Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe (2024)

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3.32 from 146 votes

This is the best Shrimp Ceviche recipe that’s refreshing, easy to make, and healthy! Serve with tortilla chips to dip, top on tostadas, tacos, salads, or enjoy just as it is.

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A bowl of chilled shrimp ceviche (especially on a warm day) will instantly satisfy your ceviche cravings. Zesty and refreshing citrus flavors are combined with succulent pieces of shrimp, and vegetables. You can put this together in just minutes and the spiciness can be adjusted to your preference.

One of my favorite things to order when we eat out at any Mexican restaurant is the Shrimp Ceviche! I love how it’s always the healthier option on the menu and I never feel guilty about indulging in it.

My favorite way to enjoy a bowl of fresh ceviche is with crispy tortilla chips. Some of my other Mexican-inspired recipes to serve with this dish is my Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Homemade Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Tostadas, Enchiladas, or Tacos.

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INGREDIENTS

Shrimp: cooked medium-sized shrimp with the tails removed. You could also use large shrimp, just be sure to cut them into smaller pieces. Bay shrimp will also work, you can just leave them whole since they are smaller.

Red onion: red onions are mild but still have a sharp flavor. If you wanted to a milder taste, use white onions.

Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes work best since they have a firm flesh. You could also use cherry tomatoes and vine ripe tomatoes, just be sure to scoop out as much of the middle as possible.

Cilantro: you just need a handful roughly chopped. You can also use fresh parsley instead.

Lime and lemon juice: freshly squeezed is best. You can even add some zest if you want to add more of a zingy flavor.

Salsa: use any of your favorite salsa brands, I love using a chunkier mild salsa.

Seasonings: garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

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HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP CEVICHE

MIX INGREDIENTS TOGETHER. In a large mixing bowl, combine shrimp, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, salsa, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

STIR. Stir until combined and all the ingredients are mixed together.

REFRIGERATE. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will allow all the ingredients to come together and the flavors will absorb in the shrimp. Enjoy!

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THIS SHRIMP CEVICHE RECIPE IS

  • Refreshing, light, and zesty.
  • Packed with protein and flavor so it will keep you feeling satisfied.
  • Perfect as a dip, adding to salads, tacos, and more!
  • Easy to make and can be customized with your favorite ceviche ingredients.

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WHAT IS SHRIMP CEVICHE?

Shrimp Ceviche is traditionally made with raw fish or shrimp that gets cooked in the citrus juices (lemon and lime juice). The acid from the citrus “cooks” the proteins in the fish, making it safe to eat. The fish will turn opaque and the texture will become firm.

Proteins are made up of amino acids, so when they are exposed to acid, the chains break down and arrange themselves into different forms which is how the fish “cooks” without there being any heat involved. This process takes about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the seafood pieces.

This recipe uses cooked shrimp so you don’t have to go through that process but it is still made the same way. The ceviche chills in the refrigerator for 30 minutes so all of the flavors get absorbed.

HOW TO EAT SHRIMP CEVICHE

You can eat ceviche just as it is since it’s packed with protein so it will keep you full. It makes a great healthy snack, appetizer, or main dish.

I love using dippers such as tortilla chips or crackers! You can also add a few scoops on top of tostadas, salads, or tacos.

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RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS

Add more seafood! If you’re a seafood lover like me, some other seafood options to add are cooked baby scallops, white fish, imitation or real crab meat, sliced octopus, and cooked squid.

Add spice. You can make this ceviche as mild or spicy as you want. Add your favorite hot sauce, diced jalapenos, and spicy salsa.

Add avocados: I recommend serving cubed or sliced avocado on the side instead of adding it to the ceviche. This will prevent the avocado from turning brown if you have leftovers.

Add sweetness. If you want to add sweetness, mix in 1 cup of diced fresh mango or pineapple.

Add more vegetables: some extra veggies you can add are diced bell peppers, carrots, celery, and corn.

Shrimp: I always recommend using cooked, medium-sized shrimp because it saves time and is one less step you have to do. You could also use large shrimp or bay shrimp. If you use large shrimp, it’s best to cut the shrimp into smaller pieces. If you use bay shrimp you can leave them whole since they are smaller.

STORAGE AND LEFTOVERS

Fresh is always best and has the most flavor when it comes to ceviche. If you do have leftovers store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

The longer the ceviche is in the refrigerator, the more liquid it will have and the tomatoes and cucumbers will start to wilt and get soggy.

To freeze, discard as much of the liquid as possible. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. You may have to add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salsa to bring back the flavor that was in the juice.

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OTHER SEAFOOD RECIPES

  • The Best Tuna Poke
  • Smoked Salmon Flatbread
  • Spicy Tuna Bites
  • Clam Dip
  • Shrimp Stuffed Avocados
  • Homemade California Roll

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CAN’T GET ENOUGH

Subscribeand I’ll send all my newest andFREErecipes to your inbox! You can also keep up with me onPinterest,Instagram, and Facebook. If you make this recipe, please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and share a picture onInstagramso I can see and feature you!

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Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

This is the best Shrimp Ceviche recipe that’s refreshing, easy to make, and healthy! Serve with tortilla chips to dip, top on tostadas, tacos, salads, or enjoy just as it is.

3.32 from 146 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: shrimp ceviche

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Kathryn Donangelo

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked shrimp medium-sized
  • 1/2 medium red onion diced
  • 1 cup cucumber seeded and diced
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes seeded and diced
  • 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons salsa
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • jalapeno optional
  • avocado optional
  • tortilla chips or crackers to dip optional

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine shrimp, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, salsa, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

  • Stir until combined and all the ingredients are mixed together.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will allow all the ingredients to come together and the flavors will absorb in the shrimp. Enjoy!

  • You don't have to place the ceviche in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, this is optional but I find the ceviche has better flavor when you do.

Find Kathryn's Kitchen Blog on Instagram!Mention @Kathryns.Kitchen.Blog or tag #kathrynskitchen!

Notes

Recipe Notes:

  • Add more seafood! If you're a seafood lover like me, some other seafood options to add are cooked baby scallops, white fish, imitation or real crab meat, sliced octopus, and cooked squid.
  • Add spice. You can make this ceviche as mild or spicy as you want. Add your favorite hot sauce, diced jalapenos, and spicy salsa.
  • Add avocados: I recommend serving cubed or sliced avocado on the side instead of adding it to the ceviche. This will prevent the avocado from turning brown if you have leftovers.
  • Add sweetness. If you want to add sweetness, mix in 1 cup of diced fresh mango or pineapple.
  • Add more vegetables: some extra veggies you can add are diced bell peppers, carrots, celery, and corn.
  • Leftovers: Fresh is always best and has the most flavor when it comes to ceviche. If you do have leftovers store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.The longer the ceviche is in the refrigerator, the more liquid it will have and the tomatoes and cucumbers will start to wilt and get soggy.
  • To freeze, discard as much of the liquid as possible. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. You may have to add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salsa to bring back the flavor that was in the juice.

Like this recipe? Then you'll love these:

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Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do raw shrimp need to sit in lime juice? ›

Here's how to do it:

Place the pieces in a bowl and cover entirely with ½ cup fresh lime juice. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. The shrimp will "cook" and turn pink. After 20 minutes, drain the shrimp pieces, discarding the lime juice.

Can I use lemon juice instead of lime in ceviche? ›

Bottled lemon and lime juice are safe to use for ceviche. The acids in them will "cook" the fish.

Can I use frozen shrimp to make ceviche? ›

Here's What Goes into Shrimp Ceviche

If you cannot get fresh raw shrimp, you can use frozen and thawed shrimp. If you prefer not to use raw shrimp, you can lightly poach it before marinating it. Since the shrimp is cut into pieces, you can use any size of shrimpyou'd like.

How do I know when my shrimp ceviche is done? ›

Cover the bowl and set in the fridge until the shrimp is fully pink with no gray or raw parts, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Mix the ceviche: Add the jalapeno, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.

Can you eat raw shrimp marinated in lime juice? ›

The citrus from the lime helps to break down the proteins in the shrimp leaving the shrimp safe for consumption. This marinating time turns the flesh to opaque pink and destroys any harmful bacteria.

What happens when you soak shrimp in lemon juice? ›

The citric acid in lime or lemon juice denatures the proteins in seafood, which make it look as though it's cooked. However, the seafood is not, technically, "cooked." The acidic marinade won't kill bacteria, unlike cooking with heat.

How long do you marinate ceviche for? ›

Depending on the size of the fish pieces, you will need at least 30 minutes and normally an hour for the citrus to “cook” the fish. Two hours is fine, but beyond that the ceviche, while still good, becomes more of a pickled fish thing. It's a subtle difference, but you can taste it.

Can you overcook ceviche in lime juice? ›

The fish will begin to cook immediately, however, because citrus is acidic it is not being being cooked by heat but the citrus juice from the lime. This process will take anywhere from 15-20 minutes. You can leave in the lime juice longer as it will cook the fish more thoroughly. Overcooking isn't an issue.

What is the best fish to use for ceviche? ›

Fish or seafood: Choose high-quality fresh or commercially frozen fish and seafood. Tilapia, salmon, black, white, or striped sea bass, halibut, flounder, snapper, grouper, sole, sea trout, yellowtail, shrimp, squid, scallops, and octopus are all great choices. Be sure to remove any skin before cutting.

Can you eat GREY shrimp in ceviche? ›

Unlike tuna or salmon, shrimp should be poached as part of the ceviche making process. Otherwise, the crustacean takes on a grey color and never quite reaches an ideal texture. Eating raw shrimp is considered a delicacy in some parts of the world but it is ill advised in most cases.

How healthy is shrimp ceviche? ›

Ceviche is not only delicious and flavorful, but it also offers benefits for weight loss due to its high nutrient content. Since ceviche contains primarily raw ingredients, it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals found in seafood, such as iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamin E and B12.

Why isn't my shrimp turning pink in lime juice? ›

that's because the proteins are being denatured. so the next time you eat ceviche, just remember you are still eating raw seafood.

Should ceviche sit overnight? ›

As I said above, I do not recommend making ceviche de pescado ahead. This is because the lime juice can have a “pickling” effect on the ingredients as they sit overnight.

Can ceviche be a little pink? ›

The cool thing about ceviche is it requires no heat to cook — it is "cooked" by the acid in the citrus juices through a process known as chemical denaturing. This is what causes the fish to go from a pinkish, translucent color to an opaque white, while still retaining its moisture.

Should ceviche be white all the way through? ›

At its core, Ceviche is as simple as tossing raw fish with lime juice, then leaving it for 5 minutes to let the acid “cook” the fish, making it turn white on the surface, but still raw inside.

How long can ceviche sit in lime juice? ›

While it might still be safe to eat, after sitting in the marinade for about two hours, the fish will begin to change in texture, and not in a good way. You'll want to serve ceviche as soon as it's finished marinating — we don't recommend keeping it out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Can I marinate shrimp in lime juice overnight? ›

Just like shrimp, you never want to marinade any seafood in a citrus marinade for more than 2 hours. I recommend 15-30 minutes.

How long do you have to wait to eat aguachiles? ›

The dish can be served immediately, but refrigerating for 30 minutes to 1 hour will achieve a more ceviche-like (“cooked”) texture. The dish can also be tightly covered and refrigerated overnight to serve the next day. Sprinkle aguachile with jalapeno slices and cilantro to garnish, and serve with tortilla chips.

Is shrimp ceviche good after 3 days? ›

Layer with salsa and shrimp and garnish with cilantro, shrimp or lime wedge and serve with tortilla chips. Because the shrimp is marinated in lime juice, ceviche can be kept in the fridge for at up to 2-3 days. However, it does not freeze very well so eat ASAP!

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