Here’s a classic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Cóctel de Camarones) — tangy, spicy, and full of fresh flavors 🍤🍅🌶️
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Ingredients (4 servings)
Shrimp
- 1 lb medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 small onion, quartered
- 1 clove garlic (optional)
- Water to cover
Cocktail
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4–5 limes)
- ¼ cup tomato juice (optional, for a thinner cocktail)
- ½ cup chopped tomato
- ½ cup chopped cucumber, peeled if desired
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped avocado
- 2–3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1–2 jalapeños or serrano peppers, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Cook the shrimp
- In a medium pot, bring water, bay leaf, onion, garlic, and salt to a boil.
- Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Drain and chill in ice water to stop cooking.
- Prepare cocktail sauce
- In a bowl, combine ketchup, lime juice, tomato juice, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust tanginess/spiciness.
- Assemble
- Chop cooked shrimp into bite-size pieces (optional).
- In a large bowl, mix shrimp, tomato, cucumber, onion, avocado, cilantro, and peppers.
- Pour cocktail sauce over shrimp mixture and toss gently.
- Chill & serve
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve in cocktail glasses, bowls, or with tostadas/saltine crackers.
Tips & Variations
- 🍤 Extra flavor: Add a splash of orange juice or Clamato.
- 🌶️ Adjust heat with jalapeños or hot sauce.
- 🥑 Serve with lime wedges and tortilla chips.
- 🥒 Make it crisp: add veggies just before serving to avoid sogginess.
If you want, I can also give you:
- Individual serving version in cocktail glasses
- Creamy Mexican shrimp cocktail with mayonnaise
- Quick weeknight version
Which version do you want?
