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    Home » Recipes » Seafood » Shellfish Recipes » Shrimp » Aguachile de Camarón

    Published: Sep 18, 2023 Modified: Sep 18, 2023 by Catherine Arena Leave a Comment

    Aguachile de Camarón

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    The enticing green hue of Aguachile de Camarón (Shrimp Aguachile) comes from the fresh blend of green chile peppers, cilantro, and lime. Dive into this zesty, refreshing Mexican delight filled with vibrant flavors in every bite!

    Fully assembled aguachile de camaron platter topped with onions, avocado and cucumbers.

    If you love refreshing dishes like Ceviche de Pescado (Fish Ceviche) or Shrimp Ceviche but also love a little spiciness in your dishes, this Camarón de Aguachile recipe is for you!

    Enjoy this elegant dish as an appetizer or light meal served with a side of tostadas.

    What is Aguachile?

    The term “aguachile” directly translates to “chile water” and serves as the marinade in which these delectable shrimp are steeped.

    The “chili water” marinade is made of simple ingredients. Combine fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, and fiery chili peppers (usually jalapeños or serranos), into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the chili-infused liquid marinade over the raw shrimp for a brief moment before enjoying.

    A superb appetizer that’s perfect for busy moments when time is short, yet you want to serve something truly exceptional.

    Jump to:
    • What is Aguachile?
    • Reasons to Love this Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Tips for the Best Aguachile de Camarón
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other Seafood Dishes You Will Love
    • 📖 Recipe

    Reasons to Love this Recipe

    • Bold Flavors – Aguachile is known for its vibrant and intense flavors, combining the freshness of shrimp with the zing of lime and the kick of chili peppers.
    • Refreshing and Light – This dish is perfect for warm weather as it’s served cold, making it a refreshing and light option. However, in Latin culture, this dish is enjoyed any time of the year.
    • Simple and Few Ingredients – Easy to find, everyday ingredients make this dish a stress-free trip to the grocery store.
    • Quick Preparation – Aguachile is a very quick dish to make, ideal for when you want a delicious appetizer or light meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
    • Customizable Heat – You can adjust the level of spiciness, making it suitable for those who enjoy mild spice flavors as well as spice enthusiasts.

    Ingredients

    List of Ingredients
    • Shrimp – use fresh large shrimp.
    • Jalapeños – if you love spicy dishes, use a combination of jalapeño and serrano peppers, or for true spice enthusiasts, use habanero peppers!
    • Fresh Cilantro – use fresh cilantro, never use dry cilantro for this dish. This dish is all about fresh ingredients!
    • Limes – use freshly squeezed limes.
    • Red Onion – thinly sliced is best and adds visual appeal.
    • Cucumbers – cut them to your liking but I prefer them thinly sliced and skin on for extra green visual appeal and crunchiness.
    • Avocado – cut into cubes or sliced.
    • Tostadas or Tortilla Chips – perfect for serving with this spicy dish as it adds a nice contrast.

    See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

    Instructions

    Creating the aguachile sauce for the shrimps.

    Step 1: Add the jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.

    Shrimps being butterflied on a wooden cutting board.

    Step 2: Peel and devien shrimp and rinse under cold water. Using a knife, cut the shrimp lengthwise to butterfly.

    Shrimps in a casserole topped with the aguachile sauce.

    Step 3: Add the shrimp to a large casserole and top with the aguachile sauce. Sprinkle salt and pepper.

    Fully assembled aguachile platter with onions, avocado and cucumbers.

    Step 4: Add the onions, cucumbers and avocado slices. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 6-10 minutes and immediately serve with tostadas or chips.

    Tips for the Best Aguachile de Camarón

    • Quality – Always use the freshest or commercially frozen shrimp from a trusted fish monger.
    • Mandoline – Use a mandoline to slice the onions and cucumbers evenly.
    • Consume – For the tastiest aguachile, consume immediately after preparation.
    • Size – Although you can use jumbo shrimp for this recipe, I find large shrimp to be the best.
    • Leftovers – Although you may be tempted, do not consume this dish after 2 days.
    Fully assembled aguachile de camaron platter topped with onions, avocado and cucumbers.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is Aguachile de Camaron the Same as Ceviche de Camaron?

    Although these two dishes share similarities, they are not the same. Differences include marinade, texture and color.

    How Many Days is Aguachile Good for?

    Although aguachile is meant to be consumed immediately after preparation, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 24 hours. Maximum storage is two days from time of preparation. Note: Shrimp will be chewy from sitting in the acidic marinade.

    How to Avoid Chewiness?

    After large shrimp have sat in the marinade longer than a few hours, the shrimp will become chewy. To enjoy this on the second day, finely chop shrimp and serve on tostadas or tortilla chips.

    Is it Okay to Use Frozen Shrimp for this Recipe?

    Yes, commercially caught shrimp is frozen immediately which not only preserves its freshness but helps to kill parasites. As always eating any kind of raw fish (such as sushi) and shellfish comes with some risk.

    Other Seafood Dishes You Will Love

    • Ensalada de Pulpo (Puerto Rican Octopus Salad) served on a white platter with lime wedges.
      Ensalada de Pulpo
    • Sopa de Mariscos (Caldo de Mariscos) served in a white bowl with avocado, tostones and white rice.
      Sopa de Mariscos (Caldo de Mariscos)
    • Bacalao a la Vizcaina served in a white bowl with a side of white rice, half of an avocado and cilantro.
      Bacalao a la Vizcaina
    • Camarones a la Cucaracha (Spicy Fried Shrimps) served on a white platter with lime wedges.
      Camarones a la Cucaracha

    Did you try this recipe? Please leave a ⭐ review below!

    Click any of the images in the post to PIN this Recipe and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest and Facebook.

    📖 Recipe

    Fully assembled aguachile de camaron platter topped with onions, avocado and cucumbers.

    Aguachile de Camaron

    Aguachile de Camaron is a refreshing dish of shrimps, green chiles, cilantro, and lime. Dive into this zesty Mexican delight!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound large raw shrimp
    • 1 jalapeño rinsed
    • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro rinsed
    • 6 limes juiced
    • ½ red onion thinly sliced
    • 1 small cucumber thinly sliced
    • 1 avocado sliced or cubed
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • tostadas or tortilla chips for serving

    Instructions

    • Add the jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.
    • Peel and devien shrimp and rinse under cold water. Using a knife, cut the shrimp lengthwise to butterfly.
    • Add the shrimp to a large casserole and top with the aguachile sauce.
      Season with salt and pepper.
    • Add the onions, cucumbers and avocado slices. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 6-10 minutes and immediately serve with tostadas or chips.

    Notes

    Recipe Notes: 
    One pound of large jumbo shrimp serves 4 people as an appetizer and 2-3 people as a light dinner.
    Spiciness
    To make this dish spicier, use serrano or habanero peppers.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4 | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 484IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

    More Shrimp

    • Camarones a la Criolla served in a white bowl with a side of white rice.
      Camarones a la Criolla
    • Camarones a la Plancha (Camarones a la Parrilla) or Grilled Shrimp served on a white platter, topped with red pickled onions and lemon wedges.
      Camarones a la Plancha (or Parrilla)
    • Asopao de Camarones (Shrimp Stew Pottage)served in a white bowl with tostones.
      Asopao de Camarones
    • Mofongo de Yuca con Camarones (Mofongo Yuca with Shrimps) served in a pilon (mortar and pestle) with an extra side of garlicky shrimp.
      Mofongo de Yuca con Camarones

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