Description
This Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, or Coctel de Camarones estilo Mexicano, is a refreshing seafood appetizer perfect for hot summer days. Featuring tender chilled shrimp mixed with fresh vegetables, zesty lime, and a flavorful tomato-clam juice cocktail dressing spiced with Mexican hot sauce, this dish is vibrant and delicious. Ready to serve after just one hour of chilling, it’s commonly enjoyed with saltine crackers and can be garnished with avocado slices for added creaminess.
Ingredients
Marinade
- ⅓ cup Spanish onion, chopped
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Shrimp Mixture
- 1 pound chilled cooked medium shrimp - peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Dressing
- 1 ½ cups chilled tomato and clam juice cocktail (such as Clamato®)
- 1 cup chilled ketchup (such as Heinz®)
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro - stems discarded and leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (such as Valentina®)
Garnish
- 2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and chopped
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients. Collect all the necessary ingredients and ensure the shrimp, ketchup, and tomato-clam juice cocktail are well chilled before starting.
- Marinate Onion. Combine the chopped Spanish onion with the freshly squeezed lime juice in a small bowl. Let this mixture stand for 10 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly soften the onion.
- Mix Shrimp and Vegetables. In a medium-sized bowl, toss the chilled cooked shrimp with chopped roma tomatoes, finely chopped cucumber, celery, jalapeno, salt, and ground black pepper until thoroughly combined.
- Prepare Dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chilled tomato and clam juice cocktail, ketchup, chopped cilantro, and hot pepper sauce to create a vibrant, spicy dressing.
- Combine Mixtures. Pour the dressing over the shrimp and vegetable mixture and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Avocados and Onion Mixture. Gently fold in the chopped avocados, then stir in the lime-marinated onion mixture, mixing carefully to avoid mashing the avocados.
- Chill. Cover the combined shrimp cocktail and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the dish to become thoroughly chilled.
- Serve. Serve the shrimp cocktail cold, optionally with additional hot sauce and saltine crackers on the side for a traditional accompaniment.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, well-chilled cooked shrimp to keep the cocktail refreshing and flavorful.
- The jalapeno can be adjusted or omitted based on your preferred spice level.
- Adding avocado provides a creamy texture contrast, but it can be left out if not preferred.
- Traditionally served with saltine crackers and extra hot sauce for added zest.
- Letting the onion soak in lime juice helps mellow its sharpness and adds acidity to the dish.
