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    Homemade Cocktail Sauce

    Updated March 4, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

    Our delicious homemade cocktail sauce is zesty, spicy, and satisfyingly sweet. Oh, and it’s easy to make, too!
    homemade cocktail sauce in a bowl made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    What Is Cocktail Sauce?

    Tangy and spicy flavors like horseradish, Dijon mustard, and Tabasco brighten up this deliciously addictive shrimp cocktail sauce. Typically served with fresh or fried seafood, cocktail sauce can be utilized in a variety of creative ways! Many cocktail sauce recipes call for the basics: ketchup or chili sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and tabasco. We’ve decided to include these traditional flavors, while adding a few extra for our own twist.We swap out lemon juice for lemon zest, and add applesauce. The combination of tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors, allow for this sauce to go with so many things- serve it as a dipping sauce with fried seafood, drizzle over deviled eggs, or mix into meatloaf. Now that you know what’s in cocktail sauce, give it a try, and you’ll see just how scrumptious it can be!

    ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest in bowls on the counter to make cocktail sauce

    How To Make Cocktail Sauce

    We’re keeping it insanely simple with this oh-so-amazing sauce. Our homemade shrimp cocktail sauce comes together fast:

    1. Mix, mix mix! In a small bowl, add ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Tabasco, applesauce and lemon zest. Mix ingredients together until fully combined.

    2. Chill time. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest in a mixing bowl to make cocktail sauce

    Easy Cocktail Sauce Storage Tips

    Maybe you don’t plan to use every drop of your homemade cocktail sauce in one day- not a problem! Simply pour your leftover sauce in an airtight container and it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you don’t plan to use it within the following 2 weeks, you can also freeze cocktail sauce. As a tip, if you want individual servings, pour the remainder in an ice cube tray. Simply pop out the number of cubes you would like to use and let thaw. This easy cocktail sauce recipe can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    a spoonful of homemade cocktail sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest

    Tools You’ll Need

    What Do You Use Cocktail Sauce For?

    Homemade cocktail sauce can be used in many different ways! You can use it as a dipping sauce for seafood, french fries, or even on top of deviled eggs!. Need a few more ideas? Try pairing it with one of these recipes:

    homemade cocktail sauce in a bowl made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest

    Getting Creative With Your 5 Star Cocktail Sauce Recipe?

    Snap a photo or record a video of your homemade cocktail sauce, to show us how you used it! Mixed into your brunch bloody mary or possibly a dipping sauce for gooey mozzarella sticks? Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

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    homemade cocktail sauce in a bowl made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, Dijon, Tabasco, applesauce & lemon zest

    Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe

    • Serves:  8
    • Prep Time:  5 min
    • Cook Time:  0 min
    • Calories:  62

    Description

    Our delicious homemade cocktail sauce is zesty, spicy, and satisfyingly sweet. Oh, and it’s easy to make, too!
    Print Recipe

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      Ingredients

      • 1 cup ketchup
      • 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
      • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
      • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco) hot sauce (we like
      • 2 tablespoons applesauce
      • 1 teaspoons grated lemon zest

      Method

      1. In a small bow, combine the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, applesauce, and lemon zest. Chill and serve.

      Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

      Nutrition Info

      • Per Serving
      • Amount
      • Calories 62
      • Protein 0 g
      • Carbohydrates 12 g
      • Total Fat 3 g
      • Dietary Fiber 0 g
      • Cholesterol 0 mg
      • Sodium 430 mg
      • Total Sugars 8 g

      Homemade Cocktail Sauce

      Questions & Reviews

      Rated 5 stars by 1 reader

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        Any questions?

        Need to change up some ingredients? Unsure about a step in the method? Click the Ask a Question button above. We’re here for you.

      • Jen

        5-star rating

        Super simple to whip up and delicious! I love making my sauces instead of using store bought, thanks for this one!

        Thanks Jen! We love homemade sauces as well. Glad you like this one!