when it is too hot to cook, it is time to make this vegan inspired ceviche! this recipe is zesty, spicy, and perfect for scooping with a chip.
what is ceviche?
While I feel like most people have heard of ceviche in case you haven’t ceviche is a popular seafood dish. Ceviche is raw fish that is marinated in lime or lemon juice which due to the acidity ends up cooking it. In this vegan inspired ceviche we will use hearts of palm to replace the fish. Many countries have their own versions of ceviche however, the ceviche is a Peruvian dish. In 2023 UNESCO emphasized how ceviche is vital to Peru’s culture, noting its connection to artisanal fishers, female cooks in ceviche restaurants, regional varieties, and the tradition of passing down recipes and methods within families in Peru.
the ingredients
- Hearts of Palm: the main ingredient in the vegan inspired ceviche. Hearts of palm is a vegetable that is harvested from the inner part of palm trees or sometimes other plants like coconut or acai. To ensure you are getting ethically harvested hearts of palm I like the brand Native Forest.
- Limes: the lime juice is an essential ingredient. While this vegan inspired ceviche of course doesn’t have fish that needs to be “cooked” with the lime juice, it is an essential flavor.
- Red Onion: thinly sliced red onion adds color and flavor.
- Habanero Pepper: chopped up chili peppers add in lots of spice. Feel free to add as much pepper as you prefer.
- Salt: an obvious flavor enhancer.
- Cilantro: adds a pop of color and flavor. If you don’t like cilantro you can use parsley as a garnish.
how to make this vegan inspired ceviche
Making this vegan inspired ceviche is seriously so easy. There is no cooking involved, just chopping and refrigerating. First, you will chop the hearts of palm up and add them into a big bowl. Then squeeze over a bunch of fresh lime juice. Place it in the fridge and let it soak up that limey goodness. While that is in the fridge thinly slice the red onion and chop up the habanero peppers. Then you will add those into the ceviche along with some fresh cilantro and salt to taste. You can then enjoy immediately or chill in the fridge. It is truly that easy!
what to eat on the side
While I decided to keep it very simple and just dip some chips in there, slightly out of laziness, there are some fun side dishes you can enjoy with this! Since this vegan inspired ceviche is closely inspired by a Peruvian ceviche that is typically served with fried plantain chips, corn nuts or corn, and cooked sweet potato. If you are gluten free you can always serve this with some lettuce and make lettuce wraps, of course not traditional. You can also just eat this with a fork, which I did right out of the fridge multiple times.
who will love this recipe
This recipe is honestly great for everyone! Whether you just want to try a fun way to eat some hearts of palm or you are a vegan you are sure to love it. Of course this is also great for people who have a fish allergy or are vegetarian. It is seriously a recipe for anyone and everyone. It is just perfect for those hot summer days when you can’t think of possibly turning on a stove but you want something delicious.
more vegan seafood inspired recipes
what else can I add to this recipe?
While I truly encourage you to try this recipe as is before adding in more things, here are some add in ideas:
- Firm Tofu: if you want to bump up the protein factor in this recipe (since it is low) you can add in some crumbled or cubed tofu.
- Avocado: this is popular in Mexican ceviche.
- Cucumber: this is also popular in Mexican ceviche.
- Orange Juice: with the lime juice you can also add in some orange juice for a touch of sweetness.
- Corn: while I know this is not a traditionally used ingredient I am a sucker for corn and I do think it would be delicious here.
vegan inspired ceviche faq
- Is this recipe gluten free? Yes.
- Is this recipe soy free? Yes.
- Is this recipe nut free? Yes.
- How long will this recipe last? Up to 3 days in the fridge. However, it will get spicier the longer it sits in the fridge.
- What can I use instead of hearts of palm? If you want to try something different in place of the hearts of palm you can use tofu or jackfruit.
- Can I freeze this? No.
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Vegan Inspired Ceviche
Ingredients
- 2 cans (14.1 ounces) hearts of palm, drained and chopped
- ¼ small red onion (about 2 ounces), thinly sliced
- 1 to 3 habanero peppers (.5 ounce), finely chopped
- 4 limes (14.5 ounces), juiced
- 1 teaspoon cilantro
- Salt to taste
- Optional: plantain chips or tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the chopped hearts of palm and lime juice. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow the lime juice to marinate the hearts of palm.
- Then add in the chopped peppers and sliced onions. Mix around and start to slowly sprinkle in salt to your taste. Start out with ¼ teaspoon and add in from there. I like to tear the cilantro and just add it into the bowl. Mix it all around and give it a final taste to make sure you are happy with the flavors. *NOTE: it will get spicier as it sits around.
- Place back in the fridge for another 20 to 30 minutes to chill or until you are ready to eat.
- Serve with chips and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- This recipe will develop more in flavor the longer it sits around.
Nutrition
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I enjoyed this recipe very much. I took liberty of adding capers for salt, brine, & added thinly sliced / finely chopped cucumber (bc I love me some cucumber). The hot peppers at my local grocery store are thumbs down (they lack flavor and heat) so I used one of my favorite hot sauces instead. Together with a glass of white wine I enjoyed this recipe plenty.
Hi TJ sounds so great! thank you for trying the recipe and love to hear how you made it your own!