  • kosher salt
  • freshly cracked pepper
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Cocktail Sauce

  • 2/3 cup high-quality ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 5-6 dashes hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat an oven to 425 F.
  • Marinate the shrimp. In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper until well coated. Spread the shrimp in an even layer on a nonstick baking sheet.
  • Make the cocktail sauce. Whisk the cocktail sauce ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Roast the shrimp. Roast the shrimp in the oven for 9-12 minutes, until pink and no longer opaque. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Transfer to a serving plate.
  • Serve. Serve Roasted Shrimp Cocktail warm, room temperature, or chilled with fresh lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

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