Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Whisk together ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce. The balance relies on the bite of the horseradish against the sweetness of the ketchup, so taste as you build it. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to sharpen over time.
The quality of your ingredients dictates the result.
Use fresh, pungent horseradish rather than a jar that has been sitting in your fridge for months. If the sauce is too thick, a teaspoon of water will loosen it without muting the heat.
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
- glass jar with lid
What goes in.
- 1 cupketchup
- 3 tbspprepared horseradish (not creamed)
- 1 tbspfreshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tspWorcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsphot sauce (cayenne-based)
- 1/4 tspfreshly cracked black pepper
Balancing the Bite
Add the horseradish in two stages. Start with two tablespoons, taste, and add the third only if you want the sharper, sinus-clearing finish.
The method.
Combine the base
Pour the ketchup into the bowl and add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
Incorporate the heat
Fold in the prepared horseradish and cracked black pepper until the color is uniform.
Chill and set
Transfer the mixture to a sealed glass jar and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so the horseradish oils permeate the ketchup.
Other turns to take.
Citrus-Heavy
Replace the lemon juice with lime juice and add a half-teaspoon of fresh lime zest for a brighter, sharper profile.
Smoky
Stir in a quarter-teaspoon of smoked paprika for an earthy undertone that pairs well with grilled shrimp.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Always check the horseradish label; ensure it is labeled 'prepared' and not 'creamed,' as the latter contains dairy that will spoil the texture.
If you have time, make this a full day before you need it. The horseradish loses its raw edge and integrates into the sauce after 24 hours.
Store in a narrow-mouthed jar to minimize air exposure and keep the color bright red.
The ones that keep coming up.
Why is my sauce watery?
Usually, this happens if you use bottled lemon juice or if the horseradish was packed in too much brine. Drain the horseradish well before adding it.
Can I use chili sauce instead of ketchup?
You can, but it is already seasoned with spices, so skip the extra black pepper and taste it before adding more hot sauce.
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