Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones estilo Mexicano) Recipe
This Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones estilo Mexicano) is a refreshing and flavorful cold seafood dish perfect for hot summer days. Featuring chilled cooked shrimp mixed with fresh vegetables, tangy lime juice, zesty hot sauce, and a tomato-clam juice cocktail dressing, this recipe is quick to prepare and ideal for serving chilled with avocado slices and saltine crackers.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Marinade
- ⅓ cup Spanish onion, chopped
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Main Ingredients
- 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 ingredients and ensure the shrimp, ketchup, and tomato-clam juice cocktail are well chilled before beginning preparation.
- Prepare Onion Mixture: Mix the chopped Spanish onion with the freshly squeezed lime juice in a small bowl and let it stand for 10 minutes to mellow and infuse flavors.
- Combine Vegetables and Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss together the chilled cooked shrimp, chopped roma tomatoes, cucumber, celery, jalapeno pepper, salt, and ground black pepper until thoroughly combined, ensuring an even distribution of seasoning and vegetables.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chilled tomato and clam juice cocktail, ketchup, chopped cilantro, and hot pepper sauce to create a spicy and tangy dressing.
- Combine Dressing and Shrimp Mixture: Stir the dressing into the shrimp and vegetable mixture until everything is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Add Avocados and Onion Mixture: Gently fold in the chopped avocados, then stir in the onion-lime mixture to incorporate all elements while keeping the avocados intact.
- Chill: Cover the shrimp cocktail and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Optionally top with additional hot sauce and serve alongside saltine crackers. Enjoy this cool, zesty shrimp cocktail as a perfect summer appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Use well-chilled cooked shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Remove seeds from the jalapeno to reduce heat if desired.
- Adjust hot pepper sauce to taste for spiciness.
- Serve immediately after chilling to maintain avocado freshness.
- Saltine crackers are the traditional accompaniment for added crunch.
