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Authentic Mexican Ceviche

Authentic Mexican ceviche with fresh white fish cured in lime and orange juice until opaque, then finished with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, tomato, and avocado. Bright citrus flavor, tender bite, and vibrant toppings throughout make this an easy Mexican appetizer to serve cold in glasses or bowls.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fish and citrus cure
  • 2 lb fresh white fish (sea bass, snapper, or halibut), diced
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
Toppings
  • 0.5 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 jalapeños, minced Use less if you prefer mild heat.
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
Serving
  • 1 tostadas or tortilla chips for serving

Equipment

  • 1 non-reactive bowl

Method
 

Cure the fish in citrus
  1. Place the diced fish in a non-reactive bowl. Pour the lime juice and orange juice over the fish until fully submerged.
  2. Cover and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The fish should turn opaque as it is “cooked” by the citric acid.
Finish with fresh toppings
  1. Add the sliced red onion, minced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced tomato, and diced avocado to the bowl. Gently toss to combine without smashing the avocado.
  2. Season with salt and black pepper, then gently toss again. Taste and adjust with a bit more lime juice if needed.
Serve
  1. Serve immediately in chilled bowls or small glasses. Pair with tostadas or tortilla chips on the side.

Notes

For the cleanest texture, keep the fish fully submerged and stir only a few times during the 30 minutes of marinating so the pieces stay intact. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 day, but note the avocado softens quickly; freezing is not recommended. For a dairy-free swap, this recipe is already dairy-free—just use gluten-free tostadas/chips if needed.