Experience the Zesty Delight: Easy & Healthy Avocado Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of fresh flavors with this incredible Avocado Shrimp Ceviche recipe! Often perceived as complex, ceviche is, in fact, remarkably simple to prepare and offers a refreshing, vibrant, and healthy meal option. Our version, brimming with crisp vegetables, succulent shrimp, and creamy California Avocados, is designed for ease and maximum deliciousness. It’s the perfect dish to brighten any gathering, especially as a light lunch, appetizer, or a centerpiece for a summer feast.
Why This Avocado Shrimp Ceviche Will Become Your New Favorite
You are going to absolutely adore this Easy Avocado Shrimp Ceviche! It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience. Every spoonful is packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients and just the right amount of spice, all elegantly presented within the natural bowls of ripe California Avocados. This recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Unmatched Freshness: The combination of crisp vegetables, zesty citrus, and tender shrimp creates a burst of fresh flavors that is hard to beat.
- Effortlessly Easy: Despite its gourmet appearance, this ceviche is incredibly straightforward to make, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
- Incredibly Healthy: Loaded with lean protein, healthy fats from avocados, and an abundance of vitamins from fresh produce, it’s a guilt-free pleasure.
- Versatile Serving: Whether scooped into avocado halves, served with tortilla chips, or enjoyed as a side dish, its adaptability makes it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
- A Touch of Spice: The subtle kick from jalapeño perfectly complements the other ingredients, elevating the overall taste without overwhelming it.
There’s a reason avocados are a perennial favorite in the produce section, especially here in California where they are a staple in countless dishes. My pantry is rarely without them, and my family, especially my boys, can’t get enough. They add a creamy texture and rich flavor that is simply irreplaceable.
The Versatility and Health Benefits of California Avocados
The beauty of California Avocados lies in their incredible versatility. They seamlessly transition from savory to sweet dishes, adding a luxurious creaminess and nutritional boost. You can dice them into a vibrant topping for tacos and salads, mash them into a rich guacamole, or as we do in this recipe, use them as elegant, edible serving cups. This dual role — both an ingredient within the ceviche and its serving vessel — highlights their unique appeal and makes for a stunning presentation. This particular recipe proudly celebrates California Avocados, especially as June marks California Avocado Month, putting these gorgeous fruits front and center!
Beyond their culinary flexibility, California Avocados are nutritional powerhouses. They are a fantastic source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which are known to promote heart health. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Folate, and Potassium. Including avocados in your diet can contribute to better satiety, skin health, and overall well-being. Choosing ripe avocados is key for this recipe; look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a rich, dark green skin. If they’re a bit firm, simply let them ripen on your counter for a few days.
Understanding Ceviche: Our Safe and Flavorful Approach
Traditionally, ceviche is a Latin American seafood dish where raw fish or seafood is “cooked” by the acidity of citrus juices, primarily lime or lemon. This process, known as denaturing, changes the protein structure, giving the seafood a firm, opaque appearance similar to that of cooked fish. While this method is authentic and delicious, for absolute peace of mind regarding food safety, especially when serving a crowd, I’ve opted for a slightly modified approach in this recipe.
Instead of relying solely on citrus to “cook” the shrimp, we quickly boil the raw shrimp for just two minutes until it’s perfectly pink and cooked through. This ensures all bacteria are eliminated, providing a safe and equally delicious base for our ceviche. After boiling, the shrimp is drained, diced, and then marinated in a generous mix of fresh lemon and lime juices. This marination step is crucial; it infuses the shrimp with bright, tangy flavors and continues the tenderizing process, resulting in exceptionally flavorful seafood. This method gives you the classic ceviche taste with added assurance.
A Symphony of Fresh Ingredients: Crafting the Perfect Blend
The magic of this Avocado Shrimp Ceviche lies in its simple yet powerful combination of fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building a harmonious flavor profile and texture:
- Shrimp: We use medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined. Boiled briefly then diced, they offer a tender, sweet foundation that perfectly absorbs the citrus and spice.
- Citrus Juices: Freshly squeezed lime and lemon juices are non-negotiable. They provide the essential tang that defines ceviche, brightening all the other flavors.
- California Avocado: Diced avocado adds a creamy, rich texture that balances the acidity and spice, making the ceviche incredibly satisfying.
- Roma Tomatoes: These tomatoes are chosen for their firm texture and sweet-tart flavor, contributing a juicy freshness and vibrant color.
- Green Onions: Offering a milder, sweeter onion flavor than red or white onions, green onions add a subtle pungency without overpowering the dish.
- Jalapeño: Finely diced jalapeño provides a customizable kick of heat. Remove the seeds and membranes for less spice, or leave some in for a bolder flavor.
- Cilantro: This aromatic herb brings a fresh, herbaceous note that is quintessential to Mexican-inspired dishes and ties all the flavors together beautifully.
- Spices: A blend of pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder, and coriander enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables and shrimp, adding depth without complexity.
Once the shrimp has marinated, we combine it with the finely diced California avocado, tomatoes, green onions, jalapeño, and cilantro. A sprinkle of our chosen spices, and voila! You’ve got a vibrant, flavorful mixture that could almost be called a sophisticated shrimp salsa. Spoon it into those elegant avocado halves, and you’re ready to impress!
How to Prepare Your Easy Avocado Shrimp Ceviche: Step-by-Step Perfection
Creating this delicious ceviche is a breeze with these simple steps:
- Cook the Shrimp: Begin by bringing a pot with 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add your raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp and cook for precisely 2 minutes. This brief cooking time is enough to ensure they are fully cooked but remain tender. Drain the shrimp immediately and chop them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the fresh lime and lemon juices. Add the chopped shrimp, ensuring it’s well coated. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let the shrimp marinate for at least 45 minutes. This step is crucial for infusing the shrimp with bright, tangy flavors.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the shrimp is marinating, dice your California avocado (the one intended for the ceviche mix, not the serving halves), roma tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeño. Finely chop the cilantro.
- Combine and Season: Once the shrimp has marinated, drain any excess citrus juice from the bowl. Add the diced avocado, tomatoes, green onions, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro to the shrimp. Sprinkle in the pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder, and coriander. Gently mix all the ingredients until well combined.
- Serve in Style: Halve and pit the two California avocados reserved for serving. Spoon the vibrant ceviche mixture generously into each avocado half.
This ceviche is not only healthy and elegant but also incredibly delicious. For an added crunch and a classic pairing, serve it alongside your favorite tortilla chips. It’s perfect for a light lunch, a sophisticated appetizer, or a refreshing side dish at your next gathering. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and the ease of this fantastic recipe!
Easy Avocado Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
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Ingredients
- 10 oz. raw medium shrimp deveined, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 California Avocado diced
- 2 roma tomatoes diced
- 4 green onions diced
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. coriander
- 2 California Avocados halved and pitted for serving
Instructions
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Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add raw shrimp and boil for 2 minutes. Drain shrimp and chop into small pieces.
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Combine lime and lemon juices in a bowl and add shrimp and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.
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Mix remaining ingredients (except avocado halves) together. Drain juices from shrimp and add to tomato mixture. Spoon ceviche into avocado halves and serve. Also really delicious with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Avocado Shrimp Ceviche
To ensure your ceviche turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:
- Choose Fresh Shrimp: The quality of your shrimp makes a big difference. Look for firm, translucent raw shrimp with a mild smell. If using frozen shrimp, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before boiling.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Boiling for just 2 minutes is key. Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery, so be mindful of the timing.
- Freshly Squeezed Citrus: Bottled juices simply won’t yield the same vibrant flavor. Always opt for fresh limes and lemons for the best results.
- Uniform Dicing: For an aesthetically pleasing dish and consistent texture in every bite, try to dice all your vegetables and avocado into similar small sizes.
- Adjust Spice to Your Liking: If you prefer a milder ceviche, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño. For more heat, leave some in or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Marination Time: While 45 minutes is a good minimum, letting the shrimp marinate for up to 2 hours can deepen the flavor further. Don’t let it marinate too long after the vegetables are added, as the avocado can start to brown.
- Serve Chilled: Ceviche is best enjoyed cold. Make sure all ingredients are well-chilled before mixing, and serve immediately after preparation for the freshest taste and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avocado Shrimp Ceviche
Can I make this ceviche ahead of time?
While ceviche is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the shrimp and citrus marinade a few hours in advance. Keep it refrigerated. Chop and add the remaining vegetables and diced avocado just before serving to prevent the avocado from browning and to maintain the crispness of the other ingredients.
What are some other serving suggestions besides avocado halves and tortilla chips?
This versatile ceviche can be enjoyed in many ways! Try it as a topping for tostadas, in lettuce cups for a low-carb option, as a side with grilled fish or chicken, or even mixed into a green salad for an added protein boost. It also pairs wonderfully with a light crisp white wine or a refreshing Mexican beer.
How do I prevent the avocado in the ceviche from turning brown?
The citrus juice helps to slow down oxidation, but to best prevent browning, add the diced avocado to the ceviche mixture just before you’re ready to serve. You can also press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ceviche if you need to store it briefly before serving.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Avocado Shrimp Ceviche recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just be sure to serve it with gluten-free tortilla chips if you’re avoiding gluten entirely.
If you liked this avocado recipe, you might like these too:
Pasta with Light Avocado Cream Sauce
Avocado Chicken Salad Wrap
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