Experience the vibrant taste of Costa Rica with this easy ceviche recipe. Made with fresh fish marinated in lime juice, cilantro, and vegetables, Costa Rican ceviche is simple to prepare at home.

Ceviche is a beloved dish throughout Latin America. In Costa Rica, it’s a staple of coastal cuisine and the Pura Vida lifestyle.

I first discovered ceviche on a trip to Peru. In Cusco, I found a small restaurant serving only ceviche. It came with boiled corn (choclo) and sweet potatoes, and it was delicious. Eating raw fish on the street was unusual for someone from Europe, but the flavors were amazing.

Later, I tried Costa Rican version. It’s different from the Peruvian style, with a longer marination time and a mix of vibrant flavors. It’s a wonderful way to taste the tropics at home.

What is authentic Costa Rican Ceviche?

Authentic Costa Rican ceviche is a fresh and tangy seafood dish. It’s made with white fish like corvina or tilapia, marinated in citrus juice until firm (“cooked by the acidity of lime or lemon juice”). In Costa Rica you can find raw fish ceviche, shrimp or octopus ceviche, This ceviche recipe combines fresh diced onions, ginger, bell peppers, and cilantro.

Why you will like fish ceviche?

It’s light, simple, traditional costa rican food and the perfect recipe for longevity
it’s a quick and easy dish that doesn’t require cooking. Just marinate fresh fish in lime juice and mix with crisp vegetables.
It’s high in lean protein from the fish, full of vitamins and minerals from fresh veggies, and low in calories.

Authentic Recipe Ingredients

traditional costa rican ceviche recipe uses local ingredients but you can play with other ingredients to create your own variations.

Fresh fish

Choose fresh, firm-fleshed fish that will hold up well to marination in lime juice. Types of fish like Corvina (Sea Bass), tilapia, snapper, red snapper, mahi -mahi or halibut will work well. However you can also use cod or other delicate fish, but they require shorter marination time. They may break apart if you marinate them longer.

lime juice

Lime juice adds a bright, tangy flavor that “cooks” the fish with its acidity. YOu can also use orange or lemon juice instead.

cilantro

Fresh cilantro is the best and most important element that is not easy to replace. It’s one of the staples of Costa Rican cuisine, appearing in many dishes, like casado.

ginger

adds a spicy warmth to the dish and is optional in this recipe.

bell pepper

red bell pepper or yellow make ceviche colorful and add a sweet crunch.

red onion

finely chopped red onion could be replaced with shallots

salt and pepper

Costa Rica Ceviche Recipe

First step: Marinate the Fish

Cut the fish into small pieces and place them in a medium glass bowl. Squeeze fresh limes and pour the lime juice over the fish, ensuring it is fully covered. Refrigerate and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours. The acidity of the lime juice “cooks” the fish, giving it a firm texture.

Second step: Add the veggies

Finely chop the onion, bell peppers and fresh ginger and place it together with marinated fish into a large glass bowl. Mix it well.

Third step: flavor enhancement

add finely chopped Fresh cilantro leaves, salt and pepper and serve cold with plantain or tortilla chips.

Enjoy Ceviche like Latin American

serve it with a glass of ginger ale like local costa ricans
In typical Costa Rican tradition, ceviche is served with the citrusy marinade, known as tiger’s milk (leche de tigre)
while traditional ceviche is served with tortilla chips some Costa Ricans spoon the ceviche into soft corn tortillas to create ceviche tacos

Costa Rican Ceviche Recipe Variations

Mixed Seafood Ceviche (Ceviche Mixto)

use shrimp, squid, and octopus along with the traditional fish. You will need to marinate Each type of seafood in lime juice for the best result.

Coconut Milk Ceviche (Ceviche de Coco)

Unique to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, this variation includes coconut milk in the marinade. The coconut milk adds a creamy texture and a hint of sweetness that balances the tangy lime juice.

Ceviche with Mango (Ceviche de Mango)

Add Mango chunks to the ceviche to add a sweet contrast and a tropical twist to the traditional recipe.

Spicy Ceviche (Ceviche Picante)

For those who enjoy heat, you can add some extra chili peppers or hot sauce for a spicy kick. Some people like to add jalapeño or tabasco even though it is not typical costa rican