Description
Spicy Aguachile Delight is a zesty and fiery Mexican dish made with fresh shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, and a perfect blend of chili peppers. It’s a spicy, tangy seafood dish that’s as refreshing as it is bold. Perfect for summer gatherings or a light appetizer, this aguachile will tantalize your taste buds with every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Aguachile Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3–4 limes)
- 2–3 serrano chilies (or more for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup or honey (optional, to balance the heat)
For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced avocado
- Radish slices
- Lime wedges
- Thinly sliced cucumber (optional)
- Chile powder or Tajín (optional, for extra heat and flavor)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Shrimp:
- Marinate the Shrimp:
- Place the shrimp in a bowl. Pour over the lime juice and season with salt and black pepper. Let the shrimp marinate in the lime juice for about 10-15 minutes, until the shrimp start to turn opaque. The acidity of the lime juice will “cook” the shrimp, giving them a ceviche-like texture.
Make the Aguachile Sauce:
- Blend the Sauce:
- In a blender, combine the serrano chilies, cilantro leaves, garlic, olive oil, and agave syrup (if using). Add a few tablespoons of water to help blend the ingredients. Blend until smooth and well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice as desired. If you like it spicier, add more chilies.
Assemble the Aguachile:
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce:
- Once the shrimp is lightly cooked by the lime juice, pour the prepared aguachile sauce over the shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce.
- Add the thinly sliced cucumber and red onion to the mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Garnish and Serve:
- Serve:
- Transfer the aguachile to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and radish slices for added crunch and flavor.
- Optionally, sprinkle with chili powder or Tajín for an extra kick.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for extra tang.
- Marinate the Shrimp:
Notes
- Adjust Heat: You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer chilies based on your heat preference.
- Other Protein Options: While shrimp is traditional, you can also make aguachile with other seafood like scallops, octopus, or fish.
- Make Ahead: Aguachile can be prepared ahead of time, but it’s best served fresh to enjoy the crispy, fresh vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Marinating, Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 140mg