FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Ceviche Recipe
• What Is Ceviche?
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Ceviche
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Ways To Serve It
• Ceviche Recipe (Easy & Flavorful) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

Ceviche was an acquired taste for me, ever since I first tried it at a friend’s Mexican destination wedding years ago. This is another one of those dishes my husband convinced me to like, and over the years, I’ve become hooked. Since then, I’ve tried different types of Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and most of all, Mexican ceviche – each one a little different but equally amazing. Inspired by these experiences, here’s my take on a ceviche recipe that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen, with almost any fish you’ve got. Make it with me!

Why You’ll Love My Ceviche Recipe

• Tangy, savory, and spicy flavors – My ceviche shares a lot with my Mexican shrimp cocktail and Mexican-inspired shrimp avocado salad , except it’s raw and uses fish. It’s bursting with zesty lime, sweet tomatoes, leafy cilantro, and a kick of jalapeño.
• Variety of textures – You’ve got the tender fish, creamy avocado, crisp and juicy veggies… I love how every spoonful gives you a little surprise.
• Simple ingredients – This dish may sound fancy, but the ceviche ingredients I use are actually so simple! You can find them at any grocery store.
• Fast 10-minute prep – No cooking needed! Just chop, mix, and let it marinate for half an hour.
• Great as an appetizer or main course – Whether you need a party-worthy appetizer or a refreshing lunch, my ceviche recipe will impress your friends and family for any occasion.

What Is Ceviche?

Ceviche is a Latin American appetizer (or a light main course) made of raw fish marinated in citrus juices, and combined with fresh vegetables, such as onions, peppers, avocado, and cilantro. Mexican ceviche is my favorite, as it tends to have more heat (jalapenos!) and that creamy avocado I love so much.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ceviche ingredients, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Choosing The Best Fish:

The best fish for ceviche are white fish with a firm flesh and mild flavor, such as sea bass , grouper, halibut (one of my favorites), cod , mahi mahi, flounder , or red snapper. Make sure your fish is raw and as fresh as possible!

It’s pretty clear that my recipe here uses fish, but you can use similar ceviche ingredients to make my shrimp ceviche , or even opt for other seafood, such as scallops or crab.

Other Ceviche Ingredients:

• Lime Juice – This is the most important ingredient, because the acid “cooks” the fish without heat. I recommend fresh lime juice. I find that bottled lime juice is less potent, so you may need to marinate for longer if you use it. You can also use fresh lemon juice for a slightly different flavor.
• Veggies – I use onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes in my ceviche recipe for the perfect combo of fresh crunch, juiciness, and bite. If you like garlic, you can also toss some in (minced) for an extra pop.
• Jalapeno – For a little kick! If you’re not into much spice, just scoop out the seeds and ribs. You can also use poblano peppers for no heat, or serrano peppers for more heat.
• Avocado – My must-have for Mexican ceviche! It’s not the same without it.
• Fresh Cilantro – Because I always like a good dose of fresh herbs. If your taste buds make cilantro taste soapy, you can swap in fresh parsley. I don’t recommend using dried herbs.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – If you like more heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before marinating, or drizzle with hot sauce at the end.

How To Make Ceviche

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade adhere better and keeps the dish from getting too watery.
2. Coat the ingredients in lime juice. Combine all the ceviche recipe ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well to coat everything evenly in lime juice.
3. Let it marinate. Cover and refrigerate, until the fish is opaque.
4. Add salt and pepper. You can adjust these to your taste. Give it a stir again before serving.

My Recipe Tips

• Start with the freshest fish. This is key for both flavor and safety. It should feel firm and smell like the ocean breeze (not fishy). When I can’t get fish that’s very fresh, I just thaw high-quality frozen fish in the fridge overnight.
• Dice your ingredients into small, uniform pieces. This helps the marinade soak in evenly and also makes the dish easier to eat.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes. This time is necessary for the acid from the lime juice to work its magic and “cook” the fish.
• Eat your ceviche within 2 hours. After that, the texture of the fish will be more mushy. I find that this happens faster with delicate fish, such as flounder or sole. Firmer fish, like sea bass or snapper, keeps a bit longer.
• Serve chilled. Ceviche recipes taste best straight from the fridge! For an extra cool touch, I like to pop my serving bowl in the fridge, too.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Ceviche tastes best fresh and the texture starts to degrade after a couple of hours, so I don’t recommend making it ahead. But, you can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Don’t freeze it — too many fresh ingredients in here!
• Meal prep: While you can’t make the entire dish in advance, you can definitely chop all the ingredients ahead (except avocado, cut that fresh). I just keep them in separate containers in the refrigerator.

Ways To Serve It

I’ll admit I’ve totally enjoyed this ceviche straight out of the bowl with a spoon. But when you want something that feels more complete, here are some serving ideas:

• Tortillas – I’ve got little tacos with corn tortillas pictured above. You can even do it with my jicama tortillas . The ceviche ingredients already have so much variety that you don’t have to add anything else, but sometimes I jazz them up with shredded lettuce, cheese, guacamole , or even taco slaw .
• Salad – It’s not traditional, but I love serving this ceviche recipe over greens, like a seafood twist on my taco salad .
• Chips – Serving with baked tortilla chips brings me back to that Mexican restaurant where I first tried this dish. But you can also scoop up your ceviche with store-bought chips, my almond flour tortilla chips , plantain chips, flax seed crackers , cheese crisps , or even mini bell peppers.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Fresh fish fillets (sea bass, grouper, halibut, mahi mahi, or red snapper; diced into 1/2-inch pieces) ▢
• 1 medium Red onion (diced; ~3/4 cup) ▢
• 1 cup Cucumbers (diced) ▢
• 1 cup Roma tomatoes (diced) ▢
• 1 large Jalapeño (diced; ~1/3 cup) ▢
• 1 medium Avocado (diced) ▢
• 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (finely chopped) ▢
• 3/4 cup Lime juice (~5 large limes) ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. (This helps the marinade adhere better and prevents excess moisture.)
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and toss well to combine. Make sure all of the ingredients (especially the fish) have been coated in lime juice.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes (or up to 2 hours), until the fish is opaque.
4. Stir your ceviche before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Ceviche Recipe

Gratitude Moment

This ceviche recipe brings back so many memories of trips to Mexico! I’ve visited almost every year since I was 10 — with my parents as a kid, then with my husband, and now with our kids and even a group of close friends. I love those trips so much. Here’s us on our trip from this year.

I first tried ceviche in Mexico in my early 20s, but now make it a point to have some every time we go back. What’s your favorite Mexican dish?

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Ceviche Recipe (Easy & Flavorful)

You’ll love my ceviche recipe with simple, fresh ingredients: fish, avocado, veggies, herbs, and lime. An easy, flavorful Mexican appetizer!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/ceviche-recipe/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Fresh fish fillets (sea bass, grouper, halibut, mahi mahi, or red snapper; diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 medium Red onion (diced; ~3/4 cup)
• 1 cup Cucumbers (diced)
• 1 cup Roma tomatoes (diced)
• 1 large Jalapeño (diced; ~1/3 cup)
• 1 medium Avocado (diced)
• 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
• 3/4 cup Lime juice (~5 large limes)
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. (This helps the marinade adhere better and prevents excess moisture.)
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and toss well to combine. Make sure all of the ingredients (especially the fish) have been coated in lime juice.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes (or up to 2 hours), until the fish is opaque.
4. Stir your ceviche before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)