Is shrimp cocktail low carb? The simple answer, plus recipes

October 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, making it an excellent base for a low-carb diet. The question, is shrimp cocktail low carb, depends almost entirely on one ingredient: the cocktail sauce. The standard store-bought variety is often loaded with added sugars, but with a simple homemade swap, this classic appetizer can be perfectly suitable for a low-carb lifestyle.

Quick Summary

The carb count of a shrimp cocktail hinges on the cocktail sauce, not the shrimp. While shrimp is naturally low in carbohydrates, traditional sauces are high in sugar. Easily create a low-carb or keto-friendly version by preparing a simple, homemade sauce using sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste, allowing for a delicious and diet-compliant appetizer.

Key Points

The Shrimp is Low Carb: The shrimp itself contains virtually zero carbohydrates, making it an excellent, lean protein source for low-carb diets like keto.
Traditional Sauce is High Carb: Standard, store-bought cocktail sauce is high in sugar and calories, which is the primary source of carbs in the dish.
The Homemade Sauce is the Key: Making your own cocktail sauce with sugar-free ketchup, tomato paste, or a mayonnaise base is the easiest way to control carb content.
Simple Recipe Swaps: Replacing regular ketchup with a sugar-free alternative and using natural ingredients like horseradish and lemon juice creates a diet-friendly sauce.
Nutritional Benefits: A low-carb shrimp cocktail provides high-quality protein, antioxidants, and essential minerals without the negative effects of added sugar.
Customizable and Versatile: The basic low-carb recipe can be easily adapted with different spices or served with low-carb vegetable dippers.

The Carb Conundrum: Standard vs. Homemade Cocktail Sauce

The key to understanding whether shrimp cocktail is low-carb lies in dissecting its components. The shrimp itself is a low-carb powerhouse, offering high-quality protein and essential nutrients like selenium, B12, and omega-3s with virtually zero carbohydrates. Where the carb count can spike is in the accompanying sauce.

Traditional cocktail sauce is a blend of tomato ketchup, horseradish, and seasonings. The problem for low-carb dieters is the high sugar content of most commercial ketchups. A single tablespoon of standard cocktail sauce can contain multiple grams of sugar, adding up quickly and potentially knocking you out of ketosis.

The Solution: A Low-Carb Cocktail Sauce

To enjoy a delicious and satisfying shrimp cocktail without the carb overload, making a homemade sauce is the best approach. This allows for full control over ingredients and keeps sugar and carbs at bay. Most homemade recipes swap out regular ketchup for a sugar-free version or a combination of tomato paste and a low-carb sweetener.

Common ingredients in a low-carb cocktail sauce:

Sugar-Free Ketchup or Tomato Paste: Provides a rich, tomato flavor without the added sugars.
Prepared Horseradish: Adds the characteristic spicy kick.
Lemon Juice: Contributes acidity and brightness.
Worcestershire Sauce: Used for umami, sparingly in a low-carb version.
Hot Sauce (optional): For extra heat.
Sweetener (optional): A small amount of keto-friendly sweetener can balance flavors.

Low-Carb Shrimp Cocktail vs. Traditional Shrimp Cocktail


Feature	Traditional Shrimp Cocktail	Low-Carb Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp Preparation	Often boiled; may be breaded in some recipes	Typically boiled, roasted, or grilled
Cocktail Sauce Base	High-fructose corn syrup, high-sugar ketchup	Sugar-free ketchup, tomato paste, or mayonnaise
Carbohydrate Count	Can be very high, depending on the sauce and amount used	Extremely low, often under 5g of net carbs per serving
Flavor Profile	Sweet and spicy from the sugary ketchup and horseradish	Zesty, spicy, and tangy, with no saccharine sweetness
Sugar Content	High, often containing added sugars	Very low or zero, depending on the ingredients chosen
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for strict low-carb or keto diets	Perfect for keto, low-carb, and other restrictive diets

How to Assemble a Healthy Low-Carb Shrimp Cocktail

Creating a diet-friendly shrimp cocktail is easy. Start with quality raw shrimp, peeled and deveined. Boil, roast, or grill the shrimp and cool them. For the low-carb sauce, combine sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste, horseradish, lemon juice, and optional hot sauce. Arrange the chilled shrimp around the sauce and garnish with lemon and parsley. Serve with low-carb dippers like celery sticks.

The Nutritional Benefits of a Low-Carb Approach

Shrimp is a lean protein source supporting muscle maintenance and weight management. It provides nutrients like selenium and the antioxidant astaxanthin. Using a low-carb sauce avoids the negative effects of excess sugar.

Embracing a Versatile Appetizer

Adjusting the sauce makes shrimp cocktail suitable for keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets. You can also use a creamy mayonnaise-based sauce.

The Versatility of the Shrimp Cocktail

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail: Add avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro to the low-carb sauce.
Spicy Shrimp Salad: Mix chopped shrimp with the low-carb sauce and serve over lettuce.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Serve grilled shrimp with the low-carb sauce for dipping.

Conclusion

To answer the question, is shrimp cocktail low carb, the key is a simple swap. By replacing high-sugar store-bought cocktail sauce with a homemade, low-carb version, this classic appetizer becomes diet-friendly. Shrimp's natural low-carb profile, combined with a healthier sauce, creates a nutritious and flavorful treat suitable for low-carb or ketogenic lifestyles. It shows that small changes can make a big difference in healthy eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, most store-bought cocktail sauces are not low-carb or keto-friendly, as they contain significant amounts of added sugar from high-fructose corn syrup or regular ketchup. However, a homemade version using sugar-free ingredients can be made to be low-carb.

You can make a low-carb sauce by combining sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste with prepared horseradish, fresh lemon juice, and seasonings. Some recipes also use a mayonnaise or sour cream base for a creamy sauce.

Plain, cooked shrimp is naturally very low in carbohydrates, with a 3-ounce serving typically containing less than 1 gram of carbs.

No, most fried shrimp is breaded with flour and breadcrumbs, which are high in carbs and would not be suitable for a low-carb or keto diet. Opt for boiled, roasted, or grilled shrimp instead.

Worcestershire sauce can contain a small amount of sugar. For a low-carb or keto sauce, use it in moderation or seek out a sugar-free or low-carb alternative to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs.

Yes, a shrimp cocktail can fit perfectly into a keto diet, provided you use a homemade, sugar-free cocktail sauce. The shrimp is high in protein and healthy fats and virtually carb-free.

Instead of crackers, you can serve shrimp cocktail with celery sticks, cucumber slices, or low-carb crostini. You can also mix it into an avocado salad or serve it in lettuce cups.