The Ultimate Zesty Shrimp Ceviche Recipe Everyone Will Love

Shrimp ceviche converts ordinary seafood into an extraordinary culinary experience that dances across your palate with bright, bold sensations.

Zingy citrus marinades work magic on delicate proteins, creating a refreshing blend of textures and tastes.

Raw ingredients combine in a harmonious symphony, delivering a light yet incredibly satisfying meal without traditional cooking methods.

Coastal cuisines have long celebrated this technique of gently “cooking” seafood through acidic juices.

Each bite promises a crisp, clean flavor profile that awakens your senses and transports you to sunny shorelines.

Packed with nutrition and vibrant ingredients, this dish represents pure summer elegance on a plate.

Easy Shrimp Ceviche: A Zesty, Refreshing Appetizer

• Quick Citrus Infusion
• Texture Harmony: Tender poached shrimp combined with crisp red onions, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado delivers an incredible mix of textures that dance together in every single bite.
• Healthy Protein Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from shrimp and nutrient-rich vegetables, this ceviche offers a light, nutritious meal that feels indulgent but supports your wellness goals without compromising on taste.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just 15 minutes of active cooking time and a simple refrigeration process, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that's perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

What You’ll Need to Make Easy Shrimp Ceviche

• Shrimp: Fresh ocean protein that forms the base of the ceviche, preferably medium-sized with no discoloration or strong fishy smell.

• Lemon Juice, Lime Juice

• Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy element that adds color and freshness to the dish, choose ripe and firm varieties.
• Red Onion: Sharp and crisp ingredient that provides a zesty bite, thinly slice for better texture.
• Jalapeño: Spicy pepper that introduces heat and complexity, remove seeds for milder flavor.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings bright, herbaceous notes, select bright green leaves with no wilting.
• Avocado: Creamy, rich fruit that adds smooth texture and subtle richness, choose ripe but firm avocados.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances and intensifies the overall taste of the ceviche.

• Tostadas, Tortilla Chips: Crunchy vehicles for enjoying the ceviche, provide textural contrast.

How to Make Refreshing and Tangy Shrimp Ceviche

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp for Poaching

Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add peeled and deveined shrimp. Let shrimp cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn opaque. Allow shrimp to cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.

Step 2: Chop and Combine Ingredients

• Fresh lemon juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Diced tomatoes
• Finely chopped red onion
• Minced jalapeño
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt

Toss ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even coating. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-4 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Step 3: Finish and Serve

• Diced ripe avocado

Mix carefully to prevent mashing the avocado. Serve alongside crispy tostadas or crunchy tortilla chips for a refreshing and zesty seafood appetizer.

Secrets for Perfectly Cooking Shrimp for Ceviche

• Chill Precisely: Refrigerate the ceviche between 1-4 hours to allow flavors to meld without overcooking the shrimp's delicate texture.
• Cut Consistently: Dice shrimp, tomatoes, and onions into uniform ½-inch pieces for balanced flavor and elegant presentation.
• Select Fresh Seafood: Choose high-quality, fresh shrimp without any fishy smell to ensure the best taste and food safety.
• Control Spice Level: Remove jalapeño seeds for milder heat or add more for extra kick, adjusting to personal spice preference.
• Serve Immediately: Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain its creamy, fresh texture.

How to Keep Shrimp Ceviche Fresh and Enjoy Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover ceviche in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Consume within 1-2 days for the best flavor and safety.
• Freezing: While not ideal, you can freeze ceviche for up to 1 month. Place in a freezer-safe container, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Avoid microwaving, as it will cook the shrimp further and change the texture. Instead, let the ceviche sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and restore its fresh taste.

Best Beverages to Pair with Shrimp Ceviche

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the zesty citrus notes of the ceviche with a refreshing sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the seafood's richness and complementing the bright lemon-lime marinade.
• Serve with Mexican Beer: A cold corona or modelo especial provides the perfect light, hoppy contrast to the shrimp's delicate flavor and the dish's tangy profile, creating a classic coastal pairing.
• Match with Fresh Margarita: Mix a classic margarita with tequila, lime juice, and a salt rim to echo the ceviche's citrusy undertones while adding a festive, tropical kick that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Accompany with Crisp Tortilla Chips: Choose thick, crunchy corn tortilla chips that provide a satisfying texture contrast to the soft, marinated shrimp and offer the ideal vessel for scooping up every zesty bite.

Fun Twists on Classic Shrimp Ceviche Recipes

• Mango Tropical Fusion: Replace tomatoes with diced ripe mangoes for a sweet and tangy flavor profile that complements the shrimp's richness.
• Cucumber Crisp Edition: Swap tomatoes with diced cucumber for a refreshing, light version that adds extra crunch and coolness to the ceviche.
• Spicy Habanero Kick: Substitute jalapeño with finely chopped habanero pepper to intensify the heat and create a more fiery seafood experience.
• Coconut Lime Splash: Mix in fresh coconut chunks and replace some citrus juice with coconut water for a Caribbean-inspired tropical interpretation of the classic ceviche.

Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Zesty Mexican shrimp ceviche delivers coastal freshness with lime-marinated seafood and crisp vegetables. Quick and refreshing, this classic Latin American dish brings ocean flavors to your plate in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed if frozen

Fresh Produce:

• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped and seeded
• 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
• 1 medium avocado
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems, chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lime juice (from about 2 to 3 limes)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Optional Serving:

• Tostadas or tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Immediately remove from heat and submerge peeled and deveined shrimp (680 grams or ), allowing them to poach gently for 2-3 minutes until they turn completely opaque and develop a delicate white color.
2. Transfer poached shrimp to a cooling rack or plate, letting them rest and cool completely for approximately 10-12 minutes at room temperature. Once cooled, carefully slice the shrimp into uniform half-inch (1.27 centimeters) cubes.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the diced shrimp with freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice, ensuring complete coverage of the seafood. Add finely chopped ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, minced jalapeño pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro.
4. Sprinkle kosher salt to enhance the flavors and gently toss all ingredients until thoroughly integrated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 4 hours, allowing the citrus juices to delicately “cook” the shrimp.
5. Just before serving, incorporate diced ripe avocado, folding gently to prevent mashing. Serve chilled alongside crispy tostadas or crunchy tortilla chips for an authentic Mexican-inspired appetizer.

Notes

• Poaching shrimp gently in salted water ensures tender, perfectly cooked seafood without rubbery texture.
• Citrus bath transforms raw shrimp into zesty, bright ceviche by “cooking” proteins through acid marination.
• Fresh jalapeño and red onion deliver vibrant crunch and sharp flavor contrast against sweet, delicate shrimp.
• Cilantro adds herbaceous freshness that complements the tangy lime and lemon juice marinade.
• Creamy avocado provides a smooth, rich counterpoint to the acidic and spicy ceviche components.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Lunch
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 150mg