Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe is the dish that defines refreshing summer eating. Bright, zesty citrus that wakes up every single bite. Tender, sweet shrimp that practically melts in the mouth. Furthermore, the crunch of fresh vegetables and the creamy richness of ripe avocado bringing every component together into one extraordinary bowl.
Moreover, shrimp ceviche is consistently one of the most searched summer dinner ideas and quick cooking recipes on Pinterest during the warmer months. For more wonderful seafood and summer recipes, also explore our crispy Calamari Recipe, our stunning Burrata Salad Recipe and our full Sea Food collection.
Cooked vs Raw Shrimp for This Ceviche Recipe
Traditional ceviche uses raw seafood cured by the acidity of citrus juice. Furthermore, this recipe uses a quicker and more accessible method of briefly poaching the shrimp first and then marinating in citrus. Consequently, this approach produces a result that is equally delicious, significantly faster and more approachable for home cooks who are cautious about raw seafood.
Quick Poaching Method
Poach the shrimp in salted simmering water for just 2 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Moreover, immediately transferring to an ice bath stops the cooking process and keeps the shrimp tender rather than rubbery. Consequently, this method produces perfectly textured shrimp in a fraction of the time of a true raw ceviche.
The Citrus Marinade for This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Fresh lime and lemon juice combined create the perfect citrus marinade. Furthermore, lime provides the classic ceviche tartness while lemon adds a slightly different brightness that rounds out the flavor. Consequently, using both citrus fruits produces a more complex and interesting result than either alone.
Marinating Time
Marinate the cooked shrimp in the citrus juice for at least 15 minutes before adding the remaining vegetables. Moreover, this allows the shrimp to absorb the bright citrus flavor fully. Additionally, do not marinate for more than 2 hours as the texture of the shrimp can become slightly tough with extended acid exposure.
The Vegetables in This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
The combination of fresh vegetables provides the textural contrast and additional flavor dimensions that make this ceviche so satisfying. Furthermore, each vegetable contributes something unique to the finished dish.
Key Vegetables
- Ripe tomato — Diced finely for sweetness and juiciness. Moreover, use the ripest tomatoes available for the best flavor.
- Cucumber — Diced for crunch and a cooling, refreshing quality that balances the acidity.
- Red onion — Very finely diced for a sharp, pungent bite. Furthermore, soaking briefly in cold water mellows its intensity if preferred.
- Avocado — Added just before serving for creaminess. Consequently, adding avocado too early can cause it to brown and become mushy.
- Fresh coriander — A generous amount adds herbal brightness that ties the entire dish together.
How to Make This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
The method is fast and refreshing. First, quickly poach the shrimp and chill. Then marinate in citrus juice. Finally, add the vegetables and seasoning just before serving. The full method is in the recipe card below.
What to Serve with Shrimp Ceviche
This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe is a complete and refreshing starter. Furthermore, these pairings create the perfect summer spread:
Perfect Pairings
- Crispy tortilla chips or tostadas for scooping up the ceviche
- Our crispy Calamari Recipe as a second seafood starter for a coastal inspired spread
- A chilled glass of dry white wine or our refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca alongside
- Our vibrant Beef Tacos Recipe as a heartier main course after ceviche as a starter
- Sliced avocado and lime wedges on the side for everyone to adjust to their own taste
Easy Variations for This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Spicy Shrimp Ceviche — Add finely diced jalapeno or serrano chili for a fiery kick. Moreover, adjust the quantity of chili to suit your personal heat tolerance.
Tostada Shrimp Ceviche — Pile the finished ceviche onto crispy fried corn tostadas for an elegant individual serving presentation. Additionally, this format is extremely popular for parties and gatherings.
Coconut Shrimp Ceviche — Add a splash of coconut milk to the citrus marinade for a creamier, more tropical Peruvian inspired version. Consequently, this variation is sometimes called leche de tigre style ceviche.
Mixed Seafood Ceviche — Combine shrimp with diced white fish and small scallops for a more luxurious and varied seafood ceviche.
Make This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe Today
In conclusion, this Shrimp Ceviche Recipe is the most refreshing, vibrant and quick cooking recipe you can make in just 20 minutes. Therefore, whether it is a summer dinner starter, a picnic food showstopper or a light healthy lunch, this recipe always delivers an extraordinary burst of fresh flavor. Browse more of our wonderful Sea Food recipes and share your favorite variation in the comments below!
Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Tender shrimp marinated in fresh citrus with tomato, cucumber, red onion, avocado and coriander. Fresh, zesty and ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- The Shrimp
- 500 gRaw shrimp, peeled and deveinedQuick poaching makes this recipe safer and faster than traditional raw ceviche
- 1 tspSalt for poaching water
- The Citrus Marinade
- 120 mlFresh lime juice (approximately 8 limes)
- 60 mlFresh lemon juice (approximately 2 lemons)
- 1Fresh jalapeno, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- The Vegetables
- 2Ripe tomatoes, finely diced
- 1Cucumber, finely diced
- 1/2Red onion, very finely diced
- 2Ripe avocados, dicedAdd avocado at the very end to prevent it from browning or becoming mushy
- Large handfulFresh coriander, chopped
- To Finish
- 2 tbspExtra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepperTo taste
- As desiredTortilla chips or tostadas to serve
Equipment
Method for This Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
- 1 Poach and chill the shrimp: Bring a pot of salted water to a gentle simmer. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes until just pink and opaque. Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Furthermore, this rapid chilling is essential for keeping the shrimp tender. Drain well and cut into bite sized pieces if large.
- 2 Marinate in citrus: Place the cooled shrimp in a glass or ceramic bowl (never use metal as it can react with citrus). Pour over the fresh lime and lemon juice and add the diced jalapeno. Toss well to coat every piece. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Furthermore, the citrus continues to brighten and flavor the shrimp throughout this resting time.
- 3 Add the vegetables: Add the diced tomatoes, cucumber and red onion to the marinated shrimp. Toss gently to combine. Furthermore, mixing the vegetables in just before serving keeps everything fresh and crisp rather than watery and wilted.
- 4 Fold in avocado and finish: Gently fold in the diced avocado and chopped fresh coriander, being careful not to mash the avocado. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Furthermore, fold gently rather than stirring vigorously to keep the avocado pieces intact and visually distinct.
- 5 Serve immediately: Spoon into chilled bowls or glasses. Serve immediately with crispy tortilla chips or tostadas alongside. Furthermore, shrimp ceviche is best enjoyed fresh and should be eaten within an hour of final assembly for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition (Per Serving - based on 4 portions with avocado)
* Nutritional values are estimates per serving without tortilla chips. Adding 30g of tortilla chips adds approximately 150 kcal per serving.
Notes
- Always use a glass or ceramic bowl when marinating in citrus. Metal bowls can react with the acidity of the lime and lemon juice and impart an unpleasant metallic taste. Furthermore, glass or ceramic is completely inert and does not affect the flavor of the marinade in any way.
- Add avocado at the very last moment. Avocado browns quickly when exposed to air and citrus, and can become mushy if mixed in too far ahead. Furthermore, adding it as the final step preserves both its color and its firm, creamy texture in the finished ceviche.
- Do not marinate the shrimp for more than 2 hours. Extended exposure to citrus acidity can cause the cooked shrimp to become slightly tough and rubbery over time. Furthermore, the 15 to 30 minute window produces the most tender and flavorful result.
- This recipe serves 4 as a generous starter. To serve 6, increase shrimp to 750g and scale all other ingredients by 50 percent. Furthermore, the citrus quantities should be adjusted to taste as exact ratios vary depending on the juiciness of the specific fruit.
- Ceviche is best eaten the same day it is made. The texture and freshness of the vegetables and avocado deteriorate significantly after a few hours. Furthermore, leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours but the quality will not match the freshly made version.
Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Ceviche Recipe Every Time
- Use the freshest shrimp available. Shrimp quality is the most important factor in this recipe. Furthermore, fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp produces a noticeably sweeter and more delicate flavor than poor quality shrimp. Consequently, sourcing the best shrimp you can find is always worthwhile.
- Cut the shrimp into bite sized pieces after poaching. Smaller pieces absorb the citrus marinade more thoroughly and evenly than whole large shrimp. Furthermore, smaller pieces are also easier to eat and combine more harmoniously with the diced vegetables throughout the dish.
- Dice all vegetables to a similar small size. Consistent dicing ensures every spoonful contains a perfect balance of every ingredient. Furthermore, uniformly sized pieces also create a more visually appealing and professional looking finished ceviche.
- Chill the serving bowls before plating. A chilled bowl keeps the ceviche cold and refreshing for longer after it reaches the table. Furthermore, this small extra step makes a noticeable difference to the overall eating experience, especially when serving outdoors in warm weather.
- Serve with extra lime wedges on the side. Some guests prefer an even more intense citrus flavor. Furthermore, offering extra lime wedges allows everyone to customize their own portion to their personal taste preference.