Ceviche Recipe

Ceviche is a vibrant and mouthwatering recipe perfect for summer. You can make this tasty dish in a matter of minutes with only a few fresh ingredients, like your favorite seafood, limes, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and serrano peppers. It is great as a light meal or an elegant appetizer.   

Ceviche Recipes and More

Ceviche also spelled “cebiche or seviche” is a popular dish in many coastal towns in Mexico and Latin America. It typically consists of raw fish or seafood marinated in citrus juices, such as lime or lemon juice, along with various ingredients and seasonings like onions, tomato, serrano pepper, cilantro, and salt. The process of “cooking” is always the same: using acidic juice over fish or seafood, giving it a firm texture and a tangy flavor. In Mexico ceviche is made with different versions of fish and seafood like shrimp, octopus, scallops, and even sea snails.

In This Post

• Ceviche Recipes and More
• How to make Mexican Ceviche
• Notes, Tips, and Substitutions
• What to Serve with Ceviche
• More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
• Frequently Asked Questions About Ceviche
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Additional ingredients are added depending on taste, such as tomatoes, avocados, and peppers, to enhance the dish's flavor and texture. Ceviche is usually served cold as an appetizer or a light main course.

If you would like to try other different Mexican ceviches recipes, try one of the following recipes: 

• Green ceviche recipe: This fish ceviche is made with barramundi fish and tomatillos. 
• Shrimp cocktail recipe:  This is the famous shrimp cocktail we enjoy all over Mexico.  
  

How to make Mexican Ceviche

Ingredients:

Here is a basic recipe for ceviche that can be easily customized:

• Fresh fish or seafood (such as tilapia, red snapper, or sea bass) cut into small cubes or pieces
• Fresh limes, juice
• Plum tomatoes, finely diced
• Serrano peppers or 1 jalapeño pepper thinly sliced (seeds removed optional)
• White onion, finely chopped
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Dried Mexican oregano crushed
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Optional garnishes: 

• Avocado slices
• Stuffed pimiento Spanish olives (optional)
• Olive oil
• Saltine crackers or tortilla chips to serve the ceviche
• Ketchup (optional, see notes)
• Tabasco sauce (optional)

Instructions for Ceviche Recipe

• First, place the fish in a glass bowl, coat it with lime juice and salt, and leave it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or until it is opaque in color. 

• Drain the marinade from the bowl, leaving just a couple of tablespoons of the liquid to keep the fish moist. Then, toss in the tomatoes, peppers, onion, cilantro, and oregano and gently stir. 

• Taste the liquid and add more salt if needed. 
• Let everything marinate for another 10 minutes.

• To serve, fill small cocktail glasses or small individual bowls with the ceviche. 
• Garnish with avocado and olives  (if using), and drizzle some olive oil over the top. Serve with saltine crackers or tortilla chips. Add ketchup and Tabasco if desired. 

Notes, Tips, and Substitutions

• In addition to the fish mentioned in the recipe, you can use any other firm-textured fish, such as cod, sea bass, and halibut. 
• Mexican ceviche is typically mixed with tomatoes, onions, and serrano peppers; however, other ingredients can be added, like cucumbers, red onions, piquin pepper for extra heat, or Spanish olives. 
• Another way of serving this ceviche is in tostadas instead of tortilla chips or crackers.
• Some people, including myself, like to add ketchup and Tabasco to their ceviche, stirring it just before serving. 

What to Serve with Ceviche

This recipe is best as a main dish with a few toppings like avocado, a dash of Tabasco, or ketchup. It can also be an appetizer; my favorite way to eat it is in a tostada for a lean and healthy meal.

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for ceviche, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

• Caldo de mariscos 
• Tequila shrimp recipe
• Chipotle shrimp tacos
• Mexican style tuna 

If this recipe was helpful to you, please come back and let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely,

Frequently Asked Questions About Ceviche

What is ceviche?

Ceviche is a traditional Mexican and Latin American dish made from raw fish or seafood marinated in citrus juices, typically lime or lemon juice, along with various seasonings, such as onions, peppers, cilantro, and salt.

What is the best fish for ceviche recipe?

Firm, mild-flavored white fish like tilapia, halibut, sea bass, or snapper are commonly best for ceviche recipes. Some people also use shrimp, scallops, or squid.

Is it safe to eat raw fish in ceviche?

Some raw seafood is mostly safe to eat for healthy people, while for others could be serious. This is according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, it's essential to use fresh, high-quality fish and handle it properly to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Another very important part is the use of citrus juice to cool the fish or seafood for this recipe. 

What are some traditional ingredients in ceviche recipe?

In addition to fish or seafood and citrus juice, common ingredients include finely chopped onions, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, minced peppers (like jalapeños or serranos), salt, and sometimes avocado.

Can I make ceviche ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours before serving; however, it is recommended to make your ceviche a few minutes before serving because the texture of the fish changes over time.  

Can I store leftover ceviche?

Leftover ceviche can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a short time, but to maintain the freshness of the fish, it's best consumed within a day or two. 

For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. In español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina.

📖 Recipe