Aguachile Rojo de Camarón (Red Chilli Prawn Aguachile)
Butterflied prawns in a fiery lime and chilli bath with cucumber and red onion, served with crisp tostadas.
Made with Salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa) and Tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min plus 10 min marinating
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.04 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Check the prawns are very fresh. Butterfly them by slicing along the back, and lay flat in a shallow dish.
- 2
Mix the lime juice with your ready made salsa taquera (see the base recipe) and a pinch of salt. Pour over the prawns and press them under the liquid.
- 3
Chill for 10 minutes only, until the prawns turn opaque and pink.
10 min - 4
Meanwhile, arrange the cucumber slices and red onion over a serving plate.
- 5
Lift the prawns on to the plate and spoon over some of the red lime liquid. Scatter over the coriander.
- 6
Serve at once with the avocado slices and the ready made tostadas (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Keep the prawns cold and serve straight away. Longer than 10 minutes in the lime makes them tough and chalky.
- The salsa taquera is hot, so use it all if you like heat, or half the salsa and top up with water to cut it.
- Raw prawns are not suitable for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system. For a safe version, drop the prawns in boiling water for 40 seconds, cool in iced water and then marinate.
Storing and freezing
Eat the same day. Leftovers keep in the fridge for no more than 4 hours, and the prawns go tough after that. Do not freeze.
Questions
What is aguachile?
Aguachile means chilli water. It is a Sinaloa speciality in which raw prawns are bathed in lime juice blended with chillies, and eaten at once.
Is aguachile cooked by the lime?
No. Lime changes the texture and colour, but it does not kill all bacteria. Use very fresh prawns, or blanch them briefly, if you are unsure.
Can I make it milder?
Yes. Dilute the salsa taquera with a splash of water and more lime juice, and remove the seeds if you add fresh chillies.
More made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Empanadas de Frijol y Queso (Fried Masa Turnovers)
GFEFNFTorta Ahogada de Birria (Drowned Birria Sandwich)
EFNFHPTostadas de Barbacoa con Salsa Taquera (Beef Barbacoa Tostadas)
GFDFEFMulitas de Carne Asada (Steak and Cheese Corn Tortilla Sandwiches)
NFEFSee every dish made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.