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Goodness, I love ceviche, especially this Shrimp Ceviche. It’s light, healthy, fresh, tangy, and just plain-old delicious!

White dotted bowl filled with Shrimp Ceviche. Chips in the corner of the bowl.

I am surprised to say that this is the first ceviche recipe I’ve shared on my blog. How is that even possible? And, y’all… this ceviche is bright, beautiful and has fabulous flavor. 

I’ve always made ceviche using shrimp. I prefer the texture of it in ceviche but, again, ceviche is ceviche and I’ll eat it with *any* fish I can find. The trick to using shrimp and it not being too tough is how I cut it, it just really makes a huge difference in the texture. Resulting in the most amazing shrimp ceviche.

Close up of Shrimp Ceviche in white dotted bowl.

Now, this recipe has a bit of a kick to it, so it’s not for the faint of heart. I love spice — y’all know that — so I do prefer my ceviche with a kick to it. If you want a more mild touch to your ceviche, see my notes at the bottom of the recipe! Now, if you like some heat to it, you’re going to love the extra step of blending the serrano pepper with the lime and lemon juice. It adds an element of flavor to this ceviche that really makes it a home run!

Ingredients:

  • Peeled, Deveined, and Tail-Off Shrimp
  • Red Onion
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Serranos Peppers
  • English Cucumber
  • Fresh Lime Juice
  • Fresh Lemon Juice
  • Dried Oregano
  • Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Avocado
Shrimp Ceviche ingredients on counter in bowls and on cutting boards.

Step-by-Step:

Step One: Cut the Shrimp

Cut the shrimp in half lengthwise (so it makes two thin slices of shrimp) and then cut each half into 3-4 smaller pieces, depending on how chunky you want your ceviche!

Raw shrimp on cutting board. Two pieces of shrimp sliced lenghtwise.
Chopped shrimp on cutting board. Lemons and limes on the side peeking in.

Step Two: Blend the Serrano-Citrus Mixture

In a food processor, add the lime juice, lemon juice, and one serrano pepper (seeds removed). Blend until smooth. 

Lime juice in processor with whole serrano pepper.
Serraano-citrus mixture blended in processor.

Step Three: Combine the Ceviche + chill

Place shrimp in a large bowl. Add the serrano pepper-citrus mixture, red onion, cilantro, the remaining serrano pepper (seeds removed and diced small), cucumber, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the ceviche. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors come together and for the shrimp to cook through in the acid from the lime juice.

Shrimp Ceviche ingredients in large bowl before it is mixed.
Shrimp Ceviche combined in large shite bowl.

Step Four: Add the Avocado, Adjust Seasoning, and Serve!

Before serving, add the diced avocado and adjust salt and pepper, as needed. Serve as desired!

Shrimp Ceviche in large white bowl with diced avocado.

 

Recipe FAQs:

This is my first time making ceviche, do I really use raw shrimp?!

Yes, you chop the shrimp up raw! It “cooks” from the acidity of all of the lime juice!

Is this dish Whole30?

Yes! To keep this dish Whole30, simply eat it with a fork or over some greens as a ceviche salad.

i CAN’T HANDLE SUPER SPICY FOOD, IS THERE A WAY TO ADJSUT THIS?

This recipe calls for 2 serranos. If you want a more mild ceviche, omit adding the second, diced serrano pepper to the ceviche!

i WANT THIS EXTRA SPICY! Any tips?

If you are a freak like me and love extra spicy food, I keep the seeds in my serrano when blending it with the lime and lemon juice!

Shrimp Ceviche in large white bowl. Chips scattered around in bowls and on counter.
For another simple shrimp dish, try my Shrimp Remoulade Lettuce Cups!

I hope y’all enjoy this Shrimp Ceviche! It is best paired with a Clayton Margarita!

For More Shrimp Recipes:

Shrimp Brochette

Shrimp Remoulade Lettuce Cups

Whole30 Shrimp Etouffee

Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers with Sesame Slaw

5-Ingredient Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Lettuce Cups

Shrimp Ceviche in large white bowl. Chips scattered around in bowls and on counter.
5 from 6 votes

Shrimp Ceviche

Prep: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined and tail-off
  • 1/3 cup red onion, very finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 serranos peppers *see notes
  • 1/3 cup english cucumber, seeds removed and diced small
  • 8 tbsp fresh lime juice or 2-3 limes
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice or 1 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 avocado, diced small

Instructions 

  • Cut the shrimp in half lengthwise (so it makes two thin slices of shrimp) and then cut each half into 3-4 smaller pieces (depending on how chunky you want). 
  • In a food processor, add the lime juice, lemon juice and 1 serrano pepper (seeds removed). Blend until smooth. 
  • Place shrimp in a large bowl. Add the serrano pepper-citrus mixture, red onion, cilantro, the remaining serrano pepper (seeds removed and diced small), cucumber, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the ceviche. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors come together and for the shrimp to cook through in the acid from the lime juice.
  • Before serving, add the avocado and adjust salt and pepper, as desired. 

Notes

*This recipe calls for 2 serranos. If you want a more mild ceviche, omit adding the second, diced serrano pepper to the ceviche.
*If you love spicy and are a freak like me, I keep the seeds in my serrano when blending it with the lime juices…. just sayin. 😉

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Servings: 4 people


Welcome! I’m Alex.

I’m a food lover sharing healthy, simple, delicious, recipes from my kitchen to yours. Here you’ll find lots of Whole30, lots of healthy, and a little indulgence here and there because…it’s all about balance y’all!


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21 Comments

  1. Every time I get ceviche I always say I want to make it at home, but I always get scared! This recipe was amazing! I doubled it and followed the instructions exactly. I did 1/2 of a Serrano to keep the heat down just in case as I was having guests. I was amazed that the shrimp really does cook perfectly in the lime & lemon! I chilled it for 2 hours before serving. I served it with, Grilled Salmon Tacos with Jalapeño Tartar Sauce & Mezcal Mules, all of which are Alex’s recipes that you must try!
    Everyone was raving about the dinner and wanted the recipes for all of it! Thank you for making such amazing recipes that give me confidence to be in the kitchen 🤣

  2. I’m making this for a party and one of the guests has a shellfish allergy. What fish would you substitute for the shrimp?