Red Shrimp Aguachile

Red Shrimp Aguachile Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare a delicious red shrimp aguachile, a typical Mexican dish known for its fresh, spicy, and vibrant flavor. An irresistible combination of seafood with chili and lime that refreshes and stimulates the palate, ideal for those who enjoy homemade cuisine full of tradition and character.

Preparation time

To help you plan your time well, here's the breakdown of the process:

• Preparation: 10 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes (shrimp maceration in lime)
• Total: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4 to 6
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the shrimp and marinade

• 450 g raw shrimp, headless and cleaned, butterflied
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (approx. 4 limes)
• 1/2 cup reserved lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Maggi juice or soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 dried chile de árbol (soaked to soften)
• 1 guajillo chili dried (soaked to soften)
• Salt to taste

For the side dish

• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and deseeded, cut into half-moons
• 1/2 red onion finely julienned
• 2 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 serrano chiles, finely sliced
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
• Hot chili flakes (optional)

If you don't have guajillo chile or chile de árbol, you can use ancho chile or pasilla chili, but keep in mind that the flavor will be less spicy and sweeter. For the lime, if you don't have fresh, green lemon can be a suitable substitute, but try to adjust the flavor to maintain balance.

Utensils we will use

• Large bowl for marinating shrimp
• Blender or food processor for the marinade
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Strainer to drain the soaked chilies
• Spoon or spatula for mixing
• Small bowl for soaking onion
• Serving dish or platter

If you don't have a blender, you can finely chop the marinade ingredients and mix them well manually, although the flavor will be less homogeneous.

Preparation

1. Prepare the shrimp

• Clean and cut: Wash the shrimp under the tap, remove the shell and the vein from the top. Then butterfly them, meaning, open them in half without completely separating.
• Marinate with lime: Place the shrimp in a bowl and cover it completely with the cup of fresh lime juice. Add salt to taste and mix gently. Let rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator or until the shrimp changes to an opaque pink color, a sign that it is «cooked» by the lime.

2. Soak and prepare the onion

• Soak onion: Meanwhile, place the julienned red onion in a bowl with cold water and a little salt or vinegar to soften its flavor and remove bitterness. Let rest for at least 15 minutes and then drain.

3. Prepare the red marinade

• Soak chilies: Soak the chile de árbol and guajillo chile in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them.
• Blending: In the blender, add the 1/2 cup of the reserved lime juice from the shrimp marinade, garlic, cilantro, drained soaked chilies, Maggi or soy sauce, and salt to taste. Process until a homogeneous and slightly thick sauce is obtained.

4. Mix and chill

• Combine shrimp and marinade: Remove the marinated shrimp with the juice and place it in a serving bowl. Pour the red sauce over the shrimp and mix carefully so that everything is integrated.
• Add garnishes: Incorporate the drained onion, cucumber half-moons, radishes, and serrano chili slices into the bowl or as an accompaniment when serving.
• Refrigerate: Cover the container with plastic wrap and let it chill for at least 30 minutes before serving so that the flavors integrate.

To finish and serve

Adjust the seasoning if necessary, removing some chili if you want less spice. Serve the red aguachile shrimp cold, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkle with chili flakes to enhance the spicy touch. Accompany it with tostadas or crispy tortillas, ideal for enjoying all the flavor of this Mexican dish.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 120 kcal
• Proteins: 18 g
• Fats: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g

Values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the size and exact preparation.

5 keys to making your red shrimp aguachile perfect

To ensure your red aguachile has the ideal flavor and texture, there are certain important details you should take care of during preparation.

1. Use fresh shrimp and good quality: This ensures safety and a firm texture after marinating. If using frozen shrimp, thaw it correctly in the refrigerator and not at room temperature.
2. Butterfly the shrimp: This cut allows the lime juice to penetrate well and cook the shrimp evenly.
3. Do not exceed the marinating time: The shrimp should be firm, not tough or overcooked. About 30 minutes is enough; if marinated much longer, it can become rubbery.
4. Soak the chilies well: This softens their intense heat and helps the sauce have a vibrant red color and good aroma.
5. Balance salt and acidity: Adjust the amount of salt and lime juice to your taste, so that the dish has brightness without being too acidic or bland.

When is it ideal to enjoy red shrimp aguachile?

This dish is perfect for hot days, when you're looking for something refreshing and light. It's also an excellent appetizer for family gatherings or with friends, because its freshness and spiciness whet the appetite. Paired with tostadas or tostadas with ceviche, it becomes a simple but flavorful feast.

Furthermore, in Mexican celebrations, red aguachile is a classic that cannot be missed, evoking the sea and tradition with every bite.

Comparative table of aguachiles and similar seafood dishes

3 tricks that help enhance the flavor of red shrimp aguachile

1. Use fresh lime juice: The natural acidity of lime cannot be substituted with concentrates; this gives the shrimp the perfect «cooking» characteristic and a clean flavor.
2. Introduce Maggi juice or soy sauce: This ingredient adds an umami touch that balances the spiciness and acidity, giving depth to the marinade.
3. Let the mixture rest before serving: A minimum refrigeration of 30 minutes helps the flavors blend better and the food reach the ideal temperature for tasting.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

Red shrimp aguachile is ideal to enjoy especially during hot seasons, as its freshness and spiciness help open the appetite and refresh the palate. At family gatherings, it is an excellent appetizer, perfect for sharing accompanied by crispy tostadas.

Its simple preparation also facilitates its inclusion in party or celebration menus where seafood is the star. Don't forget to accompany it with a fresh drink to balance the spice and create a pleasant gastronomic experience.

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Go ahead and prepare this red shrimp aguachile at home and tell us how it turned out, what variations you made, or what you served it with. Your experience can inspire others to try this traditional recipe with a homemade touch.

Culinary glossary for red aguachile

• Butterfly: Cut where the shrimp is opened lengthwise without separating it into two pieces.
• Julienne: Cut into thin strips; used for red onion in this recipe.
• Soak: Submerge ingredients like chilies or onion in water to soften them or reduce their strong flavor.
• Umami: Savory and deep flavor provided by ingredients like Maggi juice or soy sauce.
• Chili flakes: Small dried chili flakes, used to add a spicy touch at the end.