Here are 5 prawn dipping sauces that our family has been using for as long as I can remember that we also use for our seafood platter! There’s a nice variety of seafood sauces to choose from: Cocktail Seafood Sauce, Tartare, Marie Rose / Thousand Island, or a Thai Chilli Lime Sauce for something fresher. Plus, our Family Favourite Sauce!
Prawn dipping sauces
It’s really worth making your own dipping sauces when you’ve invested in fresh juicy prawns. The jarred stuff lacks the fresh flavour of homemade seafood sauces and just doesn’t do prawns justice!
A couple of weeks ago, we catered my mother’s annual Christmas party for 30 of her friends. I’ve noticed that we get approached to do this every 2nd year. I think that the organisers assume that we’re scarred by the experience (something to do with our bedraggled appearance at the end?) and that by leaving a year in between, the memory fades and we only remember how much we enjoyed it so we never say no.
Very clever.
We mix it up from year to year. But two things have always remained a constant: Maple Glazed Ham and freshly cooked prawns with dipping sauces. There’s no doubt these two are always the most popular items there.
And thus the job of peeling 5 kg / 10lb of fresh cooked prawns always appears on the list as the most undesirable task for the party. I never put up my hand for that one. So I remain silent until someone volunteers. I say “someone”, but it’s always mother. It happens to her multiple times each year, like a big beach BBQ we went to last month where she was asked to peel and skewer 3kg/6lb of raw prawns (which is even more of a pain!).
I will peel prawns for my mother’s friends. But that is not the Aussie way for a gathering of family and friends. Our way is to dump whole, unpeeled prawns in large bowls and buckets with an assortment of dipping sauces on the Christmas Feasting Table.
Peel your own, mate!
I know it’s real easy to pick up a jar of store bought, especially because at this time of the year, the supermarkets and fish shops are so kind as to put out displays stands jam packed with all sorts of seafood sauces right where the prawns are.
But with little effort – and I’m talking a few minutes – you can make your own and the fresh flavour you’ll enjoy will make you turn up your nose at the jarred stuff. It’s just not the same, the jarred stuff has an edge of artificialness. And I know this for sure because I bought a couple of jars while I was refining these prawn dipping sauces just to do side by side taste tests so I could truly say in all honesty that I think these homemade ones are better.
The freshness – you just can’t get the same freshness in store bought.
So here they are!
1. Marie Rose / Thousand Island Sauce
Marie Rose and Thousand Island Sauce are basically the same thing. You’ll find little tweaks and variations of the two all over the place, but a basic pink sauce made with mayo and ketchup with some seasonings is really all this is. It actually doesn’t have much flavour, and it’s not intended to. It’s a neutral sauce that let’s the flavour of the prawns really shine.
2. Seafood Cocktail Sauce
This is the punchier flavoured version of Marie Rose. The sauce itself actually has flavour, it’s tangy and kind of savoury, with more layers of flavour because there’s more ingredients in this. I’m a big fan of this one, love the tanginess.
3. Tartare Sauce
Just like what you get at the local fish and chip shop! (Except better, because you can actually taste the gherkins and capers in it). A classic condiment also for Crispy Beer Battered Fish.
4. Thai Sweet Chilli Lime Dipping Sauce
Because not everyone likes mayo based dipping sauces! The flavours in this with sweet juicy prawns is simply a match made in heaven.
5. RecipeTin Family’s Prawn Dipping Sauce
It’s basically the love child of Marie Rose Sauce and Tartare sauce: The tang and sweetness of Marie Rose combined with the finely chopped savoury ingredients and added freshness of dill from the Tartare side. This is what we served with the prawns at my mother’s Christmas Party and everybody commented on how they loved it, especially the fresh dill flavour. So I thought I should share it.
6. More Sauces!
Try these sauces from other recipes I’ve shared that will go great with prawns! Spicy Thai Mango Dipping Sauce, use Honey Mustard Dressing as a sauce (perfect prawn dipping consistency), Sweet & Sour Sauce, Lemon Cream Sauce, Creamy Dill Sauce.
Personally, I would provide 2 dipping sauces. Good rule of thumb is to go by contrasting colours. So, for example, If I knew everyone was fine with mayo, I’d probably do the RecipeTin Family Favourite plus the Cocktail Sauce. I wouldn’t do Marie Rose + Tartare because they are a bit too similar in flavour. If I knew someone health conscious was coming, I’d definitely include the Thai Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce.
But truthfully? Don’t overthink it. Let’s face it. Juicy, fresh cooked prawns are great just as they are, eaten plain. No one will cry if you didn’t even provide a sauce at all, or if you just pulled out a jar of mayo and stirred through a squirt of lemon juice.
Remember, Christmas is supposed to be all about having fun and enjoying this festive time, not stressing out about the menu! – Nagi x
FRESH PRAWN RECIPES TO ENJOY ALL SUMMER!
- 5 Prawn Dipping Sauces for a giant bucket of fresh prawns (this recipe)
- Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad with Lime Dressing
- Thai Prawn Mango Avocado Salad
- Prawn Cocktail
- Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls
- Fresh peeled prawns alongside a Corn Salad with Avocado for a quick summer meal
- Browse all Prawn / Shrimp Recipes
PS Speaking of not stressing out, all those sauces can be made days ahead, with the exception of the Thai one which I would not make more than 1 day ahead, just to ensure the fresh flavour is retained to the max.
PPS Way more important than the sauces is to ensure you get good fresh prawns! ORDER THEM NOW to pick up in the morning of the day you need them (ideal) but if it’s for Christmas Day, pick them up the day before. The seafood stores / fish market is where you’ll get the best quality but in all honesty, at this time of the year, you get great quality cooked prawns at Coles and Woolies too, and they are about 25 – 30% cheaper.
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
5 Great Prawn Dipping Sauces
Ingredients
COCKTAIL SAUCE:
- 2/3 cup / 160 g tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise , preferably whole-egg or Kewpie, or better yet, homemade mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp each mustard powder (or Dijon), onion powder, garlic powder, white sugar
- Dash Tabasco
- 1 tsp lemon juice, fresh
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and pepper
TARTARE SAUCE
- 1 cup / 220g mayonnaise , preferably whole-egg or Kewpie, or better yet, homemade mayonnaise (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp gherkin/cornichon, very finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp capers, drained and finely chopped
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice, fresh
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
MARIE ROSE
- 2/3 cup / 145g mayonnaise , preferably whole-egg or Kewpie, or better yet, homemade mayonnaise (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp fresh horseradish (or sub 1 1/2 tsp jarred)
- Dash of Tabasco
- Pinch cayenne pepper
THAI LIME SWEET CHILLI SAUCE
- 5 tbsp / 75g Sweet Chilli Sauce, store bought (I use Trident)
- 2/3 cup / 165 ml lime juice, fresh (4 – 5 limes)
- 5 tbsp / 75 ml olive oil (can sub with neutral oil like canola)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp white sugar (or other)
- 1/4 cup coriander / cilantro leaves, finely chopped
RECIPETIN FAMILY FAVOURITE
- 2/3 cup / 145g mayonnaise , preferably whole-egg or Kewpie, or better yet, homemade mayonnaise (Note 1)
- 1/3 cup / 80 g ketchup
- 1 1/2 tbsp capers, drained and finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp gherkin/cornichon, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp eschallot or onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dill leaves, finely chopped
- 1 dash Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 or so dashes Tabasco
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (adjust to taste)
Instructions
All sauces except Thai Sauce:
- Place ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
- Adjust salt to taste (Note 3).
Thai Sauce:
- Place all ingredients except coriander in a bowl, whisk well. Stir through coriander and add salt and pepper to taste. Rest 20 minutes before using.
Recipe Notes:
LIFE OF DOZER
You’d think I was tossing prawns for him to catch. But no. Just sand. Ever seen such enthusiasm for sand??
I made the cocktail sauce, I will never ever ever buy bottled sauce again for my seafood cocktails. I did however use 50 / 50 ketchup and mayonnaise instead. I will never use any other recipe
I’m so sorry about Dozer. Losing a dear pet can be traumatic and thoughts of never being able to replace him can creep up on you . My Emmett passed 2016. Chocolate Lab. 16. So loyal and gentle. The One . Have not tried to replace him yet. I try your recipes a lot but never comment. I’m going to try your vinegar cooked French fries
Just made the RecipeTin Family Favourite sauce and it was absolutely incredible! The fresh dill really takes it to another level. Can’t go back to store-bought after this — thank you Nagi! 🍤
We made the recipe tin eats family favourite sauce and it will now be our favourite sauce for sure. How long will a bottle of freshly made sauce keep in the fridge?
I made the cocktail sauce and recipe tin family favourite sauce for Christmas. I thought I’d love the fam fav the most but the cocktail sauce was the winner! Delicious with Christmas prawns
I’ve been making these sauces for years now and they’re the best, forget store bought.
The Thai lime and the Recipetin Family sauces go perfect with prawns and oysters.
Like all of Nagi’s recipes they’re made with pantry staples and are super duper easy to make.
WOW, just made cocktail and Thai sweet chili sauce for tomorrow. The flavors are spot on, thank you for the recipes.
Can you freeze these sauces?
I live in the middle of Canada, so personally have never had prawns, just shrimp. And I can’t face eating anything with a head on it.
Do you, or WOULD you, consider making a tutorial on how to handle shrimp/prawns? How to prepare, cook, eat them? For other squeamish sissies like me, it would probably make it more likely that I would try them.
My Dad never hunted or fished, and any butchering at his sister’s farm was kept out of sight behind the barn, thank goodness!
Thanks for your time. I love your recipes.
A great recipe, Thank you Nagi. I always wanted to try to make fish cakes, your recipe decided me to give it a go – and it was a success. Hi to Dozer too as he brings a smile to our face every time we see his photo.
Never, ever buying store sauces again! The seafood cocktail sauce is our favourite. Don’t stress if you don’t have Tabasco, just sub in siracha❤️
na
The ingredients for the first recipe are wrong. Should be 2/3 cup of mayo and tabs ketchup not other way around
Dear Nagi and Dozer, love your site and recipes, my go to as today, looking for prawn sauces. I think the mayo/ketchup might be the wrong way round in the cocktail sauce above XXX
Just made a mash up of the Marie Rose and the family favourite, now my family favourite 🙂 thanks for being a legend and merry Christmas !
Just looking at making the cocktail sauce and querying the ketchup and mayonnaise ratio. 160g ketchup to 1tbl mayonnaise? Is that correct?
How long do the sauces for prawns keep? Can i make it a few days before?
Clothes maketh the man, but sauces maketh the meal.
Best cocktail sauce I’ve ever had. Better than the restos! 🥰❤️👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Nagi
I have used the family favourite dip for the last two Xmas events and it is always the first to go. This year I will be pressed for time. Can I make it the night before and refrigerate?
Thanks,
Steve