This recipe comes together in a few simple steps. The main preparation involves mixing the marinade, adding the vegetables, and allowing the cooked shrimp to absorb the flavors in the refrigerator.

Step 1: Prepare the Tomato-Vinegar Marinade

In a medium bowl, whisk together the tomato juice, white vinegar, fresh lemon juice, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.

Continue whisking until the ingredients are evenly combined.

Taste a small amount of the marinade before adding the shrimp. If you enjoy a stronger spicy flavor, you can adjust the hot sauce slightly. If you prefer a milder appetizer, begin with the listed amount and avoid adding extra heat.

Remember that the marinade will coat the shrimp and vegetables, so the finished dish will taste more balanced when served together.

Step 2: Add the Fresh Vegetables and Herbs

Add the thinly sliced celery, red onion, lemon slices, and chopped parsley to the marinade.

Stir gently so the vegetables are evenly distributed.

The celery adds crunch and reinforces the classic Bloody Mary flavor. Red onion contributes a mild sharpness, lemon slices provide extra citrus aroma, and parsley adds a fresh herbal note.

Slice the vegetables relatively thinly so they distribute easily throughout the container and are convenient to serve with the shrimp.

Step 3: Place the Cooked Shrimp in a Container

Transfer the cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp to a clean, food-safe glass container with a lid.

Choose a container that allows the shrimp to sit in a reasonably even layer. A container that is too large may require more marinade to cover the seafood, while one that is too small can make mixing difficult.

If the shrimp are wet after thawing or cooking, drain them well before adding the marinade.

Step 4: Pour the Marinade Over the Shrimp

Pour the tomato-vinegar mixture over the cooked shrimp.

Arrange the shrimp and vegetables so the marinade reaches the seafood as evenly as possible. If needed, gently stir to distribute the vegetables and help coat the shrimp.

Keep the shrimp covered by the marinade as much as practical. Use a container with a suitable lid rather than leaving the seafood exposed in an open bowl.

Step 5: Cover and Refrigerate

Close the container and place it immediately in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.

Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least four hours for the flavors to develop. An overnight marinating period can provide a more pronounced Bloody Mary-inspired flavor, provided the shrimp remain safely refrigerated and are consumed within the recommended storage period.

Do not leave the shrimp on the counter to marinate. The acidity of the marinade does not make cooked seafood safe to store at room temperature.

Step 6: Stir Gently Before Serving

When ready to serve, gently stir the shrimp and vegetables so the tomato-based marinade coats everything evenly.

Avoid vigorous mixing, which may break delicate shrimp or turn the vegetables mushy.

Taste one shrimp and adjust the presentation with fresh lemon or chopped parsley if desired.

Step 7: Serve Chilled

Arrange the shrimp in small appetizer bowls, cocktail glasses, or a shallow serving dish.

Spoon a little of the marinade over the shrimp and add some of the sliced celery, red onion, and lemon.