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This easy recipe for tuna ceviche marinated in lemon juice and mixed with onion, green pepper, and tomato is delightfully fresh and flavorful!

Tuna ceviche in a small white bowl on a wooden serving board with two lemons and a tomato in the background

I’ve been on a mission to eat more local fish lately. So when I found this absolutely beautiful fresh tuna, I knew I wanted to do something different than just grilling or broiling it like I usually do.

That’s when I decided to try tuna ceviche! Rather than cooking the fish with heat, you marinate it in lemon or lime juice along with other ingredients and spices.

When we think about cooking foods, most of us think about applying heat. This causes eggs to solidify or meat to become firm. What’s actually happening is that some of the proteins in these foods are becoming denatured when heat is applied.

As it turns out, the acid in lemon or lime juice also causes denaturation! So the juice is actually “cooking” the fish for us. Pretty cool, right?

How to make tuna ceviche

Now that we know a little about the science behind ceviche, let’s see how this recipe comes together!

Ingredients for recipe separated into individual ramekins and bowls, as seen from above on a white background

Step 1: Place the tuna in a non-reactive dish and completely cover it with lemon juice.

Tuna in a glass bowl covered completely with lemon juice, as seen from above

Step 2: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Step 3: Drain the tuna.

Tuna pieces, soaked and drained, in a glass bowl, as seen from above on a white marble countertop

Step 4: Add the minced onion, minced green pepper, and diced tomato. Mix well, then add salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste.

Ceviche ingredients mixed together in a glass bowl with a golden spoon, as seen from above

Serve and enjoy!

Ceviche in a white bowl as seen from above on a wooden serving board next to a blue cloth napkin and a tomato

What to serve with this recipe

Ceviche is very fresh-tasting and makes a great high-protein snack. However, in my opinion, it does cry out for some crunch.

I like to serve mine with multigrain pita chips. They’re a little thicker than most chips, so they hold up well to big scoops of tuna.

This ceviche would also be delicious in lettuce wraps or on low-carb tortillas garnished with some crispy rice sticks!

Ceviche added to the center of a small tortilla on a wooden serving board next to a blue cloth background with a white bowl of ceviche in the background

Storage

I would be cautious about storing your ceviche. In my opinion, this is a dish that is best served immediately.

If you end up with leftovers, make sure to store them in the refrigerator covered very tightly and eat them within a day or two at most.

Ceviche in a small white bowl on a wooden serving board with two lemons and a tomato in the background

Other fresh fish recipes

I love finding new ways to bring out the wonderful taste of fresh fish. From light appetizers to hearty chowders, there are so many ways to cook with seafood!

Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll enjoy:

For even more healthy and delicious seafood recipes, check out this roundup of Healthy Low-Carb Seafood Recipes.

When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!

Tuna Ceviche

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This easy recipe for tuna ceviche marinated in lemon juice and mixed with onion, green pepper, and tomato is delightfully fresh and flavorful!
Author: Diabetic Foodie
Prep Time: 3 hours
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound fresh sushi-grade raw tuna, (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
  • Juice from 5 lemons
  • ¼ cup sweet onion, (finely minced)
  • ¼ cup green pepper, (finely minced)
  • 1 large tomato, (peeled, seeded, and diced)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Hot sauce

Instructions

  • Place the tuna in a non-reactive dish and completely cover it with lemon juice.
    1 pound fresh sushi-grade raw tuna, Juice from 5 lemons
  • Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
  • Drain the tuna.
  • Add the minced onion, minced green pepper, and diced tomato. Mix well, then add salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste.
    ¼ cup sweet onion, ¼ cup green pepper, 1 large tomato, Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper, Hot sauce

Notes

This recipe is for 4 servings of ceviche.
While the acid of the lemon juice does denurate the proteins, it does not kill bacteria the same way heat does. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you are working with sushi-grade fish!
This dish is best served immediately. If you end up with leftovers, store them in the refrigerator covered very tightly and eat within a day or two at most.

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Tuna Ceviche
Amount per Serving
Calories
154
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1.5
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.4
g
2
%
Trans Fat
 
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Cholesterol
 
51
mg
17
%
Sodium
 
189
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
200
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
7.4
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3.7
g
4
%
Protein
 
27.2
g
54
%
Net carbs
 
6.4
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.