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This paleo and low carb Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail comes out perfectly cooked every time. The homemade Whole30 cocktail sauce is so easy and tasty too!

Instant pot shrimp cocktail finished and peeled on a plate
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Shrimp cocktail is one of those snacks or holiday appetizers that’s just as popular as a charcuterie board in our house. My husband especially goes crazy for it, and I’ve traditionally always bought it pre-made at the grocery store. This year, I wanted to try making a paleo and keto shrimp cocktail recipe at home, and I was blown away by how easy it was!

Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Cooking the shrimp in the Instant Pot makes this recipe so simple and hands-off for the most part. It only takes 0 minutes of cook time (1 minute if you use frozen), and most of the cooking is done while the Instant Pot is coming to pressure!

Using this method, you’ll have a perfectly cooked and tender paleo shrimp cocktail every time. Shrimp that are overcooked get rubbery and unpleasant in texture, and you won’t have to worry about that with the Instant Pot method.

Putting paleo shrimp cocktail in an ice bath after cooking in the Instant Pot
Shrimp served with whole30 shrimp cocktail sauce

How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail Using Fresh or Frozen Shrimp

After boiling shrimp in the Instant Pot for this keto shrimp cocktail recipe, I don’t think I’ll make it any other way. I was a little nervous that the shrimp will be overcooked, but that wasn’t the case at all.

  1. Make the Whole30 shrimp cocktail sauce first. It’s really easy to make! Just stir together the ingredients and let it chill while making the paleo shrimp cocktail. I love using this sugar-free ketchup.
  2. After making the sauce, add in the water, salt, and lemons into the Instant Pot. I found that adding the lemon juice as well as the lemon rinds into the pot gives the shrimp an amazing quality.
  3. Add the shrimp and cook in the Instant Pot for 0 minute on Manua.
  4. While the shrimp is cooking, make the ice bath to dunk the shrimp so they stop cooking. This step is important for perfectly cooked shrimp!
  5. Quick release pressure once the Instant Pot beeps to a finish, and immediately transfer the shrimp to the ice bath for several minutes.
  6. Peel the shrimp. I like to leave the tail on so there’s something to hold onto while eating.
  7. Serve with the Whole30 shrimp cocktail sauce!
Dipping Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail in cocktail sauce

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3 from 2 votes
Servings: 8 servings

Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)

This paleo and low carb Instant Pot Shrimp Cocktail comes out perfectly cooked every time. The homemade Whole30 cocktail sauce is so easy and tasty too!
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Pressurizing Time: 20 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 2 lemons
  • 2 lb jumbo shrimp, deveined, fresh or frozen
  • Ice bath

Cocktail Sauce

Instructions 

  • Make the cocktail sauce by stirring all its ingredients together. Refrigerate while you cook the shrimp.
  • Add water and sea salt to the Instant Pot.
  • Halve the lemons and squeeze the juice into the pot, then add the lemon halves in as well.
  • Add shrimp and stir together.
  • Close the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to Sealing.
  • Cook on High for 0 minutes. Make an ice bath while the shrimp is cooking. Quick release pressure. The time is the same for both fresh or frozen shrimp.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to the ice bath so they stop cooking.
  • Peel the shrimp. I like to leave the tail on so there's something to hold on to while eating.
  • Serve with cocktail sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 138kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 286mg, Sodium: 2075mg, Potassium: 137mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 175mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!
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Jean Choi

Iโ€™m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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4 Comments

  1. Meredith says:

    5 stars
    I didnโ€™t use jumbo shrimp so only cooked for 0 despite being frozen and came out perfect!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      So glad it worked out!!

  2. Matt says:

    1 star
    Overcooked and took longer than just boiling. Wonโ€™t do this again.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      So sorry to hear that! I’ve made this several times and it never overcooked. Did you use jumbo shrimp?