Zesty Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

Tangy & Fresh Shrimp Ceviche Recipe: A Coastal Delight

Summer’s heat calls for a zesty shrimp ceviche recipe that dances with bright, bold flavors.

Fresh seafood marinates in tangy citrus juices, creating a refreshing coastal dish bursting with color.

Each bite delivers a vibrant mix of tender shrimp and crisp vegetables.

The lime-soaked proteins develop a delicate texture that melts on the tongue.

Cilantro and jalapeños add a spicy kick that awakens the senses.

Serve this ceviche as a cool appetizer or light meal that transports you to a sunny beach.

Let’s find out this delectable blend of oceanic freshness and Latin American tradition.

How to Chill and Store Shrimp Ceviche Properly

  • Quick Chill Method: Refrigerate the ceviche in an airtight container to maintain freshness and let citrus juices fully infuse the shrimp with zesty flavors.
  • Flavor Enhancement Tip: Allow the mixture to rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour, letting the ingredients meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
  • Smart Storage Strategy: Keep the ceviche sealed and chilled for up to 24 hours, ensuring the seafood remains safe and delicious for quick snacking or entertaining.
  • Ingredient Separation Trick: Store avocado separately and add just before serving to prevent browning and maintain its creamy texture and vibrant green color.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Shrimp Ceviche

For Base Ingredients:
  • Raw Shrimp
  • Lemon Juice, Lime Juice
For Aromatic and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Red Onion: Sharp, crisp vegetable adding zingy bite and fresh crunch to the dish.
  • Jalapeño: Introduces subtle heat and bright pepper complexity, adjustable to personal spice preference.
  • Cilantro: Herbaceous green ingredient delivering fresh, clean taste with traditional Mexican culinary essence.
  • Kosher Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and amplifies overall dish flavors.
For Finishing and Serving Components:
  • Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet element providing color, freshness, and light acidic undertone.
  • Avocado: Creamy, rich ingredient that softens dish's sharpness and adds luxurious texture.
  • Tostadas or Tortilla Chips: Optional crunchy vessel for serving, perfect for scooping and enjoying ceviche.

Tools for Preparing Shrimp Ceviche at Home

  • Large pot: Essential for boiling water and poaching shrimp gently.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping shrimp, vegetables, and avocado.
  • Sharp knife: Perfect for precise chopping of ingredients.
  • Large mixing bowl: Crucial for combining and marinating shrimp and vegetables.
  • Measuring cups/spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Citrus juicer or reamer: Great for extracting fresh lemon and lime juice.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Steps to Make Fresh Shrimp Ceviche

  • Tender Seafood Preparation

Gently poach fresh shrimp in salted water, watching carefully as they transform from translucent to opaque. Allow the shrimp to cool completely, creating a perfect base for your zesty dish.

  • Citrus Magic

Combine chopped shrimp with vibrant citrus juices, creating a marinade that will infuse the seafood with bright, tangy flavors. Introduce crisp diced tomatoes, sharp red onion, and a kick of jalapeño for an exciting flavor profile.

  • Flavor Fusion

Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator, allowing the citrus to work its culinary magic. Just before serving, fold in creamy avocado chunks for a luxurious finishing touch that adds richness and depth.

  • Serving Suggestion

Present your ceviche alongside crunchy tostadas or tortilla chips, creating a perfect balance of textures that will make your taste buds dance with excitement. This dish is a celebration of fresh, vibrant ingredients that come together in a truly memorable way.

Tips for Zesty Shrimp Ceviche Every Time

  • Shrimp Ceviche Mastery
  • Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp with a clean, ocean-like smell for the best flavor and texture in your ceviche.
  • Poach shrimp briefly to prevent rubbery texture – those 2-3 minutes make all the difference between tender and tough seafood.
  • Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent texture and balanced bites that look as amazing as they taste.
  • Chill ceviche for at least an hour to let flavors mingle and develop a more complex, bright profile before serving with crispy tostadas or tortilla chips.

Serving Shrimp Ceviche for Best Impact

  • Fiesta on a Plate: Transform your shrimp ceviche into a vibrant party platter by arranging it on a large wooden board with colorful garnishes and crispy accompaniments.
  • Beach Day Bites: Pack this zesty ceviche in a chilled container for a refreshing picnic or beach lunch, pairing it with crunchy tortilla chips and a cold cerveza.
  • Taco Night Twist: Elevate taco night by serving the ceviche as a fresh topping or side dish, allowing guests to spoon it onto soft corn tortillas or use as a bright, tangy salsa.
  • Appetizer Elegance: Present the ceviche in elegant martini glasses or small glass bowls, garnished with extra cilantro and a lime wedge for a sophisticated starter at dinner parties.
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Zesty Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

Zesty Shrimp Ceviche Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Mexican shrimp ceviche brings zesty citrus flavors and fresh seafood together in a classic coastal dish. Lime juice marinates raw shrimp while cilantro, tomatoes, and onions create a refreshing medley you can enjoy with crisp tortilla chips.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed if frozen
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped and seeded
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (about 3 tbsps)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems, chopped
  • 1 medium avocado
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice (from about 2 to 3 limes)
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • Tostadas or tortilla chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Poaching Preparation: Heat salted water to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Submerge peeled and deveined shrimp, allowing them to gently poach for 2-3 minutes until they turn opaque.
  2. Cooling and Cutting: Let shrimp cool completely at room temperature, then slice into uniform half-inch cubes with precision.
  3. Citrus Marinade: Transfer cubed shrimp to a mixing bowl, covering completely with freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice. Add chopped tomatoes, sliced red onion, minced jalapeño, and fresh cilantro.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Season with kosher salt and gently toss ingredients until well-combined. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-4 hours, allowing citrus juices to delicately “cook” the seafood.
  5. Final Touch and Serving: Moments before presentation, fold in diced ripe avocado carefully. Plate alongside crispy tostadas or tortilla chips, creating an authentic Mexican-style appetizer ready to delight.

Notes

  • Poach Perfectly: Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing from heat immediately after they turn opaque to maintain tender, succulent texture.
  • Citrus Magic: Let shrimp marinate in lemon and lime juice for at least 1 hour to allow natural acid to “cook” the seafood and enhance flavor profile.
  • Prep Ahead: Ceviche tastes best when chilled for 2-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste.
  • Serve Fresh: Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain vibrant green color and creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Lunch
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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