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    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Ceviche Recipe with Shrimp or Seafood

    Published: Jul 19, 2021 · Modified: May 9, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments
    CEVICHE RECIPE WITH SHRIMP OR SEAFOOD

    Ceviche is a famous South American dish of raw seafood cooked in an acidic marinade, mixed with fresh spicy chilis, onions, and herbs.

    This classic ceviche recipe (also known as cebiche and seviche) makes an easy and delicious light meal or an impressive appetizer, especially if you're serving Mexican Food.

    shrimp ceviche is a stemless glass, served with tortilla chips

    This is the best ceviche recipe because the flavors are perfectly balanced — it's a little bit spicy, fresh, and crisp, with savory onions and creamy avocadoes. If you're a fan of a good seafood cocktail, you can't go wrong with this easy recipe.

    Don't forget to pin this recipe to save it for later!

    What You'll Need

    • A large glass bowl
    • A sharp chef's knife
    • Serving glasses.

    FRESH INGREDIENTS

    This is an easy recipe that requires simple ingredients. Fresh fish or other seafood, like shrimp, scallops, and octopus.

    The vegetable ingredients used to make are similar to what you need to make a salsa recipe.

    raw shrimp, limes and lemons for making ceviche
    ingredients for ceviche on a cutting board
    • Fresh juicy tomatoes. I like ripe Roma tomatoes for this recipe. Deseed the tomatoes and dice them.
    • Onion. Red onion adds great flavor and color to this ceviche recipe. Quarter an onion and then slice one-quarter of it as thin as possible. You'll want about a quarter of a cup.
    • Garlic. Use two to three cloves of garlic, minced or pressed.
    • Fresh Cilantro. Finely minced cilantro adds flavor and color to ceviche. Use two to three tablespoons.
    • Chilies. Use two to three serrano peppers or jalapeño peppers, depending on how much heat you like.
    • Cucumbers. I like to use a few seeded Persian cucumbers in this recipe
    • Lemon and Lime juice. You'll need about 1 cup of citrus juice. You can use any combination of lemon and lime juice.
    • Seafood. This recipe calls for one pound of seafood. I used shrimp. But you can use a mixture of fish, shrimp, and other seafood in this recipe.

    The best type of fish for ceviche

    This recipe is made with fresh shrimp, but you can use other types of seafood to make an authentic Mexican ceviche recipe: cod, tilapia, halibut, mahi-mahi, scallops, and octopus.

    You can use one or more seafood options to create different flavors. Buy 1 pound of the freshest seafood available.

    HOW TO MAKE CEVICHE

    Step 1 - Combine the lemon and lime juice with the shrimp.

    Marinate for about 30 minutes.

    shrimp in an acidic marinade
    shrimp that has been cooked with acid.

    How Does Cooking With Acid Work?

    Here's the food science behind cooking with an acid marinade.

    The method of cooking with acid is perfectly safe. You end up with fish that has been delicately cooked with the acid from lemon and lime juice. Peruvian recipes also use orange juice.

    During the cooking process (heat or acid), protein is denatured. In the case of ceviche, citric acid is used for cooking the protein.

    The process of cooking with acid takes about 30 minutes or less. Remember that you can "overcook" fish even though there is no heat. If the proteins are overcooked, you end up with dry and tough meat. So once the seafood is firm, strain off the acid marinade.

    Step 2 - Cut the vegetables

    tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, cucumbers, red onion, and serranos chopped in a bowl.

    Step 3 - Combine the Veggies with Shrimp

    Drain off the excess citrus marinade and then combine the veggies with the cooked shrimp.

    mixed shrimp and ceviche

    Ceviche Tips

    • Buy the freshest seafood you can find. Frozen is the next best option if you can't find fresh seafood in your area.
    • Use a glass or plastic bowl.
    • Cut fish into small pieces.
    • Shrimp can be whole or cut into small pieces.
    • Don't overcook the seafood.

    RECIPE VARIATIONS

    There are many different ways to make ceviche recipes, but the general preparation is the same. Seafood, shrimp, or fish is cooked in citrus juice. The cooking solution is drained off, and then fresh veggies are added.

    SHRIMP CEVICHE RECIPE

    Shrimp ceviche is made with fresh shrimp. The raw shrimp is cooked in lemon and lime juice served with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and chilies.

    MEXICAN SHRIMP CEVICHE RECIPE WITH CLAMATO

    I like to add a little bit of clamato to the marinade in this recipe. Clamato juice is a tomato juice cocktail that is made with clam juice. It adds a little extra flavor and helps round out the acid from the lemon and lime juice.

    SEAFOOD CEVICHE RECIPE

    Other fresh fish is commonly seen in ceviche recipes. Most commonly cod, tilapia, sea bass, halibut, and mahi-mahi. Delicate white fish works best..

    In addition, scallops and octopus are fantastic in a ceviche recipe.

    shrimp ceviche pictured with fresh lemons, limes, avocados, and tortilla chips

    PERUVIAN CEVICHE VS. MEXICAN CEVICHE

    Peruvian ceviche is a little different from Mexican ceviche. While both versions are essentially raw seafood that is cooked in an acidic marinade, the Peruvian version incorporates orange juice, and you will find the use of hotter chilis.

    Peruvian ceviche has also gained Japanese influence in handling raw fish and skips the longer "cooking" step. Peruvian recipes plate the raw fish with the citrus and forgo, cooking it in acid for 15 to 30 minutes.

    Mexican recipes are usually made with serranos, while habeñeros and Thai chilis make the Peruvian varieties.

    In addition, Peruvian ceviche is often made with sweet potatoes and corn, while Mexican ceviche is made with tomatoes and avocado. Both are fantastic!

    Serve Ceviche With

    • Creamy Avocadoes
    • Lime wedges
    • Crackers
    • Tortilla Chips
    • Plantain chips
    • Lime Wedges
    • Hot Sauce
    seafood ceviche served with tostada shells

    Frequently Asked Question

    Does lime cook shrimp?

    The acid in citrus is capable of cooking shrimp and seafood. This process usually takes up to 30 minutes.

    Where is ceviche from?

    Ceviche is a dish that originated in Latin America, most notably on the Pacific Coast of Peru. Ceviche eventually migrated to Spain and then to the Pacific Islands and Japan. Nowadays, you can see regional ceviche recipes all over the world.

    What does ceviche taste like?

    Ceviche has a mild seafood flavor complemented by the tartness of the lemon and fresh citrus juice. It can be spicy and the fresh ingredients like juicy tomatoes and buttery avocado make this recipe the best light meal on a hot summer day.

    How long does ceviche keep in the fridge?

    The acidic marinade keeps ceviche fresh. It can be safely stored in the fridge and eaten for about two days. The acids in the marinade will continue to cook the fish, and it can become rubbery if you try to keep it any longer than that.

    Can you freeze ceviche?

    I don't recommend freezing ceviche. This dish is best when eaten within a couple of hours of making it.

    fresh shrimp ceviche served with tortilla chips

    Hungry For More Mexican Food

    Mexican ceviche is the perfect appetizer course for your favorite Mexican Food Recipes.

    Try out some of my favorite recipes like Carne Asada Tacos, Enchiladas, or my favorite Fish Taco Bowl with Mango Salsa if you're hungry for more.

    Don't forget the homemade tortillas with a side of guacamole and a serving of Mexican Rice.

    You are sure to find something to satisfy your Mexican food cravings.

    • Mexican Street Corn - Grilled & Addictive
    • Pineapple Salsa Recipe
    • Carne Asada Tacos
    • Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
    • Corn Salsa Recipe
    • Carnitas Recipe

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    shrimp ceviche recipe
    Favorite Saved!

    Ceviche Recipe

    Laura Reigel
    A simple and delicious Ceviche recipe is a classic South American seafood dish made of raw fish that's marinated in citrus juice, spicy chilis, onions and herbs.
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Marinate 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Light Fare
    Cuisine Latin American, Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 182 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lbs shrimp shelled, deveined, and cut in half or thirds
    • 2 to 3 small tomatoes diced (I like roma tomatoes) (1 cup)
    • 2 small cucumbers diced persian cucumbers (1 cups)
    • ¼ red onion finely sliced
    • ¼ bunch fresh cilantro minced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 to 3 serrano peppers minced or sliced in rounds, remove the seeds and membranes for less heat
    • 3 lemons juiced
    • 3 limes juiced
    • 1-2 teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil
    • 1 avocado diced, add right before serving or serve on the side
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
    • ¼ cup clamato or clam juice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add all of the prepared veggies to a large non reactive (plastic or glass) bowl. Set aside.
    • Peel and devein the shrimp. Chop them into bite-sized pieces (½ or ⅓). Add to a large bowl. 
    • Squeeze the lemon and lime juice over the shrimp(or other seafood). Add enough citrus juice to cover completely. 
    • Let the ceviche sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or so. When the ceviche is done cooking you will see that the shrimp have turned pink and the fish will have a firmer texture.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the seafood from the acid and place it in the bowl of prepared veggies. Toss to combine all of the ingredients. Add fresh diced avocado and clamato, if desired.
    • Enjoy with tortilla chips or plantain chips and some hot sauce. 

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    • Fresh tomatoes. I like ripe Roma tomatoes for this recipe. Deseed the tomatoes and dice them.
    • Onion. Red onion adds great flavor and color to this ceviche recipe. Quarter an onion and then slice on a quarter of it as thin as possible. You'll want about a quarter of a cup.
    • Garlic. Use two to three cloves of garlic, minced or pressed.
    • Cilantro. Finely minced cilantro adds flavor and color to ceviche. Use two to three tablespoons.
    • Chilies. Use two to three serrano peppers or jalapeño peppers depending on how much heat you like.
    • Lemon and lime juice. You'll need about 1 cup of citrus juice. You can use any combination of lemon and lime juice.
    • Seafood. This recipe calls for one pound of seafood. I used shrimp. But you can use a mixture of fish, shrimp, and other seafood in this recipe.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 18gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 824mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gCalcium: 154mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Mexican, seafood, shrimp
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

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    332 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara

      July 20, 2021 at 6:31 am

      5 stars
      Brings back memories of a trip we took to Costa Rica.

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        July 20, 2021 at 8:34 am

        Ahhh I wish I was in Costa Rica right now! I can only imagine how delicious that ceviche was.

        Reply

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