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

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In This Recipe

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!)

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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.

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    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.

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  3. Mix in the onion and chile:

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

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  4. Add the remaining mix-ins:

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

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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)
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