Description
Ceviche is a refreshingly vibrant seafood dish featuring bright citrus flavors, fresh seafood, and crisp vegetables. It offers a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and savory notes, making it ideal as an appetizer or light main course. This recipe is quick to prepare, highly customizable, light, and packed with protein and vitamins.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 lb fresh firm fish (such as sea bass, snapper, or halibut), or shrimp, or scallops, cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces
Citrus Marinade
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 jalapeño or chili pepper, finely diced (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 avocado, diced (plant-based)
- 1–2 teaspoons natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the Seafood: Start with fresh, raw seafood that’s been cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces. Quality is important since the citrus will gently “cook” the seafood without heat.
- Marinate in Citrus Juice: Place the seafood in a glass or ceramic bowl. Pour over freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice, ensuring the pieces are fully covered. Refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes until the seafood turns opaque and feels firm.
- Mix in Vegetables and Herbs: Add thinly sliced red onion, diced tomatoes, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro to the marinated seafood. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the citrus juice.
- Season and Adjust: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Fold in diced avocado just before serving to maintain its creamy texture. If desired, gently incorporate a small amount of natural gelling agent to enhance texture.
- Chill and Serve: Allow the ceviche to meld in the refrigerator for an additional 15 minutes if possible. This helps intensify the zest and bring the dish to life. Serve cold with optional garnishes and sides.
Notes
- Always use the freshest seafood available for best flavor and texture.
- Do not over-marinate the seafood to prevent it from becoming rubbery.
- Taste the citrus mixture before adding seafood to balance acidity.
- Keep ceviche well chilled to preserve freshness and flavor melding.
- Adjust heat levels gradually when adding peppers or spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: ceviche, seafood, lime, lemon, fresh, appetizer, light meal, gluten free, citrus marinade, easy recipe
