Coctel de Camarones

(4)

This classic Mexican shrimp cocktail is usually served as a starter, but it can also be a quick, refreshing main dish on a busy night.

Coctel de Camarones
Photo: Sonia Bozzo
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each

What Kind of Shrimp Is Best for Coctel de Camarones?

We use cooked small shrimp, which is around 70-90 count. Size names, such as "large" or "extra large," are not standardized, so to get the size you want, order by the count per pound. If you get larger shrimp, you may need to dice them into bite-sized pieces. Check out more tips on how to buy the best shrimp.

How to Dice the Vegetables

Prepping all your ingredients is the key step to this recipe. Here are tips on how to dice a cucumber, how to dice an onion and how to dice an avocado.

How to Serve Coctel de Camarones

Add some of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. You can eat it immediately or chill it for up to 4 hours if you prefer it colder.

Additional reporting by Jan Valdez

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked small shrimp (70-90 per pound; see Tip), tails removed (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 ½ cups diced English cucumber

  • cup finely chopped red onion

  • 1 ripe avocado, diced

  • 1 ½ cups spicy or regular V8 juice

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • Lime wedges for serving

Directions

  1. Combine shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, avocado, V8 juice, lime juice, pepper, salt and cilantro in a large bowl. Serve at room temperature or chilled, with lime wedges.

Tip

Shrimp is usually sold by the number needed to make one pound. For example, "70-90 count" means there will be 70 to 90 shrimp in a pound. Size names, such as "large" or "extra large," are not standardized, so to get the size you want, order by the count per pound. Both wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp can damage the surrounding ecosystems when not managed properly. Fortunately, it is possible to buy shrimp that have been raised or caught with sound environmental practices. Look for fresh or frozen shrimp certified by an independent agency, such as the Marine Stewardship Council. If you can't find certified shrimp, choose wild-caught shrimp from North America—it's more likely to be sustainably caught.

To make ahead

Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

260 Calories
10g Fat
14g Carbs
31g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 260
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 31g 62%
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 230mg 77%
Vitamin A 1401IU 28%
Vitamin C 48mg 53%
Folate 56mcg 14%
Sodium 658mg 29%
Calcium 121mg 9%
Iron 4mg 19%
Magnesium 30mg 7%
Potassium 1025mg 22%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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