Shrimp Ceviche is easy to make and absolutely delicious. Eat it with chips as a dip or on top of shells as tostadas, either way, you will fall in love!
One of my favorite parts about my job is the great friends that I’ve made along the way. In the almost 12 years I’ve been doing this, they have gone from faces on a screen to casual acquaintances, to treasured co workers, to true friends. Some know me so well that they would truly drop anything in their lives and fly to me if I asked. And, of course, I would do the same. I am so honored to call these women close friends.
In addition to being great friends, we lean on each other for business advice all the time. And one of those conversations was about this very Shrimp Ceviche. I remember eating ceviche with my friend Trish on a boat in Miami and telling her I just couldn’t get my recipe right. She said, “Oh! I know the exact problem. You can’t test the recipe with bottled lemon and lime juice. You always have to use fresh.” She was right. She usually is.
This is an amazing recipe. I made it for a party. There was nothing left. Several people came to me with praise and said they really enjoyed it. I will be making it again and again.
What is Ceviche
Ceviche is a dish involving marinating raw shrimp or fish in citrus juices. The acids of the juices “cook” the shrimp, and then it combines with seasonings and vegetables. It is enjoyed as a dip with chips or crackers, or alone as a light appetizer or salad. Its refreshing ingredients and richness of healthy fats and flavor are what make this the best shrimp ceviche recipe.
Shrimp Ceviche Ingredients
Here is what makes up this easy shrimp ceviche recipe:
- Raw shrimp: The shrimp starts raw, but cooks and absorbs flavor from the lemon and lime juices. See more about preparing shrimp below.
- Lemon juice and lime juice: The acids in the fresh juices are responsible for cooking the shrimp.
- Plum tomatoes: Adds a bright color and flavor to the ceviche recipe.
- Red onion: Expands the flavor palate.
- Jalapeño pepper: The seeds and membranes are removed which is where the majority of the heat comes from. This adds flavor to the dish without much heat.
- Avocados: Adding healthy fats and a filling creaminess, the citrus juices help to prevent the avocado from turning brown.
- Mango: Although optional, its sweetness balances the acidity and savory flavor of the other ingredients.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds great flavor to this dish and more bright color.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Taste your ceviche and add more as needed.
How to Make Shrimp Ceviche
Here is a brief overview of how to make ceviche with shrimp. For the full recipe including all measurements, please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Prepare the Shrimp
Combine the shrimp with lime juice and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours.
Combine the Ingredients
Toss together the remaining ingredients. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Tips and Tricks
- Buy the most fresh shrimp you can find. The citrus breaks down the protein in shrimp the same way heat would, but it doesn’t kill bacteria the way heat would, so it is important to use fresh shrimp.
- Use fresh lemons and limes. You really need to juice fresh lemons and limes (as opposed to bottled juice) for this to work. Bottled lemon and lime juice isn’t acidic enough. I love this juicer for juicing the fruit.
- Give the recipe time. For the shrimp to “cook” I recommend leaving this sit in the refrigerator overnight. After a few hours, you will notice that the shrimp is no longer gray, but it will take more time for it to be opaque all the way through.
- Cut jalapeños like a pro. Start by cutting the sides off the rectangle like it’s a block. Then cut those sides into little strips and dice them. You will avoid the seeds and ribs of the jalapeño by doing that which are the spices parts.
- You can use frozen shrimp. In an ideal world you would live next to the ocean and buy shrimp that had been caught that morning. But if you don’t, buy frozen raw shrimp which were likely frozen very shortly after being caught.
- Use cooked shrimp. If the whole process of cooking the shrimp in citrus juice freaks you out, skip that whole process and just use cooked shrimp.
How to Eat Ceviche
Ceviche is best served cold or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed with chips as a dip, in a wrap or lettuce boat, or on top of tostadas. It is also delicious alone as a light salad.
Storing Leftovers
Ceviche is best enjoyed fresh or within a few hours of making it. Store any leftover ceviche shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Always use your best discretion with leftovers; if it starts to smell funky, throw it out.
If you try this easy shrimp ceviche recipe or any of my other recipes, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment!
Shrimp Ceviche
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp diced (see note)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (it must be fresh)
- 1/2 cup lime juice (it must be fresh)
- 5 plum tomatoes diced
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper diced with seeds and ribs removed
- 2 avocados diced
- 1 mango diced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro diced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, lime juice, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for four hours.
- Once the shrimp has turned pink, drain it.
- Mix the shrimp with the remaining ingredients. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Teddie says
Hello! I’ve always wanted to make Shrimp Ceviche. Thank you for the recipe. I’m still too chicken to use raw shrimp. Can I use cooked shrimp? Thank you!
Yup! There is a note about this in the FAQ.
Bonnie says
This is an amazing recipe. I made it for a party. There was nothing left. Several people came to me with praise and said they really enjoyed it. I will be making it again and again.
Yay! This makes me so happy, Bonnie!
Mary Jane Strong says
I like fish ceviche too. What kind of white fish can be substituted for the shrimp and how much?
Because we are “cooking” the shrimp in the citrus juice for this recipe, I would really want to test a fish swap before I advised on it.