Prawn Cocktail Sauce

What is it?

Creamy and pale pink, this prawn cocktail dipping sauce is built for shellfish, cold seafood platters, or lettuce leaves. It usually combines mayonnaise with tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and a little seasoning, so you get that familiar sweet-sharp, slightly tangy profile that's been a British staple since the 1970s. Sold as a simple chilled condiment rather than part of a frozen meal range, it's the sort of sauce that gets spooned straight from the pot or served alongside prawns. Expect a smooth, spoonable consistency that coats without dripping, with enough acidity to cut through rich shellfish. Works just as well with smoked salmon or crudités if prawns aren't on the menu. Serves four.