• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
Follow me on Facebook!Follow me on Twitter!Follow me on Pinterest!Follow me on Instagram!Follow me on BlogLovin!
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Me

Bitz & Giggles

Delicious bitz & tips for a happy life.

  • Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Ninja Foodi
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Breakfast
    • Salads
    • Main Courses
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
  • DIY & Cleaning
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Beauty & Health Tips
    • Family Fun
    • Printables
    • Pets
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Teacher Week
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Travel
    • Vacation Tips
  • Resources
    • Blogging Tips
    • Time Management
  • Shop

Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray

December 27, 2013

99 shares

Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray

When you think about New Year’s Eve, what comes to mind? On a grand scale, I think about fireworks, champagne toasts, the big count down, elaborate evening gowns and everything that sparkles. Have I ever experienced a New Year’s celebration like that? Not a once. But a girl can dream, right?

Honestly, I really don’t need anything that elaborate to ring in the new year. To me, New Year’s Eve is an occasion meant to be spent with friends and family talking about all that’s happened in the last 12 months and looking forward to the new year ahead. It’s a time for renewal, a time for new beginnings and it’s a time for a buffet table full of appetizers.

It always seems to come down to food with me doesn’t it?

Well, today I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to serve up shrimp cocktail at a party. The key to fresh, tasty shrimp is keeping them cold throughout the evening. And while some shrimp over ice on a serving platter may look nice when you first put it out, halfway through the evening after the ice melts, the remaining shrimp start floating belly side up and the whole presentation looks well. . .kind of disgusting.

A couple years ago, I came up with a very simple and easy idea to keep my shrimp chilled throughout the evening and avoid the awful “shrimp float.”

I put one of my trays together for our family’s Christmas Eve gathering this year and took some pictures while we were getting all of the food ready. You’re going to need two aluminum foil containers. One needs to be larger than the other – just large enough that the small container can sit nicely on top of the larger container.

The first thing you’ll want to do is take your smaller container and use a clean screwdriver (or other sharp object) to punch holes in the bottom.
 Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray
I just set the smaller container into the larger container while I poked my holes. My larger container can be seen below. You can kind of see the impressions I made while poking the holes. Don’t worry about that. You won’t see the bottom of either of the containers anyway. If you’d prefer a more “formal” look, you could always use a stoneware type dish for the bottom of your tray.
I’m all about easy clean up at parties so I wasn’t about to bring yet another dish that requires washing.
 Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray
Next, place your smaller container on top of the larger container, leaving enough room between the two for the water to drain. Add a generous layer of crushed ice to the bottom of the top container, place your shrimp on top and garnish with some lemon slices.
If you’d like, you could even put a small dish of cocktail sauce in the middle of the presentation, but I just choose to serve it on the side.
Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray
And, there you have it. A DIY tray that will keep your shrimp cold and fresh throughout the evening. No more floating shrimp. No more unhappy guests. Happy New Year everyone!
Self-Draining Shrimp Cocktail Party Tray

(Visited 18,433 times, 1 visits today)

Related

Share this Post

Posted in: Appetizers, Christmas, Holidays, New Year's, Recipes

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    December 31, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for posting this on Saturday Night Fever Link Party! Hope to see you again Saturday!

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    January 2, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    I happened to just stumble across your link party last week and am so glad I found it, Pamela! I definitely will join you again on Saturday. Thank you for stopping by!

    Reply
  3. Judy says

    January 31, 2019 at 9:56 am

    Great idea! Do you know what size containers you used? Thanks

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 1, 2019 at 8:45 pm

      I don’t have exact size specifications but what I can tell you is that the top container needs to fit into the “top” of the bottom one. There needs to be enough room between the top container and the bottom container for the water that seeps through from the ice. I usually go to the dollar store and just start fitting foil containers into other foil containers and I usually find a fit. I have also found foil containers in the past that already have draining holes built right in!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    Great idea!

    Reply
  5. Joll says

    November 23, 2022 at 3:56 am

    I layer ice and shrimp in a stainless steel collander, place in a cake pan

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Sara!

I’m a Mid-Western girl with a Type A personality who lives to entertain. I believe it’s the special touches that make all the difference when it comes to family, home and a happy life. Read more

Subscribe by Email

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

to stay in the loop on new posts!

Recipes
DIY & Cleaning
Travel
Business Tips
All

Reader Faves

  • Easy Vanilla Mug Cake
  • Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Roast Chicken
  • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Footer

A classic dish you will never forget! 🤗 This he A classic dish you will never forget! 🤗 This hearty Midwestern casserole features ground beef and green beans, surrounded by cheesy 🧀 mashed potatoes 🥔 and crunchy French fried onions. ❤️ Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/hamburger-and-potato-casserole/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #hamburgerandpotatocasserole #hamburgerandpotatocasserolerecipe #hamburgercasserole #potatocasserole #easycasseroles
Veggies are looking good tonight! 😍 These crisp Veggies are looking good tonight! 😍 These crispy and flavorful Brussel spouts are prepared with honey and balsamic. Hello deliciousness! 👋 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/honey-balsamic-air-fryer-brussels-sprouts/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #honeyblasamicairfryerbrusselsprouts #airfryerbrusselsprouts #afbrusselsprouts #airfryerbrusselsproutrecipe
Dessert in the air fryer? 🤷🏼‍♀️ You be Dessert in the air fryer? 🤷🏼‍♀️ You bet! 👍🏼 Smooth and creamy classic cheesecake served over a crisp homemade graham cracker crust, topped with fresh berries 🍓 and made right in the air fryer. 🙌🏼 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/air-fryer-berry-cheesecake/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #airfryerberrycheesecake #airfryercheesecake #airfryercheesecakerecipe #airfryerberrycheesecakerecipe
Breakfast is served! 🍽 This easy, hassle-free o Breakfast is served! 🍽 This easy, hassle-free overnight French toast casserole has a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping! Serve and enjoy! 😊 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/french-toast-bake/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #frenchtoastbake #frenchtoastbakerecipe #breakfastbake #breakfastbakerecipe #breakfastrecipe
Simple, sweet, and sensational! 😍 Just 4-ingred Simple, sweet, and sensational! 😍 Just 4-ingredients in this fluffy no-bake dessert loaded with Oreo cookies folded into creamy vanilla pudding.🤎🤍🤎 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/oreo-fluff-salad/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #oreofluffsalad #oreosalad #oreodessert #oreofluffrecipe
A delicious cake made with ice cream 🍦 sandwich A delicious cake made with ice cream 🍦 sandwiches, fresh strawberry 🍓 jam and finished with a vanilla and strawberry crumble topping! ❤️ I'll have seconds! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/strawberry-crumble-ice-cream-cake/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #strawberrycrumbleicecreamcake #strawberryicecreamcake #icecreamcake #easyicecreamcake
Sweet satisfaction! 🤗 These sweet potato fries Sweet satisfaction! 🤗 These sweet potato fries 🍟 are a lighter alternative to French fries, crisped to perfection in the air fryer in under 15 minutes! 😋 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #airfryersweetpotatofries #afsweetpotatofries #sweetpotatofries #airfryerrecipes #airfryerfries
These scallops are browned to perfection 🙌🏼 These scallops are browned to perfection 🙌🏼 in an air fryer, then drizzled with a lemon 🍋 basil 🌿 cream sauce. Simple yet irresistible! 😍 Get the recipe 👉🏼 https://bitzngiggles.com/air-fryer-scallops-with-lemon-cream-sauce/
.
.
.
.
#foodstagram #Todayfood #foodgawker #feedfeed #thefeedfeed #f52grams #tastespotting #foodwinewomen #bhgfood #yahoofood #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #forkyeah #ourplatesdaily #eeeeeats #foodnetwork #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeedfood #forkfeed #damnthatsdelish #gloobyfood #bitzngiggles #marthafood #airfryerscallops #airfryerscallopsrecipe #afscallops #afscallopsrecipe #airfryerseafood
Follow on Instagram

subscribe by email

to stay in the loop on new posts!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.
Recipes
DIY & Cleaning
Travel
Business Tips
All
Follow me on Facebook!Follow me on Twitter!Follow me on Pinterest!Follow me on Instagram!Follow me on BlogLovin!
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Me

© 2023 Bitz and GigglesPrivacy Policy
Website Design by Melissa Rose Design
·
Development by Once Coupled