Shrimp Avocado Salad Citrus (Printer-friendly)
Succulent shrimp and creamy avocado with crisp vegetables in zesty citrus dressing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Vegetables & Fruit
02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 3.5 oz cucumber, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cups mixed salad greens or baby spinach
→ Fresh Herbs
07 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - Juice of 1 lime
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - 1 garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional
14 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque throughout. Drain immediately and transfer the shrimp to a bowl of ice water to halt cooking. Once chilled, drain again and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the salad greens, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Gently fold in the diced avocado and cooled shrimp, taking care not to mash the avocado pieces.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is fully emulsified and no oil separation remains.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Add the sliced jalapeño at this stage if a spicy kick is desired.
05 - Plate the salad immediately while the shrimp are still cool and the avocado is fresh. Garnish with additional herbs if desired and serve alongside crusty bread or pita chips for a more substantial meal.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under thirty minutes and tastes like something you would order at a coastal cafe.
- The combination of creamy avocado and zesty lime dressing makes every bite feel bright and satisfying without weighing you down.
02 -
- Once you dress the salad the clock starts ticking because avocado oxidizes and the greens will wilt within an hour.
- Tossing the avocado pieces in a tiny splash of lime juice before adding them to the bowl helps preserve that vivid green color.
03 -
- Grill or saut the shrimp with a pinch of chili powder for a smoky depth that turns a simple salad into something people will remember.
- The single biggest improvement you can make is using a lime that feels heavy for its size because that means more juice and more fragrance in every drop.