Ceviche Yucateco con Naranja Agria (Yucatan Style Fish Ceviche)
White fish cured in lime and orange with red onion and a fiery habanero salsa, the sunny, citrusy Yucatan way.
Made with Habanero salsa and Ceviche lime marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.13 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
Make your ceviche lime marinade and habanero salsa (see the base recipes) beforehand and chill both.
- 2
Mix 160 ml of the ready made ceviche lime marinade (see the base recipe) with the orange juice and pour over the fish cubes in a glass bowl.
- 3
Chill for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once, until the outside is opaque.
20 min - 4
Rinse the red onion in cold water and drain well. Fold the onion, tomato, radish and coriander into the fish.
- 5
Serve cold in bowls topped with avocado, with your habanero salsa (see the base recipe) in a small dish at the table.
Tips
- Yucatan cooks use sour orange. In the UK, mix equal parts orange and lime juice for a similar tang.
- Habanero salsa is very hot. Start with a spoonful, taste, and add more at the table.
- Use very fresh white fish such as sea bass or snapper, previously frozen at -20C for at least 24 hours.
- Add a little finely chopped radish for crunch if you like.
Storing and freezing
Make and eat within 1 hour. Throw away leftovers and any marinade that has touched raw fish.
Questions
What is sour orange?
Naranja agria is a bitter orange used throughout the Yucatan. It is hard to find in the UK, so a mix of orange and lime juice, or the juice of a Seville orange when in season, works well.
How hot is the habanero salsa?
Very. Serve it on the side so people add their own, and keep a bowl of plain tostadas or rice nearby to cool things down.
Can I use prawns instead of fish?
Yes. Poach raw prawns for 2 minutes until pink, cool them and marinate for 15 minutes.
More made with habanero salsa
Panuchos Yucatecos (Stuffed Fried Tortillas with Chicken)
DFEFNFCerdo al Pastor al Horno (Oven Roasted Pastor Pork Stack)
DFEFNFTacos de Hongos al Ajillo con Habanero (Garlic Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFSalbutes de Pavo (Yucatecan Puffed Masa with Turkey)
DFEFNFDouble 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.