Paleo
Gluten Free
Shrimp cocktail can be made with so much more than plain cocktail sauce! This cranberry basil shrimp cocktail is made with the BEST homemade cocktail sauce! It’s a refreshing and healthy appetizer that’s gluten free, paleo, low carb and easy to make.
So here we are. End of the year almost new year! This is one of my most FAVORITE appetizer recipes using leftover cranberries and herbs. And it requires no cooking if you buy the shrimp pre cooked. Just thaw and serve for a festive Cranberry Shrimp Cocktail platter! Yep yep, easy as 1-2-3, Do-Re-Mi!
Okay putting the recipe talk and Jackson 5 song lyrics aside for a moment. You see, personally, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can finally break from a very FULL (fulfilling) year and get my thoughts and personal goals organized for the New Year! Tell me you know that feeling? When you give yourself a break from trying to EXCEED at everything and just focus on the one thing that makes you your best.
For some reason, the odd off times between holidays and new years leaves me more refreshed, despite the fact it’s suppose to be the craziest time of year.
Which leads me here. Refreshing old content that is what made me (Cotter Crunch), me! The recipes that are near and dear to my heart, despite how old they are. Like whoa… this shrimp cocktail was first made in 2014 – gasp! But I digress.
Point being, I’m inviting you to sit and eat at my table as we ponder the end of year! Whatever that may look like. Yes, corny, but that’s me.
Now, about that recipe… it’s unique and SIMPLE to a T! And some might ask…
How do you make the best shrimp cocktail sauce?
To that I would say, you make it semi homemade! Fresh Cranberries blended with cocktail sauce (my homemade is in the recipe notes OR we love this premade brand), fresh herbs, lemon or lime juice, salt/pepper, and a touch of honey! BAM!
I use fresh basil in the cranberry basil shrimp cocktail because it can bring in the medicinal properties we all need during and after a holiday season of eating.
There are several types of basil plants, all which contain essential oils and phytochemicals. Plus it has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial properties, which can help remedy headaches, fever, anxiety, nausea and more. I’ll cheers to that after a month of holidays!
How long do you cook shrimp cocktail?
Good question! You can easily buy frozen shrimp (precooked) and thaw them out. OR you can cook shrimp to serve fresh in no time. And in no time I mean about 5 minutes!
Just boil for about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. Drain and cool to room temperature.
And with that cooking tip note, I think we better jump to the full recipe! Mmm k?
Cranberry Basil Shrimp Cocktail
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Easy Cranberry Basil Shrimp Cocktail with the best homemade cocktail sauce. Paleo and low carb!
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium wild caught shrimp (preferably peeled). See notes for no cook option
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 bunch basil leaves chopped
- 1/2 to 2/3 c Gluten free cocktail sauce (We love this brand) or you can make your own, see notes.
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 tsp Lemon or lime juice juice
- 1 tsp of honey or agave
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional for more creaminess)
- Pinch of black pepper and/or peppercorns for garnishing.
- Note: want is spicy? add in 1 tbsp fresh tabasco or chili sauce.
Instructions
- First, boil your shrimp. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. Drain the water and then cool the shrimp to room temperature. Devien and place in ice.
- Next make your sauce. In blender, combine your, cranberries, basil, and cocktail sauce. Blend then add in 1- 2 tsp of lemon juice, sea salt, and optional honey. Blend until smooth. If it’s not creamy enough for your liking, blend on low and slow add in 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil..For extra spicy, mix in 1-2 tsp tabasco sauce.
- Spoon sauce into bowl and garnish pepper, extra cranberries, and herbs.
- Place shrimp and veggies around the bowl and garnish platter with extra basil. Squeeze fresh lemon on top of shrimp before serving.
- Make sure to keep your shrimp on ice to keep cold. Shrimp are safe at room temperature for 2 hours but need ice to maintain freshness if left out longer.
- See notes for other uses of sauce!
Notes
- If you don’t want to cook the shrimp for shrimp cocktail, simply buy frozen precooked shrimp and thaw in bowl in refrigerator overnight. Squeeze fresh lemon on top before serving.
- For QUICK HOMEMADE COCKTAIL SAUCE simply mix together 1/2 cup of corn syrup free ketchup, 2 tablespoons fresh grated horseradish, gluten free Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pinch of sea salt and black pepper each.
- I also like serving this cocktail sauce with cheese platters and gluten free crackers or veggie platter.
- Nutrition below included shrimp and sauce (2 tbsp)
- Category: appetizer
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cocktail sauce, cranberry, paleo, appetizer, shrimp, healthy appetizer
Oh and one last corny but true recipe fact. because, why not?!
Did you know that this cranberry basil shrimp cocktail is a LUCKY recipe? So it’s perfect for the New Year too! Fruit and Fish (or Seafood) are supposedly eaten at the first of the year to bring “abundance” and luck. Winning!!
Alright friends, tell me how are you enjoying this Holiday season? Are you striving to take better care of yourself? Maybe you should entertain friends and family and reflect on the ABUNDANCE of sweet moments from this past year. While you’re at it, dish up this cranberry shrimp cocktail … just sayin.
More refresher recipes to come!
Cheers,
LC
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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Keep it simple and choose wisely should bet motto! Looks delicious, and thanks for always bringing a little extra food for thought!
“Keep it simple and choose wisely.” LOVE THAT. Definitely something to internalize everyday.
Ooh, love the combination of shrimp and cranberries. Never tried that before, and now I need to 😀
Here’s to an amazing 2015 for all of us!
i’m not overthinking this year, just stepping forward, looking away one day at time. simple yes, choosing wisely, yes! cheers LIZ
LOVE the new design, and love this recipe! As usual, you can do no wrong.
lindsay! I love the new look. Now I’m itching to refresh my blog. Hmmm…but seriously. What you said about a huge weight lifted off your shoulders? Yes. Absofreakinglutely me too. I’m with you on keeping it simple and choosing wisely. Perfect way to focus. Xo
doesn’t it? it’s like…. ahhhh, i can breathe!
Loving the new look!!!
Love the new design and the recipe- they both look absolutely fantastic!
I love the new look, Lindsay! Happy 2015!!
Happy happy 2015! I am so loving your sleek new look here! And that dip – I dunno,but I just want a spoon to shovel it down – specially with horse radish or siriracha it would be over the top!
GAH! I LOVELOVELOVE the new design soooo much girl! Almost as much as I love this shrimp cocktail. Do you ship!? Pinned!
I love the new blog design Lindsay! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2015 🙂
New website looks great! So does the shrimp recipe. Here’s to great things in 2015!
Woooooah girl I LOVE the new look! It’s stunning! Also, I just happen to have some shrimp in my freezer waiting to be used. 2015 is off to a tasty start so far!
Shrimp Cocktail!! I love it. And I wish we had Whole Foods here!! I swear, I wanted to camp in there when I was in NY last year.
LOVE the new blog look! Very cool!
Everything looks great! Site and the recipe.
Love, Love, Love the new look and that recipe sounds amazing!
I love the new look! So classy. Happy 2015 to you! 🙂
happy new year!
you too Kelsey!
It’s beautiful and so much more professional! Love the CLEANness 🙂 XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Perfect start to the year my friend!
yes! fresh and clean and ready to cook! haha
The blog looks BEAUTIFUL!!! LOVE! And must try that recipe! 🙂
you’d love jen! maybe for a wedding appetizer. hehe
Happy 2015!! Your new look is gorgeous – I love it. And this recipe sounds delicious too!!
Love the new design! Looks great. Thanks for the recipe – a little help for eating well in 2015. 🙂 Happy New Year!
This is almost too pretty to eat!!
I LOVE your new blog! Looks beautiful. Happy New Year!
thx friend! ps I’d love an update on you!
Loving your new site! Can’t wait to hear about what this year has in store for you friend.
love the new look! Happy New Year, friend! xoxo
Love the new look of the site Lindsay! Looks fab!
I always see in the new year with some champagne – a toast to the year ahead, all it brings and the faith and trust that all will be well.
yes! well said jen! p.s. i’ve been wearing my scarf every day for luck!
The shrimp looks delicious and yay for a fresh new site design! All the best to you and the kiwi this year!
SOO beautiful!!! Love it, Lindsay! And the recipe – just too creative. Yum!
Love this new look Lindsay!
Also that’s one superb recipe. One of my first pinned for 2015, thanks! 😀
thx Neil! i feel honored. xxoo
I LOVE the new look, Lindsay!! Happy 2015 🙂
you too dear friend!
Love the new look! Happy New Year 🙂
happy new FRESH year jess!
Oh you know how much I love this for you!!!! New beginnings that are healthier physically AND emotionally & spiritually!!! I am all for it!!!! I am with you for sure! Working on saving money so I can have somebody help me redo the site! 🙂 LOVE THE NEW LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankful for you!
LOVE the new look and feel here!
And this recipe has me so fulll of curiosity.
I’m always eating shrimp and have cranberrys in my freezer so I have to try this.
LOVE the new design on your blog and your refreshed voice in 2015, you sound excited and happy and I love to hear that friend. I can’t wait to hear more about the changes, and I LOVE this recipe, it looks delish xoxo
This new blog layout…WOOF 😉 Plus your new picture, you look beautiful! Favorite food to start off the year…Nut butter, obviously!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE NEW DESIGN! 🙂
Heyyyy good looking! Loving the new look 😀 And I have a good feeling about this year — it’s going to be a great one. Happy 2015, Lindsay!
Your support… it’s more precious than GOLD!
I’m usually not a fan of cocktail sauce with my shrimp, but this seriously sounds fantastic! I’m planting some basil this weekend, but I don’t think I can wait. I’ll just have to make a trial batch of this with dried basil and try to make it last.
Seriously, basil and cranberries and shrimp are always on the top of my list, especially in these cold months.
Oh i used dried basil before too! it worked. Although it needed a little more pepper. keep me posted!
Love the new look! And this recipe looks so good – a great twist on shrimp cocktail! I’m with you on feeling like I can breathe now and am looking forward to a great 2015! Happy New Year!
Wahoo to the new look, so sleek! Just changed mine too, still a basic design, but it felt good to change things up!
Your new design is beautiful!!
I’m in the process of redesigning my site as well – it’s a lot of work to get it how you want it. I just love how yours turned out.
Happy New Year, friend!
LOVE the new redesign buddy- Currently undergoing a small one but excited to see where 2015 takes you- and FINALLY a new facebook 😉
This…I saw you tease us on instagram. Pinning!
Yay!! The site looks fabulous! Cheers to 2015 and lots more awesome things to come.
Love the new look…You look so mature! 😉 Cheers to it finally being 2015 and let us take our own advice this time and just go for it, while still trying to stay sane! XOXO
I LOVE your new site! Beautiful!
i love you! been thinking about you bunches!
I love your new look – very clean and classy!!
And, I’m all about shrimp pretty much all the time!!!
me too! Shrimp for the win! always
The blog looks great, and that recipe? Looks delicious!!!
thanks Sue! let me know if you try it!
LOVE the new look Lindsay! Happy healthy New Year! I am going to be following extra close as I need to balance and relax this year. I have the fitness and nutrition down but need to cut down on my stress and learn how to say no. Haha I even told my husband it is the year of no and taking time for me and he said he couldn’t agree more and laughed and said I hope you follow through.
As for Whole Foods… you know what else they have besides whole food? Vega MOCHA!! Yep exclusive to Whole Foods Market! Sorry a little excited.
P.S. That shrimp looks amazing and I love cranberries, adding this to the list to make!
you and me both friend! we can hold each other accountable. the year of NO! but also YES to our true needs.
The new layout looks great! And I love how you said we should embrace where we are in life. That’s all we can do, really.
yes, the NOW is always we have. well said clare!
That dish is so deliciously colorful, the site is so clean and crisp, and to answer the prompt, my food to eat at the beginning of the new year — of course, black eye’d peas
and i hope you are feeling better too! xxoo
Love the new space and you. It’s fabulous and you even snuck in the ingredient picture. Heart.
I am all about moving a little bit and eating lots of whole foods. It does a body good, and as such, I’m signed up for a little yoga tomorrow. I can’t wait.
you know i love that! wish i could join you at yoga. we’d be instagraming our feet on the mat like true yogi! ha!
I do love shrimp cocktail.. and i especially love that this is a cranberry and basil flavoured version! What a delicious and surprisingly healthy appetizer!
it is so refreshing! agreed thalia!
Love the look so fresh and clean.
Not sure if I am completely late to the party, since I have been a little MIA this month, but I LOVE the new blog layout!
OH I LOVE LOVE LOVE YER NEW LOOK!!!
I love the new look! You’re so pretty! And of course this shrimp looks delish as always. Happy New Year Lindsay!
you’re my pretty! <3 sizzlefish shrimp to the rescue!
Love this Thanksgiving spin on a classic!
thanks Love! I knew you’d approve. 🙂
2014 or 2018, your recipes are ALWAYS top notch. Love shrimp and love this use of cranberries.
Thank you liz! that means a lot. How was your Thanksgiving?
I had shrimp alfredo the other day and since then I’ve been wanting MORE shrimp! I’ve been looking for good recipes to try out, I think this will be the first one! I know my wife would love it too, thanks!
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Oh let me know when you try it Bryan! and what your wife thinks. 🙂
What a beautiful recipe- and delicious too!!
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I so enjoy a shrimp cocktail and haven’t had it in ages. This twist on the typical cocktail sauce is perfect for this holiday season!
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