Prawn cocktail – Old School is also known as shrimp cocktail. The recipe was incredibly popular in homes and restaurants in the 1970’s. It is a seafood dish consisting of shelled, cooked, prawns in a cocktail sauce. It was normally served in a glass or oval dish. Prawn Cocktail – Old School is a classic 1970 starter that is making a comeback!! However, those of us old enough to remember Prawn Salad will recall the bland flavour, wet lettuce and gloopy thousand Island dressing sauce. It has now made a comeback and all of the nasty bits have been removed. The lettuce is lovely and crispy, the dressing now has a kick and the prawns are fresh Tiger prawns.

Prawn Cocktail – Old School
Time travel back to the 1970’s for a recipe that has haunted people ever since.
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Servings: 4 people
Calories: 104kcal
Ingredients
- 20 large prawns Tiger
- 1 large Little Gem lettuce
- 1 leaves thyme
- 1/2 fresh lemon Juice Only
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 5 tbsp tomato ketchup
- drops Tabasco sauce few drops to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- pinch Salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- malt vinegar to taste
- cayenne pepper to serve
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add a squeeze of lemon and glug of vinegar. Add the whole prawns and cook until they rise to the surface. Drain and chill in ice-cold water.20 large prawns, 1/2 fresh lemon, malt vinegar
- Peel the cooled prawns, leaving one prawn whole per serving (for the garnish).
- Cut the little Little Gem lettuce in half and wash thoroughly.1 large Little Gem lettuce
- For the sauce, mix cayenne pepper, lime juice, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, Tabasco and ketchup in a bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.1/2 fresh lemon, 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce, 5 tbsp tomato ketchup, drops Tabasco sauce, 4 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, pinch Salt, cayenne pepper, 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- To assemble the cocktails, drain the lettuce and pat dry with kitchen paper. Arrange two-thirds of the leaves in small bowls or wide glasses..
- Shred the remaining leaves and add to a mixing bowl. Add the peeled prawns and spoonful of sauce. Top with the unpeeled prawn and a sprinkling of paprika pepper1 leaves thyme, 1/2 tsp paprika
Nutrition
Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g

17 comments
I grew up eating prawn cocktail, and this updated version is a real treat. The tiger prawns are sweet and juicy, the sauce has a lovely kick, and the crispy Little Gem lettuce brings an excellent crunch.
It’s everything I loved about the old version, but so much better.
The freshness of the tiger prawns and the tangy kick from the sauce make this a showstopper starter. It’s easy to make and has just the right level of heat.
his Prawn Cocktail has everything you want from a classic dish: fresh prawns, a zesty sauce, and crisp lettuce.
The fresh prawns and zingy sauce are a perfect pairing, and the crispy lettuce makes all the difference.
The prawns are absolutely delicious, fresh tiger prawns, and the sauce has the perfect balance of spicy and creamy. The crispy Little Gem lettuce adds a lovely texture that was always missing from the old-school version.
The prawns are perfectly cooked and juicy, the sauce is creamy with just enough spice, and the lettuce is fresh and crisp. I could eat this every week.
Who knew the Prawn Cocktail could make a comeback in such a delicious way?
This recipe revives the classic prawn cocktail with a refreshing twist. The prawns are so tender, and the sauce has just the right level of spice. I especially loved the addition of Worcestershire sauce, which really deepens the flavour.
The prawns are perfectly cooked, and the sauce has a great combination of tangy, spicy, and creamy. The crispy lettuce ties it all together perfectly.
The sauce is rich and spicy, and the prawns are incredibly fresh.
his Prawn Cocktail is a dream come true for anyone who loved the old-school version but wished it had more flavour and freshness.
I love the subtle heat from the Tabasco and the depth from the Worcestershire sauce. It’s a starter that feels both indulgent and light.
This recipe perfectly recreates the retro charm of prawn cocktail with a much-needed update. The prawns are juicy and tender, and the sauce, with its slight kick from Tabasco, is a refreshing improvement over the bland versions of the past.
If you’re a fan of retro dishes, this Prawn Cocktail is an absolute must-try.
I never thought I’d enjoy a Prawn Cocktail again after all the disappointing versions of my childhood, but this one is a real winner.
I loved how the Little Gem lettuce was crunchy, unlike the soggy lettuce of the past. A modern take on a beloved classic.