If you love fresh meals and seafood, here is a Shrimp Ceviche Recipe you can make at home any day of the week. This recipe is perfect for backyard get-togethers, chips-and-salsa time, or a fresh weekday dinner.
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It's May in the Pacific Northwest, which means it's spotted prawn fishing season! We are so lucky to live in a place that provides fresh, healthy, and delicious seafood. Instead of freezing the loot this year, we decided to eat it as fresh as possible.
One of my good friends, Oriana, gave me this Shrimp Ceviche recipe. She made this for me years ago, and I still remember how amazing it was! She is a nutrition coach and a health enthusiast. You can follow her on Instagram @real_foodbeauty/.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You'll love this Shrimp Ceviche Recipe because it's bursting with tangy flavors from lime juice and fresh veggies, mixed with juicy shrimp that tastes amazing, just like my Crunchy Kale Salad. It's easy to make and perfect for enjoying on a hot day because it's light and refreshing.
This fresh shrimp dip is perfect for an appetizer or a complement to a meal, just like my Chile Relleno Cheese Dip. You can serve this recipe with chips, on top of tacos, or as a side to a complete meal.
What is Shrimp Ceviche?
Ceviche is a dish popular throughout Latin America that's made with fresh shrimp or other fresh raw seafood and "cooked" in citrus juices. You must use the freshest seafood possible when making ceviche from the raw stage because of food safety concerns.
If you aren't sure how fresh your seafood is or aren't comfortable using the citrus method, cook your seafood first. Your ceviche will still be delicious!
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
For this recipe, I use all fresh ingredients and raw shrimp. As I mentioned, you can also use cooked shrimp, and the results will still be amazing.
- tomatoes
- jalapeno
- yellow bell pepper
- lemon
- lime
- fresh cilantro
- green onions
- garlic cloves
Substitutions and Other Ingredients
The great thing about recipes that use fresh ingredients is that you can usually make substitutions. Here are some other ingredients that you could use or try in your ceviche:
- fresh or cooked fish, crab, or lobster
- orange juice
- habanero peppers
- poblano peppers
- cucumbers
- avocado
- red onion
- mango
Readers have also had great success adding cucumber and avocado for extra freshness and creaminess.
💡 Top Tip
Use a glass, stainless steel, or ceramic bowl for marinating. Avoid aluminum or copper, since the acidic citrus juice can react with these metals and affect the flavor.
How to Make Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp Ceviche is so easy to make! The only time-consuming thing is cutting all of the fresh fruits and veggies and allowing the ceviche to marinate.
Chop up all of the veggies and the shrimp to be about the same size. Finely mince the garlic. Juice the lemon and the lime.
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and allow the ceviche to marinate for 2 hours or until the shrimp has fully "cooked" in the citrus juice. If you are using cooked shrimp, allow all of the flavors to come together for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time will also get the ceviche nice and cold for serving.
Expert Tips for the Best Ceviche
- Citrus juice will "cook" the raw shrimp. This is why the marinating process is so important, and you must allow the ceviche to marinate for at least 2 hours, more if you can. Always be careful when using raw ingredients and make sure it is fully cooked before eating.
- You must use fresh citrus juice when making ceviche. Not only will it taste better if you are using raw shrimp, but this is the only way to ensure the shrimp gets fully "cooked" in the juice.
- If you prefer a milder heat in your ceviche, remove all of the seeds from the jalapeño. And if you like more heat, leave the seeds.
- Ceviche is best served cold and...you guessed it...fresh! So plan accordingly. If you do have leftovers, make sure you refrigerate them right away and eat them within 24 hours.
- You can also add white fish or crab for even more seafood goodness (cooked or raw). I would recommend all raw or all cooked when preparing.
- Cut the shrimp into small, even pieces so the citrus juice can "cook" it quickly and evenly throughout, uneven pieces can lead to some parts being underdone while others turn tough.
- Make sure to dice the veggies small enough to make the chip dipping easier.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, when prepared correctly. The citric acid in the lime and lemon juice denatures the proteins in the shrimp, giving it a cooked texture and appearance without heat. Always use fresh, high-quality shrimp from a reputable source, and note that this method is not recommended for pregnant women, young children, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
This depends on the size of your shrimp pieces, but most raw shrimp will fully "cook" in citrus juice within 15 to 30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the shrimp turns from translucent to opaque and firm throughout.
Yes, cooked shrimp works great in this recipe if you're not comfortable using the raw citrus method. Simply mix it with all of the ingredients and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can come together.
How to Serve Shrimp Ceviche
The most common way to serve ceviche is with tortilla chips! You can use store-bought or make your own. Since there are a lot of vegetables and shrimp to dip into, make sure your tortilla chips are nice and thick.
Pita chips are another great option for a thick dipping vehicle, and tostadas make a fun, more substantial way to enjoy it too. You can also enjoy ceviche as a garnish for tacos or as a light side dish.
However you decide to serve it, one reader shared that she loves enjoying this ceviche outside on the deck with a glass of white wine on a warm evening, and honestly, we can't think of a better way to enjoy it.
How to Make Baked Tortilla Chips
There are two ways to make tortilla chips at home: you can fry them, or you can bake them. Since this is a healthier recipe, I would opt to bake them. Not only is it easier and faster, but there is also less mess,s and they are better for you!
- Preheat your oven to 375º.
- Take your corn tortillas and cut them into fourths (you can cut through multiple at a time).
- Place the corn tortilla pieces on the rack of your oven (you can also place a cooling rack down first so the chips don't fall through!).
- Bake for 4 minutes, flip the chips, and then bake for another 3-4 minutes. Salt the chips if desired as soon as they come out. TIP: You might find that the chips cook unevenly based on your oven, keep an eye on them and remove them as soon as they are brown.
If you get a chance to make this Shrimp Ceviche Recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
The Best Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Equipment
- large bowl
- plastic wrap or lid for bowl
- knife for cutting fruits and vegetabels
- citrus juicer
- large spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp (raw or cooked)
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (remove the seeds for less heat)
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 1 large lime, juiced
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 handful green onions, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop everything in a similar size, add to a large mixing bowl, mix thoroughly and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. If you are using raw seafood, marinate in the fridge until the seafood is fully "cooked" through and not raw when you cut into it. The type of seafood and size will change the "cook" time.
- Serve with your favorite tortillas chips or pita chips and enjoy!
Notes
- Citrus juice will "cook" the raw shrimp through a process called denaturation, changing its texture and appearance without heat. Always handle raw seafood carefully.
- Use fresh citrus juice for the best flavor and to reliably "cook" the shrimp.
- Use a glass, stainless steel, or ceramic bowl for marinating. Avoid aluminum or copper, since the acidic juice can react with these metals.
- For milder heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeño. For more heat, leave them in.
- Ceviche is best served cold and fresh. Refrigerate leftovers right away and eat within 24 hours.
- You can add white fish or crab for even more seafood, cooked or raw. Stick to all raw or all cooked when preparing.
- Readers have had great success adding cucumber and avocado for extra freshness and creaminess.
- Dice the veggies small enough to make chip dipping easy.
- Prefer not to use raw shrimp? Cooked shrimp works great too.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
ashok says
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Emily says
I’m so glad your family loved it! It’s one of my favorites too. Thanks for trying it out.
Heather Ritchie says
I have never had ceviche but this recipe looks amazing! I love seafood so I'm going to save this recipe to fix for my mom who also loves seafood! Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Katrina Crandall says
I love ceviche! It looks like this recipe would work beautifully with cooked shrimp also, and I may opt for that approach at home. Love your different ideas for veggies to use.
Emily says
Cooked shrimp works just as good, I hope you get a chance to make it!
Alycia says
Looks delicious! Definitely need to give this a try!
Debra says
Such a great recipe for warm summer nights. Easy and delicious. Love it.
Amy says
Such a fantastic recipe. Was so fresh and was a great starter for my dinne rparty. Thanks!
Marina says
Love this healthy shrimp ceviche! My family loves sharing dishes and we will definitely enjoy it !
Linda says
Yum! Love this fresh shrimp ceviche and it makes a perfect appetizer on a hot sunny day like today.
Chef Dennis says
Yum! This Healthy Shrimp Ceviche is making me crave!
Alexandra says
Delicious fresh flavours - we enjoyed this sitting outside on the deck on a lovely warm evening with a glass of white wine. Superb!
Emily says
How did you know that is my favorite way to enjoy this shrimp ceviche too?!?!
Kathryn Donangelo says
Delicious!! We love shrimp and this was a hit!
Jas @ All that's Jas says
My husband's favorite snack! I love how you made it healthy. Thanks for sharing!
Sue says
This shrimp ceviche is delicious! I live in the Midwest (i.e. no where near a coast with fresh seafood) so I opted for cooked shrimp. Loved! Next time I am going to try some of your variations - I think cucumber and avocado would be fabulous additions!
Emily says
I'm so glad you liked it and tried a different version!