TL/DR – Cóctel de Camarón. A.K.A. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, this easy and healthy dish is great for an appetizer or a main course. It has hints of plain-old-shrimp-cocktail, but it’s superior in flavor and nutrition. –
Unlike American style shrimp cocktail with plain shrimp and a tangy sauce, Cóctel de Camarón has added vegetables and is far more interesting. There are tons of recipes for this, but this is one is a little thicker and a bit less soupy.
Start by dicing cucumber, onion, Roma tomatoes, and jalapeño. Mince a lot of fresh cilantro. Add these to chopped pre-cooked peeled shrimp. Make a dressing out of lime juice, lime zest, ketchup, clam juice, tomato juice, horseradish, celery salt, chili powder and pepper. Pour the dressing over the cocktail ingredients, cover and refrigerate for an hour or two before serving.
Serve Cóctel de Camarón in smaller bowls accompanied by chips or saltine style crackers.
This is a kid-friendly recipe! Older kids can help dice and practice their knife skills. Younger kids can put the diced veggies and shrimp into the bowl and help to measure the liquids. What kid doesn’t enjoy squeezing a ketchup bottle?
For another easy and delicious shrimp recipe, try Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Crema. For more fresh and fun dip or appetizer recipes, try Cowboy Caviar and Guacamole.
Cóctel de Camarón
This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is slightly thicker than the standard version with added kick.
Ingredients
- 1 c cucumber, finely diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 lb. cooked, peeled shrimp, diced
- 1/4 c lime juice
- 1/2 c ketchup
- 1/2 c clam juice
- 1 c tomato juice
- 1 T lime zest
- 1 t horseradish
- 1 t chili powder
- 1/2 t celery salt
- ground pepper to taste
Directions
- Step 1 Place the chopped shrimp and all of the chopped and diced vegetables except for the avocado into a medium bowl.
- Step 2 Whisk together the lime juice, ketchup, clam juice, tomato juice, lime zest, horseradish, chili powder, celery salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and shrimp in the bowl.
- Step 3 Stir and taste. Adjust pepper, chili powder and horseradish as needed.
- Step 4 Serve in smaller bowls with tortilla chips or saltine crackers. Top with diced avocado.
