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Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones)

A close-up view of a glass filled with vibrant mexican shrimp cocktail, featuring plump shrimp, diced avocado, onion, and tomato sauce.
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Make this refreshing Mexican shrimp cocktail, or Coctel de Camarones, that balances tangy, spicy, and savory notes. It is a quick, zesty appetizer perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup V8 or Clamato juice (for authentic flavor)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1–2 serrano or jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced (for serving)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Hot sauce (optional, to taste)
  • Tortilla chips or saltine crackers (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook the shrimp: Place the shrimp in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Immediately drain and plunge the shrimp into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cool, chop the shrimp into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the sauce base: In a large glass bowl, combine the V8 or Clamato juice, fresh lime juice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix.
  3. Add vegetables and spice: Add the chopped onion, cilantro, diced tomatoes, and minced serrano or jalapeño pepper to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  4. Combine shrimp and sauce: Add the cooled, chopped shrimp to the bowl with the sauce mixture. Stir lightly. Taste the mixture and add hot sauce if you desire more heat.
  5. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together properly.
  6. Serve: When ready to serve your Mexican shrimp cocktail, ladle the mixture into chilled glasses or bowls. Top each serving with diced avocado. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or saltine crackers.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality, fresh lime juice instead of bottled juice.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of lime juice slightly.
  • You can prepare the shrimp and sauce mixture up to 4 hours ahead of time, but add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.

Nutrition

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