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1946-1969 - American home entertainers and restaurant chefs during postwar era.
Shrimp Cocktail is a classic American appetizer involving chilled cooked shrimp with a zesty, tomato-based cocktail sauce. It rose to peak popularity in postwar America as a staple at cocktail parties and formal gatherings.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
5 minutes
Total time
20 minutes
Servings
6 servings
Region
Las Vegas casino, steakhouse, and cocktail-lounge kitchens
Era introduced
1946-1969
Introduced by
American home entertainers and restaurant chefs during postwar era.
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The Shrimp Cocktail became ubiquitous in American entertaining from the 1940s through the 1960s, coinciding with the rise of suburban cocktail parties and appetizer-focused socializing. Its appeal lies in the simplicity and elegance of chilled shrimp paired with a tangy, spice-forward sauce. This dish illustrates mid-century American taste preferences and the growing availability of frozen and peeled shrimp, marking a shift in seafood consumption patterns.
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