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Home > Meal Type > Appetizers and Starters > Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

Updated: Dec 21st 2018 β€’ Published: Sep 24th 2015 β€’ 29 Comments

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Succulent juicy shrimp, steamed to perfection and then dipped into a rich and flavoured packed cocktail sauce. This dish is the thing of dreams.

Imagine you’re sat eating shrimp, licking your fingers after every delicious mouthful, sipping on a cold glass of wine and smiling at the appreciative Mmmmms that are going around the table. See….the thing of dreams (Tell me I am not the only one who dreams about shrimp and wine!!!!)

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

Did you read yesterdays post? If so then you know I have been dreaming about these shrimps for a few weeks! (If not then you can check out my disaster filled post here.) BUT!!!!!!! After my weeks of waiting I finally tucked into this plate of food yesterday. And, Oh My Goodness! Let me tell you it was worth the wait. I only have one regret…… I wish I had made more shrimp!

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

The shrimp are sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning and then steamed over lemon water, before being served with a rich spiced cocktail sauce. Don’t worry if you haven’t got any Old Bay Seasoning. I know it isn’t available in Australia. Yesterday’s post tells you how I climbed mountains, battled the elements, swam oceans and outran grizzly bears, to make my own Old Bay Style Seasoning. Well almost, perhaps there were no bears! But it was a mission to get a recipe for Old Bay Seasoning up on the blog. A mission to get the post done, not a mission to make. Making it was the easy bit πŸ˜‰

So click through and get the recipe. (There is also a link for where to buy an Australia equivalent for those of you afraid of bears!)

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

This recipe uses a kilo of shrimp. That amount of shellfish only just fit into my steamer, there was no real room to toss or stir the shrimp so I came up with a new plan. I have a colander with short legs and a lip on it. It fits inside my large stock pot, so I steamed the shrimp in that. Problem solved. Just be careful if your colander is metal. It will be very hot!!! If you have a large steamer or one of those pasta inserts then they would work as well. What you are looking for is a way of suspending the shrimp over the lemon water, so that they steam rather than poach. Being submerged in water would cause them to lose all that beautiful flavour.

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

You’ll probably need some finger bowls on the table and a stack of napkins. Or just use a tea towel! I was so eager to dig in I just threw that down as I grabbed my camera. Can you see the steam coming off my shrimp in the photo above? They were fresh from the pan and straight into the shortest food modelling session ever! Even my pancake bites took longer to shoot and I had children snapping at my heels for breakfast then! Nothing was slowing me down last night! I even peeled a few mid shoot….for pure photography reasons….honest ;-).

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

Other than the finger bowls what else you put on the table is up to you. I would suggest a side salad, crunchy bread, some salted butter and plenty of white wine.

One last note. Place a large bowl in the centre of the table for the shells and then save them. Stick them in a zip lock bag in the freezer (along with any heads) I promise next week that I will blow you away with the most simple and amazing dish using those shells!!! UPDATE Roasted Shrimp Stock is on the blog now.

If you adore shrimp then you should check out my Hot Louisiana Shrimp dip. It is one of the most popular recipes on my blog and it is oh sooooo good!

Succulent juicy shrimp, cooked with traditional creole flavours and luscious creamy cheese and cream. This hot dip is delicious and super simple to make.

But for now I will leave you with my steamed shrimp which are beyond good and perfect with drinks in the garden!!!

Enjoy x


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Print Recipe
4.6 from 5 votes

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!
Cook Time6 mins
Total Time6 mins
Servings: 4
Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
Need Metric Measurements?Use the options below to toggle between cups and grams (if relevant)

Ingredients

  • 1 kg raw unpeeled prawns - Try get head on ones as I have a great way to use them up coming next week!
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning (get my homemade recipe)

For the cocktail sauce.

  • 8 tbsp tomato ketchup (get my homemade recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning (get my homemade recipe)
  • 4 tbsp mayonnaise (get my homemade recipe)

Instructions

For the Shrimp

  • If your prawns have heads on remove them. (Store them in a zip lock bag in the freezer. You'll thank me next week!)
  • Place a large pan on the hob and add about 700ml of water and the juice from the lemon. (see notes)
  • Bring the water to the boil and then place a steamer or colander over the water.
  • Add the shrimp and sprinkle them with 1 tablespoon of the old bay seasoning.
  • Add a lid and steam the shrimp for 3 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and give the shrimps a stir. Place the lid back on and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are a beautiful orange colour. (The exact time will depend on the size of your shrimp)
  • Remove the steamer/colander from the pan and sprinkle over the remaining seasoning.
  • Toss the shrimp so they are all well covered.
  • Enjoy the shrimp hot or cold.
  • Just make sure you keep all the shells. (Just stick them in the zip bag with the heads. All will become clear I promise x)

For the cocktail sauce.

  • Mix together the ketchup, mayonnaise and the old bay seasoning. (Yup that's it πŸ˜‰ )

Notes

You want enough water to ensure the pan won't dry out during steaming, but not so much that the bottom of your steamer/colander is under water.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts

 

Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce. Succulent, delicious and so moorish! This dish is simple to prepare and a sure crowd pleaser!

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Filed Under: All Recipes, Appetizers and Starters, Party Snacks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    May 5th 2019 at 7:17 am

    Let me tell you- my Italian family is damn picky…. I was sick and tired of the same old shrimp cocktail and decided to venture off and try this recipe because I love old bay and it’s so easy to come by here in the northeast. Oh my Lord they tore this plate of shrimp up! It was gone before making its way to the buffet table. Total winner, thank you a million times over. This will be a staple!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      May 6th 2019 at 4:35 am

      Of this has made me grin from ear to ear. SO happy that your family loved these steamed shrimp!!!
      I love that feeling when everyone just loves a dish and you know you have found a new staple recipe.
      Thank you for making my recipe part of your family’s staples πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

      Reply
  2. Dorothy Dunton says

    Sep 12th 2016 at 6:56 am

    Hi Claire! I’m making a shrimp and corn boil tonight and I made your Old Bay cocktail sauce…Gary allowed it is damn good! πŸ™‚ PS Me too!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 12th 2016 at 10:06 am

      Oooooh I want to come to your house for tea!!!!!!
      Tell Gary I am honoured by such praise πŸ˜€ x

      Reply
  3. JIm says

    Nov 21st 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I’m a big fan of Old Bay. I use it all the time and get it from USA foods here in Australia. http://www.usafoods.com.au/product/9477

    Reply
  4. Jane says

    Oct 2nd 2015 at 6:44 pm

    Hi Claire! So wonderful to see your Old Bay recipe with these delectable shrimps! I’m drooling now…

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Oct 2nd 2015 at 8:02 pm

      Thank you Jane, I am loving Old Bay, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it before now πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Chris @ SimpleFood365 says

    Sep 29th 2015 at 11:56 pm

    I do love shrimp and these look gorgeous! Having spent 20 years in the northeast, Old Bay is a familiar and welcome flavor! Gonna have to give these a try!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 30th 2015 at 1:35 am

      Thank you Chris. Old Bay is a new thing for me, but I am now a little obsessed πŸ˜‰
      Hope you enjoy them πŸ˜€

      Reply
  6. Louise says

    Sep 29th 2015 at 8:33 pm

    mmmmm love the look of these!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 29th 2015 at 8:35 pm

      Thank you Louise. Steamed shrimp…perfect for this time of year πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says

    Sep 29th 2015 at 6:53 pm

    These shrimp sound and look delicious! Old Bay is one of my favourite seasonings. Excited to try your recipe soon! πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 29th 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thank you Jess. It is so simple, it lets the shrimp be the hero. We were a bit disappointed I hadn’t made more πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  8. Paige says

    Sep 28th 2015 at 10:48 pm

    5 stars
    Goodness, these shrimp look so delicious. I adore steamed shrimp – growing up on the Gulf Coast. shrimp prepared this way are regularly on our menu πŸ™‚ So tasty, and so easy to make! Makes me want some now :):)

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 29th 2015 at 7:27 am

      Thank you Paige. You were so lucky to grow up on the Gulf coast and eat shrimp all the time. Yum!!!!

      Reply
  9. Ludmilla says

    Sep 26th 2015 at 11:09 am

    This recipe is super easy! The prawns looks delicious and is something which most people can make and really enjoy.

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 26th 2015 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you. Simple delicious food is the best kind of food πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. Callie | Flour and Fancy says

    Sep 26th 2015 at 5:23 am

    These shrimp look delectable, and that cocktail sauce recipe reminds me a great deal of what my husband makes to eat with shrimp and crawfish. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 26th 2015 at 9:17 am

      It is an old bay take on a cocktail sauce my dad used to make when we were kids. My sister and I would have ‘prawn cocktail’ in a glass bowl with shredded lettuce and think we were so posh. Ha!!
      I hope you enjoy the recipe

      Reply
  11. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says

    Sep 26th 2015 at 1:45 am

    What a perfect way to prepare shrimp! Love it.

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 26th 2015 at 9:13 am

      Thank you Suzy. We all need plenty of ways to enjoy shrimp πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Bridget - The Recipe Wench says

    Sep 25th 2015 at 10:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love those nights when we have simple dinners (like shrimp or crab). This recipe is giving me ideas! We’re due for another simple dinner. Thank you so much for the post and the recipe for the dip — that looks pretty interesting!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 26th 2015 at 9:15 am

      So do I. Bit of bread and some salad and everyone was a happy eater. There was some disappointment that I hadn’t cooked more!!!!

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    Sep 25th 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Wow this shrimp looks incredible! Now you’ve got me craving shrimp as well – how could anyone not with those colors and that sauce? LOVE!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 25th 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Thank you Sarah. Craving shrimp is never a bad thing πŸ™‚ x

      Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    Sep 25th 2015 at 5:48 pm

    These look amazing and your photos are beautiful!

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 25th 2015 at 6:45 pm

      Thank you Johlene, I wish computers had taste capsules. I would send one your way πŸ™‚

      Reply
  15. Emma says

    Sep 25th 2015 at 10:32 am

    Yum!!! I love old bay seasoning (had never had it before a few months ago and now everyone I know is addicted to it). Delicious looking prawns too with the best dip. Pinned πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Claire McEwen says

      Sep 25th 2015 at 5:06 pm

      I have never had the real thing, but I just kept seeing it everywhere.
      Thank you. The weather at the moment is perfect for steamed prawns isn’t it. Beautiful spring days πŸ™‚ x

      Reply

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Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

I believe cooking for those you love should be stress free and simple.

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