Description
This vibrant Mexican Shrimp Cocktail combines fresh shrimp with a zesty tomato-lime base enhanced by crisp vegetables and a hint of heat from jalapeños. Perfectly chilled and served with tortilla chips or saltine crackers, it makes a refreshing and flavorful appetizer ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails removed)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned, drained)
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber (peeled and seeded)
- 1/2 cup diced avocado
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1–2 jalapeños (seeded and minced)
Cocktail Base
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup tomato juice or Clamato
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (like Valentina or Cholula)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Lime wedges
- Tortilla chips or saltine crackers
Instructions
- Prepare the cocktail base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, tomato juice or Clamato, fresh lime juice, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, creating a flavorful cocktail sauce.
- Add the vegetables and shrimp: To the cocktail base, add the cooked shrimp, diced tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, avocado, chopped cilantro, and minced jalapeños. Gently fold everything together to evenly coat the ingredients without mashing the avocado.
- Season and chill: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, hot sauce, or lime juice as desired. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Spoon the chilled shrimp cocktail into individual glasses or bowls. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro if desired. Serve immediately alongside tortilla chips or saltine crackers for scooping and enjoy this refreshing appetizer.
Notes
- Use small or medium shrimp for easier scooping and balanced bites.
- For extra flavor, poach raw shrimp in salted water with lime and a bay leaf before cooling and adding to the cocktail.
- Adjust the heat level by adding more jalapeños or hot sauce according to your taste preference.
- Serve chilled for the best refreshing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
