Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail — Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner – especially when it’s too hot to cook!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

This Mexican-inspired shrimp cocktail is just what you need on those days when it’s too hot to cook.

Or when you’re in the mood for something light yet loaded with flavorful. Shrimp cocktail makes a great afternoon snack or light no-cook, no-fuss dinner.

Shrimp, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, avocado, and more are submersed in a tomato-based broth made with ketchup and Clamato juice. The layers of flavor are extraordinary!

Mexican-style shrimp cocktail is also a great addition to your menu when you’re entertaining casually. Keep it in a big bowl with ice underneath and people can help themselves. 

Keep this Mexican recipe in mind for Cinco de Mayo, too!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

What Makes Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Different Than Other Versions?

When I first started spending lots of time in Mexico, I would go to restaurants and order “coctel de camarones” and what I would receive looked nothing like the American version of Shrimp Cocktail I was accustomed to — cooked and chilled shrimp positioned and propped up over a large glass, with tails dangling down, and the glass filled with cocktail sauce.

As it turns out, Mexicans have a whole different take on shrimp cocktail.

Their shrimp cocktail includes shrimp, along with other vegetables like diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and chiles, in a tomato sauce-based broth that includes ketchup, Mexican hot sauce, Clamato juice, clam juice, lime juice, and cilantro. It’s very soup-like, but served very chilled.

Also Mexicans tend to eat coctel de camarones with saltine crackers, not tortilla chips. It’s fine with totopos or tortilla chips, but not as traditional.

Two totally different versions of shrimp cocktail and I love them both!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

Ingredients in Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

For this ultra flavorful Mexican-inspired shrimp cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients. The list is longer, but each ingredient plays a role in creating authenticity as well as contributing to overall depth of flavor. 

Everything is easy to find at well-stocked supermarkets:

  • Shrimp – I prefer to buy frozen cooked shrimp and thaw them
  • Red Onion – Although white or yellow are okay
  • Jalapeno – Use a serrano chile if you like more heat
  • Black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Garlic
  • English cucumber – Although other versions of cucumbers are fine, but remove the seeds 
  • Tomato – I like to use Roma tomatoes but any is fine
  • Cilantro – Adds extra fabulous flavor but can be omitted if allergic
  • Clamato Juice – Spicy or regular
  • Ketchup – Any brand
  • Clam Juice – Adds lots of flavor, found near the canned shrimp and tuna
  • Mexican Hot Sauce – Such as Valentina or Tapatio
  • Lime juice – Freshly squeezed is best
  • Olive Oil – Adds flavor and a silkiness to the overall mouthfeel 
  • Worcestershire sauce – For flavor
  • Avocado – Ripe but still firm avocado
  • Saltine Crackers or Chips – For serving
  • Lime Wedges – For serving
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

How to Make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

What I love about this making Mexican coctel de camarones is that it’s so easy! 

Literally add all the ingredients to a large bowl, except the avocado, and stir to combine.

Taste and check the flavor balance and add what you think it needs such as more lime juice, more hot sauce, more jalapeno or serrano, more cilantro, and don’t forget that if it tastes at all bland, it likely needs more salt for sure.

After it tastes the way you like, add the avocado, and gently stir. Cover and refrigerate it for an hour before serving.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

FAQs

What Kind of Shrimp Is Best?

I use previously cooked and then frozen shrimp that I allow to thaw. It’s more economical than buying fresh shrimp and then cooking them.

However, if you want to cook fresh shrimp to use for this recipe, go for it. Clean them, flash boil them, and chill them while you prep and chop the remaining ingredients.

You definitely want to use cooked shrimp in this recipe, not raw. This isn’t Shrimp Ceviche where there is enough lime juice to “cook” raw shrimp.

I use medium-sized shrimp, about U20-25 size range is what I aim for.

Is Clam Juice Necessary?

I realized that clam juice isn’t likely something one tends to keep in their pantry.
However, I do recommend adding it for the depth of flavor it adds to the Mexican shrimp cocktail recipe.

You can find it in any well-stocked market, usually where canned tuna is kept.
If you do need to omit it, you will need to make up that liquid volume — since it’s three-quarters of a cup — with something else. You can try extra Clamato, lime juice, hot sauce, and ketchup in ratios that make sense to you.

What Is Mexican-Style Shrimp Cocktail Called in Mexico?

In Mexico, you can find this shrimp appetizer at most restaurants under the name “coctel de camarones.”

What’s the Difference Between Mexican Shrimp Cocktail and Ceviche?

Shrimp ceviche is made with raw shrimp that’s “cooked” using an acid like lime juice or vinegar, whereas Mexican shrmip cocktail is made using pre-cooked shrimp. (Ceviche is also very popular throughout Latin America, it’s not exclusive to Mexico!)

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!

Tips for the Best Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

  • The Mexican shrimp cocktail is much better if allowed to refrigerate for an hour before serving both to get it really well-chilled, as well as to allow the ingredients to have to marry.
  • I recommend starting with cold ingredients especially the clam juice, Clamato, and chilled vegetables. It reduces the amount of chill time needed.
  • Leave a few tails on the shrimp for an added touch when serving. It’s not necessary but is a nice visual aide.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!
  • Rinse the diced onion under cold water to take a bit of the bite out especially if you’re a person who’s sensitive to the flavor of raw onion. This is a great trick to minimize it.
  • When selecting the avocado, make sure it’s ripe but firm. Save the super soft ones for guacamole.
  • Always add the avocado last so it  doesn’t get stirred too much, and therefore mushy.

What to Serve with Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

This recipe is perfect as a quick Mexican shrimp appetizer, but it can also be enjoyed as a main dish! Try serving this shrimp cocktail with one or more of the following:

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4.67 from 27 votes

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

By Averie Sunshine
Chilled shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, jalapeno, creamy avocado, and more are combined in a tomato-based sauce, along with a bit of Mexican hot sauce for some kick! Perfect for entertaining or as a no-cook lunch, snack, or dinner - especially when it's too hot to cook!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

  • 1 ½ pounds medium U20-25 count shrimp, cooked (some with tails on, optional)
  • 1 cup red onion, finely diced (white or yellow onion may be substituted)
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (use serrano chile for more heat)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste if deseired
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, finely minced
  • ½ English cucumber, diced (or another cucumber that is seeded)
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, small diced
  • ¾ cup fresh cilantro, finely minced or to taste
  • 32 ounce bottle Clamato Juice, spicy or regular
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¾ cup clam juice
  • ¼ cup Mexican hot sauce, such as Valentina or Tapatio
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large or 2 small avocados, small cubes
  • Saltine crackers or tortilla chips, for serving
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions 

  • To a large bowl, add all ingredients except the avocado, stir to combine.
  • Taste, check for seasoning and flavor balance, and make adjustments as necessary* (See Notes)
  • Cover and refrigerate for an hour before serving with cracker or chips as desired.
  • Recipe can be made up to 4 hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge until ready to serve. Best consumed within 8 hours of making it.

Notes

* If it tastes at all flat or bland I first recommend adding salt, then lime juice, then something spicy like more jalapeno/serrano or hot sauce. Often another few pinches of cilantro can help out too in Mexican recipes to balance the flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 1173mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 12g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made made this my husband and I really enjoyed it. Will be making it again very refreshing.

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad that you both really enjoyed it and will make it again!

  2. 5 stars
    I work with a guy who makes a similar cocktail and we all fight over it! BUT he simmers the fresh large prawns and uses the broth for flavoring. I find I have most of the ingredients but not the clam juice handy so it works very well for me. Great snack..and he serves it with the crust tostadas you buy already made.

  3. 5 stars
    I work with a guy who makes a similar cocktail and we all fight over it! BUT he simmers the fresh large prawns and uses the broth for flavoring. I find I have most of the ingredients but not the clam juice handy so it works very well for me. Great snack..and he serves it with the crust tostadas you buy already made.