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This Shrimp Aguachile (Aguachile de Camarón) is a fresh, citrusy, and spicy shrimp dish topped with lime-pickled red onion and fresh cucumber.
The shrimp gets briefly marinated in salt and fresh lime juice, giving it a cooked texture and appearance with a deliciously bright flavor. Then the aguachile ingredients are blended and served over the shrimp with a drizzle of olive oil, spicy chili piquÃn, and flaked sea salt.
Does lime juice cook shrimp?
The short answer is no. When making dishes like this, it's very important to use high-quality shrimp from a trusted source. The lime juice denatures the proteins in the shrimp, giving it a cooked texture and appearance, but it does not cook it. This denaturing process is also why you should only leave it in the lime juice for about 4-5 minutes because it can overcure and get tough and rubbery if it marinates too long.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED (scroll to full ingredient list)
Shrimp
Limes
Red onion
Fresh parsley
Fresh cilantro
Serrano pepper
Persian cucumbers
Chile piquÃn powder or cayenne
Fine sea salt
Olive oil
Avocado
Tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1: PREP
Using a mandoline or knife, thinly slice the red onions and set aside.
Cut the cucumbers into rounds, about 1/4-inch thick.
STEP 2: MARINATE
Butterfly or cut the shrimp in half then add to a bowl.
Season the shrimp with sea salt and mix.
Add enough lime juice to cover the shrimp, mix, and refrigerate for about 4-5 minutes.
STEP 3: SHRIMP
To a second bowl, add the sliced onions and cover with a few tablespoons of lime juice. Set aside.
STEP 4: AGUACHILE
After the shrimp has marinated for about 4-5 minutes, drain the juice into a blender.
To the blender, add the serrano, cilantro, parsley, and remaining lime juice.
Blend until smooth and add a few tablespoons of water as needed to reach a watery consistency.
Add additional lime juice and salt to taste.
STEP 5: SERVE
Add the shrimp to a plate or serving dish and pour the aguachile over the shrimp.
Top with the lime-pickled red onion, cucumber, avocado, piquÃn powder or cayenne, cilantro leaves, flaked sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Serve with fresh lime wedges and tortilla chips.
INGREDIENTS
Makes 2-3 servings
1 lb shrimp, deveined and shell off
1.5 cup fresh lime juice, about 6-7 large limes (850g)
1/3 red onion, thinly sliced
Handful of fresh parsley
Handful of fresh cilantro
1 serrano pepper, halved longways
2 Persian cucumber, cut into rounds
1/2 tsp chile piquÃn powder or cayenne
Fine sea salt to taste (about 2 tsp)
2 TBSP olive oil
1 large avocado, cut into chunks
Tortilla chips
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