Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, otherwise known as Cóctel de Camarónes, doesn’t resemble an American shrimp cocktail at all. I’ll bet you’ll find this variation way more tasty and exciting!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is almost like a “salad in a glass,” chock full of crunchy vegetables and shrimp in a spicy, tangy tomato sauce. What’s not to love?
But first…..Rick Bayless…..I love you and you’re my go-to man for Mexican recipes. You made my mouth water when I watched you prepare this classic Mexican beachside treat in the gorgeous “Panna” app on my iPad.
So now, Cinco de Mayo is rolling around and I’m getting into the Mexican food mood. I made your app recipe which calls for combining one cup ketchup and one cup PLUS two tablespoons lime juice. I hate to tell you and the producers of the app this, but that’s some serious lime juice and acid happening.
I was nervous about using ketchup to begin with, but the combination of the ketchup and the excessive amount of lime juice is almost unpalatable.
It’s okay, Rick, everyone makes mistakes. Thankfully, I have your cookbook, Fiesta at Rick’s, Fabulous Food for Great Times with Friends to fall back on and the combination of ketchup, clam juice and lime juice in your cookbook recipe makes wayyy more sense.
And honestly, how many Mexican shrimp cocktail recipes does a person really need?
Just a good one and here it is! A combination of both recipes!
You could use purchased cooked shrimp, however, cooking your own will give you better flavor and texture. I’m also a stickler for using American wild-caught shrimp in all of my shrimp dishes. None of that funky farmed stuff for me!
I’m an onion-lover from way back, but it can be on the strong side for many people. Rick provides a great tip in the Panna app for removing some of the bite. After chopping the onion, place in a sieve and rinse it briefly under cold running water.
Thank you, hope you enjoy and please share this From A Chef’s Kitchen reader favorite!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is almost like a "salad in a glass," chock full of crunchy vegetables and shrimp in a spicy, tangy tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 medium white onion
- 6 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed except for 6 to place on top as part of the garnish
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup clam juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice (or to taste)
- Mexican hot sauce, to taste
- 1/2 small jicama, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 large English cucumber, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup chopped cilantro, loosely packed
- lime wedges, for serving
- cilantro springs, for serving
Directions
Cut onion in half. Dice half and cut the other half into large chunks. Place diced onion in a sieve and run under cold running water; drain.
Fill a saucepan with water. Add onion chunks, garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil. Add shrimp, turn off heat and let sit 1 minute or until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Drain and let shrimp cool. Discard onion and garlic.
Combine ketchup, clam juice, lime juice and hot sauce.
In another bowl, combine cooled shrimp, diced onion, jicama, cucumber, avocado and cilantro.
Pour dressing over shrimp and vegetable combination, toss to coat. Serve in large, wide-rimmed glasses with a shrimp (with tail) on top. Garnish with a lime wedge and cilantro springs.
Recipe Notes
MAKE AHEAD: Cook shrimp, cool and refrigerate. Dice cucumber, jicama and onion and combine in a bowl and refrigerate. Combine sauce ingredients and refrigerate. When ready to serve, dice avocado, combine with remaining ingredients, portion into serving glasses, garnish and serve.
lisa says
May 3, 2019 at 1:50 pmDo you suggest to cook the shrimp or already cooked shrimp. I am making for a party of 15 ppl. How many servings do you actually think I should make,
Carol says
May 4, 2019 at 3:01 pmHi, Lisa, Thanks so much for your question. I prefer to cook shrimp myself. I find the precooked shrimp to be a little overcooked. By cooking the shrimp yourself, you can flavor it in the process by adding onion, garlic, a little lime juice, salt, pepper, etc. It will depend on what you’re serving but for 15 people, I would allow at 4 large shrimp per person. Thanks again and hope everyone enjoys!
Hazel says
February 15, 2019 at 11:04 pmWe love this recipe! Have made it several times now and always love it. I now add coarsely chopped radishes, one stalk celery chopped fine, two Roma tomatoes diced, 3 or 4 green onions sliced fine to all the other ingredients and it is great. I found that it works better for us if we cut the shrimp in half or thirds if extra large. It is a very delicious filling meal. Leftovers are great covered in an airtight container.
Carol says
February 16, 2019 at 8:30 amThanks so much, Hazel! So glad you all enjoy and it’s become one of your keepers. I love the little changes you made to make it your own. Thanks again and please stay in touch!
David says
February 28, 2016 at 11:57 pmKudos to Rick Bayless on this recipe, Being from San Antonio, Tx & Rockport, Tx, on the Gulf Coast only a short drive , fresh seafood is readily available, I add fresh oysters, use green onions, finely chopped including most of the green stems, 1 jar of Traders Joes seafood cocktail sauce & same amount of quality ketchup. 1 fresh diced small Roma tomato without meat or seeds, 1/2 tsp. Tarragon. add small amount of oyster liqueur and shrimp stock from cooking shrimp with heads on and shells intack for added flavor. Secret ingredient(no longer a secret) is a tsp or more of Spanish Liqueur “43” and same amount of Giola Luisa orange cello liqueur from Italy. In south Texas this cocktail is called, “Campechana”. What a heck of a shrimp/oyster cocktail!
Jeanne says
May 3, 2015 at 9:26 amFish house Veracruz. Serves a Baka shrp cocktail. Made with bloodymary mix. Delicious
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
May 2, 2015 at 11:15 ami would be in heaven if I could have this for lunch!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
April 30, 2015 at 10:34 pmThe perfect cinco de mayo inspired appetizer! Loving all those aromatic flavours and spices going on in this shrimp cocktail especially.