This recipe for a cocktail sauce without horseradish will give you all of that deliciously tangy flavor you know and love with simple pantry ingredients. No horseradish? No problem!

Cocktail sauce without horseradish in dish with shrimp being dipped in

If you’re no stranger to the blog, then you know that I have a slight passion for sauces! Sauces are the peanut butter to my jelly, the strawberry jelly to my donut, the cheese to my macaroni…you get the idea! A few favorites include my homemade buffalo sauce, 2-ingredient BBQ sauce, and this honey Sriracha sauce.

When I can, I always prefer homemade sauces to store-bought. Not only are they more flavorful, but there are so many unnecessary add-ons in the premade options. I want to know exactly what I’m feeding my family, and the best way to do that is to make my sauces myself.

This cocktail sauce is fresh, easy to make, keto, and (of course) horseradish-free. You can use it on seafood like shrimp, and I enjoy using it on other dishes too (more on that later!). Grab your apron and head to your kitchen. Homemade cocktail sauce without horseradish, coming right up!

full shrimp platter with cocktail sauce and lemon slices on the side

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

The ingredients you’ll need to prepare shrimp cocktail sauce without horseradish in just 5 minutes
Instructions on how to make cocktail sauce without horseradish and suggestions for what to eat with it
Answers to some commonly asked questions about making keto cocktail sauce with ketchup and lemon juice but no horseradish.

Have you ever wondered how to make cocktail sauce without horseradish? Whether you want to skip it for taste preferences, or you just don’t have any at home, you’re in the right place!

How to Make Cocktail Sauce Without Horseradish

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Gather your ingredients and combine them all in a small bowl. This homemade cocktail sauce without horseradish recipe will make about ¾ of a cup of sauce when finished. I use chili powder as a substitute for horseradish.

mix all ingredients together in a small bowl

STEP TWO: Once your ingredients are well combined, place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least one hour. The longer you can leave the sauce to set in the fridge, the better.

STEP THREE: When you’re ready, remove the sauce from the fridge and enjoy it with shrimp, other types of seafood, and more!

What to Eat With Homemade Cocktail Sauce

Air Fryer Shrimp with Lemon and Pepper
Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp
Air Fryer Calamari
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Deviled Eggs (without mustard OR without vinegar)

How Do You Keep Homemade Cocktail Sauce From Gelling Up?

If you’ve tried to make shrimp cocktail sauce in the past, you may have noticed that it tends to gel up when it’s chilled. This is due to a reaction between the ketchup and horseradish.

Ketchup is naturally high in pectin (due to the tomatoes) and horseradish is naturally high in acid — when the two come together it forms a jelly-like consistency. It will typically go back to normal when you stir it.

Otherwise, opt for a recipe with no horseradish, like this one!

small bowl with wooden spoon swirled in cocktail sauce

How to Make This Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Milder

Some cocktail sauce recipes rely on chili sauce instead of ketchup. I personally prefer to use ketchup with the addition of a little bit of chili powder (plus a few dashes of hot sauce) to get the tangy flavor I’m after.

If you want a milder homemade cocktail sauce without horseradish you can omit the hot sauce and go easy on the chili powder.

How Long Does Cocktail Sauce Last?

Homemade shrimp cocktail sauce without horseradish will last for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. This particular cocktail sauce is best enjoyed fresh or 1 to 2 days after you’ve made it.

shrimp platter with shrimp being dipped in cocktail sauce without horseradish

Can You Freeze Cocktail Sauce Without Horseradish?

Yes, you can freeze homemade cocktail sauce without horseradish! Place a small amount in an airtight bag or container before you put it in the freezer. I also love the idea of putting the sauce in an ice cube tray for easy accessibility! When you’re ready to enjoy, let the cocktail sauce thaw in the fridge overnight.

Your cocktail sauce without horseradish will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:

And check out these other delicious air fryer fish recipes!

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