Authentic Mexican shrimp cocktail, also known as “coctel de camarones,” is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for serving as an appetizer or light meal. This dish features cooked shrimp marinated in a zesty tomato-based sauce, mixed with vegetables, and served chilled. It’s a popular dish in Mexican cuisine, known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make authentic Mexican shrimp cocktail at home, so you can enjoy this delicious dish anytime.
Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped avocado
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tortilla chips, for serving
How to Make Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Drain the shrimp and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain again and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomato juice, ketchup, lime juice, and hot sauce. Stir in the chopped cilantro, red onion, cucumber, avocado, and tomato. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the chopped shrimp to the tomato mixture and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- To serve, divide the shrimp cocktail among bowls. Serve with tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
About the Main Ingredients
- Shrimp: Shrimp is the star of this dish, providing a sweet and savory seafood flavor. Look for large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined for convenience.
- Tomato Juice and Ketchup: Tomato juice and ketchup form the base of the cocktail sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and a slightly sweet taste. The acidity of the tomato juice and ketchup helps to balance the flavors of the dish.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the shrimp cocktail, enhancing the overall freshness of the dish.
- Hot Sauce: Hot sauce adds a spicy kick to the cocktail sauce. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your taste.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the shrimp cocktail, complementing the other ingredients.
- Red Onion: Red onion adds a crisp and slightly sweet flavor to the cocktail, as well as a vibrant color.
- Cucumber: Cucumber adds a refreshing crunch to the shrimp cocktail and helps to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
- Avocado: Avocado adds creaminess to the shrimp cocktail and provides a mild, buttery flavor.
- Tomato: Fresh tomato adds juiciness and a sweet, acidic flavor to the shrimp cocktail.
