Sizzling Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay Recipe

Sweet & Sizzling Old Bay Shrimp Cocktail Recipe Hot From The Oven

Succulent shrimp bathed in a classic old bay seasoning create an irresistible appetizer that captures coastal comfort.

Ocean-fresh prawns turn golden and perfectly seasoned when roasted to tender perfection.

This simple yet elegant dish brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen.

The old bay recipe delivers a zesty kick that awakens every taste bud with its signature blend of spices.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of crisp exterior and juicy interior.

Guests will devour these delectable morsels faster than you can serve them.

Prepare to wow your crowd with this effortless seafood sensation.

Best Ways To Serve Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay

  • Coastal Picnic Paradise: Pack this shrimp cocktail in a beautiful basket with chilled white wine, fresh crusty bread, and a light salad for a beachy outdoor meal experience.
  • Elegant Party Platter: Arrange shrimp elegantly on a marble serving board with decorative cocktail picks, surrounded by fresh herbs like parsley and dill for a sophisticated appetizer presentation.
  • Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve the shrimp with additional dipping sauces like sriracha mayo or garlic aioli alongside crispy tortilla chips for a fun sports watching snack that guests will love.
  • Quick Lunch Upgrade: Transform this recipe into a light protein-packed lunch by placing shrimp over mixed greens, drizzling extra cocktail sauce as a zesty dressing, and adding sliced avocado for extra richness.

Storing Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

  • Quick Chill Strategy: Refrigerate leftover shrimp in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Flavor-Locked Storage: Keep cocktail sauce separately in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum taste retention.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm shrimp in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short 15-second bursts to prevent rubbery texture, avoiding complete cooking again.
  • Smart Batch Prep: Cook extra shrimp and sauce for quick meal additions like salads, pasta, or wraps within 2-3 days, maximizing your culinary efficiency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay

For The Shrimp Base:
  • Large Shrimp: Succulent seafood stars that create the main protein, choose fresh or properly thawed with firm texture and clean ocean aroma.
  • Olive Oil: Helps create golden, glistening shrimp with even coating and prevents sticking.
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Classic coastal spice blend delivering zesty, maritime flavor profile.
  • Salt: Enhances natural shrimp sweetness and balances overall taste.
  • Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and aromatic depth.
For The Cocktail Sauce:
  • Ketchup: Provides tangy, sweet foundational base for classic sauce.
  • Horseradish: Delivers sharp, nasal-clearing heat that complements seafood.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex umami and subtle smoky undertone.
  • Lemon Juice: Brightens sauce with fresh, citrusy acidity.
  • Hot Sauce: Optional ingredient for extra spicy kick and additional flavor dimension.
For Serving Accompaniments:
  • Lemon Wedges: Fresh citrus garnish that allows guests to adjust sauce's brightness.
  • Parchment Paper/Foil: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents shrimp from sticking to baking sheet.

Tools To Roast Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay

  • Baking sheet: Crucial for roasting shrimp evenly and collecting drippings.
  • Foil or parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Large bowl: Perfect for tossing shrimp with seasonings and oil.
  • Small bowl: Ideal for mixing cocktail sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk: Helps blend sauce components smoothly.
  • Sharp knife: Useful for cutting lemon wedges.
  • Serving platter: Provides an attractive presentation for the shrimp.

How To Make Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  • Spice and Toss the Shrimp

Grab a large bowl and massage the shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until every morsel is deliciously coated.

  • Roast to Perfection

Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the hot oven and roast for 8-10 minutes until they turn a gorgeous pink and are just cooked through.

  • Whip Up Zesty Cocktail Sauce

In a small bowl, mix ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, a splash of lemon juice, and hot sauce for an extra kick. Pop it in the fridge to chill.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the roasted shrimp on a platter with bright lemon wedges and the chilled cocktail sauce for dipping. Serve warm or at room temperature for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Tips & Swaps For Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay

  • Spice Level Control: Adjust Old Bay seasoning intensity by adding more or less based on personal heat preferences, creating a custom flavor profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare shrimp and cocktail sauce up to one day in advance, storing separately in refrigerator for quick entertaining and stress-free meal preparation.
  • Diet-Friendly Adaptations: For low-carb diets, replace traditional ketchup in cocktail sauce with sugar-free tomato sauce; for gluten-sensitive guests, verify Old Bay seasoning is gluten-free before using.
  • Flavor Boosting Hack: Enhance shrimp by adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill to the seasoning mix, introducing subtle complexity to the classic seafood dish.
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Sizzling Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay Recipe

Sizzling Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Old Bay Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent oven-roasted shrimp cocktail with old bay delivers coastal comfort straight from Maryland’s seafood traditions. Zesty spices and perfectly roasted shrimp create an elegant appetizer you’ll savor with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined (tails on)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsps prepared horseradish
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Dash of hot sauce (optional)
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Position rack centrally and preheat to 400F (200C). Line baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup and prevention of sticking.
  2. Shrimp Seasoning: In a large mixing bowl, coat raw shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly massage ingredients to ensure even distribution and complete coverage of each shrimp.
  3. Roasting Process: Spread seasoned shrimp in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding. Roast in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until shrimp turn pink and become perfectly cooked with a tender texture.
  4. Cocktail Sauce Creation: While shrimp roast, whisk together ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and optional hot sauce in a small bowl. Mix until ingredients blend smoothly, creating a vibrant and zesty dipping sauce.
  5. Serving Presentation: Remove shrimp from oven and let cool briefly. Arrange roasted shellfish on a serving platter, garnish with fresh lemon wedges, and serve alongside the prepared cocktail sauce for an elegant and flavorful seafood experience.

Notes

  • Prevent Overcrowding: Space shrimp individually on baking sheet to ensure even roasting and crisp exterior, avoiding steaming effect.
  • Select Fresh Shrimp: Choose large, deveined shrimp with shells removed for optimal texture and quick cooking time.
  • Adjust Seasoning Intensity: Modify Old Bay quantity based on personal spice preference, starting with lighter application and incrementally increasing.
  • Monitor Cooking Time Precisely: Check shrimp at 8-minute mark to prevent overcooking, which transforms tender meat into rubbery texture; shellfish cooks rapidly and continues cooking after removal from oven.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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