Prawn Cocktail Recipe (Easy Classic Starter)

Recipe Card Jump to Video Print Recipe

This easy prawn cocktail recipe is one of my favourite things to make for Christmas Day Starter. It's always a hit with guests and so easy to make.

Four prawn cocktails in glass cocktail glasses on a wooden table

A great thing about prawn cocktails is that they're nutritious and delicious, making them perfect as appetizers or starters.

Another great thing about prawn cocktails is that they're quick and easy to make. There's no cooking and little prep time, so you can quickly whip up a batch before your guests arrive or while they are watching!

Prawn Cocktail Recipe Video

Check out the video below to see how easy it is to make this prawn starter recipe.

Continue reading or jump straight to what you want to know.

Jump to:

Prawn Cocktail Recipe Video
History
Ingredients
How to make Prawn Cocktail
Serving Suggestions
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Storage
FAQ
More Prawn Recipe Ideas
💬 Reviews

Four prawn cocktails served in cocktail glasses with lemon slices on the side, paprika sprinkled on top and each cocktail has a crevette on the side

History

This prawn cocktail recipe is a classic starter made famous in the UK in the 60s and 70s. Often served in a tall glass with avocado, tomato, and lettuce, dressed with a Marie Rose sauce, served as an appetizer or starter.

The dish fell out of favour in the 1980s but has seen a resurgence in recent years.

Ingredients

Here I will go into more detail about the ingredients you need for this recipe, including suitable substitutions.

The measurements and instructions for this prawn cocktail recipe are further down on the printable recipe card - click to scroll straight to it here.

Prawns

Cooked king prawns work well in this recipe because they are ready to eat, and don't need to be cooked.

You can use any size of fresh prawns or shrimp; it is best to use peeled prawns for the best results.

Pat them dry with a kitchen paper towel.

If you use smaller cooked prawns (cold water prawns), you might want to increase the number of prawns to compensate.

Raw prawns will need to be cooked first, then allow time to cool before adding them to the Marie rose sauce.

When using frozen prawns, make sure to defrost them first. Shelled, peel prawns before adding to the sauce.

Lettuce / Salad Leaves

The retro classic prawn cocktails use iceberg lettuce or little gem lettuce. You can use any salad leaves you like.

You can buy bags of shredded lettuce to make it easier.

I prefer to use a mixed bag of leaves like rocket, watercress and spinach for more flavour and texture to the dish and more nutrition.

Placing lettuce leaves into a cocktail glass on top of Marie rose sauce

Cherry Tomatoes

I like to add cherry tomatoes to my prawn cocktail starter.

You can use other vegetables, salad or fruits, such as slices of cucumber, diced avocado, chopped chives or diced mango.

Lemon

Thinly slice the lemon or cut lemon wedges. Ready to be served on the side.

Marie Rose Sauce

Marie rose sauce is a classic accompaniment to prawns. Make your prawn cocktail sauce or use a store-bought seafood sauce instead. It's easy to make with mayonnaise, ketchup and seasoning.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is used for the base when making your own sauce. You can use low-fat mayo to keep the saturated fat levels down.

If not following a low-fat diet, use a good quality rich mayonnaise for extra creaminess.

Ketchup

Tomato ketchup is an essential ingredient in the seafood sauce. It adds sweetness and acidity to balance the mayonnaise.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice adds a zesty taste to the sauce. You could use white wine vinegar or cider vinegar instead.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment made with vinegar, soy sauce, anchovies, garlic and other spices. It adds umami flavour to the sauce.

Paprika or Cayenne Pepper

Add Paprika for a sweet heat or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. You can leave it out if you don't like spice.

You can add a little bit of tabasco sauce for an extra kick.

Pepper, salt, paprika and Worcestershire sauce on top of cocktail sauce in a black bowl

Salt and Pepper

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cognac or Brandy (optional)

Cognac or brandy is an optional ingredient in the seafood sauce. It adds a depth of flavour to the sauce, perfect for special occasions such as Christmas.

How to make Prawn Cocktail

Making a prawn cocktail is easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps, and you'll be able to wow your guests in no time.

Mix the sauce recipe ingredients in a large bowl.

Before adding the prawns into the sauce, use some of the sauce between layers of salad leaves in the serving bowls or glasses.

Pouring Marie rose sauce into a plastic bottle

We used a squeezy bottle to make this easier, but a spoon will work fine!

Three glass bowls filled with salad and cocktail sauce being drizzled around the edges of the glass with a spoon

Squeezing prawn cocktail sauce from a bottle around the glass on top of lettuce leaves in a glass bowl

Top with more lettuce leaves.

Add the cooked prawns to the remaining sauce in the bowl and mix them.

Mixing the prawns together with a spoon in cocktail sauce in a bowl

Spoon the sauce-coated juicy prawns mixture evenly between the serving dishes. Add a little paprika pinch or sprinkle of fresh chives.

King prawns coated in marie rose sauce being spooned onto lettuce leaves in a glass bowl

Serve prawn cocktail glasses with lemon wedges and cherry tomatoes on the side.

Putting a lemon slice on the edge of the prawn cocktail glass by hand

Why not add some large unpeeled cooked prawns on the side for the ultimate prawn cocktail recipe with an extra wow factor?

Prawn Cocktail served with tomatoes, lemon slice and a crevette and sprinkled with paprika on top

Serving Suggestions

This classic prawn cocktail recipe is often served as a starter at a dinner party or special occasion with thinly sliced and buttered brown bread.

Four Prawn Cocktail starters served in glass bowls on a wooden table

But it can be served in many ways, make smaller portions as part of a buffet or party food on a platter.

Prawn cocktail is also perfect for summer holidays, BBQs or picnics.

Or split between two servings to make a more significant portion for lunch or as a light dinner.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

Picking up a king prawn coated in cocktail sauce with a fork from our prawn cocktail

Storage

You can make the seafood sauce ahead and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

I wouldn't recommend making the prawn cocktail too far in advance, as the salad can turn soggy in the sauce.

You can prepare everything ahead and then assemble everything just before serving.

Four starters of prawn cocktails in glass bowls sprinkled in paprika and a crevette in each glass on top hanging over the glass

FAQ

Can I make the sauce in advance?

Yes, you can make the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it covered in the fridge.

Can I make Prawn Cocktail Starter ahead of time?

A lot of people think that they can save time by making their prawn cocktail starter ahead of time, but this is a mistake. If you dress the salad leaves with the sauce too far in advance, they'll go soggy and lose their crunch. The sauce can be made ahead, but it's best to wait until just before serving to put everything together. That way, you'll have a crisp, fresh starter that your guests will love.

Is this a healthy recipe?

This recipe is healthy if you use low-fat mayonnaise and nutritious green salad leaves such as spinach, rocket and watercress.

More Prawn Recipe Ideas

If you love prawns, then try our other prawn recipes:

We also have other fantastic seafood recipes, like our seafood platter or a dressed crab.

Thanks for reading our prawn cocktail recipe! We hope you enjoy it.

If you make it, let us know how it turns out in the comments below.

Do you have a favourite variation or serving suggestion? We'd love to hear about it.