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Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones)

A close-up, vibrant photo of Mexican shrimp cocktail served in a clear glass bowl with shrimp, cucumber, and tomato in a red sauce.
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Make a refreshing and zesty Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. This recipe features cooked shrimp in a tomato and lime-based sauce with fresh vegetables, perfect as a light meal or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, cooked and peeled
  • 1 cup tomato juice (Clamato optional, see notes)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped ripe tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Valentina or Tapatio), adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Saltine crackers or tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

  1. If your shrimp are large, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Place the prepared shrimp in a large glass bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato juice, lime juice, ketchup, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until combined. This is your cocktail base.
  3. Pour the sauce mixture over the shrimp. Gently stir to coat.
  4. Add the chopped onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro to the bowl. Stir gently again.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, to allow the flavors to meld. Do not chill longer than 4 hours, as the shrimp can become too soft.
  6. Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado.
  7. Serve immediately in chilled glasses or bowls, accompanied by saltine crackers or tortilla chips.

Notes

  • For an authentic flavor, you can use Clamato juice instead of plain tomato juice. If you prefer a Clamato-free version, use only tomato juice and perhaps add a splash of clam juice if desired, or omit entirely for a purely vegetable-based sauce.
  • To ensure the best texture, use pre-cooked shrimp that has been chilled. If cooking raw shrimp, boil them briefly (2-3 minutes) until pink, then immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
  • Serve this dish very cold for the best refreshing quality.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/mexican-shrimp-cocktail-recipe-coctel-camarones/