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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Zesty Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 78 reviews

This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Zesty recipe combines succulent cooked shrimp with a tangy tomato and lime juice base, enhanced by fresh vegetables and a touch of heat from jalapeños. Perfect as a refreshing appetizer or light meal, it’s served chilled with creamy avocado and crunchy tortilla chips or saltine crackers for an authentic, flavorful experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Liquid Base

  • 1 lb cooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup tomato juice, no added sugar
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp hot sauce, Mexican-style
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup firm ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Finishing and Serving

  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • Tortilla chips or saltine crackers for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare shrimp: If the shrimp you have aren’t pre-cooked, bring a pot of salted water to a low boil. Add the shrimp and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Immediately drain and rinse under cool water, then peel and devein if necessary. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
  2. Make cocktail base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato juice, fresh lime juice, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce (if using), sea salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and uniformly colored. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  3. Add vegetables: Gently fold in the finely chopped white onion, fresh cilantro, diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, and jalapeño into the cocktail base. Stir carefully to combine everything without bruising the vegetables. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld while keeping the veggies crisp.
  4. Combine shrimp and sauce: After chilling, add the cooked and cooled shrimp to the bowl with the vegetable mixture. Gently stir until the shrimp are evenly coated with the zesty cocktail sauce, taking care not to break the shrimp apart.
  5. Chill mixture: Cover the bowl again and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. This chilling enhances the flavor fusion and allows the ingredients to marry perfectly.
  6. Serve with avocado and accompaniments: Just before serving, fold in the diced ripe avocado gently to preserve its creamy texture and bright flavor. Spoon the cocktail into individual glasses or small bowls. Serve alongside crunchy tortilla chips or saltine crackers for an irresistible presentation and textural contrast.

Notes

  • Use pre-cooked shrimp to save time or fresh shrimp for best flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of jalapeño according to your preferred spice level.
  • If you like more acidity, add an extra tablespoon of fresh lime juice.
  • For a smoother texture, omit the cucumber or dice it very finely.
  • This shrimp cocktail is best served chilled within 2 hours of preparation.
  • Worcestershire sauce is optional but adds depth to the flavor.

Keywords: Mexican shrimp cocktail, zesty shrimp cocktail, shrimp appetizer, cold shrimp cocktail, fresh shrimp salad

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/mexican-shrimp-cocktail-zesty-recipe/