Ceviche

Easy homemade ceviche made with cooked shrimp, citrus and other fresh ingredients.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Peruvian

Keyword ceviche

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 123kcal

Thaw the shrimp. If needed, pinch off the tails and devein. Some packaged frozen shrimp will already have this done.
Chop the shrimp into small pieces. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt. Pour the citrus juice (lime juice and lemon juice) over the shrimp, cover and refrigerate as you prep the other ingredients.
Finely chop the tomato and red onion. Finely chop the jalapeno, removing the seeds and inside veins as you do. Peel and finely chop the jicama, or cucumber if using.
Remove the marinated shrimp from the refrigerator and stir in the other ingredients.
Refrigerate for another 30 minutes and up to four hours. Before serving, add the chopped avocado and taste to add more salt if you feel it needs.
Once the avocado has been added, use the ceviche within a few hours. Ceviche is best the day it is made.

What kinds of fish to use? Ocean caught white fish is best: mahi mahi, halibat, sea bass, grouper, cod, halibut, snapper, sole and flounder. Shellfish? Shrimp or scallops are more common in ceviche recipes, but you could also use octopus, clams, mussels or even squid. If you are are making traditional ceviche, using uncooked fish or shellfish, find the freshest fish you can. It should not smell fishy. Places that sell sushi grade fish are a good bet. And marinate the meat in the citrus juice for 30-60 minutes so the meat becomes opaque.
If you are unsure about the quality/freshness of your meat or concerned about bacteria (like planning to serve the ceviche to pregnant women, elderly family members, etc.), using cooked shrimp may be a safer option as it removes any doubt or concern.
The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is to place the sealed bag in the refrigerator overnight.
You can substitute jicama for cucumbers if you can’t find it. They are not exactly the same thing and couldn’t necessarily be substituted in other recipes, but for this ceviche recipe they both provide a delicious crunch.
I like to serve ceviche with tortilla chips or plantain chips. You could also serve with tostadas, crackers or in corn tortillas as a taco.