Salmon Ceviche: the perfect Peruvian summer appetizer

Name: Salmon Ceviche
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 9 oz salmon fillets (boneless, skin removed); 1 & ½ or 2 cups lemon or lime juice; 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons garlic (minced); 1/3 cup soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional); 1 medium onion; 1 medium cucumber; 2 small tomatoes; 1-2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno (minced or fresh chili peppers); 1 medium avocado; 1 sprig fresh cilantro leaves for garnish; chips or crackers (optional)

A colorful, light and refreshing summer fish dish

Salmon is often considered to be one of the most luxurious fish breeds. It is also a type of fish we rarely find in Peruvian cuisine. Peru’s iconic dish, Ceviche, is most often prepared with white fish like sea bass, tilapia, snaper, mahi mahi, grouper and even shellfish like scallop. But Salmon works really well in ceviche and adds a certain richness that many people find appealing.

peruvian salmon ceviche with avocados in cup

As you may know, ceviche is usually made with fresh raw fish and is cooked in citrus juice, usually lime, but also lemon, orange, or a blend of all three. After the cooking or marination process, the fish is strained and then tossed with vivid-colored fresh veggies, and sometimes dressed with a delectably savory sauce. A garnish of fresh cilantro often completes this deceptively simple dish.

In ancient Peru and surrounding countries, the Incas preserved fish with salt, chili peppers, and fruit juices. Later, limes were introduced by the Spanish and became the main ‘cooking’ juice for ceviche.

Salmon ceviche has had many variations. In Chile, they prefer to slice the fish into fine pieces. In Panama, they prefer sea bass ceviche and serve it as an appetizer. In some Latin American countries, ceviche is served in cocktail cups with tacos or tostadas.

Ceviche can be an appetizer, a main dish, and sometimes even a breakfast dish. The accompaniments can be changed to suit the time of day and required portion size.

The color of salmon will change somewhat with the marination process thanks to the powerful active compountds in the lime juice. But depending on how long the fish is cooked in citrus juice, the color may still call attention to the dish, especially for dinner guests who are used to white-fish ceviche.

While the taste of salmon is richer and the fat content is higher, thus changing the flavor, the fish takes well to the marination process and as long as you use high-qulity, super fresh product, this dish will be a hit.

Overall, it’s a low-effort dish that is elegant enough to impress any guest or family member.

The ingredients list

ingredients for peruvian salmon ceviche recipe

Salmon fillets – must be boneless fillets.
Fresh lime juice (or lemon juice) – citruses to ‘cook’ the salmon.
Salt and pepper – seasonings.
Olive oil – helps make the dish feel a bit smoother, and adds a glossy finish.
Garlic – helps remove any foul smells and adds a mellow nutty flavor.
Soy sauce – a table condiment used, to add an extra umami flavor.
Sesame oil – adds gloss and a stronger nutty flavor.
Onion, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado – adds color and makes the ceviche salad fuller.
Pickled jalapeno – to add a bit of spice and makes the dish a bit livelier.
Cilantro, chips or crackers – for garnishes and sides.

Step by Step Photos

Step 1 – Cut salmon into small cubes and place them in a bowl.

Step 2 – Pour 1½ to 2 cups of lime juice over the salmon until it’s fully submerged. Let it sit for 25 – 30 minutes until it turns opaque and changes color.

step 1 slice salmon into cubes and marinate

Step 3 – For the dressing, mix salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, and lime/lemon juice to taste. Set aside.

Step 4 – Thinly slice onions and remove the seeds; chop the cucumbers and tomatoes.

step 3 slice onions peppers tomatoes vegetables

Step 5 – Strain the salmon and add it back into the bowl with onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and jalapeno.

Step 6 – Cut the avocado into cubes and gently fold into the dressing.

step 5 slice avocadoes into cubes add to bowl

Step 7 – Taste-test the mixture and add more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8 – Allow to chill in the refrigerator for 1 – 3 hours to let the flavors blend.

Step 9 – Scoop the ceviche into a clean bowl, avoiding leftover liquid at the bottom.

Step 10 – Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with chips or crackers on the side.

step 7 present ceviche in bowl with garnish

Quick tips

You can marinate salmon for longer than 30 minutes, but make sure to remove the fish once it has turned opaque.
When using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it out (if frozen) till it’s firm enough to remove the skin, then slice it to cubes. The cubes should not be icy when mixed with lemon juice to avoid a watery marinade.
While it’s highly recommended to eat salmon ceviche soon after it’s ready, you can store it in a glass, ceramic, or plastic container (not metal) with an airtight lid or cover with cling wrap. Try to remove as much liquid as possible before placing it in the fridge. Don’t freeze it, and consume within a few days.

Side dishes / Accompaniments

As a snack or main dish for dinner, ceviche pairs well with many sides. Here are some ideas:

Chips or crackers – Tortilla chips, potato chips, savory biscuits, especially those that combine salt and pepper with other herbs.
Tostada shells – borrowing from Mexican cuisine, they are great when you want something more filling, and they’re great at absorbing the delicious ceviche juices.
Rice – herb-cooked rice like cilantro, coconut, and other aromatic rice, to quinoa, plain white, red or, brown rice topped with the ceviche can transform it into a healthy dinner. Perfect for hot summers.
Vegetables – lettuce or cabbage leaves are an option but don’t leave them in liquid too long.
Corn (or the Peruvian variety called Choclo) is a very popular accompaniment to ceviche.
This dish goes well with cancha salada, a snack made from roasted corn kernels

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an alternative to lime for the marinade?

You can use other citrus juice such as lemon, calamansi, orange, mandarin, pomelo, or a mix of all of them. You can use any of these options to and cook the fish and remove odors. The cooking time may need to be increased for oranges, mandarins, or tangerines since they have a lower acidity level than limes. Adding half a lemon and orange will add a bit of sweetness to your ceviche.

How fresh does fish need to be for ceviche?

Buy as fresh as you can get. Not only is this safer (less chance of bacterial growth) but it’s better for the taste. Any ceviche chef will recommend that you make the effert to get the freshest produce possible. You can also get them frozen from the grocery or supermarket as the fish would have been frozen soon after it was caught.

Can you use frozen fish for ceviche?

Yes, just make sure to thaw it out for a bit. Not too thawed that it will be difficult to remove the skin or slice.

Can you marinade the salmon overnight?

Leaving salmon in lemon juice longer than 30 minutes (a maximum of 2 hours) may cause it to become sour, chalky, or too chewy when served as ceviche.