Ceviche is a popular dish in various Latin American countries, particularly coastal or island regions. It is a seafood dish typically made with fresh raw fish or seafood that is marinated in citrus juices, such as lemon, lime, or even orange, which “cook” the fish by denaturing the proteins. (Pro tip—if you use oranges, lemons, and limes and have extra, you can make a “healthy margarita.” If you are into that sorta thing, of course.)
The basic ingredients of ceviche usually include fish or seafood (such as shrimp, scallops, or squid), citrus juice (usually lime or lemon), onions, chili peppers, salt, and cilantro. Other ingredients like tomatoes, avocados, garlic, or various herbs and spices can be added to enhance the flavor and texture.
Preparing ceviche involves combining the raw fish or seafood with citrus juice and allowing it to marinate. My general rule of thumb is to allow no less than two hours, but you can do it overnight if you are worried about consuming raw fish or seafood. The acid in the citrus juice denatures the proteins in the fish, effectively “cooking” it. The fish becomes opaque and firm, indicating it is ready to serve. I like to “cook” the raw seafood or fish before adding the remaining ingredients, so I can be certain it is safe to consume.*
Ceviche can be served as an appetizer or a main course, often accompanied by various side dishes such as corn, plantain or tortilla chips, or other “island” dishes. I always plan to serve ceviche as an appetizer, but ceviche is so dang good, I can’t stop eating it, so it often becomes the main meal. As a bonus, it’s super healthy!
* It’s worth noting that while ceviche is a delicious and popular dish, consuming raw fish or seafood carries some risks, including the potential for foodborne illnesses. It is important to use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and follow proper food safety practices when preparing ceviche or any other raw seafood dish. Living on the coast, I am fortunate to be able to get fresh seafood right off the boat.
Let’s get to some of my favorite ways to prepare it!
Ingredients
- shrimp
- lime juice freshly squeezed
- orange juice freshly squeezed
- red onion
- avocado
- cilantro
- red peppers
- strawberry
- mango
Instructions
- Dice the shrimp into bite-sized pieces—think somewhere between a Tic Tac™ and an M&M.
- Cover the shrimp with citrus juice and set it in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Overnight is fine as well.
- Chop the remaining ingredients into similar-sized pieces and add to the denatured shrimp.
- Eat with your favorite chips or as a stand-alone.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Lime Juice freshly squeezed
- Orange Juice freshly squeezed
- Green Onion
- Avocado
- Jalapeno
- Mango
Instructions
- Dice the shrimp into bite-sized pieces—think somewhere between a Tic Tac and an M&M.
- Cover the shrimp with citrus juice and set it in the refrigerator for at least two hours, but overnight is also fine.
- Chop the remaining ingredients into similar-sized pieces and add to the denatured shrimp.
- Eat with your favorite chips or as a stand-alone.
Nutrition
Ingredients
- Scallops
- Lime juice freshly squeezed
- Orange juice freshly squeezed
- Pickled onions
- Jalapeno
- Mango
- Avocado
- Red Bell Pepper
Instructions
- Dice the scallops into bite-sized pieces—think somewhere between a Tic Tac and an M&M.
- Cover the scallops with citrus juice and set them in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours, but overnight is fine as well.
- Chop the remaining ingredients into similar-sized pieces and add to the denatured scallops.
- Eat with your favorite chips or as a stand-alone.
Nutrition
Ingredients
- Grouper
- Lime juice freshly squeezed
- Orange juice freshly squeezed
- Green onion
- Pickled onion
- Mango
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Dice the grouper into bite-sized pieces—think somewhere between a Tic Tac and an M&M.
- Cover the grouper with citrus juice and set it in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours. Overnight works too.
- Chop the remaining ingredients into similar-sizedpieces and add to the denatured grouper.
- Eat with your favorite chips or as a stand-alone.
Nutrition
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