Sugar-Free Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

shrimp cocktail

Cappi Thompson/Moment/Getty Images

Total Time: 3 min
Prep Time: 3 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Servings: 16 (1 Tablespoon each)

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

6 calories
0g fat
4g carbs
0g protein
Show Nutrition Label Hide Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16 (1 Tablespoon each)
Amount per serving  
Calories 6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 81mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 4g  
Includes 1g Added Sugars 2%
Protein 0g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 62mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Did you know that bottled cocktail sauce can contain as much as six grams of sugar in just one tablespoon? Sugar content varies considerably among brands but it can still add up if you imagine how much you can eat with even a few shrimp!

This sugar-free version uses "unsweetened" ketchup as a base and does not contain any artificial sweeteners. The horseradish, lemon juice and Worcestershire give the sauce the flavor you are familiar with in a classic cocktail sauce and is a wonderful option for those watching their sugar intake. The best part is that it can be made in almost no time at all! And each tablespoon has less than one gram of sugar (from the tomato) and less than 10 calories.

Note that while there is technically added sugar in Worcestershire sauce, the amount that ends up in this recipe is negligible.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsweetened ketchup (for example, Westbrae Natural Unsweetened Ketchup or Primal Kitchen Unsweetened Organic Ketchup)
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Hot sauce, such as Tabasco, to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients.

  2. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Make it extra spicy by adding more horseradish, hot sauce, or black pepper or all three!
  • Make it vegan or vegetarian by omitting the Worcestershire sauce. It will still taste great without it.

Tips

  • If you are entertaining, make up to a week ahead of time and store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
  • Brands of unsweetened ketchup vary in flavor so taste your ketchup before using it in the recipe to make sure it tastes similar to regular ketchup and not more similar to BBQ sauce like some on the market.

Rate this Recipe

You've already rated this recipe. Thanks for your rating!

By Team Verywell Fit
At Verywell Fit, we are dedicated to empowering you with the best answers to your most pressing questions, from healthy eating to exercise and everything in between.