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Home » Recipes » Dressing, Sauces, and Seasonings

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

Modified: Jan 5, 2021 by Kori Butler · Published: Sep 17, 2019

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Here's how to make cocktail sauce (seafood sauce) that is delicious, super simple, and healthy. You will never buy store-bought seafood sauce again. This is a very quick and simple version of classic cocktail sauce with only 2 ingredients! Easily made sugar-free and healthy - instructions provided! This seafood sauce recipe is low sugar, keto, and low carb friendly.

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)Pin

Why You Will Love This Seafood Sauce!

It's Super Easy

There are many good cocktail sauces out there, but this one is quick and simple. You can have something homemade in less than 2 minutes - and much more delicious than storebought. This recipe was prompted by all the bad bottled cocktail sauces I've had. It has also been a challenge to find a sugar free cocktail sauce in the stores. I finally gave up and made my own! 🙂

Healthy Sugar-Free Cocktail Sauce

If you use sugar-free, organic ketchup you can make this sauce extra healthy, with very few chemicals, low glycemic index - and no added chemicals. A small amount of monk fruit sweetener can be added into the sauce to balance the tang of the ketchup and horseradish.

Low Carb and Keto Friendly Cocktail Sauce

The nutritional label is shown with sugar-free, organic ketchup. Because this sauce can be made with healthy ketchup it is both ketogenic and low carb.

What You Will Need to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)Pin

Here's what you'll need to make this homemade cocktail sauce recipe:

  • Ketchup: use sugar free ketchup if following a low carb, sugar free or keto diet.
  • Cream-Style Horseradish: this is what gives the cocktail sauce the spice, if you are unsure about your spice preference, start with half and keep adding until your are happy.
  • Sweetener (optional): if you are using a sugar free ketchup you may need to add a small amount of sugar free alternative sugar.

Please see the recipe card for full details.

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Note: If you are unsure about the spiciness of your horseradish start with half the amount, stir, and taste. Add more until you get the perfect taste!

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)Pin

How To Serve Cocktail Sauce

Here are 3 easy ways to serve cocktail sauce (seafood sauce):

Easy Shrimp Cocktail (Oyster Cocktail)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb thawed frozen or fresh shrimp (cooked, peeled, tail-on) OR, raw or steamed oysters in the half shell.
  • cocktail sauce (recipe below)
  • lemon wedges

Directions

  • Arrange shrimp (or oysters) on a platter with lemon wedges. Serve the cocktail sauce alongside as a delicious dipping sauce.
  • Note: chilled shrimp (and oysters) are best served very cold. Serve over ice if you are leaving out on a counter for a while.
How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)Pin

Shrimp Dip Recipe

  • Make the world's easiest shrimp dip recipe - my personal favorite dip! Keep ingredients on hand for impromptu gatherings!
Shrimp Dip Recipe (Low Carb and Keto Appetizer)Pin

Seafood Sauce Condiment

This is delicious as a condiment for fried fish, or a yummy fish sandwich. Also great served alongside chilled oysters (raw or steamed) and shrimp.

FAQ's

What is cocktail sauce used for?

Cocktail sauce is used as a condiment for seafood. The most popular way is to serve as a dipping sauce for chilled cooked shrimp.

What is the difference between seafood sauce and cocktail sauce?

No difference! The terms are used interchangeably and have the same basic ingredients.

How long can I keep my cocktail sauce in the refrigerator?

If kept in an airtight container, the cocktail sauce can keep for several weeks.

Can I ask you a favor?

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce)

How To Make Cocktail Sauce (Seafood Sauce) that is so good, super simple, and healthy. You will never buy store-bought seafood sauce again. This is a very quick and simple version of classic cocktail sauce. Only 2 ingredients! Easily made sugar-free and healthy - instructions provided! This seafood sauce recipe is low sugar, keto, and low carb friendly.
4.41 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 2 minutes mins
Course Dressing, Sauces, and Seasoning
Cuisine American
Servings 21 servings
Calories 12 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ tablespoon cream style horseradish (adjust to your liking)
  • a pinch of monkfruit (optional sugar free sweetener if using Primal Kitchen organic sugar free ketchup

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl. If you are unsure about the spiciness of your horseradish start with less and season to taste.
  • If using a sugar free ketchup, feel free to add a pinch or two of monkfruit sweetener if you like your cocktail sauce less tangy.

Kori's Tips

A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, or a little chili sauce may also be added to cocktail sauce - play around with flavors until you find your perfect mix!

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 1.6gFat: 0.4gCholesterol: 0.4mgSodium: 85mgSugar: 0.8g
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

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The super easy cocktail sauce recipe you MUST make! Keto cocktail sauce is also a sugar-free cocktail sauce. This seafood sauce recipe is a low carb and keto recipe. The best cocktail sauce you can make and you'll never need to buy seafood sauce from a bottle again! #sugarfree #keto #lowcarb #cocktail sauce #shrimpsauce #seafoodsauce #easyrecipe #ketorecipe #ketogenic #glutenfree #easycocktailsauce #howtomake #seekinggoodeats

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Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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