This bright and fresh Mexican shrimp cocktail is one of the easiest impressive-looking healthy appetizers I’ve ever made. While most shrimp cocktail recipes call for a sauce made of horseradish and ketchup, I chose to add a spicy, fresh, and colorful Mexican twist to mine because I love Mexican food. If it’s one of your faves too, you’ll love this version. It tastes so much like the ones I’ve eaten in Mexico.
Mexican shrimp cocktail, also known as coctel de camarones, is a popular appetizer featuring shrimp in a spicy, tomato-based sauce. With its tangy, bold flavors and colorful appearance, it’s easy to see why this dish is a favorite at parties and family gatherings. But is indulging in this cocktail just a guilty pleasure, or can it actually be a nutritious choice? Let’s take a closer look at what makes this recipe tick.
A Nutritional Profile of Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp is well-known for being low in calories and fat while providing high-quality protein A 3 ounce serving contains around 100 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 18 grams of protein Shrimp is also rich in vitamins and minerals like selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine.
When paired with vegetables like tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and jalapenos, shrimp cocktail becomes a well-rounded appetizer. Tomatoes offer vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant. Onions and jalapenos provide vitamin C, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Cucumbers are high in vitamin K and hydrating water content.
However, it’s the sauce that can tip the balance between healthy and unhealthy. Store-bought cocktail sauce often contains loads of added sugar. The authentic Mexican version uses tomato juice and ketchup for sweetness instead. This makes for a fresher, more nutrient-dense dipping sauce.
Potential Benefits of Eating Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Here are some of the key benefits this appetizer offers:
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High-Quality Protein Shrimp provides essential amino acids our bodies need but can’t make on their own Protein is vital for building and repairing muscles.
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Brain Health: Shrimp contains omega-3s, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc, nutrients linked to improved memory and cognition.
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Heart Health: The omega-3s, potassium, and lycopene in this dish help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress on the cardiovascular system.
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Immune Support: Nutrients like zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and antioxidants give a boost to our immune defenses.
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Strong Bones: The calcium and vitamin K in Mexican shrimp cocktail help build and maintain bone mineral density.
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Blood Sugar Control: Shrimp is a low-carb food, and pairing it with non-starchy vegetables creates a blood sugar-friendly appetizer.
Tips for the Healthiest Shrimp Cocktail
While Mexican shrimp cocktail has nutritional merit on its own, there are some easy ways to make it even healthier:
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Use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled juice, which may contain preservatives. Lime juice gives the dish tangy flavor and vitamin C.
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Opt for homemade tomato juice and ketchup over store-bought versions, which can harbor added sugars.
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Load up on extra veggies like cucumbers, celery, onions, and avocado for fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.
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For spice, use fresh chopped jalapenos instead of hot sauce, which is sometimes made with undesirable vegetable oils.
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Accompany with whole-grain crackers or vegetables instead of typical fried tortilla chips.
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Choose wild-caught shrimp over farmed shrimp when possible; it is generally more sustainable and nutritious.
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Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayo-based dips for a protein-packed, lighter pairing.
Potential Downsides to Eating Shrimp
Despite its nutritional attributes, there are a few potential downsides to eating shrimp regularly:
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High Cholesterol: Shrimp contains high amounts of cholesterol, with about 150 milligrams per 3 ounce serving. People with certain conditions like hyperlipidemia may want to limit intake.
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Allergies: Shellfish allergies are common, and shrimp allergy symptoms can be severe. Avoid this appetizer if you have a known shellfish allergy.
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Sustainability Concerns: Some shrimp farming practices damage fragile coastal ecosystems. Opt for wild-caught or sustainably farmed shrimp when possible.
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High Sodium: Precooked, frozen, canned, and processed shrimp products often contain very high amounts of added sodium. Prepare homemade when able.
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Contaminants: Shrimp can occasionally become contaminated with heavy metals, bacteria, and microplastics during farming and processing. Buying high-quality shrimp helps minimize this risk.
The Verdict on Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican shrimp cocktail is a quick and easy appetizer that provides a hefty dose of nutrition. Shrimp offer protein, key vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. Pairing it with fresh vegetables only amplifies these benefits. Judicious use of tomato juice and ketchup instead of sugar-laden cocktail sauce keeps the calorie count reasonable.
While this cocktail has some downsides to consider, overall it can be a nutritious choice. Using high-quality ingredients and good preparation practices helps maximize the nutritional value. So go ahead and enjoy this flavorful appetizer, knowing it provides your body with an array of beneficial nutrients! Moderation and smart choices when selecting ingredients is key to making this dish part of a healthy diet.
Why You’ll Love My Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
- My Mexican-inspired shrimp has the same bold flavors as my shrimp fajitas, fresh salsa, and ceviche. I gave them a light, fresh, zesty, and spicy flavor by adding jalapeño, Mexican hot sauce, cilantro, and creamy avocado to the mix. This dish is great if you like tangy and spicy foods.
- There are two ways to “cook” the shrimp for my Mexican shrimp cocktail. Poach them to make them tender, or marinate them to make them taste better and stay juicy. I’ve done both.
- Quick and easy—It looks fancy, but it’s really easy to put together. I like to make it for last-minute groups. It’s simple enough for your regular busy weeknights, too.
- All you need are simple, fresh ingredients that you can get at any grocery store. And it shows with how the fresh flavors shine through.
This part talks about how to pick the best ingredients for my Mexican shrimp cocktail recipe, what each one does, and what you can use instead. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Size: I used medium shrimp, which were marked 41/50 at the store. You can use smaller or bigger shrimp if you want. When using bigger shrimp, like jumbo shrimp, dip them into the cocktail sauce instead of mixing them in, unless you want to chop them up.
- Peel
- Fresh or frozen—Either will work, but if the shrimp is frozen, you’ll need to let it thaw first. If you want to save time, you can buy shrimp already cooked. I like to use raw shrimp and cook it myself. In my recipe for Mexican shrimp cocktail, don’t cook the shrimp.
- Lime Juice—If you’re marinating the shrimp instead of poaching it, you only need lime juice for the shrimp itself. The acid “cooks” the shrimp in the marinade. I usually use lime juice from a bottle for this step because it’s easy and doesn’t taste different, but fresh is always better.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- For the sauce base, I mix ketchup, hot sauce, and lime juice to get the right amount of sweet, spicy, and sour. Yes, you can use any kind of ketchup that you like. My favorite has no added sugar. I’ve even made it with my homemade sugar-free ketchup. Most of the time, I use Tabasco hot sauce, but Valentina or Tapatio also work well.
- Red Onion – For sharpness and crunch. Put the onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat it dry. This will make it a little less spicy. White onion also works fine. Sometimes I add diced celery or cucumber for extra crunch.
- Fresh Cilantro—I like a lot of cilantro with Mexican food, so I use 1/3 cup. You can cut back if you don’t like it as much. However, dried cilantro doesn’t work as well in Mexican shrimp cocktail. If you only have a tablespoon, I would use that instead. Still, that’s not even the right amount, and using too much would ruin the texture.
- Tomato – Roma tomatoes work really well here. You could use any kind, though, since we’re going to cut it up.
- Jalapeño: I take out the seeds so it’s not as spicy, since the hot sauce has a lot of it already. You can leave them in if you want it spicier.
- In order to balance out the heat, I think the avocado needs to be creamy. Cut it into cubes.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Variations For The Sauce:
Add 1-2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2-4 teaspoons of horseradish, or 2-3 minced garlic cloves for more depth. I put garlic in almost everything, but I didn’t think this Mexican cocktail shrimp needed it because it was already very tasty.
How To Make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
This section shows step-by-step photos together with the instructions, to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
There are two main ways that I cook shrimp for Mexican shrimp cocktail — poaching or marinating:
- To poach, steam some salt water in a medium-sized pot. After you add the shrimp, turn off the heat and wait for them to turn pink. After that, put the shrimp in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
- To marinate: This is similar to my shrimp ceviche. Mix the shrimp with lime juice, sea salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Put the shrimp in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or until they turn pink.
Eating Healthy: Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
FAQ
How many calories does a Mexican shrimp cocktail have?
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Nutrition Facts
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Servings: 4 to 6
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Amount per serving
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Calories
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256
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% Daily Value*
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Can you serve Mexican shrimp cocktail cold?
Mexican shrimp cocktail is best served cold and after the flavors have had a moment to marinate. If you plan to serve within hours, you can get away with adding the avocado with the rest of the vegetables.
Is shrimp healthy to eat?
Shrimp is very healthy to eat, unless you have an allergy to shellfish. Shrimp is great because it is a low calorie, high protein food that is relatively inexpensive. Shrimp is also very versatile, so there are many recipes out there, meaning that you can eat shrimp multiple times a week each time in a different way. Don’t make shrimp your only protein source, because a healthy diet is also a varied diet.
How to make Mexican shrimp cocktail?
To make this dish, you will need shrimp, avocado, red onion, jalapeno, fresh cilantro, lime juice, tomato sauce, ketchup, orange juice, salt and black pepper. How Do You Make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail? Place the shrimp, vegetables and cilantro in a large bowl.
How long does Mexican shrimp cocktail last?
Shrimp cocktail is most delicious the same day it’s made, but cooked shrimp will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic for best results. To freeze Mexican shrimp cocktail, portion out small servings and place them in plastic bags.