Shrimp Cocktail Dip

The retro Southern favorite Shrimp Cocktail Dip gets an upgrade with herbaceous cream cheese, tangy cocktail sauce, and smoky grilled shrimp. This is an east appetizer everyone will love that is equally at home at your next cocktail party as it is tailgate.

This classic dip was my absolute favorite growing up. My mom would make it for special occasions, even if it was just a lazy Sunday. When the white and blue Corningware pie plate came out along with a jar of cocktail sauce, you knew tasty eats were ahead. Sure, it was simple, a layer of cream cheese, a layer of cocktail sauce, and canned tiny bay shrimp, but it was delicious and addictive every time!

This updated version of cream cheese shrimp cocktail dip gives each layer a little love. A few simple ingredients bring freshness, texture, and depth of flavor to the cream cheese. Using pantry staples like ketchup and Worcestershire sauce instantly elevate the homemade cocktail sauce. Finally, grilling up the shrimp adds not only more layers of flavor, but also an incredible texture thanks to that slight char. Combined, this will become your new favorite party dip.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Easy Process. Aside from grilling the shrimp which only takes a few minutes, this layered shrimp cocktail dip is more about assembly than cooking. Anyone can make it!
• Simple Ingredients. Even with the homemade cocktail sauce, there is nothing fancy about any of the ingredients. You will find that many of the ingredients repeat in each layer, like lemon, chives, and Old Bay seasoning. You can find everything at your local grocery store.
• Make Ahead. The cream cheese layer and cocktail sauce can both be made several days in advance, just leaving you to grill the shrimp and then assemble before you plan to serve. Looking for a no stress party appetizer? This is it!

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese Layer – Old Bay, lemon zest, fresh chives, and minced red onion bring a little freshness, depth of flavor, and crunch to the tangy cream cheese.
• Homemade Cocktail Sauce – Ketchup and chili sauce make up the base of the homemade cocktail sauce. Lemon juice brings brightness, Worcestershire adds umami, and horseradish gives that crave worthy zip and sharp bite. You will also need freshly cracked black pepper, Old Bay, and a dash of hot sauce.
• Grilled Shrimp – Since these shrimp are going to be grilled, I like using large to jumbo shrimp. This will make them easy to skewer and keep them more tender and moist. Besides the shrimp you will need avocado or olive oil, lemon juice and zest, Old Bay, and chives.

Substitutions and Variations

• Skip the chives and use your favorite herb instead. Cilantro is a really great addition to this in both the cream cheese and also the shrimp.
• If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can use either a grill pan or skillet to cook the shrimp. You can also poach them if you like and then toss them with the Old Bay and lemon zest.
• The chili sauce in the cocktail sauce recipe adds more interest and less sweetness than just ketchup. However, if you don’t have any you can substitute with the same amount of ketchup. You may want to add a splash more Worcestershire and lemon juice for balance.
• Have fun with the mix ins you add to your cream cheese, as well as the shrimp topping. Fresh or pickled jalapenos, scallions, and minced sweet onions are all great options. This is a simple recipe, but it’s a great canvas to play around with what you like and what you have on hand.
• This remix on shrimp and cream cheese dip is all about using fresher ingredients, but if you’re in a pinch for time, feel free to use a good quality cocktail sauce. You will need about a cup. You can also use already poached shrimp. Just toss them with a sprinkle of Old Bay, chives, and the lemon zest.
• Using one seasoning for each layer makes this an easy recipe to shop for and prepare. However you can totally use your favorite type of seafood or barbecue seasoning on the shrimp for grilling. Blackening and Cajun seasoning are equally as delicious and will give the shrimp a little extra kick.

How to Make Shrimp Cocktail Dip

• Prepare the cream cheese layer. Add all of the ingredients for the cream cheese layer to a bowl and stir until combined and creamy. Spread it into a shallow serving bowl and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
• Mix up the cocktail sauce. Add all the ingredients for the cocktail sauce to a bowl and mix to combine. Give it a taste. Feel free to add additional horseradish or hot sauce for even more of a kick. Cover, and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
• Prep the shrimp. Peel and devein the shrimp. Give them a good pat to dry them off and then add them to a bowl. Add the oil, lemon zest and juice, and Old Bay. Toss to fully coat the shrimp. Skewer your shrimp on either metal skewers, or bamboo skewers that have been soaked.

• Grill the shrimp. Place the shrimp on a hot grill heated to about 400 degrees with clean grates. Allow the first side to grill for about two minutes, until you see the sides begin to turn opaque and the shrimp easily release from the grill. Flip them, and allow them to grill another 2-3 minutes until the tails are slightly charred, the flesh is pinkish orange and opaque, and they feel slightly firm but still with a little spring to the touch. They should be 120 degrees. Remove from the grill.
• Make the shrimp layer. Once cool enough to handle, remove the shrimp from the skewers. Pinch off the tails. Chop the shrimp into bite sized pieces. You want them small enough to fit several chunks on a cracker, but not so small that they’re mush. Add the shrimp to a bowl with the chives and toss to combine.
• Assemble the cream cheese shrimp cocktail dip. Spread the chilled cocktail sauce on top of the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle the shrimp over the top. You can garnish with additional chives and a sprinkle of Old Bay if you like. Serve with your favorite crackers and dippers.

How to Store Shrimp Cocktail Dip

This dip is best assemble just before serving to prevent it from becoming watery, however the components themselves can be prepared ahead of time.

• The cream cheese layer can be prepared up to four days in advance. Keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to assemble the dip allow the cream cheese to sit out so it can soften slightly, making it easier to spread into the serving bowl.
• The cocktail sauce can be prepared and stored in an airtight container 4-5 days ahead of time. Make extra, it’s just a really good cocktail sauce to have on hand.
• For the best results the shrimp is best grilled the day you plan on serving this shrimp cocktail dip with cream cheese. You can cook it earlier in the day, toss with the chives, and keep covered in the fridge until ready to assemble.

Tools Needed

• Grill
• Skewers
• Mixing bowls
• Shallow serving bowl or pie dish

Tips From the Beach

• Make sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing in the chives, onions, seasoning, and lemon zest. This will give you a smooth and creamy texture free of lumps.
• Pick larger sized shrimp for grilling. Not only are they easier to skewer, but they will give you a more tender result as you are less likely to overcook them.
• Don’t add the cocktail sauce to the cream cheese until just before serving. If the cocktail sauce sits too long on top of the cream cheese layer it will leach off a little liquid.
• Have fun changing up the herbs in this recipe for shrimp cocktail dip. Scallions, parsley, and cilantro are all delicious options, as well as the fresh pop of dill.
• Don’t be afraid to add additional mix ins to the cream cheese layer, such as horseradish, minced fresh or pickled jalapenos, or even a splash of hot sauce.
• Cooked shrimp can be used for this recipe instead of grilling fresh shrimp. Make sure to season the shrimp with a little Old Bay, the chives, and lemon zest. You want each and every layer to have tons of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

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