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Refreshing Shrimp Aguachile with Lime, Chiles, and Avocado Recipe

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4.4 from 12 reviews

  • Author: Hazel
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Aguachile is a refreshing Mexican dish that features raw shrimp 'cooked' in a tangy mixture of lime juice, fiery chiles, and fresh cilantro. This vibrant ceviche-style appetizer is combined with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and sharp red onion, making it perfect for a light and flavorful starter or snack. Served chilled and often scooped up with tostadas or tortilla chips, Aguachile packs a punch with its citrusy heat and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Shrimp and Citrus

  • 1 ½ pounds medium raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tail-off (26/30 count)
  • 1 ½ cups lime juice, divided (fresh or bottled)

Marinade

  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 1 serrano pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ cup cilantro, tightly packed (small bunch)

Vegetables and Garnish

  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into half rings
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced into cubes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the shrimp: Place the cleaned shrimp in a shallow bowl or baking dish. Pour 1 cup of lime juice over the shrimp, mixing gently to coat them evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through to ensure uniform marination.
  2. Make the marinade: Toast the jalapeño and serrano peppers in a dry skillet over medium heat until slightly charred all over, about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally. Roughly chop the toasted peppers, then add them to a blender along with the salt, garlic, cilantro, and the remaining ½ cup of lime juice. Puree until smooth and vibrant green.
  3. Combine shrimp and marinade: Strain the blended marinade through a fine mesh sieve into the bowl with the marinated shrimp, discarding solids. Stir gently to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for another 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the shrimp to 'cook' fully in the citrus.
  4. Add fresh vegetables: Just before serving, add the half-ring cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and diced avocado to the shrimp mixture. Toss lightly to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.
  5. Season and serve: Taste the aguachile and adjust seasoning with additional salt if necessary. Serve chilled, ideally on top of tostadas or alongside tortilla chips for scooping, enjoying the crisp, refreshing, and spicy flavors.

Notes

  • Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor, but bottled lime juice is acceptable if fresh is unavailable.
  • Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing the number of chiles or removing seeds if you prefer a milder dish.
  • If you cannot find serrano peppers, substitute with extra jalapeño or other mild green chilies.
  • Ensure the shrimp is very fresh or frozen and properly thawed since it is 'cooked' only in lime juice.
  • Serve immediately after adding avocado to prevent browning.
  • For an authentic presentation, serve over tostadas or with fresh tortilla chips.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Find it online: https://recipesbyhazel.com/refreshing-shrimp-aguachile-with-lime-chiles-and-avocado-recipe/