Mexican / Latin · Mexico
Red Snapper Ceviche with Lime, Serrano & Red Onion
Snapper cured in lime until opaque — the counter-order you want before a whole grilled fish on vacation.
Prep
25 min
Cook
0 min
Servings
4 as starter
Difficulty
Easy
- 1. Follow 4 steps
- 2. Check the ingredient list
- 3. Get the spice kit if you need our seasonings
Good snapper ceviche is sharp lime, not mushy fish. Use the freshest skinless fillet you can find, keep everything cold, and stop curing when the flesh turns opaque and still feels slightly firm.
This is the home version of what Miami and Cancun ceviche bars do with tostadas — pair it with our red snapper species guide for buying and ID.
Method
Work in order — each step builds on the last.
- 11
Dice the fish
Cut snapper into 1 cm cubes. Chill the bowl and fish while you juice the limes.
- 22
Cure in lime
Cover fish with lime juice and salt. Refrigerate 12–18 minutes, stirring once, until opaque on the outside and just set in the centre.
- 33
Drain lightly
Pour off most of the lime juice (leave a few tablespoons). Fold in onion, chilli, and cilantro. Rest 5 minutes.
- 44
Serve
Top with avocado and extra lime. Eat immediately on tostadas — do not hold overnight.
Cook with our seasonings
Sea salt for this recipe
The one seasoning this recipe needs.
World Seafood Spice Pack · 10 blends · $69, including Portuguese piri-piri and Greek lemon-oregano. World Seafood Spice Collection · 20 blends · $99.
Ingredients
Full shopping list for this recipe. Missing Sea salt? The spice kit has every seasoning listed here.
- Skinless red snapper fillet, pin-boned400 g
- Limes8–10, juiced (about 120 ml)
- Serrano or jalapeño, minced1–2
- Red onion, thin half-moons½ small
- Cilantro, chopped1 small bunch
- Avocado, diced1 ripe
- Sea salt1 tsp, plus more to taste
- Optional: cucumber, diced½ cup
- Tostadas or tortilla chipsto serve
Chef tips
- If the fish smells “fishy,” do not ceviche it — grill or pan-sear instead.
- For less bite, rinse the red onion in cold water before mixing.
- Restaurant ceviche often uses a mix of citrus; at home, pure lime is clearest.
FAQ
How long should snapper sit in lime?+
12–20 minutes for small dice. Longer turns the texture mealy. Taste a piece — it should feel like cooked fish, not raw sashimi.
Is this safe for pregnancy?+
Follow local health guidance. Many people prefer fully cooked fish during pregnancy; seared snapper or grilled fillets are safer choices.
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