Zesty Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe for Summer Refreshment

Salty ocean breezes inspired this vibrant mexican shrimp cocktail that dances with fresh, zesty flavors.

Crisp vegetables and plump seafood create a refreshing blend perfect for summer gatherings.

Coastal Mexico birthed this delightful dish, mixing tangy citrus with succulent shrimp.

Chilled ingredients mingle in a glass, promising a cool and invigorating experience.

Each spoonful bursts with bright, bold seasonings that awaken your taste buds.

Crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tender shrimp form a colorful culinary symphony.

Jump into this delectable adventure and savor every vibrant bite!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe Bursting with Freshness

• Boost Flavor Fast: Marinate the shrimp mixture in a zesty sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, mouth-watering dish packed with fresh Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Quick Kitchen Triumph: Prepare this recipe with minimal cooking skills, requiring basic chopping and mixing techniques that make even novice cooks feel like culinary pros.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and casual parties where guests crave a refreshing seafood appetizer that delivers incredible taste and impressive presentation.
• Healthy Protein Adventure: Packed with lean shrimp, crisp vegetables, and bright citrus notes, this recipe offers a nutritious meal option that doesn't compromise on exciting taste profiles.

Ingredients for Zesty Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

• Shrimp: A succulent seafood that provides the primary protein and flavor foundation for this Mexican-style cocktail.

• Celery, Cucumber: Crisp vegetables that add refreshing texture and light crunch to the dish.
• Jalapeno: A spicy pepper that introduces a zesty heat and authentic Mexican flavor profile.
• Avocado: A creamy ingredient that offers rich, smooth texture and subtle buttery taste.
• Onion, Cilantro: Aromatic ingredients that contribute sharp and herbal notes to enhance the overall flavor.

• Lime Juice, Orange Juice: Citrus juices that provide bright, tangy acidity and help balance the dish.
• Tomato Juice, Tomato Sauce: Foundational liquid components that create a smooth, rich base for the cocktail sauce.
• Garlic: A pungent seasoning that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Hot Sauce: A spicy condiment that intensifies the heat and Mexican-style flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and round out the overall taste of the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Step 1: Perfectly Poach Shrimp

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Gently drop the shrimp into the bubbling water.

Watch for the magical moment when they curl into a delicate C shape and turn beautifully opaque, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Quickly drain the shrimp and shock them in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process.

Once cooled, slice the shrimp into delightful bite-sized morsels.

Step 2: Create Vibrant Veggie Mix

• Crisp celery
• Spicy jalapeño
• Cool cucumber
• Creamy avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Zesty onion

Step 3: Craft Tangy Cocktail Sauce

• Bright lime juice
• Sweet orange juice
• Rich tomato juice
• Smooth tomato sauce
• Minced garlic
• Fiery hot sauce
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of pepper

Step 4: Marry Flavors Together

Pour the vibrant sauce over the shrimp and vegetable mixture.

Stir gently to ensure every morsel is beautifully coated. Cover and let the cocktail chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Step 5: Serve with Flair

Scoop the chilled Mexican Shrimp Cocktail into serving glasses. Garnish with extra sprigs of cilantro or a zesty lime wedge for that perfect finishing touch.

Enjoy this refreshing seafood delight that brings the spirit of Mexico to your table!

Tips to Perfect Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Every Time

• Cook shrimp just until they curl into a C-shape to prevent rubbery texture and maintain tender, juicy meat.
• Let the cocktail rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow ingredients to blend and enhance overall taste.
• Cut celery, cucumber, and onion into consistent small pieces for balanced texture and even distribution of flavors.
• Adjust lime and orange juice proportions to create a bright, zesty sauce that complements the shrimp's delicate flavor.
• Modify hot sauce quantity to suit your heat preference, ensuring the cocktail isn't too mild or overwhelmingly spicy.

Variations to Refresh Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

• Spicy Seafood Fusion: Replace shrimp with a mix of crab, scallops, and diced white fish for a richer seafood experience.
• Garden Fresh Veggie Splash: Add roasted corn, diced bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes to boost vegetable content and create a more colorful dish.
• Tropical Citrus Version: Swap lime and orange juice with passion fruit and pineapple juice, then include mango chunks for a Caribbean-inspired flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Incorporate chopped parsley, mint, and a splash of white wine vinegar, then garnish with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired variation.

Pairings That Go Perfect with Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

• Pair Zesty Mexican Cocktail with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc's bright acidity and citrus notes perfectly complement the tangy shrimp cocktail, cutting through the rich flavors.
• Boost Flavor with Refreshing Michelada: A Mexican beer cocktail with lime, salt, and hot sauce creates a vibrant drinking experience that matches the dish's spicy and fresh profile.
• Elevate with Smooth Tequila Blanco: Clean, pure tequila enhances the seafood's delicate taste and provides a traditional Mexican spirit companion to the shrimp cocktail.
• Match with Sparkling Agua Fresca: A light, fruity non-alcoholic option that offers a cool, hydrating counterpoint to the zesty and spicy elements of the dish.

Proper Storage of Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Store leftover Mexican Shrimp Cocktail in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Seal tightly to prevent flavor loss and maintain texture.

Avoid freezing this dish as the fresh vegetables and seafood will lose their crisp texture and become watery when thawed. Freshness is key for this recipe.

Consume cold straight from the refrigerator for best taste. If slightly chilled, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to enhance flavor profile.

Drain excess liquid before serving to prevent a watery consistency and maintain the vibrant, fresh ingredients’ integrity.

FAQs

• Is Mexican shrimp cocktail raw or cooked?

The shrimp is fully cooked by boiling before being mixed into the cocktail, ensuring food safety and a tender texture.

• Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less jalapeño and hot sauce according to your personal spice preference.

• What's the best type of shrimp to use?

Fresh or frozen medium-sized shrimp work best. Raw shrimp is recommended so you can control the cooking process and ensure perfect texture.

• How long does this cocktail stay fresh?

The Mexican shrimp cocktail stays fresh in the refrigerator for 1-2 days when stored in an airtight container, maintaining its crisp flavors and texture.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor zesty Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with a refreshing blend of succulent shrimp, tangy tomato sauce, and crisp vegetables. Coastal flavors dance on your palate, inviting pure culinary joy in every spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) jumbo shrimp

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 2 handfuls fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 small white or yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 limes, juiced and zested
• 1 orange, juiced and zested
• 11.5 fluid ounces (340 milliliters) tomato juice
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) tomato sauce
• Hot sauce, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Submerge fresh shrimp in rapidly boiling water, cooking until they transform into a loose C shape and turn completely opaque, approximately 2-3 minutes at a rolling boil.
2. Immediately drain shrimp and rapidly cool under cold running water or plunge into an ice bath to halt cooking process.
3. Carefully dice cooled shrimp into uniform bite-sized segments, ensuring consistent texture throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer chopped shrimp into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant foundation for the cocktail.
5. Incorporate finely diced celery, minced jalapeno, crisp cucumber cubes, creamy avocado chunks, fragrant cilantro, and sharp onion into the shrimp base.
6. Craft a zesty sauce by whisking together tangy lime juice, bright orange juice, rich tomato juice, smooth tomato sauce, minced garlic, fiery hot sauce, appropriate seasoning, and cracked pepper.
7. Gently cascade the prepared sauce over the seafood and vegetable medley, thoroughly blending to ensure complete flavor integration.
8. Refrigerate the cocktail for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a complex, refreshing profile.
9. When ready to serve, present the chilled cocktail in elegant glassware, optionally embellishing with additional cilantro sprigs or vibrant lime wedges for visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize shrimp cooking time based on size to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring tender and succulent seafood.
• Balance spice levels by adjusting jalapeño and hot sauce quantities to suit individual heat preferences.
• Consider gluten-free and low-carb adaptations by using fresh ingredients and checking sauce component labels.
• Maximize flavor development by allowing cocktail to marinate longer, ideally 2-3 hours before serving for deeper taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 142 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg