Ceviche Clásico

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Caballitos de totora reed boats

📍 Where this dish comes from: Huanchaco (near Trujillo) · Caballitos de totora reed boats
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Ceviche Clásico, plated and ready to serve

Peru’s most iconic dish: raw white fish “cooked” in fresh lime juice until firm and opaque, tossed with red onion and cilantro, and served over crisp lettuce instead of the traditional starchy sides.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Ceviche Clásico

Ceviche Clásico

Peru's most iconic dish: raw white fish “cooked” in fresh lime juice until firm and opaque, tossed with red onion and cilantro, and served over crisp lettuce instead of the traditional starchy sides.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Peruvian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb fresh white fish fillet (corvina or sea bass) cut into 1/2-inch cubes (sub: cod, halibut, or snapper)
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 6–8 limes
  • 1/2 red onion very thinly sliced
  • 1 aji limo or aji amarillo pepper minced, seeds removed for less heat (sub: serrano or jalapeño)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 avocado sliced, for serving
  • Butter lettuce leaves, for serving (sub: traditional camote and choclo, omitted here to keep this keto)

Instructions

  • Pat the fish cubes completely dry with paper towels and place in a non-reactive glass or ceramic bowl.
  • Season the fish with sea salt and black pepper, then add the minced garlic and chili pepper.
  • Pour the fresh lime juice over the fish, making sure every piece is submerged.
  • Let marinate 8–12 minutes, until the fish turns opaque and firm — don't over-marinate, or the texture turns chalky.
  • Fold in the sliced red onion and chopped cilantro just before serving.
  • Spoon the ceviche and its citrus marinade over butter lettuce leaves.
  • Garnish with avocado slices and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 220kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 2g
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Cooking Ceviche Clásico in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Fish is naturally high in protein and carries no carbohydrate on its own, so the dish starts keto before any substitution.
  • Skipping the traditional starchy sides keeps net carbs to just the onion, pepper, and a touch of avocado.

Pairs Well With

  • Espárragos a la Parrilla con Alioli de Ají Amarillo
  • Palta Rellena
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