Shrimp Ceviche (2024)

Make shrimp ceviche once the weather starts to warm up! Featuring cilantro, red onions, avocado, and fresh citrus juice, this shrimp recipe makes a great addition to a summer meal outside.

By

Elise Bauer

Shrimp Ceviche (1)

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated October 10, 2023

14 Ratings

Shrimp Ceviche (2)

With the warm days of summer upon us, a great way to cool off is with ceviche!

What is Shrimp Ceviche?

Ceviche is typically made with red snapper that is "cooked" by the acidity of lime and lemon juice (see this ceviche recipe.)

This version of ceviche is prepared with shrimp, which is first lightly cooked and then marinated in the citrus juice.

My father, who generally doesn't really like shrimp that much, loved this ceviche. (Gotta love it when they eat it up and ask for more!)

Shrimp Ceviche (3)

Why Pre-Cook the Shrimp?

While the acidic marinade "cooks" (denatures) the proteins, it may not kill all of the bacteria. Traditionally ceviche is made with raw seafood, but even then it is recommended that pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems avoid it.

Personally I don't find this as much of an issue with raw fish (think sushi, sashimi), but for some reason shellfish like shrimp and scallops can go bad much more easily. Unless your seafood is extremely fresh, I recommend lightly pre-cooking it first.

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Frozen vs. Fresh Shrimp

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this recipe (in fact, most "fresh" shrimp you buy at the market is actually defrosted frozen shrimp), but you'll need to thaw it first. To do this, take your frozen shrimp out of the bag, set it in a bowl or colander in the sink, and let cold water trickle over the shrimp for 15 to 20 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tips

To save time on the day you plan to serve this ceviche, cook the shrimp the night before and refrigerate in an airtight container.

You can make the ceviche up to 4 hours in advance, completing steps 1 through 3, then adding the cilantro, cucumber, and avocado in step 4 just before serving. Too long in the citrusy marinade and the shrimp get rubbery.

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes to Try

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Shrimp Ceviche

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Chilling60 mins

Total Time100 mins

Servings4to 6 servings

If you find the ceviche a little too acidic, drain out some of the juices after the marinating, add a little more avocado (or some olive oil) and/or a little more salt.

Serve on the day you make it, as it can start to over-marinate and the shrimp tends to get rubbery if you let it sit for much longer than the recommended time.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

  • 1 pound medium or small shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 3/4 cup lime juice (juice from 4-6 limes)

  • 3/4 cup lemon juice (juice from 2-3 lemons)

  • 1 cup finely choppedred onion

  • 1 serrano chili, ribs and seeds removed, minced

  • 1 cup chopped cilantro

  • 1 cucumber, peeled diced into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

  • Tortilla chips, for serving

Method

  1. Boil the shrimp:

    In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil, salted with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute to 2 minutes max, depending on size of shrimp. (Over-cooking the shrimp will turn it rubbery.)

    Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.

    Shrimp Ceviche (5)

    Shrimp Ceviche (6)

  2. Cut up the shrimp, mix with lime and lemon juice:

    Drain the shrimp. Cut each piece of shrimp in half, or into inch-long pieces.

    Place the shrimp in a glass or ceramic bowl. Mix in the lime and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for a half hour.

    Shrimp Ceviche (7)

    Shrimp Ceviche (8)

  3. Mix in the onion and chile:

    Mix in the chopped red onion and serrano chile. Refrigerate an additional half hour.

    Shrimp Ceviche (9)

  4. Add the remaining mix-ins:

    Right before serving, add the cilantro, cucumber, and avocado. Serve chilled with tortilla chips.

    Shrimp Ceviche (10)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
233Calories
11g Fat
17g Carbs
20g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories233
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g14%
Saturated Fat 2g9%
Cholesterol 159mg53%
Sodium 1789mg78%
Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
Dietary Fiber 6g20%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 24mg121%
Calcium 102mg8%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 656mg14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Shrimp Ceviche (2024)

FAQs

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.

Is shrimp ceviche healthy for you? ›

Ceviche is a nutritious dish that balances all three macronutrients, which translates to a suitable calorie range. According to health professionals, ceviche may be an effective weight-loss choice. It is low in fat and calories but has a lot of protein.

How long should shrimp sit in lime juice? ›

Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup lime juice and let stand for 15 minutes so the shrimp can "cook" in the lime juice (any less and it won't cook, any more and it toughens).

What is shrimp ceviche made of? ›

Ceviche is loaded with shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro; all marinated in fresh lime juice. You can use raw shrimp or cooked shrimp meat for this Mexican shrimp co*cktail. Using cooked shrimp meat cuts down the marinating time significantly which is why we prefer it.

Can you overcook ceviche in lime juice? ›

Whatever its provenance, ceviche essentially “cooks” the seafood you are using by denaturing the proteins, as they are by heat, but without the same risk of overcooking. That said, ceviche marinated too long may turn slightly rubbery.

How long does ceviche need to stay 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.

Does raw shrimp turn pink in ceviche? ›

Peel, clean, and devein 1 pound of fresh shrimp before slicing them into very thin pieces. 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.

What to eat with shrimp ceviche? ›

I usually top my ceviche with avocado slices at the end. Mix well. Serve right away with tostadas, tortilla chips, or ritz crackers. Top with avocado slices.

What is so special about ceviche? ›

Ceviche is a seafood dish where diced cubes of raw fish, marinated in a lemon or lime juice mixture, react with the citrus juices to cure the fish protein and causes it to become opaque and firm while absorbing flavor.

Can ceviche marinate too long? ›

Let it sit too long, and your fish turns dry and chalky as the acid works its way into the flesh.

Why soak shrimp in milk? ›

Should I Soak My Shrimp? This one comes down to the chef's preference. Some prefer to soak seafood in milk before cooking to keep it from tasting too fishy. If you choose to soak your shrimp, you should do so with whole milk for at least 10 minutes.

Can you eat raw shrimp in ceviche? ›

Can You Eat Raw Shrimp in Ceviche? Yes, it is completely safe to use raw shrimp in ceviche. The acidity in the lime cooks the shrimp, so you're not actually eating raw shrimp at all. You can even watch the shrimp turn from raw and translucent to perfectly cooked and opaque in the bowl!

Is bacteria killed in ceviche? ›

Although the preparation of ceviche is an effective method to reduce, but not eliminate, bacteria of the genus Vibrio, in the case of other microorganisms there is no significant decrease in the number of viable cells [9].

Is shrimp ceviche good for you? ›

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.

Should shrimp ceviche be gray? ›

If your not sure when your shrimp is cooked, take a chunk of shrimp, and cut it in half with a knife. If the inside is still grey, it still has a ways to go. Cooking the shrimp can take anywhere from an hour to four! Just wait and stir.

How do you know when ceviche is cooked? ›

How Long Does Ceviche Take To 'Cook'? You want it to just be opaque and starting to “cook” through. You don't want it actually flaking and falling apart. For fish sliced 1/4 inch thin, as we've done, 20-30 minutes is ideal.

How do you know when shrimp is finished? ›

Perfectly cooked shrimp will be opaque with a color ranging from pink or orange, depending on variety. Their tails should curl in slightly to make a C-shape. Overcooked shrimp will be a solid white-pink color, with their tails completely curled into a tight circle.

Can ceviche sit too long? ›

Getting perfectly fresh fish (and it must be perfectly fresh), and knowing exactly how long to let it marinate. Eat it too soon, and you end up with fish that's nearly raw. Let it sit too long, and your fish turns dry and chalky as the acid works its way into the flesh.

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.

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