Ceviche, with its vibrant citrus flavors and fresh seafood, is a dish that sings of sunshine and celebration. Whether you’re enjoying a classic Peruvian ceviche, a zesty Mexican variation, or a modern fusion creation, this refreshing dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. But the question often arises: “What To Serve With Ceviche to create a complete and unforgettable meal?”
This guide is your go-to resource for discovering the best side dishes, appetizers, main courses, and drinks to elevate your ceviche experience. We’ll explore traditional pairings, exciting flavor combinations, and everything you need to know to make your ceviche shine.
Diced shrimp (camaron), red peppers, cucumber and red onion in a black bowl with a tostada shell stuck in the back of the bowl to scoop with. Background is dark blue black.
A vibrant shrimp ceviche featuring diced shrimp, red peppers, cucumber, and red onion, served in a black bowl with a tostada shell for scooping, against a dark blue-black background.
Traditional Ceviche Side Dishes: Crunchy Bases and Scoops
One of the joys of ceviche is its versatility. It can be a light appetizer, a refreshing side dish, or even the star of the main course. Regardless of how you serve it, having the right accompaniments is key. Traditionally, ceviche is served with items that offer a satisfying crunch and act as the perfect vessel for scooping up the flavorful seafood and marinade, known as “leche de tigre” (tiger’s milk).
Tortillas, Tostadas, and Chips: The Crispy Trio
When it comes to classic pairings, you can’t go wrong with the crispy crunch of tortillas, tostadas, and chips. These provide textural contrast to the tender ceviche and are ideal for scooping up every last bit of deliciousness.
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Tostadas: These crispy baked or fried tortillas are a sturdy base for piling high with ceviche. Homemade tostadas offer an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
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Tortilla Chips: Whether you opt for store-bought or homemade air fryer tortilla chips, these are perfect for enjoying ceviche in a more casual, dip-like style. Air fryer tortilla chips are a healthier and quicker homemade option.
Check out this recipe for Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Golden homemade tortilla chips presented on a vibrant turquoise plate, showcasing their crispy texture.
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Plantain Chips (Tostones): For a slightly sweeter and heartier option, plantain chips, or tostones, are an excellent choice. These twice-fried plantains offer a delightful sweet and salty flavor profile that complements the acidity of ceviche.
Latin American Appetizers to Complement Ceviche
Extend your ceviche experience by pairing it with other flavorful Latin American appetizers. Creating a tapas-style spread with ceviche and a selection of these dishes is a fantastic way to enjoy a variety of tastes and textures.
Salsa and Dips: Flavorful First Bites
Salsas and dips bring freshness and spice that harmonize beautifully with ceviche.
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Mango Salsa: The sweetness of mango combined with the tang of lime and a hint of jalapeño in mango salsa creates a vibrant and refreshing counterpoint to ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Mango Salsa
A bright white bowl filled with fresh mango salsa, flecked with green cilantro, accompanied by chips and lime wedges on a clean white countertop.
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Guacamole: Creamy and rich guacamole provides a cool and comforting contrast to the zesty ceviche. The avocado’s richness balances the acidity perfectly.
Check out this recipe for Traditional Guacamole
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Avocado Cotija Dip: Elevate your avocado dip with the salty, crumbly goodness of cotija cheese. This Mexican avocado cotija dip adds an extra layer of savory flavor.
Check out this recipe for Avocado Cotija Dip
A bowl of vibrant green avocado dip, garnished with chopped tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and crumbled white cotija cheese.
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Salmon Crudo: For seafood lovers, salmon crudo, a simple Spanish marinated raw salmon dish, is an excellent appetizer pairing, especially with shrimp ceviche. Its bright acidity and pickled red onions complement the flavors of ceviche without overpowering it.
Check out this recipe for Salmon Crudo
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Fruit Salsa: Get creative with fruit salsa! Using a base recipe and seasonal fruits, you can create a sweet and tangy salsa that pairs wonderfully with the savory notes of ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Fruit Salsa
A colorful bowl filled with rice, grilled chicken breast, and vibrant yellow, orange, and green salsa, set on a white tablecloth with limes and water glasses in the background.
Side Dishes to Make Ceviche a Dinner
To transform ceviche into a more substantial meal, consider serving it with these satisfying side dishes. These options add heartiness and create a balanced and fulfilling dinner.
Rice, Beans, and Plantains: Hearty Complements
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Refried Beans: Creamy refried beans, especially homemade Instant Pot refried beans, are a classic Latin American side dish that pairs beautifully with ceviche. Their rich flavor and texture provide a comforting contrast to the lightness of the seafood.
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Spanish Rice: Fluffy and flavorful Mexican Spanish rice is a quintessential side dish for any Latin-inspired meal. The tomato and pepper flavors in the rice complement the citrus notes in ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Traditional Spanish Rice Side Dish
A simple white bowl showcasing flavorful Spanish rice, ready to be served as a side dish.
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Coconut Rice: For a tropical twist, coconut rice offers a subtle sweetness and creamy texture that pairs wonderfully with seafood ceviche.
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Baked Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros): The caramelized sweetness of baked sweet plantains provides a delightful sweet and salty contrast to the tangy ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Crispy Baked Plantains
A close-up shot of baked plantain rounds, showcasing their caramelized brown spots and inviting texture.
Unique and Flavorful Sides
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Blistered Shishito Peppers: Bring a touch of trendy flair with blistered shishito peppers. These mild peppers, with an occasional spicy surprise, offer a unique and savory accompaniment to ceviche.
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Air Fryer Avocado Fries: Creamy avocado wedges coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and air-fried to golden perfection make a surprisingly delicious side dish. Serve with a cilantro lime crema for dipping.
Check out this recipe for Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Crispy air fryer avocado fries, breaded and golden brown, arranged on a wooden cutting board with fresh lime and avocado wedges.
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Mexican Cauliflower Rice: For a lighter, low-carb option, Mexican cauliflower rice with ground turkey and vegetables is a flavorful and filling side dish or even a light main course following ceviche.
Refreshing Salads to Serve with Ceviche
Salads are the perfect hot-weather companions to ceviche. Look for salads that are bold, refreshing, and incorporate bright flavors like chili peppers, cucumber, corn, or tropical fruits.
Vibrant and Zesty Salad Options
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Mexican Corn Salad: Sweet corn, colorful veggies, black beans, and a citrusy dressing come together in this vibrant Mexican corn salad, a perfect light side dish or taco filling to serve alongside ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Mexican Corn Salad
A brightly colored Mexican corn salad, featuring yellow corn kernels, black beans, green and red peppers, and cilantro, presented in a grey bowl.
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Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad: Simple, light, and incredibly refreshing, cilantro lime cucumber salad is a classic Mexican side dish that complements the freshness of ceviche beautifully.
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Jicama and Blood Orange Salad: This salad combines crisp jicama with juicy blood orange slices, pomegranate arils, and avocado, all tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It’s a textural and flavorful delight.
Check out this recipe for Jicama And Blood Orange Salad
A visually appealing jicama and blood orange salad in an oblong grey stoneware bowl, showcasing green jicama, bright pink grapefruit, and pomegranate seeds.
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Mango Coleslaw Salad: Bring tropical sweetness to your meal with mango coleslaw salad. The combination of mango and citrus in this salad perfectly complements the flavors of ceviche.
Main Courses to Follow Ceviche Appetizers
If you’re serving ceviche as an appetizer, consider these heartier main course options to follow. These dishes build upon the Latin American flavors and provide a satisfying progression to your meal.
Tacos and Tostadas: Continuing the Fiesta
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Tilapia Tacos: Easy baked tilapia tacos with a simple slaw and spicy crema are a fantastic and quick weeknight dinner option after a ceviche appetizer.
Check out this recipe for Tilapia Tacos With Crema And Cabbage Slaw
Three flavorful tilapia tacos in yellow corn tortillas, filled with orange fish, green avocado, purple cabbage, and creamy sauce, arranged on a grey plate on a grey countertop.
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Blackened Fish Tacos: Elevate your taco game with blackened fish tacos. Flaky mahi-mahi seared in blackening seasoning and butter, served in corn tortillas with tangy slaw and your favorite toppings.
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Spicy Potato Tacos (Meatless): For a vegetarian option, spicy potato tacos offer a hearty and flavorful meatless main course with a delightful textural contrast to shrimp ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Spicy Potato Tacos
Two soft tacos filled with a savory potato mixture, topped with purple cabbage and crumbled white cheese, showcasing a delicious meatless option.
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Ground Beef Tostadas: Crispy ground beef tostadas offer a satisfying and zesty Mexican main course that pairs wonderfully after a lighter ceviche appetizer.
The Best Drinks to Pair with Ceviche
No ceviche feast is complete without the perfect drinks! From classic Latin American cocktails to refreshing non-alcoholic options, here are some of the best beverages to complement your ceviche.
Cocktails and Refreshing Drinks
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Homemade Margaritas: The quintessential Mexican cocktail, homemade margaritas, are a classic pairing with ceviche. Their tangy citrus and tequila kick enhance the flavors of the dish.
Check out this recipe for Homemade Margaritas
Three vibrant yellow margaritas, each with a salted rim and a fresh lime wedge, ready to be enjoyed.
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Passion Fruit Margarita: Add a tropical twist to your margarita with passion fruit. A passion fruit margarita offers a delightful sweet and tart flavor that complements the citrus notes in ceviche.
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Hibiscus Margarita: For a visually stunning and flavorful option, try a hibiscus margarita. The floral and slightly tart hibiscus syrup adds a unique dimension to the classic margarita.
Check out this recipe for Hibiscus Margarita
A beautiful red hibiscus margarita served in a tall mason jar filled with ice cubes and garnished with a lime wedge.
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Agua Fresca: For a refreshing non-alcoholic choice, agua fresca is a beloved Mexican fruit drink. Experiment with different fruits to find your favorite agua fresca to pair with ceviche.
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Grapefruit Paloma: The grapefruit paloma, especially with grapefruit tonic, offers a refreshing and slightly bitter counterpoint to the richness of ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Grapefruit Paloma
A peachy pink grapefruit paloma drink, garnished with fresh grapefruit and lime wedges, ready to be enjoyed.
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Mangonada: For a sweet, spicy, and tangy non-alcoholic option, mangonada is a vibrant drink made with mangoes, chamoy, and chile-lime seasoning. Its complex flavor profile makes it an exciting pairing with ceviche.
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Cantaritos: Cantaritos, a popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila, citrus fruits, salt, and grapefruit soda, are incredibly refreshing and pair perfectly with the bright citrus flavors of ceviche.
Check out this recipe for Cantaritos
A close-up of a Cantaritos cocktail, showcasing its vibrant colors and refreshing ingredients.
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Mexican Candy Shot: For a fun and fiery kick, a Mexican candy shot, a classic cocktail with a touch of spice, is a surprising and delightful pairing with ceviche.
Wine Pairings for Ceviche
Don’t forget about wine! Crisp white wines are excellent partners for ceviche. Look for:
- Vinho Verde: A Portuguese “green wine” that’s light, slightly fizzy, and grassy, offering a refreshing counterpoint to ceviche.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Known for its herbaceous and citrusy notes, Sauvignon Blanc mirrors the flavors of ceviche beautifully.
- Verdelho: A Portuguese white wine with bright acidity and tropical fruit notes, complementing the citrus and seafood in ceviche.
- Pinot Blanc: A dry, crisp white wine with subtle fruit flavors that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of ceviche.
With this guide, you’re now equipped to create the perfect ceviche meal! Experiment with different pairings, explore new flavors, and enjoy the vibrant and refreshing world of ceviche.
Dark background and black bowl with shrimp ceviche and hot red peppers and a tortilla chip in the back. Text says,
A captivating image of shrimp ceviche in a black bowl against a dark background, garnished with hot red peppers and a tortilla chip, with text overlay promoting the best recipes to serve with it.
