Ceviche or cebiche is a famous Peruvian seafood dish that isn’t only healthy but also yummy.
This Latin dish is made of seafood (usually fish and shrimp) as its main ingredient which is accompanied by lime/lemon juice, chili, coriander or coriander leaves, onion, and some seasoning. Sometimes fresh fruit juice can be added for extra sweetness where needed.
What is Ceviche?
The term ceviche comes from Mexico and refers to a zesty, fresh dish that is popular in Central America and the coast. Ceviche began appearing on menus and events throughout North America in the 1980s. Raw fish such as sea bass or halibut, sliced raw onions, and diced hot peppers are cured with citrus juice, typically lemon or lime.
It’s actually an interesting dish since the fish is “cooked” using acid from the citrus instead of using real fire. And yes, you can “cook” a protein with acid. But don’t worry, ceviche isn’t too sour to eat because Peruvian l
ime sourness is still tolerable. It’s a refreshing and tasty dish!
This is a fantastic dish to serve on hot days during the summer. It’s quick and easy to prepare, and you don’t even have to use the stove. Because the fish or shellfish isn’t cooked above heat, it must be bought from a reputable seafood vendor who sells sushi-grade fish. Make sure you’re buying it from a trustworthy
What to Serve With Ceviche ?
Firstly let’s talk main ingredients: Raw Fish. Only use the freshest fish for ceviche, your tummy will thank you later. Whilst this is a staple mexican cuisine and peruvian favourite, you can enjoy ceviche with a surprizing array of foods and interesting flavours.
You can serve ceviche as a bright appetizer on the weekend or in a summer family lunch. Check out this simple list of ideas and pick the one that you love!
Crispy Nachos
Crispy nachos and ceviches are perfect combo for weekend family snacks, especially in the summer! This dish is also a great appetizer for your parties or events. You can use store-bought chips or make your own nachos from scratch. The choice is yours!
Tostadas
If you love cooking something with tortilla, probably you should try crunchy tostadas as well! Tostada means “toasted” in English.
Tostada is cooked tortilla (toasted or baked or fried). It’s flat and crunchy. It usually has a nice golden brown color so you can use it as a base to serve your bright, colorful ceviche appetizer.
Toasted Bread
Some carb sources that are crispy or crunchy can pair well with ceviche, including toasted tortilla and yep, toasted bread!
Yuca Chips
This Peruvian root vegetable that has a white color and resembles a potato. It’s usually cooked as fries. Yuca or cassava chips are great snack on their own, but fantastic when paired with ceviche. Grab a big bowl and eat with your friends or family!
If you make your own yuca chips at home, make sure to slice it thinly to get a crispy texture!
Sweet Potato
Ceviche and sweet potato is a great combination, the sweetness of the potato pairs well with the sourness of the ceviche.
One way to prepare sweet potato to go with ceviche is to first preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wash and slice the sweet potatoes into thin pieces. Next, toss the sweet potatoes in olive oil and spread them out on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy and serve with your ceviche and lime wedges.
Guacamole
Guacamole is an avocado-based dip/condiment/spread that is so popular and easy to make!
You just need to mash the avocado flesh and mix it with citrus juice and seasoning to make a basic guacamole.
The quickest and easiest method is to scoop out the flesh of the avocado, pop it in a bowl with a squeeze of lime juice and some salt to taste. Add finely diced onion, tomatoes or jalapenos if you’re feeling creative, and to your taste. The chunkier the better!
Now for the fun part: Use a fork or potato masher to smash everything together until you are left with a chunky mash. Fan of spice? Sprinkle some cayanne pepper powder or even a squirt of hot sauce to spice it up.
Crackers
Cheese crackers or saltine crackers matches well with ceviche. There are a variety of traditional Latin crackers that can be enjoyed with ceviche. One popular type is called totopos, which are thick and triangular in shape. They are made with cornmeal and salt and typically have a crispy texture. Another option is tostados, which are thin and round and made with wheat flour.
Bean Salad
Bean salad is a popular dish in Latin America, and it’s easy to see why. This dish is simple to make, and it’s a great way to use up leftover beans. There are endless variations of bean salad, so you can customize it to your taste.
Use a mixture of pinto beans, black beans, cannellini beans, or kidney beans, alternatively use one type of bean on it’s own.
Mince up some onion, add diced tomatoes, finely chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice and some salt to taste. You can also add avocado or cheese if you want. This salad is usually served cold or at room temperature.
Some other ingredients you may want to try with this: sliced peppers, and boiled corn, toss it with olive oil+corriander+lime dressing, and top with avocado slices.
Plantain/Banana Chips
If you want to use the plantain chips ” to scoop your ceviche, you can slice the plantain vertically to make long edible “spoons”. Crispy, salty, and delicious; they are also a healthy snack, as they are high in fiber and potassium.
Fresh Oysters
Ceviche is often made with seafood, and oysters are a great option. They are a bit of an acquired taste, but if you like them, they make a great addition to ceviche. Just be sure to use fresh oysters, as they are the best quality and safest to eat raw.
Other Quick Sides for Ceviche
Cucumber, radish, carrot, and onion are some of the most popular vegetables to use in ceviche. They add a crunchy texture and a refreshing flavor
Cucumber: Sliced cucumber goes great with ceviche. It has a cooling effect that pairs well with the spicy flavors
Vegetables: Sliced radishes, carrots, and onions are all great options to add to ceviche. They add a crunchy texture and a refreshing flavor
Tostones: Tostones are twice-fried plantains that are popular in Latin American cuisine. They have a crispy texture and can be used as a scoop for ceviche
Papaya: Sliced papaya is a sweet and juicy addition to ceviche. It helps balance out the spice and acidity of the dish
Cilantro Lime Rice: This simple cilantro lime rice is the perfect side dish for any Mexican or Southwestern-inspired meal. It’s light, fluffy,and has a bright flavor from the lime and cilantro.
Tortilla Chips: Tortilla chips are a classic side dish for ceviche. They are crispy and salty, and they make a great scoop for the dish. You can use store-bought tortilla chips, or you can make your own by frying thin strips of tortillas in oil
Popcorn: Popcorn is a surprising but delicious side dish for ceviche. It’s salty and crunchy, and it makes a great scoop for the dish.
Crusty Bread: Crusty bread is a classic side dish for ceviche. It’s chewy and absorbent, so it’s perfect for soaking up the flavors ofthe dish.
Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruit is a great way to balance out the spice and acidity of ceviche. Sliced papaya, mango, and pineapple are all great options.
Brazilian cheese puffs (Pão de Queijo): These delicious cheese puffs are popular in Brazil, and they make a great side dish for ceviche. They are soft and fluffy on the inside, with a crispy outer crust
Coconut Rice: Coconut rice is a delicious and easy side dish that goes great with ceviche. It’s light and fluffy, with a subtle sweetness from the coconut. To make it, simply cook rice in coconut milk instead of water. You can use any type of rice, but white rice is the most common.
Corn on the Cob: Corn on the cob is a classic side dish for ceviche. It’s sweet and crunchy, and it pairs well with the flavors of the dish. You can either grill or boil the corn before adding it to the ceviche.
Zucchini Noodles: Zucchini noodles are a healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta. They make a great side dish for ceviche, and they can be easily made with a spiralizer or julienne peeler.
Cauliflower Rice: Cauliflower rice is a healthy, low-carb alternative to rice.
Common Fish used in Ceviche:
- Cod
- Tilapia
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Tuna
Our Favorite Recipe (2 Variations – Quick Ceviche, under 10 mins)
Spicy Ceviche Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fish, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1/4 tsp. chili powder
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the fish, red onion, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, orange juice, salt, cumin, and chili powder.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
3. Before serving, stir in the avocado and cilantro.
4. Serve with tortilla chips, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables.
Tropical Ceviche Recipe (Main Course)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fish, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 red onion, diced1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
1. Combine the fish, red onion, redbell pepper, pineapple juice, lime juice, salt, and sugar.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but preferably up to 8 hours.
3. Before serving, stir in the avocado and cilantro.
4. Serve with a side of your choice (we have lots listed above!)
LOVE FISH DISH? SEE ALSO
What to serve with pan-seared salmon
What to serve with fried catfish
What to Serve With Ceviche? 9 Ideas To Try!
IDEAS
nachos
toasted bread
yuca chips
sweet potato
guacamole
crackers
bean salad
plantain/banana chips
DIRECTIONS
- Pick your favorite idea
- Prepare the food
- Serve it with your ceviche!
