Easy Alton Brown Ceviche Recipe: Fresh & Zesty Summer Delight

Ceviche transforms raw seafood into a culinary marvel that tantalizes taste buds with its vibrant flavors and innovative preparation technique.

Fresh marine proteins undergo a remarkable chemical metamorphosis when bathed in citrusy liquid marinades.

Culinary enthusiasts appreciate this Latin American dish for its bright, refreshing profile that awakens every sensory receptor.

Mediterranean and coastal regions have long celebrated similar seafood preparation methods that render proteins tender and complex.

Professional chefs consider this technique a sophisticated approach to handling delicate marine ingredients without traditional heat application.

The delicate balance between acid, herbs, and protein creates a harmonious dining experience that feels simultaneously elegant and rustic.

You’ll savor each bite of this dish that perfectly merges science and gastronomy: get ready for a flavor adventure.

Tips for Tangy, Tender Seafood

• Choose Ultra-Fresh Fish: Select the highest quality, sushi-grade seafood from a trusted fishmonger to guarantee safety and incredible taste.
• Control Citrus Intensity: Experiment with lime, lemon, or orange juice ratios to create a perfectly balanced marinade that complements the fish's natural flavor.
• Customize Heat Levels: Finely dice jalapeños or swap with serrano peppers to dial up or down the spice according to your personal preference.
• Maximize Marinating Technique
• Serve Strategically Chilled: Refrigerate ceviche for at least 30 minutes before serving to let ingredients meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.

Storing Ceviche the Right Way

• Vacuum Sealing: Remove all air and seal ceviche in airtight vacuum-sealed bags to preserve freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. This method extends refrigerator storage life and maintains optimal texture.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer ceviche into non-reactive glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Ceramic or glass prevents flavor transfer and keeps ingredients crisp and vibrant. Always place containers in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
• Quick Consumption Method: Enjoy ceviche within 24 hours of preparation for peak flavor and texture. Seafood's delicate nature means rapid consumption ensures maximum taste and safety. Discard any remaining portions after this timeframe to prevent potential bacterial growth.

Ceviche Variations to Explore

• Seafood Medley Ceviche: Replace catfish with a mix of shrimp, scallops, and white fish for a diverse ocean flavor profile.
• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Add diced mango or pineapple to enhance the citrus notes and bring a sweet-tangy dimension to the dish.
• Spicy Jalapeño Upgrade: Increase jalapeño quantity or incorporate habanero peppers for those craving extra heat and intensity.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Substitute cilantro with fresh mint, add crumbled feta cheese, and include kalamata olives for a Greek-style ceviche experience.

Last Bite: Ceviche Conclusion

Ceviche lovers rejoice in Alton Brown’s zesty catfish creation, where citrus-kissed fish dances with vibrant Mexican-inspired ingredients.

Grapefruit and lime juice delicately “cook” the tender catfish, infusing each bite with bright, tangy notes.

Creamy avocado and crisp vegetables provide perfect textural contrast in this refreshing dish.

Mexican culinary traditions shine through the harmonious blend of jalapeno, cilantro, and aromatic spices.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this ceviche promises a culinary journey that transports palates to coastal landscapes.

Dive into this recipe, share its magic with friends, spark conversations about its remarkable flavor profile, and watch as your social media followers crave this sensational seafood sensation.

Ceviche Finesse: Why You’ll Love It

• Refresh with Citrus Magic: Zesty grapefruit and lime juice transform catfish into a bright, tangy seafood masterpiece that wakes up your taste buds with incredible tropical flavors.
• Incredibly Simple Prep: This no-cook recipe requires minimal kitchen skills, making it perfect for home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques or extensive cooking time.
• Packed with Fresh Ingredients: Combining crisp avocado, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeño, and aromatic herbs creates a vibrant dish that delivers multiple layers of texture and nutrition in every single bite.
• Chilled Summer Delight: Perfect for hot days, this make-ahead recipe can be prepared in advance and served cool, offering a refreshing meal that requires zero traditional cooking and keeps your kitchen temperature down.

Bright & Fresh: Ceviche Ingredients

• Catfish: Mild-flavored white fish perfect for ceviche, choose fresh and firm fillets.
• Grapefruit: Provides bright citrus juice for fish marinade, select ripe and juicy fruit.
• Lime

• Avocado: Creamy element that adds richness and smooth texture to the dish, pick ripe but firm fruit.
• Tomato: Adds fresh color and juicy components, choose ripe and firm red tomatoes.
• Onion: Provides sharp flavor and crunch, use white or red onion for best results.
• Jalapeno: Introduces spicy heat to the dish, remove seeds for milder flavor.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh herb flavor, select bright green leaves without wilting.

• Olive Oil: Helps blend flavors and adds smooth mouthfeel, use extra virgin for best taste.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth to the ceviche, fresh cloves are best.
• Oregano: Adds herbal undertone to the dish.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Sugar: Balances acidity from citrus fruits.
• Cumin: Introduces warm, earthy spice to the mixture.

Marinating Magic: Ceviche Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Fish Marinade

• Grapefruit zest
• Lime zest
• Grapefruit juice
• Lime juice

Seal the bag completely.

Step 2: Marinate Seafood

Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours, gently rotating the bag every 2 hours to ensure even coating of marinade.

Step 3: Create Ceviche Mixture

• Ripe avocado, diced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Red onion, finely diced
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Sugar
• Ground cumin

Gently mix all ingredients until well combined.

Step 4: Chill And Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light meal.

Alton Brown Ceviche Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican coastal ceviche showcases delicate fish marinated in zesty lime juice with crisp cilantro and spicy jalapeños. Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a refreshing culinary experience you’ll savor with each vibrant bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 1 pound (454 grams) US farm-raised catfish fillets, cut into ½-inch pieces

Produce and Herbs:

• 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon grapefruit zest
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh oregano leaves

Liquids, Seasonings, and Extras:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon turbinado sugar
• ½ teaspoon toasted and ground cumin

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious, sealable plastic bag and place the catfish inside, carefully adding the zesty grated rind from the grapefruit and lime, along with their freshly squeezed juices.
2. Carefully pour the marinade into the bag, ensuring a tight seal. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours, periodically rotating the bag to guarantee even flavor distribution.
3. After marinating, drain the liquid and transfer the fish to a generously sized mixing bowl, preserving its delicate texture.
4. Gently fold in the creamy diced avocado, vibrant chopped tomatoes, and finely minced onion, creating a colorful base for the dish.
5. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and incorporate minced garlic, diced jalapeno, freshly chopped cilantro, and crumbled dried oregano for layered complexity.
6. Season with kosher salt, a pinch of granulated sugar, and ground cumin to enhance the marinade’s depth and balance.
7. Thoroughly combine all ingredients, ensuring each component is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
8. Cover the bowl and return to the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Marinating fish in citrus juice “cooks” the seafood through an acidic chemical process called denaturation.
• Lime juice breaks down protein structures, turning raw fish opaque and tender without heat exposure.
• Select ultra-fresh white fish like sea bass, halibut, or tilapia for optimal texture and flavor absorption.
• Avoid using oily fish varieties which can become mushy during the citrus marination process.
• Dice fish into uniform small cubes to ensure consistent and even acid penetration.
• Refrigerate ceviche immediately after preparation to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.
• Serve within 24 hours for peak freshness and most vibrant taste profile.
• Drain excess marinade before final mixing to prevent overly acidic results.
• Use ceramic or glass bowls when preparing to prevent potential metal interactions with citrus juice.
• Pat fish completely dry before marinating to help citrus juice penetrate more effectively.
• Chop herbs and vegetables just before mixing to preserve maximum nutritional content and crispness.
• Experiment with additional ingredients like mango or cucumber for unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Lunch
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 240 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg