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Recipe Detail Page
Cartagena-Style Shrimp Cocktail
Travel 2025
Not to be confused with something fancier, this shrimp cocktail is perfect beachside beer food. In keeping with its easy vibes, you probably already have most of what you need for the dressing in your fridge. Purchase already-deveined frozen shrimp, peel on or off, whichever you come across first.
Serves 2
DRESSING
1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
Juice of 2 limes
Pinch salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) mayonnaise
1/4 cup (60 mL) ketchup
2 tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped cilantro
1 lb (455 g) medium-size (31-40 count) raw shrimp, thawed
Saltines to serve
1. For the dressing, add onion, garlic, lime juice and salt to a medium-size bowl. Refrigerate bowl while preparing the shrimp.
2. Prepare an ice bath. Cook shrimp 1 minute in a pot of boiling salted water. Strain and add to ice bath to stop cooking. Once cool, strain and pat dry. Peel shrimp if necessary.
3. Remove garlic cloves from red onion mixture. Complete dressing by stirring in mayonnaise, ketchup and cilantro.
4. Add shrimp to bowl and toss to coat in dressing. Divide between two chilled 8-oz (250-mL) glasses. Serve with forks and a few saltines alongside.
Serves 2
