How to Make Sinaloan Aguachile
August 25, 2024
Sinaloan aguachile is a vibrant and refreshing dish that hails from the coastal region of Sinaloa, Mexico. It’s a traditional seafood delicacy known for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and invigorating spiciness. Aguachile, which translates to “chili water,” is somewhat similar to ceviche but with a few key differences that make it uniquely Sinaloan.
The dish typically features fresh, raw shrimp that are “cooked” in lime juice, a process that denatures the proteins and gives the shrimp a firm, opaque appearance. What sets aguachile apart is its use of chilies, usually fresh green serrano or jalapeño peppers, which are blended with lime juice, water, and sometimes cilantro or cucumber to create a spicy, tangy marinade. This marinade is poured over the shrimp, which is then garnished with thinly sliced red onions, cucumber, and sometimes avocado, adding a cool, crisp texture to balance the heat.
Aguachile is a dish that embodies the essence of Sinaloan cuisine: fresh, simple, and full of flavor. The region’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides access to some of the freshest seafood, which is why the dish is often made with shrimp that was caught the same day. The flavors are bright and invigorating, with the lime juice providing a tart contrast to the heat of the chilies, while the onions and cucumber add a refreshing crunch.
This dish is often served as a starter or a light meal, typically accompanied by tostadas or tortilla chips for added texture. It’s a popular choice in Sinaloa, especially during hot weather, as its cooling ingredients and zesty flavors make it incredibly refreshing.
Aguachile’s origins are deeply rooted in Sinaloan fishing communities, where fresh seafood is abundant and flavors are kept simple yet robust. Over time, it has become a staple in Mexican coastal cuisine, celebrated for its simplicity and the way it highlights the natural flavors of the sea.
Aguachile is more than just a dish; it’s a reflection of Sinaloa’s rich culinary heritage, where the use of fresh, local ingredients is paramount, and the balance of flavors—spicy, tangy, and refreshing—creates a truly unforgettable experience.
Sinaloa Aguachile Recipe
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, rinsed
8 to 10 limes
2 large jalapeños or 3 serranos (add more if you want extra spice)
1 large handful of cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed
About 1 cup sliced cucumber (preferably small)
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
3 small radishes, thinly sliced
Avocado slices, for garnish
Tostadas or tortilla chips, for serving
Salt, to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the Shrimp:
Butterfly the shrimp by running a sharp knife along the back of each shrimp and opening it without cutting it in half. Stop at the tail. Place the shrimp in a glass or plastic bowl.
Add a generous amount of salt and mix it in.
Cover the shrimp with lime juice. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. You will notice the shrimp starting to change color as they “cook” in the lime juice.
Prepare the Chilies:
Cut the chilies in half. If you prefer less heat, seed them and remove the membrane. If you do not have a high-powered blender, chop the chilies and cilantro finely.
Blend the Marinade:
Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator and transfer all the lime juice into a blender. Add the juice of 2 more limes.
Add the chilies and cilantro to the blender. Blend until smooth with no chunks of chilies or cilantro remaining.
Taste the marinade for salt and adjust if necessary.
Combine and Serve:
Pour the blended marinade back into the bowl with the shrimp. Add the sliced cucumber, red onion, and radish. Mix everything together.
Serve with avocado slices on top and tostadas or tortilla chips on the side. Enjoy!
Nutrition (per serving, for aguachile only, no chips or tostadas):
Calories: 174.8 kcal
Total Fat: 7.0 g
Saturated Fat: 1.0 g
Total Carbohydrates: 11.6 g
Sugar: 3.4 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 17.3 g
Cholesterol: 142.9 mg
Sodium: 1,229.1 mg
Trans Fat: 0.02 g
Enjoy your refreshing and spicy Sinaloa Aguachile!