Best Ahi Tuna Ceviche with Fresh Cilantro and Mangoes

Make the Best Ahi Tuna Ceviche with Fresh Cilantro and Mangoes at home with this easy recipe! Mexican food is one of my favourite cuisines because dishes are packed with great flavour! You can't go wrong with fresh ahi tuna steaks, cilantro, creamy avocado, red onion, and fresh lime juice. It is the perfect gluten-free and dairy-free appetizer. Serve it with tortilla chips or taco shells; it becomes a great main course!

> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For The Best Flavourful Ahi Tuna Ceviche Recipe

This easy tuna ceviche recipe can be personalized to your heat level by adjusting the amount of jalapenos or serrano peppers before serving. 

Mexican ceviche reminds me of sandy beaches and sunshine. Find similar recipes here to complete a Mexican feast. Pair it with this Spicy Mango Salsa or this Easy Miso-Glazed Halibut. Together, these make a fabulous, healthy summer meal. 

Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!

Jump to:

• > In This Post: Everything You'll Need For The Best Flavourful Ahi Tuna Ceviche Recipe
• What is Ceviche?
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Instructions
• How Long Should I Marinate Fish For Ceviche?
• What To Serve With Homemade Tuna Ceviche
• More Easy Mexican Appetizers
• > Recipe
• Best Ahi Tuna Ceviche with Fresh Cilantro and Mangoes

What is Ceviche?

Ceviche is a simple raw seafood dish made by tossing raw fish with fresh citrus juices. During the marinating process, the citric acid "cooks" the fish. The acidity cures the fish and denatures the protein. The raw fish will become firm and turn opaque white on the surface while leaving the inside raw - like "medium-cooked" tuna meat. Ceviche is both cooked and raw.

This popular Peruvian seafood appetizer originates from Lima, Peru, but it is also found in many coastal Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.

What Is Real Ceviche Made Of?

Ceviche is generally made from raw and uncooked marinated fresh fish or other types of seafood such as shrimp, crab, squid or scallops. The acids from the lime or lemon juice cure the seafood. Ceviche scallops are also very delicious!

Ceviche vs Tartare

Unlike ceviche, tartare is still considered raw despite seasoned and dressed in sauce. The fish is not marinated long enough to cure the meat. The tartare marinade typically is soy sauce based Nobu style.

Ingredients and Substitutes

This Ahi Tuna Ceviche Recipe is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. The results are so satisfying. 

Fresh Tuna - Sushi-grade ahi tuna is an excellent fish for ceviche recipes. Any mild-flavoured sashimi-grade white fish, such as albacore tuna, halibut, seabass, cod, or mahi mahi, is also great. Since tuna caught at sea is flash-frozen at low temperatures, raw tuna is safe for making sashimi at home. That is why we enjoy diced tuna made from sushi-grade ahi tuna steak. The quality of your fish really matters. Select the freshest ones possible.

Fresh Lime Juice - This vitamin C and folate-rich tangy lime juice pairs great with tuna ceviche. Its bright, vibrant, slightly bitter, acidic taste elevates this perfect appetizer. Use fresh limes as opposed to bottled lime juice. 

Cilantro - This fresh ceviche seafood appetizer tastes excellent with lemony, peppery, fresh cilantro. You can't make ceviche without cilantro!

Onions - I love adding shallots instead of red onions because they taste like sweet onions but have a hint of garlic on the finish. It's one of my favourite Mexican toppings. 

Garlic - Minced garlic cloves pack a nice punch.

Jalapeno - The right amount of heat adds the perfect dimension to this classic ceviche recipe. Serrano peppers are also a great option if you like yours spicier.

Mangoes—The sweetness of mangoes makes them the ultimate hot summer fruit. Their tender, melting, and aromatic flesh goes perfectly with marinated ahi tuna!

Optional Ingredients

• Green Onions - Garnish with finely chopped scallions if desired.
• Fresh corn cut off the cob
• Finely diced cucumber
• Fresh diced tomato
• Fresh diced avocado

Instructions

If using frozen sushi-grade tuna,  defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Do not defrost at room temperature.

Wash and pat dry fresh tuna with a kitchen paper towel.

With a sharp chef's knife, cut into small cubes.

Add diced tuna and lime juice to a large glass bowl. Mix well. Cover the bowl and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Once the fresh citrus juices' cook' the fish, the sashimi-grade fish will turn opaque. The longer you marinate the fish, the more cooked it will become.

While the fish is marinating, prepare the vegetables.

Cut the rest of the raw ingredients (shallots or red onions, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, cucumber, and garlic) into small pieces and set aside.

Alternatively, if you do not want to hand chop all the simple ingredients, you can also use a good-quality food processor. Here are my picks for the Best Food Processor for Salsa!

Remove the fish from the refrigerator (no need to drain). Add the rest of the ingredients to the large glass bowl. Gently stir to combine. 

Serve and enjoy the ceviche in a bowl, in individual cups or with tortilla chips if you are craving something salty and crunchy!

Homemade baked plantain chips are a healthy alternative and an excellent gluten-free snack. You have yet to try lettuce cups. They are refreshingly delicious as well!

Of course, ahi tuna ceviche tacos are another great choice if you want to make it into a Mexican-inspired dinner! 

How Long Should I Marinate Fish For Ceviche?

The marinating time depends on how tender you prefer the fish to be and on the size of the piece of fish being marinated. Below is a general guideline. 

• 30 Minutes - Just beginning to change colour and still tender.
• 1 Hour - Mostly opaque and medium-cooked. 
• 2 Hours - Opaque and cooked. The meat is firm but still tender.

How Long Does Homemade Ceviche Last

You can keep fresh ahi tuna ceviche in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days, but it is best eaten immediately. 

A friend recommended this Rubbermaid brilliance container. I love that it is clear and 100% leakproof! 

The good news is that this marinated raw fish appetizer tastes just as delicious the next day! 

Next time, if you are hosting a Cinco De Mayo party, backyard barbecue, or simply looking for the perfect appetizer and chilled snacks on the go, double this ceviche recipe. It is great party food!

What To Serve With Homemade Tuna Ceviche

The easy answer is corn tortilla chips. However, there are many ways to enjoy this easy ceviche salsa recipe, such as with homemade mango pico de gallo.

Serve this tuna ceviche with fresh cilantro and mangoes as the perfect topping for tacos. This healthy snack is also delicious in poke rice bowls or on its own. The flavours are a nice change from creamy guacamole. 

I guarantee that every bite is addictive! These are just a few of my favourite ways to enjoy this easy recipe! Last night, we had an enormous feast with a table full of Mexican food.

More Easy Mexican Appetizers

Hosting a party or looking for delicious appetizers to complete your Latin American-themed dinner? I got you with these easy-to-make tasty Mexican recipes!

Spicy Vegan Mango Salsa Recipe

Plant-Based Chili Con Queso Mexican Cheese Dip 

Pineapple Pico De Gallo Salsa

I'd love to see how you've used my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.

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