Plump and Tender Shrimp Cocktail

Yield:Serves 4 to 8 as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvres
Active time:35 minutes
Total time:1 hour 10 minutes
Rated: 5.0

Gently poached shrimp in a flavorful broth are the key to the best shrimp cocktail. [Photographs: Daniel Gritzer]

While simple, there are still details that go into the best shrimp cocktail. For the most plump, juicy, and flavorful shrimp, we poach them in a flavorful broth, being careful to no let the temperature go over 170°F. Served chilled with piquant cocktail sauce, it becomes clear why this dish is a classic.

Why This Recipe Works

A retro classic, done right. Read the Whole Story

Using a court bullion (a flavorful aromatic broth with white wine and lemon juice) prduces deeply flavored shrimp.
Starting the shrimp in a lower-temperature cooking liquid and then raising it to no more than 170°F produces the most plump, evenly cooked texture.
Shelled shrimp absorb more flavor from the broth than shell-on ones.
A dry brine of salt and baking soda makes the shrimp even more plump.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:
2 pounds large or jumbo shrimp, shells removed (except for tail portion) and reserved, and deveined if desired (see note above)
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 quarts water
2 cups dry white wine
2 stalks celery, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 fennel bulb (optional), diced
3 medium cloves garlic, smashed
1 (2-inch) knob fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
2 sprigs fresh tarragon (optional)
2 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
Fresh juice of 1 lemon
For the Cocktail Sauce:
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons store-bought or homemade preserved horseradish, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon fresh juice from 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed (optional)
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Directions

1.

For the Shrimp: In a large bowl, toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and the baking soda until evenly coated. Transfer to the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, about 30 minutes.
2.

Meanwhile, in a medium pot, combine 2 quarts water with white wine, celery, onion, fennel, garlic, ginger, tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons salt. Add reserved shrimp shells. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then lower heat and gently simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out and discard solids and return broth to pot.
3.

Fill a large bowl with ice water. When shrimp are chilled, add to pot with broth. Set over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until temperature reaches 170°F on an instant-read thermometer and shrimp are just cooked through; adjust heat to make sure temperature does not go over 170°F.
4.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to zipper-lock bags, making sure not to crowd too many shrimp into each bag. Seal bags, removing as much air as possible, and submerge in ice water, moving shrimp around in each bag, until cooled. Transfer zipper-lock bags to refrigerator until shrimp are thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes.
5.

For the Cocktail Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and ground coriander and garlic if using. Season cocktail sauce with salt and pepper.
6.

Spoon cocktail sauce into a small bowl and serve with the chilled shrimp alongside.