Shrimp Cocktail Cups are a fun twist on the classic shrimp cocktail, making an easy appetizer perfect for any party. Crisp phyllo cups are filled with a creamy, zesty shrimp mixture and topped with a tangy cocktail sauce, blending fresh shrimp flavors with the zing of lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning. Whether you’re serving them as elegant individual servings or a crowd-pleasing finger food, this recipe is an effortless way to impress.
There's something so satisfying about serving these Shrimp Cocktail Cups to a crowd—they’re always a hit! I love how these little, easy appetizers add an elegant touch without much effort. They’re perfectly portioned individual servings, so everyone gets their own mini shrimp cocktail without the mess. Plus, the crispy phyllo cups, zesty homemade cocktail sauce, and juicy shrimp make them irresistible! Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual get-together with good friends, these are my go-to for easy entertaining. Trust me, they’ll disappear in no time! And what's not to love about a make your own cocktail sauce!
Looking for more? Try my Poached Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp Pitas, Chinese Coconut Shrimp, and Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Classic and Bite-Sized: Shrimp Cocktail Cups offer a sophisticated twist on shrimp cocktail, perfect for impressing guests without any fuss.
- Quick and Crowd-Friendly: This easy appetizer comes together in minutes, ideal for gatherings where individual servings make snacking simple and mess-free.
- Bold and Fresh Flavors: Creamy filling, tangy cocktail sauce, and fresh shrimp in every bite deliver a delicious burst of flavor that’s sure to delight.
🥘 Ingredients
- Phyllo Cups – Pre-made phyllo cups provide a crisp, buttery base that’s perfect for holding each bite-sized portion.
- Cream Cheese – Adds a creamy, tangy base to the filling and blends beautifully with the shrimp and spices.
- Mayonnaise – Provides a rich, smooth texture and enhances the creaminess of the filling.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper – A touch of spice to balance the creamy filling.
- Old Bay Seafood Seasoning – Classic seasoning that pairs wonderfully with shrimp, adding a hint of warmth and flavor.
- Lemon Zest – Fresh and zesty, lemon zest brightens up the filling, giving each bite a refreshing citrus kick.
- Shrimp – Freshly cooked, peeled, and finely chopped shrimp add flavor and texture to each cup.
- Fresh Parsley – Sprinkled on top for a fresh, herby finish and a pop of color.
- Ketchup – Forms the base of the homemade cocktail sauce, adding sweetness and tang. You can also opt to use chili sauce with a dash or worcestershire sauce mixed with a bit of cold water.
- Horseradish – Adds a spicy kick to the cocktail sauce, bringing out the bold flavors of the shrimp.
- Smoked Paprika – A hint of smoky depth that complements the creamy and tangy notes in the cocktail sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh ground black pepper, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest. Stir until smooth and creamy, ensuring the flavors are well-blended.
Fill a Piping Bag: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a sandwich-size zip-top bag, squeezing it toward one corner. Snip a small tip off the corner, creating a makeshift piping bag.
Pipe the Filling: Pipe about ½ tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into each phyllo cup, creating an even layer in the base of each cup.
Make the Cocktail Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, horseradish, and smoked paprika. Stir well to create a smooth, tangy sauce.
Assemble the Cups: Place a small dollop of cocktail sauce (about ½ teaspoon) on top of the cream cheese filling in each phyllo cup.
Add Shrimp: Then add a spoonful of finely chopped shrimp.
Garnish with Parsley: Sprinkle each cup with a pinch of fresh parsley, adding a pop of color and flavor to each bite and serve chilled.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Fill Just Before Serving: To keep the phyllo cups crisp, fill them with the cream cheese mixture and cocktail sauce just before serving. This prevents the cups from becoming soggy.
- Chop Shrimp Finely: Finely chopped shrimp ensures each bite has the perfect blend of flavors and textures. It also helps the shrimp fit neatly in the phyllo cups.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the cocktail sauce. This adds a bold kick without overpowering the flavors.
- Use Fresh Lemon Zest: Freshly grated lemon zest adds a bright citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with shrimp. Avoid using pre-packaged zest for the best taste.
- Serve Chilled: These shrimp cocktail cups are best served cold for a refreshing appetizer. Prepare and refrigerate until your guests arrive for maximum flavor and freshness.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Alternative Cream Cheese Flavors: For a unique twist, try using garlic and herb cream cheese or even a spicy jalapeño cream cheese to add extra flavor to the filling.
Different Shrimp: If large shrimp aren't available, use smaller shrimp or even pre-cooked cocktail shrimp for convenience. Just chop them finely and adjust the portion in each phyllo cup.
Add Heat: Love spicy sauce? Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the homemade cocktail sauce for an extra kick, or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for a touch of heat.
Swap Out Phyllo Cups: If phyllo cups are hard to find, use mini dessert cups or even shot glasses for an easy way to serve shrimp cocktail in individual servings.
Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free option to make this appetizer friendly for all guests, while still keeping the creamy texture.
Herb Variations: Fresh parsley adds a classic touch, but chopped chives or green onion also work well as garnishes, giving a different flavor profile that pairs nicely with shrimp.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Wine Pairing: A crisp, refreshing white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Prosecco pairs perfectly with shrimp cocktail cups. Their acidity complements the creamy filling and tangy cocktail sauce.
Sparkling Water with Lemon: For a non-alcoholic option, serve sparkling water with lemon wedges on the side. The bubbles and citrus add a refreshing note that complements the shrimp.
Fresh Veggie Platter: Pair these shrimp cocktail cups with a platter of fresh veggies—think crisp cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and celery sticks—for a vibrant, light side.
Garlic Bread or Crostini: Serve with warm garlic bread or crunchy crostini to balance the coolness of the shrimp cups with a comforting, toasty flavor.
Charcuterie Board: These shrimp cocktail cups make a beautiful addition to a charcuterie board, alongside cured meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables for an easy way to please a crowd.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the cream cheese mixture and cocktail sauce up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge. For the best texture, wait to fill the phyllo cups until just before serving to keep them crisp and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Absolutely! Pre-cooked shrimp work perfectly here and save time. Just make sure to chop them finely and pat them dry before adding them to the phyllo cups to avoid any extra moisture.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftover shrimp cocktail cups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Phyllo cups can lose their crispiness over time, so these are best enjoyed fresh.
Reheating: To maintain the texture, avoid reheating in the microwave, as it will soften the phyllo. If needed, you can reheat the phyllo cups in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes to regain some crispiness, then refill with fresh shrimp and sauce before serving.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Shrimp Cocktail Bites
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Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Sandwich-size zip-top bag
- Scissors
- Small bowl
- Tray or platter for assembled cups
Ingredients
- 1 box Phyllo Cups 15 per box
- 2 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1 lb Shrimp peeled, tails off, deveined, and chopped finely
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- ½ Cup Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Horseradish
- ¾ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together 2 oz cream cheese, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, a pinch of fresh ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon lemon zest until smooth and well-combined.
- Pipe the Filling: Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a sandwich-size zip-top bag. Snip a small corner off the bag with scissors, creating a makeshift piping bag. Pipe about ½ tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into each of the 15 phyllo cups.
- Make the Cocktail Sauce: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon horseradish, and ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir until the sauce is smooth and fully blended.
- Assemble the Cups: Add a small dollop (about ½ teaspoon) of cocktail sauce on top of each cream cheese-filled phyllo cup. Then, top with a spoonful of the 1 lb finely chopped shrimp.
- Garnish: Sprinkle each cup with a pinch of the 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Arrange the shrimp cocktail cups on a tray or platter.
- Serve Immediately: Serve these shrimp cocktail cups chilled and enjoy as a delicious, easy appetizer!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the cream cheese mixture and cocktail sauce in advance, but wait to fill the phyllo cups until just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a spicier cocktail sauce, add a dash of hot sauce to give it an extra kick.
🌡️ Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Julie
Very creative and cute way to serve shrimp cocktail. However, the proportions as written are way too much for 15 phyllo shells. The cream cheese mixture was perfect, but I halved the cocktail sauce and used maybe 1/4 lb of shrimp.