Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche – Mighty Mrs

This exotic dish often served at restaurants in Mexico or Peru, is easy to make at home using top-quality shrimp, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, spices, and raw shrimp that is “cooked” using lime juice. You may also use pre-cooked shrimp if you prefer.

Shrimp ceviche offers a taste of Latin American cuisine in the form of a refreshing and tangy seafood dip, served with with salty corn chips.

The bright flavors of this dish embody the culinary traditions of countries like Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador, allowing you to experience a little adventure from the comfort of your own kitchen.

★ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ★

This restaurant-style dish is surprising easy to make at home and can be made with raw or cooked shrimp. Your choice!

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a fancy dinner party, shrimp ceviche is fresh and appealing appetizer with an exotic twist!

Shrimp ceviche has a tangy, slightly spicy flavor. The cumin and cilantro add a bit of Mexican flare to this delicious seafood dish. The combination of tangy lime juice, succulent shrimp, and crisp vegetables creates a refreshing burst of flavors that is perfect for a hot summer day.

★ Ingredients You’ll Need ★

Here’s a look at everything you’ll need to make this simple lime-cooked shrimp ceviche.

Main ingredients in include:

• Raw shrimp. If you’re not too sure about using raw, you can use pre-cooked shrimp instead or simply poach your shrimp in boiling water until plump before combining with other ingredients.
• Lime juice. Fresh-squeeze lime juice is best for flavor. If you’d like to use lemon, or add lemon juice in additional to lime juice, you can!
• Tomatoes. Roma tomatoes work well because they are meaty and not overly watery but you can also use grape or cherry tomatoes, or any garden-fresh tomatoes. Just dice them into small pieces so they work well for dipping.
• Red onion. Red is best for flavor but you can use yellow or white if that’s what you have.
• Jalapeños. You can adjust the amount you use to add heat. Remove seeds for a more mild ceviche.
• Spices: Salt and pepper plus cumin.

Optional Ingredients

There are some fun extras you can mix in, if you’d like.

• Cilantro. Freshly chopped. This is always a nice pairing with lime.
• Diced avocado. This adds a creamy touch.
• Additional seasonings such as chili powder, chipotle pepper, or cayenne pepper can be added to taste.

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

This recipe is quite easy to prep. You’ll need just 5-10 minutes to prep, then after just 30 minutes of marinating in the fridge, it’s chilled and ready to enjoy.

Here’s a look at the steps:

• Dice tomato, onion, and jalapeño.
• Combine with chopped mint and cumin.
• Add lime juice (careful to remove seeds).
• Chop raw shrimp and immediately add to lime and vegetables.
• Toss to completely coat the shrimp.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill.
• Check that shrimp has plumped and appears “cooked.”
• Serve with chips.

★ Tips & FAQs ★

What is Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche?

Lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is a popular Latin American dish made with raw shrimp that is “cooked” by marinating it in lime juice along with various vegetables, herbs, and spices. The acidity of the lime juice denatures the proteins in the shrimp, giving it a cooked appearance and texture.

Is Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche safe to eat?

Lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is generally considered safe to eat. However, just like eating raw sushi, there is risk involved that food-borne illness can occur, so consume lime-cooked shrimp at your own risk.

The acidity of the lime juice does help to kill any bacteria and parasites that could be present in raw shrimp.

Lime juice has been found to be mostly effective in killing bacteria. However, it’s not 100% effective, so there’s still a chance of foodborne illness. For more of the science behind it, check out this study that was done.

Starting with fresh, high-quality ingredients and using proper refrigeration of the shrimp before and after preparation helps minimize the risk of foodborne illness. Lime juice does no kill parasites which can be found in low-quality foods.

If you’re not willing to roll the dice, simply start with cooked shrimp.

How long does it take to “cook” the shrimp in lime juice?

The shrimp needs to marinate in lime juice for at least 30 minutes or until it turns opaque, pink and plumps up.

Marinating times can vary depending on the size of the shrimp. Some people prefer to marinate the shrimp for a longer period for a more intense flavor and to ensure the lime does its work.

Can I use frozen shrimp for making Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche?

While fresh, top-quality shrimp offers a better texture and less risk when making ceviche, you can use high-quality frozen shrimp if fresh shrimp is not available. Make sure to thaw the shrimp completely before marinating it in lime juice.

How should Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche be served?

Lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is typically served chilled as an appetizer or snack. It can be served on its own or with crispy tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted bread. Some people also enjoy serving it atop crisp lettuce leaves or alongside sliced avocado for added flavor and texture.

How long can Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche be stored in the refrigerator?

Lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that the texture of the shrimp may change slightly upon prolonged storage due t the lime continuing to break down the proteins in the shrimp. It’s best to consume it within a day of preparation.

Can Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche be made in advance?

While lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and assemble the ceviche just before serving.

Keep in min, it’s important to marinate the shrimp in lime juice for the appropriate amount of time to ensure proper “cooking” and flavor development.

Can I adjust the spice level of this shrimp ceviche to my taste?

You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeño peppers. Including the jalapeño seeds will make it hotter as well.

Is Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche gluten-free?

Lime-cooked shrimp ceviche is naturally gluten-free as it primarily consists of seafood and vegetables marinated in lime juice. However, it’s essential to check the labels of any additional seasonings or condiments used to ensure they are gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.

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Lime-Cooked Shrimp Ceviche

This exotic dish often served at restaurants in Mexico or Peru, is easy to make at home using top-quality shrimp, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, spices, and raw shrimp that is “cooked” using lime juice. You may also use pre-cooked shrimp if you prefer.