Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones) Recipe

Daniel Gritzer
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones) Recipe

Poached shrimp in a tangy tomato-based sauce. [Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Mexican shrimp cocktail, made from poached shrimp tossed in a flavorful sauce of ketchup, onion, cilantro, and citrus juice, is a wonderful cold summer dish. But it's often too sweet, thanks in large part to all that ketchup. This version strikes a slightly less saccharine note by replacing some of the ketchup with tomato puree, and it's spot-on perfect now.

Why It Works

  • Using a blend of ketchup and tomato puree preserves the dish's classic flavor, while cutting some of the sweetness for a more balanced result.
  • Starting the shrimp in cold water and then heating it to not more than 170°F produces the plumpest, juiciest shrimp.
  • A quick dry brine of salt and baking soda makes the shrimp even plumper and more tender.
Read the Whole Story
  • Yield:Serves 4 to 6 as a snack or appetizer
  • Active time: 30 minutes
  • Total time:30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons fresh juice from about 8 limes, divided
  • 1 cup diced white onion (about 1/2 large onion)
  • 3/4 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 2 tablespoons fresh juice from 1 orange
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced
  • Saltines, for serving
  • Diced avocado, for garnish
  • Mexican-style hot sauce, such as Tapatío, for serving

Directions

  1. 1.

    In a large bowl, toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and the baking soda until evenly coated. Transfer to the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together 4 tablespoons lime juice with onion, tomato puree, ketchup, cilantro, orange juice, and jalapeño.

  3. 3.

    In a medium pot, combine 2 quarts cold water with remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons salt. Add shrimp, set over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until temperature reaches 170°F on an instant-read thermometer and shrimp are just cooked through; adjust heat to make sure temperature does not go over 170°F.

  4. 4.

    Drain shrimp carefully, rinse under cold running water, then drain well. Cut shrimp into 1/2-inch pieces. Add shrimp to bowl with sauce and toss to combine. Top with avocado and serve immediately with saltines and hot sauce.

This Recipe Appears In
Pass the Ketchup: How to Make Better Mexican-Style Shrimp Cocktail
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