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    Home » Appetizers » Keto Cocktail Sauce

    Keto Cocktail Sauce

    Last updated: Apr 26, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    It's easy to make this keto cocktail sauce! Simply replace the sugary ketchup with unsweetened ketchup. It tastes just like the restaurant version!

    This easy recipe contains four ingredients, is ready in five minutes, and you can - and should - make it ahead of time.

    Keto cocktail sauce served with shrimp.

    Shrimp cocktail is one of my favorite appetizers to order in restaurants (deviled eggs is another one). I always feel a little guilty when I order it because the sauce served at restaurants is quite high in sugar.

    That's why I've been wanting for a long time now to make a keto cocktail sauce and serve it with boiled shrimp right here at home.

    I don't know why it took me so long - it's so very easy to make. If you're like me and really like shrimp cocktail, you can now enjoy it freely, even on a low-carb or keto diet!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    The ingredients needed to make a keto cocktail sauce.

    You'll only need a few ingredients to make this flavorful sauce. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Unsweetened ketchup: It's really tasty. It always makes me wonder why do they need to add so much sugar to regular ketchup.
    • Horseradish: I really like the Bubbies brand, which is quite potent! I get it at Whole Foods.
    • Worcestershire sauce: A very small amount (just ½ teaspoon) adds great flavor to the sauce.
    • Hot pepper sauce: I like the Organic Harvest brand. Again, it's quite potent.

    Instructions

    How to make keto cocktail sauce? It's so easy, I can hardly call it a recipe! The detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:

    • Mix. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients. (Photos 1-4).
    • Chill. Cover and chill until ready to use. This will allow the flavors to meld, so it's actually a good idea to make this sauce ahead of time. (Photo 5).
    • Serve. Mix again before serving. (Photo 6).
    A photo collage showing the steps for making a keto cocktail sauce.

    Expert tip

    Did you know that melted butter is awesome with shrimp? As I said, a shrimp cocktail is one of my favorite appetizers to order in restaurants.

    But since I realize that the sauce served in restaurants is high in sugar, sometimes I ask them to serve the shrimp with melted butter. It's delicious!

    But I like cocktail sauce so much, that other times I figure that the little I use with the six prawns they typically give you won't be so bad. So I go ahead and order it. Yum.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you eat a shrimp cocktail on the keto diet?

    Yes! You just need to make a low-sugar sauce. To make it, you can use any recipe you like. Simply replace the regular, sugary ketchup with unsweetened ketchup.

    Why is there so much sugar in regular ketchup?

    The sugar is added for flavor and as a preservative. But there's way too much of it in regular ketchup.

    This low-sugar cocktail sauce tastes amazing. It basically tastes just like the restaurant version. The only difference I notice is that I don't like lemon juice in this recipe, so I omit it. Perhaps this is because there isn't enough sugar in the ketchup to balance out the acidity of the lemon juice.

    How much horseradish should I add?

    The brand of prepared horseradish I use is quite potent, so I only use one tablespoon of it.

    Depending on the brand you use, you might need to add up to two tablespoons. It's best to start with less, then taste and decide for yourself.

    Serving suggestions

    • The obvious use for this sauce is to serve it with boiled shrimp.
    • It's also very good with other types of seafood such as oysters, clams, crab, and scallops.
    • Try it as a topping to simply prepared fish such as grilled salmon.
    • Use it to top meatloaf.
    • Serve it as a dip for prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella.
    • It's great as a dip for chicken nuggets.

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep this sauce in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days. Give it another good stir before using it.

    You can also freeze it for up to three months. I like to freeze it in ice cube trays, then place the frozen cubes in freezer bags.

    Keto cocktail sauce served with boiled shrimp.

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    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Keto cocktail sauce served with shrimp.
    4.99 from 128 votes
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    Keto Cocktail Sauce

    It's easy to make low carb cocktail sauce - all you need is to replace the ketchup with unsweetened ketchup.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 15kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsweetened ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon horseradish*
    • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce.
    • Cover and chill until ready to use.
    • Mix the sauce again before serving. 
    • Serve with poached or boiled shrimp.

    Video

    Notes

    *The prepared horseradish I use is quite potent, so I only use one tablespoon of it. Depending on the brand you use, you might need to add up to two tablespoons. It's best to start with less, then taste and decide for yourself.
    You can keep this sauce in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days. Give it another good stir before using it.

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 186mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.7g
    SubscribeI typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

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