The BEST Shrimp Ceviche! Packed with tomatoes, onions, avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, and fresh citrus juice, it's everything ceviche should be... and so easy to make at home!

I'll never forget the first time I tried ceviche. I was in Mexico, staying at an all inclusive resort for my brother's wedding, and the ceviche was plentiful. And let's just say... I ate a LOT of it.

I loved the fact that it was so light and fresh and flavorful, packed with fresh shrimp and summer vegetables, and something about enjoying it poolside just made it that much better. 

Well... the reality is that you don't need to go to Mexico (or anywhere else, for that matter) to enjoy ceviche. It's actually incredibly easy to make at home! All you need is a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of chopping, and you're well on your way to the BEST shrimp ceviche ever!

What is Ceviche?

Ceviche, also known as cebiche, seviche, or sebiche is a South American dish that originated in Peru. It's typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices and seasonings and served as an appetizer.

Shrimp Ceviche Ingredients

Shrimp - In Shrimp Ceviche, the shrimp is the star of the show! This recipe calls for 1 pound of cooked shrimp, which can be any size since you'll be chopping it anyway. I used large, fresh shrimp, but if you decide to use frozen, be sure to thaw it out completely before combining it with other ingredients.

Vegetables - Next to the shrimp, the vegetables are a close second! Be sure to use high quality, fresh vegetables. You'll need tomatoes, red onion, avocado, jalapeños, and cilantro. You can also add chopped cucumber if you'd like!

Citrus juices - The combination of lemon and lime juice provides a deliciously light, acidic base, similar to salsa. I would highly recommend using fresh citrus juice if you can, but bottled juice will work in a pinch.

Salt - A teaspoon of salt will help bring out all the delicious flavors in the vegetables and shrimp. I used kosher salt in this recipe. 

How to make Shrimp Ceviche

Chop the veggies - Chop the onion, tomatoes, and avocado. Mince the jalapeño and cilantro. Combine them all in a medium mixing bowl.

Add the shrimp - Chop the shrimp into similar size pieces and add it to the vegetables in the bowl. 

Add the citrus juices & salt - Squeeze the lemon and lime juice into the bowl, add the salt, and stir gently.

Enjoy! - Since this recipe uses cooked shrimp, your ceviche is ready to enjoy immediately! It can also be refrigerated for 2-3 hours prior to serving to allow the flavors to blend.

Recipe variations

When it comes to ceviche, there are plenty of variations and substitutions you can make to "make it your own". Here are some of our favorite ideas!

• Add chopped cucumber - any type will work
• Add chopped bell peppers
• Add additional seasonings such as cumin, chili powder, or cayenne pepper
• Use raw shrimp and allow it to marinate in the citrus juices to cook
• Substitute any type of white fish or crab meat for the shrimp
• Omit the avocado
• Use any combination of citrus juices, including a splash of orange or even pineapple juice
• Substitute serrano peppers or any of your favorite spicy peppers for the jalapeños

Related recipes

We love shrimp any way we can get it! If you love it as much as we do, here are some more delicious recipes for you to try:

• Shrimp Tacos
• Tropical Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
• Bang Bang Shrimp
• Shrimp Salad
• Shrimp Po Boy
• Shrimp Dip
• Air Fryer Shrimp