Goodness, I absolutely LOVE ceviche, especially this shrimp ceviche. It’s light, healthy, fresh, tangy, and just plain-old delicious!!!
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 personally 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 (see in the recipe my trick), it just really makes a huge difference in the texture. Resulting in the most amazing shrimp ceviche.
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 really does add an element of flavor to this ceviche to really make it a *home run*!
Now, if you’ve never made ceviche before– yes, you chop the shrimp up raw. It actually ‘cooks’ from the acidity from all of the lime juice!
To keep this dish Whole30, simply eat with a fork or over some greens as a ceviche salad! I used Siete Foods Grain-free Tortilla Chips to keep this Paleo.
Shrimp Ceviche

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 a large bowl. Add the serrano pepper mixture, red onion, cilantro, the remaining serrano pepper (seeds removed and diced small) cucumber, oregano, salt and pepper. Gently toss the ceviche (I use a rubber spatula to do this). 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.
19 Comments
Renee Scott
September 6, 2022 at 11:52 pmI’m making this for a party and one of the guests has a shellfish allergy. What fish would you substitute for the shrimp?
Alex
September 12, 2022 at 3:20 pmRed snapper/red fish works well!
Angie
June 26, 2022 at 8:09 pmPerfect summer party dish! Was a huge hit.
Leigh
June 26, 2022 at 3:34 pmCould you make this with tuna or snapper?
Alex
June 26, 2022 at 9:55 pmIt’d be great with both! but definitely amazing with snapper
LAUREN
June 14, 2022 at 8:27 pmCan this be made a day in advance?
Alex
June 15, 2022 at 11:49 amYes!
Amber
May 31, 2022 at 2:29 amMy husband and I ate ceviche every day on our 10 year anniversary trip. I wanted to recreate the dish we loved so much. I must say this didn’t disappoint! So delicious! Will definitely be making this again!
Alex
May 31, 2022 at 2:24 pmGlad you enjoyed it!!
Allie
May 29, 2022 at 2:28 pmHi, love your recipes! Do you recommend fresh shrimp for this, or could you use (thawed) frozen shrimp?
Alex
May 31, 2022 at 2:25 pmyou can definitely use frozen shrimp that’s thawed (honestly, that’s how most grocery stores sell it!)
Mary Ellen
January 30, 2022 at 8:53 pmThis recipe is excellent! I messed up and accidentally purchased cooked shrimp, but it sill came out great. So glad a friend told me about your cookbook and blog.
Alex
January 31, 2022 at 6:44 pmAw thank you!! yes even with cooked shrimp, this recipe rocks!! xoxo
Julie
July 13, 2021 at 2:56 pmExcited to make this! Can you let it marinade in the fridge for longer than an hour? Like maybe 4-5, and then add the avocado and serve? Trying to prep for a bbq, and want it to marinade while we are all in the lake. Thank you!!
Alex
July 13, 2021 at 8:14 pmyes absolutely!
Tyler
June 30, 2021 at 1:59 amI have made this ceviche for several parties and everyone absolutely loves its and raves about it, especially my health conscious friends.
Alex
June 30, 2021 at 2:17 pmso glad to hear it. thanks, tyler!
Kat
February 5, 2021 at 7:06 pmMade this & loved it. It has wonderful flavor. Thank you!
Tiffany
February 1, 2021 at 2:42 amMy favorite ceviche recipe find yet!