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A festive Christmas shrimp wreath arranged with a dipping sauce at its center.

Classic Christmas Shrimp Wreath with Dipping Sauce

This festive Classic Christmas Shrimp Wreath with Dipping Sauce is perfect for holiday entertaining, featuring beautifully arranged shrimp with a zesty dipping sauce. It's an elegant and delicious appetizer that comes together easily for a stress-free celebration.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp Wreath
  • 2 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on), frozen about 30–35
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 head iceberg or butter lettuce leaves
  • ½ cup pomegranate arils
  • 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 cup thin citrus slices (lime or blood orange)
For the Dipping Sauce
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional
  • 1 tsp horseradish (prepared)
  • ½ tsp hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco)
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pan
  • Large round platter
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cooking the Shrimp
  1. Thaw shrimp if frozen and pat dry; drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Cook the shrimp in a large pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
  2. Remove the shrimp from the heat and set aside to cool slightly before arranging.
Preparing the Dipping Sauce
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, Dijon mustard (if using), horseradish, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Assembling the Wreath
  1. Arrange lettuce leaves on a large round platter to form a wreath base. Carefully arrange the cooked shrimp on top of the lettuce, overlapping them to create a festive wreath shape.
  2. Garnish the shrimp wreath with pomegranate arils, fresh dill, and citrus slices (lime or blood orange) for a vibrant and appealing presentation.
  3. Place the dipping sauce in a small bowl in the center of the shrimp wreath or alongside the platter for serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp for 15 minutes before cooking. Adjust hot sauce to your preference. This wreath can be prepared a few hours in advance and chilled. Add garnishes just before serving.