Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, also called Cóctel de Camarones Mexicano, is a zesty Mexican appetizer with shrimp, Clamato juice, jalapeño, tomatoes, and vegetables, that make a perfect start to your summer Mexican Dinner, or light meal!
Don’t worry if you missed your Mexican beach resort vacation this year. Bring the Mexican Caribbean to your house with this authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.
If you are looking to throw a Mexican-themed party, or fiesta for Cinco de Mayo, for example, then this shrimp recipe should be one of the first Mexican Recipes to serve.
Serve with other Appetizers or Seafood Recipes, like my Tiajuana Shrimp Dip Nachos, or with salads like Mexican Shrimp Salad on a hot day in summer.
Go ahead and sip on your Spicy Peach Margarita while you enjoy this tasty, zesty Mexican Appetizer before your Chicken Empanadas, and pretend you are sitting at a beachside Mexican restaurant in Cancun!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Why This Recipe Works
- How Is Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Different than Shrimp Cocktail
- What Is The Best Type of Shrimp For This Recipe
- How To Cook Raw Shrimp For Shrimp Cocktail
- How To Make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients
- Directions For Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Expert Recipe Tips
- What To Serve With Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- Recipe
- Reviews
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor. This is no ordinary shrimp cocktail recipe. This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is bursting with flavor from the Shrimp, tomatoes, Clamato, jalapeños, hot sauce, and more. The Clamato is a spicy tomato juice with clam juice. I think it is the best Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe, and if you like spicy food, then you will love this Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail.
- Texture. The crunch of the chopped cucumber provides a textural contrast to the creamy chopped avocado. Serve with crispy saltine crackers or tortilla chips for a more contrasting texture. The combination of the flavor and texture is irresistible.
- No Guilt. Enjoy this spicy appetizer without the guilt. That is because it will fit into most healthy lifestyles because it is made with all-natural ingredients, such as shrimp and fresh vegetables, in a spicy tomato sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
The English Cucumber and the heat from the diced jalapeno help bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes and other ingredients.
The crunchiness of the cucumbers balances out the creaminess of the avocados very nicely.
How Is Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Different than Shrimp Cocktail
Typically, a traditional shrimp cocktail consists of a thick, spicy tomato-based sauce in which you dip cold boiled shrimp into.
However, with Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, the cooked shrimp, as well as diced tomatoes, jalapeños, diced cucumbers, chopped avocado, cilantro, and more, are all mixed together in a spicy, slightly thinner, more juicy tomato sauce.
What Is The Best Type of Shrimp For This Recipe
The best type of shrimp for Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is one that is easy to eat with your fingers and tastes as fresh as possible. I like to use medium-sized shrimp for this recipe.
You can use pre-cooked shrimp to save time.
However, for the best flavor, I recommend cooking them yourself.
How To Cook Raw Shrimp For Shrimp Cocktail
For this recipe, I took the tip from Chef John of FoodWishes, boiled the peeled, raw, deveined shrimp in clam juice, and saved some of the boiled clam juice to add to the Mexican shrimp cocktail.
All you need is the shrimp and a bottle of clam juice. This can be done ahead of time and the shrimp can be refrigerated until ready to make the shrimp cocktail.
How To Make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Equipment
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
- Cooked Shrimp. You can use pre-cooked shrimp, or cook the shrimp just before starting this recipe. See above for discussion about the type of shrimp and how to cook raw shrimp for this recipe.
- Red Onion
- Jalapeno
- Garlic
- Pepper
- Salt
- English cucumber
- Roma Tomatoes
- Cilantro – I highly recommend chopping fresh cilantro for this recipe.
- Lime juice – I recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice because the fresh lime juice makes a difference and is important to the flavor profile of this recipe. You could also use lemon juice. The important thing is to include citrus juice in the recipe.
- Ketchup – I used ketchup because I had it on hand, but you could also use cocktail sauce or a tangy tomato sauce. You need a good amount of ketchup. This recipe calls for 3/4 cup ketchup. So be sure you have enough on hand.
- Clam juice
- Mexican hot sauce such as Valentina or Tapatio
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce
- Clamato. A spicy combination of tangy tomato juice and clam broth. If you can’t find this, then you could use a spicy vegetable juice like V8. Of course, then you might need to change the name from Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with Clamato to Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with V8. 🙂
- Avocados
- Crackers or chips
- Lime wedges
Directions For Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Step 1: If you are not starting with pre-cooked shrimp, then start with peeled, deveined raw shrimp and boil in clam juice for about 2 to 3 minutes until it turns light pink, and then drain, and let cool before adding with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine everything except the avocado. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before continuing and before adding avocadoes.
Step 4: Add the chopped avocados and gently stir.
Step 5: Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and a few pies of shrimp. Serve cold with crackers, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Boil Shrimp. While you can boil the shrimp in the water, to add extra flavor boil the shrimp in clam juice, and save some of that clam juice to add to the shrimp cocktail.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly. When you add the shrimp to the boiling clam juice, watch it for the whole 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every so often. It is ok if the shrimp is a little undercooked because it will finish cooking while mixed into the shrimp cocktail because of the acidity of the lime and tomato juice.
- Shrimp Tails. It is your choice to leave the shrimp tails on or to remove them. I usually remove the tails on most of them, but leave a few shrimp with tails on and place them on top of each Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.
- English Cucumbers. If you are using English cucumbers, the skin is mild and tender, so you can leave the skin on. However, if you are using regular cucumbers, then you would want to peel the cucumbers before adding them to the shrimp cocktail.
- Refrigerate. For even more flavor, once you have all the ingredients mixed together, except the avocado, refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to let the flavor more fully develop.
What To Serve With Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Typically this is served as an appetizer with tortilla chips. However, you could make it part of a Mexican Appetizer table and serve it with:
- Homemade Tortilla Chips
- Pico De Gallo
- Watermelon Salsa
- Queso
- Tijuana Shrimp Dip Nachos
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: How Many Calories are in Mexican Shrimp Cocktail?
Answer: Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Calories: One serving (1/6th of the recipe) has 287 calories.
Question: Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Answer: Yes you can make it up to 24 hours ahead of time. But don’t add the avocados in advance. Wait and add those just before serving.
Question: What Is Clamato?
Answer: Clamato is a blend of spicy, tangy tomato juice and clam broth or clam juice. You may have seen this used before in bloody mary recipes.
Question: How To Store Mexican Shrimp Cocktail?
Answer: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Question: How Long Can I Store Mexican Shrimp Cocktail?
Answer: You can store it in the fridge for 1 day.
Question: Where To Buy Shrimp?
Answer: You can buy shrimp at your local grocery store, Costco, or Sam’s Club. However, if you prefer to have fresh seafood delivered to your door, where you can choose the type of fish or seafood you like, including shrimp, then I recommend FreshFishDirect.com (affiliate link). You can make a one-time order or order their subscription box, “Build A Catch” where you select the type of seafood you want to receive. It is the most convenient way to eat the best seafood.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Chicken Empanadas
- Cajun Shrimp and Sausage – an easy sheet pan dinner.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
- Ham and Swiss Sliders
Recipe
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
To Cook The Shrimp
- 1-1/2 pounds raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- 1 ½ pounds medium shrimp cooked (same shrimp that was cooked above)
- 1 cup red onion diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 Teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ English cucumber diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 cup cilantro
- 2-3 Tablespoons lime juice
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¾ cup clam juice
- ¼ cup Mexican hot sauce Valentina or Tapatio
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 32 ounce bottle Clamato seasoned tomato juice
- 1 large or 2 small avocados cubed
Garnish
- Crackers or chips
- Lime wedges
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- If you are not starting with pre-cooked shrimp, then start with peeled, deveined raw shrimp and boil in clam juice (1 to 2 bottles) on the stove for about 2 to 3 minutes until it turns a light pink, and then drain, and let cool before adding with the rest of the ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine everything but the avocado. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before continuing and before adding avocadoes.
- Add the avocados and gently stir.
- Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and a few pies of shrimp. Serve cold with crackers, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.
Video
Notes
- Boil Shrimp. While you can boil the shrimp in the water, to add extra flavor boil the shrimp in clam juice, and save some of that clam juice to add into the shrimp cocktail.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly. When you add the shrimp to the boiling claim juice, watch it the whole 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every so often. It is ok if the shrimp is a little undercooked because it will finish cooking while mixed into the shrimp cocktail because of the acidity of the lime and tomato juice.
- Shrimp Tails. It is your choice to leave the shrimp tails on or to remove them. I usually remove the tails on most of them, but leave a few shrimp with tails on and place them on top of each Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.
- English Cucumbers. If you are using English cucumbers, the skin is mild and tender, so you can leave the skin on. However, if you are using regular cucumbers, then you would want to peel the cucumbers before adding them to the shrimp cocktail.
- Refrigerate. For even more flavor, once you have all the ingredients mixed together, except the avocado, refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to let the flavor more fully develop.
Brenda says
Yummy!!!
Michele says
Hi Brenda,
I agree completely!
Michele
Jacqueline says
A squeeze of fresh lime just finishes it off beautifully.
Anjali says
This is such a delicious & refreshing appetizer – perfect for summer!
Gina says
I love this appetizer with all of the flavors and textures. I could make a meal out of this. So delicious!
Amy Nash says
One of my all-time favorite appetizers! There are so many good textures and flavors going on and it’s super easy to make, too.
Cyndy says
Perfect Sunday afternoon appetizer! We enjoyed these with mango margaritas – like a trip to Mexico!