Easy Layered Shrimp Cocktail Dip

If you ask me, layered shrimp cocktail dip is what party food dreams are made of.

This fresh take on the classic appetizer brings together cool, creamy layers that guests can’t resist. Cream cheese and avocado create a smooth base, while chopped shrimp and zesty cocktail sauce add that familiar seafood-bar flavor we all know and love.

I love how the crisp veggies – diced celery, onions, and bell peppers – give it just the right amount of crunch. And when you serve it with butter crackers or tortilla chips? That’s when the magic happens.

It’s the kind of easy-to-make appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering, especially during those warm summer get-togethers.

What Kind of Shrimp Should I Use?

For a shrimp cocktail dip, medium-sized shrimp (31-40 count per pound) are your best bet since they’re easy to chop into bite-sized pieces that work well in a dip. While fresh shrimp is great if you can get it, frozen shrimp is perfectly fine and often more convenient – just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before chopping. You’ll want to look for shrimp that’s already been peeled and deveined to save yourself some prep time. If you’re buying pre-cooked shrimp, go for ones that look plump and pink with no freezer burn, or start with raw shrimp and quickly poach them yourself for the freshest flavor.

Options for Substitutions

This dip recipe has some room for adjustments if you need to make some swaps:

• Cream cheese: Regular cream cheese works best here, but you can use light cream cheese if you prefer. Just avoid fat-free versions as they won’t give you the right texture. In a pinch, you could use a mix of softened cream cheese and sour cream (8 oz cream cheese + 4 oz sour cream).
• Chili sauce: If you can’t find chili sauce, you can use cocktail sauce instead. Or make your own by mixing 1 cup ketchup with 2 tablespoons horseradish and a dash of hot sauce.
• Fresh shrimp: While fresh shrimp is ideal, thawed frozen shrimp works just fine. You could also use canned shrimp in a pinch, but be sure to drain and rinse it well first.
• Green onions: For garnish, you can swap green onions with fresh chopped parsley or chives.
• Fresh lemon juice: If you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice will work – just use a bit less as it’s more concentrated. About 2/3 of the amount called for should do it.
• Horseradish: If you’re not a fan of horseradish or don’t have any, you can leave it out, though it does add that classic cocktail sauce kick. For a different type of heat, try a dash of hot sauce instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making layered shrimp cocktail dip is getting the cream cheese layer to spread evenly – make sure your cream cheese is properly softened at room temperature for at least an hour, or you’ll end up with lumpy, difficult-to-spread layers.

A common mistake is not draining the shrimp thoroughly, which can lead to excess liquid pooling in your dip – pat the chopped shrimp dry with paper towels before adding them to prevent a watery mess.

Temperature control is crucial too – avoid letting the dip sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and if you’re making it ahead, wait to add the shrimp layer until just before serving to maintain the best texture and food safety.

For the most flavorful results, taste and adjust the horseradish amount before adding the shrimp layer, as different brands vary in strength, and it’s much easier to add more than to try fixing an overly spicy dip.

What to Serve With Shrimp Cocktail Dip?

This creamy, seafood-packed dip needs the right dipping vessels to make it shine! Sturdy crackers like Ritz or water crackers work perfectly since they can hold up to the weight of this layered dip without breaking. For some crunch and freshness, set out a platter of raw vegetables like cucumber rounds, celery sticks, and bell pepper slices. If you’re hosting a party, consider adding some toasted baguette slices or pita chips to give your guests different textures and options for scooping up all that creamy goodness. This dip also pairs really well with other party snacks like mixed nuts or olives on the side.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This layered shrimp dip stays good in the fridge for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better after a few hours as they meld together! Just keep in mind that the longer it sits, the more liquid the shrimp might release.

Make Ahead: You can prep this dip up to 24 hours in advance – it’s perfect for party planning! Just add the chopped green onions right before serving to keep them fresh and crisp. If you notice any liquid pooling after storage, simply drain it off and give the top layer a quick stir.

Serve: Take the dip out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off – this makes it easier to scoop and lets the cream cheese layer soften slightly. Remember to serve it with sturdy crackers or chips that won’t break when scooping!

Preparation Time	15-30 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	720-750 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 g

Ingredients

For the cream cheese layer:

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp grated onion (grate on the small holes of a box grater)
• 12 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature for easier mixing)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the cocktail sauce:

• 1 tbsp prepared horseradish (use a good quality brand for best flavor)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 12-oz bottle chili sauce (I like Heinz Chili Sauce)

For the topping:

• 2 green onion tops, chopped
• 2 cups cooked shrimp, chopped (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)

Step 1: Prepare Cream Cheese Layer

In a mixing bowl, blend together cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, and garlic until smooth.

Once blended, spread the mixture evenly in an 8-inch springform pan or a shallow serving dish.

Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to let the flavors meld and the mixture firm up.

Step 2: Make the Cocktail Sauce

In a separate bowl, combine chili sauce, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

Mix well and cover.

Refrigerate this sauce until you’re ready to assemble the dish.

This will allow the flavors to blend nicely.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

After at least 12 hours, remove the cream cheese layer from the refrigerator and carefully take off the sides of the springform pan if using one.

Spread half of the prepared cocktail sauce evenly over the set cream cheese layer.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Garnish

Sprinkle chopped shrimp evenly over the cocktail sauce layer.

For a fresh finish, garnish with chopped green onion tops.

This adds both color and a mild onion flavor to the dish.

Step 5: Serve

Serve the shrimp appetizer with crackers for dipping.

This dish yields about 10-12 servings, making it great for parties and gatherings.