Ingredients
Shrimp and Marinade
- 1 lb wild shrimp, peeled, cleaned, and deveined
- 1/2 cup lime juice (2-3 fresh limes)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced
Green Verde Sauce
- 4–5 tomatillos, peeled, rinsed, and quartered
- 1/2 to 1 jalapeño, sliced (adjust to taste)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems (about 1 cup), plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Vegetables & Garnishing
- 1 cup English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Chili flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the shrimp: Remove the digestive tract carefully from the shrimp using the tip of a paring knife. Chop the shrimp into small, ½ inch pieces and place them in a wide, shallow bowl in a single layer.
- Marinate the shrimp: Season the shrimp with salt and cover with lime juice, mixing to coat well. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir in the thinly sliced red onions. Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes until the shrimp turns opaque, indicating it is “cooked” by the citrus.
- Make the green sauce: Add quartered tomatillos, sliced jalapeño, cilantro leaves and stems, garlic, salt, olive oil, and ¼ cup of the lime juice from the shrimp marinade into a blender or food processor. If in a warm kitchen, add an ice cube. Blend until smooth and strain if desired.
- Combine ingredients: To the marinated shrimp mixture, add the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and the prepared green sauce. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and add more salt, chili flakes, or finely chopped jalapeño based on preferred spice level.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the ceviche for up to 2 hours until ready to serve. Garnish with extra cilantro leaves and serve with tortilla chips for a perfect appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure shrimp is fresh and properly cleaned to avoid food safety issues since this is a raw preparation cured in lime juice.
- The marinating time may vary slightly depending on shrimp size; wait until the shrimp turns totally opaque.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity in the green sauce to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Serve immediately after chilling for best texture; the shrimp can become tough if over-marinated.
- Use fresh tomatillos for authentic flavor and a vibrant green color.
- Leftovers should be stored covered in the refrigerator and eaten within 1 day for best quality.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (marinating only)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free