Can I make a ceviche a day ahead?

January 2, 2009 4:41 PM

Can I make a ceviche a day ahead?

I am going to a potluck dinner party tomorrow and I'm thinking about making a ceviche as an appetizer. I've never made a ceviche before (but have eaten it many times), but I was wondering if I can get away with making in a day in advance? Or will it be a dodgy, soupy mess if I do it that way? Should I make it a couple hours before instead (if I have time)? The recipe includes coconut milk being added after the tuna is cured with lime juice, I don't know if that complicates anything. I can give you a fuller recipe if needed.

posted by deinemutti to food & drink (4 comments total)

I would prep everything a day ahead -- squeeze the lime, chop the fish, chop whatever other ingredients. Then it will just be a matter of combining a few bowls of stuff. Is this an option?
posted by veggieboy at 4:44 PM on January 2

I wouldnt make it 24 hours ahead, but most ceviche takes at least a couple hours to "cook". Depending on your recipe, the flavors of the additional ingredients; onions, herbs etc could benefit from an overnight soak (allows their flavors to develop) but dont add the meat earlier than the recipe calls for.
posted by elendil71 at 4:58 PM on January 2

I made the sauce with coconut milk already, like you guys advised.
Though due to tuna being ridiculously expensive right now (which I forgot about), I went for bay scallops instead at the store. I'll "cook" the scallops a couple hours before I go to the party tomorrow.
Thanks for your help!
posted by deinemutti at 8:10 PM on January 2

I know I'm a little late, but I made a shrimp ceviche last summer in which the shrimp cooked just in the juices (no parboiling or anything like some recipes call for). It was fine several days later, and my girlfriend even had what was left over 6 days later with no ill effects (though I wouldn't have tried it 6 days later).

You could have done the scallops a day before with no problem. Tuna might have fallen apart sitting in lime/lemon/orange/grapefruit/whatever juice for so long though.

I hope your ceviche and the party was good!
posted by robtf3 at 12:37 PM on January 12