Cocktail sauce’s spicy and acidic tastes are a mainstay for shrimp and shellfish, whether you’re sitting around at home or organizing a lavish dinner party. And you’re not alone. Cocktail sauce consumption has increased by over 84% since August 2019, according to Tastewise. So you may be asking, which cocktail sauce brand is the best?
In this post, we’ll discuss our five favorite cocktail sauce brands, emphasizing each one’s distinct qualities.
Contents
- Best Cocktail Sauce Brand Reviews
- Cocktail Sauce FAQs
- Wrap Up
- FAQs
- Should Heinz cocktail sauce be refrigerated?
- What is a fancy name for cocktail sauce?
- Is Crosse & Blackwell cocktail sauce discontinued?
- Why does cocktail sauce taste so good?
- How long does an open jar of cocktail sauce last in the fridge?
- Should mayonnaise be refrigerated?
- Is a type of sauce that is good for cocktail appetizers?
- Is cocktail sauce made of ketchup and horseradish?
- What is the difference ketchup cocktail sauce?
- Does Heinz make cocktail sauce?
Best Cocktail Sauce Brand Reviews
1. Old Original Bookbinder Cocktail Sauce
The 32-ounce jar weights 2.25 pounds and is ideal for big families and gatherings. Old Original Bookbinder’s mild to medium cocktail sauce combines just the proper amount of fresh horseradish and spices to give the sauce a little bite without making it overly hot on the tongue.
In terms of price, Old Original Bookbinders cocktail sauce falls somewhere in the center. It isn’t the cheapest cocktail sauce on the market, but there are plenty of more expensive (and smaller) jars available.
While Sams Club no longer offers it, Old Original Bookbinders cocktail sauce is available at numerous grocery shops throughout the United States. Lovers of Old Original Bookbinder, on the other hand, should rest comfortable since it is still readily available for purchase on websites such as Amazon.
Highlights of the Old Original Bookbinder:
- Fresh horseradish is used.
- It was founded in 1865.
- Kosher certification
2. St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
Extremely Hot is the label on the 12-ounce, 1.5-pound container of St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Sauce. Lovers of this cocktail sauce joke that you need be prepared with a fire extinguisher. You would, however, have to be fast. In a little while, the burning sensation subsides.
To keep the spicy taste of their cocktail sauce, St. Elmo suggests keeping it in the refrigerator. Also, this is the ideal method for any cocktail sauce.
St. Elmo stands out for manufacturing cocktail sauce without high-fructose corn syrup, making it thick and gluten-free.
Saint. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Sauce is distinguished by its pairing with St. Elmo Steak House Spice. Season meat, fish, and vegetables with this tasty bottle. St. Elmos seasoning, like the cocktail sauce, is Kosher and gluten-free.
St. Elmo’s cocktail sauce is packaged in an appealing, rustic-style appearance. As a result, it’s an ideal present for spicy cocktail sauce fans.
The pricing of St. Elmo Shrimp Elmo Cocktail Sauce is on the upper end of the shrimp cocktail price range. But, one must realize that it also includes St. Elmos’ delectable steak house spice.
St. Elmo is the best option if you want a powerful taste with the sharpest horseradish spice you’ve ever experienced in a cocktail sauce. Don’t be shocked if you get hooked!
Depending on where you live, you can get St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Sauce at Costco, Target, Whole Foods, and Kroger. If your local grocer does not have it, don’t worry; you can get it online and have it brought to you anywhere in the world.
The following are the standout characteristics of St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail Sauce:
- Strong horseradish taste with a lot of heat
- Gluten-free
- There is no high-fructose corn syrup.
- St. Elmos Steak House Seasoning is included in the price.
3. Johnny’s French Cocktail Sauce
The phrase “au jus” means “with juice” in French. Au jus is a broad word for the use of broth or sauces to enhance the taste of meats and vegetables. Cocktail sauce, on the other hand, adds a kick to foods.
Johnny’s French Cocktail Sauce has its origins in Seattle. Johnny Meaker launched Crawfords Sea Grill in 1940 after much trial and error exploring various spice combinations. Johnny went on to fine-tune his cocktail sauce into the popular au jus available today, aided by rave customer evaluations.
Cocktail sauces are used for more than just shrimp and shellfish, as you’ll see in our FAQ section. Using cocktail sauce with meatloaf, for example, is a terrific way to enhance flavor. Johnny’s French Cocktail Sauce is a great option for this kind of cuisine.
Johnnys French Cocktail Sauce is available in a concentrated version. If you want to use it as a dip, pour it into a container and serve it like you would any standard cocktail sauce. Instead, dilute it with water and drizzle it over meat and veggies.
It comes in an 8-ounce jar and is priced similarly to Old Original Bookbinders cocktail sauce, but don’t be fooled by its smaller size. This little bottle will last you a long time since the concentrated sauce may be diluted and used in a variety of ways.
Johnnys French Cocktail Sauce has the following distinguishing features:
- It has a beefy taste that makes it an ideal cocktail sauce for meat.
- Johnny’s Seattle restaurant created this dish.
- Ingredients such as red wine vinegar and tomato paste are used.
4. Stonewall Kitchen Cocktail Sauce
Stonewall Kitchen Cocktail Sauce’s components stand out from the rest of the list. They utilize fresh California tomatoes that have matured on the vine. Without using high-fructose corn syrup, agave nectar and cane sugar provide a hint of sweetness. Those who are allergic to seafood should be aware that it contains anchovies.
Stonewall Kitchen Cocktail Sauce is gluten-free and created entirely in the United States. It’s perfect for folks who want a little sweetness in their cocktail sauce rather than a lot of heat from horseradish. Because of its California tomatoes, it tends to err on the side of tomato flavor.
Stonewall Kitchens New England Cocktail Sauce comes in a lovely glass container and is the most affordable cocktail sauce choice on our list, at 8.75 ounces. It’s a terrific alternative for the family dinner table or for a gourmet present that seems more expensive than it is.
If you still need persuading, Stonewall Kitchen has earned 28 Specialty Food Association honors, including three for Best Product Line. The firm has only been in operation since 1991, yet they have achieved significant progress from their humble beginnings at local farmers markets.
Stonewall Kitchen Cocktail Sauce has the following distinguishing characteristics:
- Gourmet product created in the United States
- Prepared with fresh California vine-ripened tomatoes
- Gluten-free
- Award-winning company
5. Crosse & Blackwell Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail Sauce by Crosse & Blackwell is great for those seeking for a moderate, multi-purpose sauce. It goes well with shrimp and other shellfish. Yet, because of the rich tomato basis, it makes an excellent dip for french fries and onion rings.
While the tomatoes give this sauce a sweeter taste, it isn’t without a little bite. Your sinuses will be clean thanks to a dash of horseradish. Nonetheless, the experience is brief, making it ideal for individuals who want to avoid spicy sauces.
Tamarind, a sour pulp surrounding seeds that grows on trees in Africa and other tropical places, is a distinctive component in Crosse & Blackwell Cocktail Sauce. Typically, it is combined with a little of sugar, which is also included in this cocktail sauce, contributing to the original Crosse & Blackwell Cocktail Sauce taste.
Crosse & Blackwell’s cocktail sauce comes in a 12-ounce glass container. It’s on the expensive side for cocktail sauces, but any fan will tell you it’s worth the additional money.
Highlights of Crosse & Blackwell Cocktail Sauce:
- It’s versatile enough to go with dishes like french fries and onion rings.
- Moderate tomato taste with a horseradish undertone
- Parve kosher
Cocktail Sauce FAQs
Now that we’ve reviewed the companies that make the finest cocktail sauce for shrimp, let’s take a look at some frequently asked cocktail sauce questions.
Cocktail sauce may spoil, so be sure to check the expiry date. Cocktail sauce containers that have not been opened do not need to be refrigerated, but they must be kept out of direct sunlight. Once opened, the cocktail sauce should be refrigerated to keep it from becoming rancid.
An opened can of shrimp cocktail sauce will keep in the fridge for six to nine months. An unopened can of cocktail sauce does not need to be refrigerated. Keep in mind that the longer a jar of cocktail sauce sits open, the more likely it is to lose taste.
Without refrigeration, a can of cocktail sauce may survive anywhere from a few days to up to a month. Still, keep your unrefrigerated cocktail sauce in a well sealed container and away from direct sunlight.
Cocktail sauce jars, like most foods, have an overestimated expiry date. As a result, you should understand what to look for to determine whether your cocktail sauce is bad. The following are indications that your cocktail sauce should be tossed: rotten odor Specks of white or fluff on the surface, indicating mold Poor taste It is crucial to remember that a gel consistency does not imply that your cocktail sauce is bad.
Cocktail sauce is most typically served with shrimp, but it has many other applications for creative chefs. Cocktail sauces go well with fried seafood, meatloaf, oysters, fish cakes, and even chili and Bloody Marys.
Cocktail sauce’s key components include horseradish, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and Tabasco sauce. Other kinds, however, contain hints of other ingredients for a distinct flavor. Onion, garlic, and cloves are among examples.
Tabasco sauce and horseradish are two elements that add to the fiery, scorching taste of cocktail sauce. Horseradish is a root vegetable that is popular for its sinus-clearing properties due to its ability to enhance face circulation.
Wrap Up
Selecting the finest cocktail sauce is a matter of taste. Those who like the peppery flavor of horseradish will enjoy the St. Elmo and Old Original Bookbinders brands.
Those who like a sweeter flavor may choose Stonewall Kitchen and Crosse & Blackwells cocktail sauces. Finally, Johnnys French Cocktail Sauce will amaze anybody searching for a meaty infusion.
Whichever cocktail sauce you pick, you can be certain that those on this list will improve the flavor of your dish and make everyone happy.
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