Hey there, fellow seafood lovers! I’m super excited to share my favorite shrimp sauce recipes that’ll take your seafood game to the next level. After years of experimenting in my kitchen and gathering feedback from family gatherings, I’ve put together this ultimate guide to the most delicious sauces that pair perfectly with shrimp.
Most Popular Shrimp Sauces (Our Top 5 Picks)
-
Classic Garlic Butter Sauce
- Super easy to make
- Uses simple ingredients you probably have
- Perfect for both dipping and cooking
- Works great with grilled or sautéed shrimp
-
Cocktail Sauce
- Traditional favorite
- Tangy and zesty flavor
- Made with ketchup, horseradish, and lemon
- Ideal for shrimp cocktail
-
Sweet Chili Sauce
- Perfect balance of sweet and spicy
- Great for Asian-style dishes
- Works amazing with coconut shrimp
- Can be store-bought or homemade
-
Lemon Butter Sauce
- Rich and citrusy
- Simple but elegant
- Perfect for special occasions
- Great with grilled or steamed shrimp
-
Tartar Sauce
- Creamy and tangy
- Classic seafood pairing
- Perfect with fried shrimp
- Easy to customize
More Awesome Sauce Options
Creamy Sauces
- Aioli
- Sriracha Mayo
- Creamy Lemon Sauce
- Mornay Sauce
- Avocado Crema
Asian-Inspired Sauces
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Ginger Scallion Sauce
- Soy Garlic Sauce
- Thai Chili Lime
Herb-Based Sauces
- Chimichurri
- Pesto
- Green Goddess
- Cilantro Lime
Tips for Choosing the Right Sauce
-
Consider Your Cooking Method
- Grilled shrimp → lighter sauces
- Fried shrimp → creamy sauces
- Steamed shrimp → zesty dips
-
Think About Temperature
- Hot shrimp → room temp sauces
- Cold shrimp → chilled dips
- Warm sauces → serve immediately
-
Match the Occasion
- Casual gathering → easy dips
- Fancy dinner → elegant sauces
- Party platter → variety of options
My Personal Favorite Recipe: Ultimate Garlic Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white wine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant
- Pour in wine and lemon juice
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes
- Season with salt and pepper
- Garnish with parsley
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Always taste test your sauce before serving
- Make extra sauce – trust me, people always want more!
- Keep some store-bought options as backup
- Most sauces can be made ahead and refrigerated
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t oversauce your shrimp
- Avoid mixing too many flavors
- Check sauce temperature before serving
- Don’t forget to season properly
Quick Guide: Sauce Pairings by Shrimp Style
| Shrimp Style | Best Sauce Pairings |
|---|---|
| Grilled | Garlic Butter, Chimichurri |
| Fried | Tartar, Cocktail |
| Steamed | Lemon Butter, Aioli |
| Coconut | Sweet Chili, Mango Sauce |
Wrapping It Up
There ya have it – my complete guide to shrimp sauces! Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just craving some tasty seafood, these sauce options will definitely impress. Remember, the best sauce is the one YOU enjoy most, so don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own variations.
Happy dipping!
Pro Tip: Save this article for your next seafood adventure – trust me, you’ll want to reference it again!
Marie Rose / Thousand Island Sauce
Marie Rose and Thousand Island Sauce are basically the same thing. You’ll find little tweaks and variations of the two all over the place, but a basic pink sauce made with mayo and ketchup with some seasonings is really all this is. It actually doesn’t have much flavour, and it’s not intended to. It’s a neutral sauce that let’s the flavour of the prawns really shine.
More Sauces!
Personally, I would provide 2 dipping sauces. Good rule of thumb is to go by contrasting colours. So, for example, If I knew everyone was fine with mayo, I’d probably do the RecipeTin Family Favourite plus the Cocktail Sauce. I wouldn’t do Marie Rose + Tartare because they are a bit too similar in flavour. If I knew someone health conscious was coming, I’d definitely include the Thai Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce.
But truthfully? Don’t overthink it. Let’s face it. Juicy, fresh cooked prawns are great just as they are, eaten plain. No one will cry if you didn’t even provide a sauce at all, or if you just pulled out a jar of mayo and stirred through a squirt of lemon juice.
Remember, Christmas is supposed to be all about having fun and enjoying this festive time, not stressing out about the menu! – Nagi x
My brother’s seafood butter sauce
FAQ
What sauces go well with shrimp?
Many sauces complement shrimp, offering a range of flavors and textures. Cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, and sweet chili sauce are popular choices for dipping. Garlic butter sauce, lemon butter sauce, and Chinese sauces (like soy, oyster, or hoisin) are great for cooking with shrimp.
What tastes good on shrimp?
Citrus fruit like lemon and lime, garlic, herbs, are the flavor that will always compliments seafood. Simple seasonings like salt, pepper, and paprika are great options, because they balance out most flavors well and all go very well together.