This Mexican ceviche offers is a delicious twist to the classical fish ceviche (cheviche de pescado) and includes delicious flavors from fresh avocados, tomatoes and cilantro.

Now that winter is practically over and the weather is warming up, we are enjoying our backyard and soaking up some warm sunshine. We are grilling more and enjoying some cold beverages and waiting for summer vacation.
Until then, we are going to bring some vacation vibes home. This delicious Mexican ceviche will take you to the beach with every bite. And it is super easy to whip together.
Why you have to try this recipe
Japanese sushi is made with raw fish. You can have it sashimi style, in rolls or even in delicious poke bowls. Some people think that ceviche is raw fish, but it is not.
Ceviche is chemically cooked fish using fresh lemon and/or lime juice. The citric acid causes the proteins in the seafood to become denatured, or “cooked.”
It is not cooked with heat, so if there is any bacteria in the fish it will not be removed. This is why it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing to eat ceviche.
You can find variations of ceviche all of South and Central America, and even Europe. My husband and I, living in Southern California, enjoy all the flavors in this Mexican ceviche. It makes a light meal, snack or serve as an appetizer with tortilla chips.
See my Mexican Ceviche Web Story for a quick visual guide to making this recipe.
Ingredients you need
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- Firm white fish: Any mild flavored commercially-frozen or high-quality fresh fish for ceviche white fish is perfect for ceviche like sea bass, tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper or grouper. You can also use shrimp, squid, scallops and other seafood, too.
- Garlic
- Jalapeño pepper: It’s not Mexican food without a little heat. You can use any pepper with the amount of heat you like or you can omit it altogether.
- Lime juice: If you do not have lime juice you can use lemon juice.
- Extra virgin olive oil: As I have repeatedly explained on my blog, always choose a high quality olive oil. If you do not like how the oil tastes plain and straight up, then don’t cook with it.
- Cilantro: For ceviche, it is best to use fresh cilantro and not dried.
- Red onion: I love using red onions if I’m eating onions raw, but you can use brown or sweet Vidalia onions.
- Tomato: Most store bought tomatoes are bland, so try to choose tomatoes that are ripe and full of flavor.
- Avocado: You can use any variety of avocado, but I’m partial to Haas and Fuerte.
- Salt and pepper
Tools to Use
Step-by-step directions
1. Chop and combine white fish, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, cilantro, red onion, salt and pepper in a large bowl. I usually chop the fish into small chunks since I serve it with tortilla chips. Think pico de gallo for the texture.
2. Press fish into the lime juice mixture so it is submerged. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight, or until fish has turned completely white.
3. When ready to serve, mix in diced tomato, avocado and remaining cilantro. Serve alone or with tortilla chips.
I have always loved all the colors in Talavera pottery. I have a wonderful collection of bowls, plates and plant pots in my house. It makes a gorgeous serving bowl for your favorite queso, salsa or ceviche!
Recipe tips and FAQs
Ceviche tastes best when freshly made. So I always suggest making small batches to insure that it gets eaten and enjoyed right away. You can serve this recipe for Mexican ceviche with tortilla chips, corn chips or alone.
Once your fish is cut into chunks and immersed in the marinade, cover and refrigerate if or at least 4 hours or up to overnight, or until fish has turned completely white.
Store leftover ceviche in an air tight container and refrigerate. It will keep this way for up to 2 days. This is assuming that you are using high quality fresh fish. If the ceviche is mushy or has a strong fish odor, discard your ceviche as it is unsafe to eat.
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Mexican Ceviche with Avocado (Cheviche de Pescado)
This Mexican ceviche offers is a delicious twist to the classical fish ceviche (cheviche de pescado) and includes delicious flavors from fresh avocados, tomatoes and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1 lb firm white fish, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
- ¾ cup lime juice (about 8-10 limes)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 avocado, chopped
Instructions
- Chop and combine white fish, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup cilantro, red onion, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Press fish into the lime juice mixture so it is submerged.
- Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight, or until fish has turned completely white.
- When ready to serve, mix in diced tomato, avocado and remaining cilantro.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
Serving Suggestions: Great as an appetizer or a meal. Serve alone, with tortilla chips or fresh bread. Use just fish or mix in fresh shrimp, squid and scallops, too.
Cooking Tips: To prevent illness or food poisoning, it is important to use only fresh fish, as it is chemically cooked and not cooked with high heat. A firm white fish is needed, or else the fish will crumble. Try using halibut, tuna, sea bass (pictured above), shark or marlin. Depending on the size of your fish portions, the ceviche can be ready in as little as 10 minutes. But this is highly dependent on the freshness of your fish, or seafood, you are using.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
½ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g
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Ceviche is great! Haven’t made it in ages, though. Great recipe (and wonderful inspiration!). Thanks.
I dont eat that much fish, but after seeing this recipe, I think I will start!
Beautiful presentation to a delicious dish. You did a wonderful job!
I am a little ceviched(word?) out after reading so many posts. However yours was presented beautifully and I sure was delicious. I really enjoy the texture of sea bass.
What your post has done is make me want a margarita. I just so happen to have all the fixins. 🙂
Love the sea bass! I just tried it for the first time last week and it is going to be a regular in my house.
I was just at Alaskan Cooks blog admiring his post for DC Challenge..
Yours is so colorful and mouthwatering 🙂 I want to dive right in!
Also, thank you for stopping by my blog ..
Your presentation is stunning it looks so light fresh and delicious, Lovely work and thank you for the link to my blog that is so nice of you. Beautiful photos.
Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.
Delicious! Love the avocado on yoru ceviche…great job on this challenge!
presenting the ceviche in a glass impressed me so much! Beautiful picture!
I love the super fresh look to your ceviche. I love the south of the border twist. Looks super yummy. Thanks for coming to check out my blog.
I love how you put your ceviche in a glass. I could see that served at a resteraunt. Great job on this challenge.
Yummm ceviche! Great theme this month. Hope your little one feels better soon.
I love your Mexican twist to the challenge, and your photos are stunning!
Gorgeous presentation! It is making my mouth water. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Your ceviche looks gorgeous! I love that you guys tried it using sea bass. I bet it was delicious!
What a lovely looking ceviche and gorgeous photos! Well done! 🙂
Your ceviche looks so fresh and delicious!! You did a fantastic job. Your photos are wonderful, also – really great work!