Zesty Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe: Fresh Summer Bliss in Minutes

Zesty shrimp avocado salad brings vibrant flavors dancing across your plate with irresistible charm.

Fresh seafood mingles delightfully with creamy green goodness, creating a light yet satisfying meal.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients weave together complex flavor profiles that tantalize taste buds effortlessly.

Summer culinary magic enhances simple components into an elegant dish bursting with nutrition and color.

Cool textures and bright seasonings promise an unforgettable dining experience that feels both refreshing and indulgent.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of protein and healthy fats, ensuring maximum satisfaction without heaviness.

Fresh ingredients elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary, making it ideal for casual gatherings or quiet weeknight dinners.

Shrimp + Avocado = Salad Perfection

• Speedy Seafood Sensation: This shrimp avocado salad delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a quick and delicious meal.
• Texture Party in Your Mouth: Crisp lettuce, tender steamed shrimp, and creamy avocado create a delightful contrast of textures that makes every bite exciting and satisfying.
• Zesty Flavor Explosion: The lime juice and cumin dressing adds a bright, tangy kick that transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, fresh dish that'll wake up your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

What You’ll Need for This Cool Combo

• Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood, best when fresh and deveined, wild-caught preferred for richer flavor.

• Lettuce: Crisp base for salad, choose romaine or iceberg for better crunch.
• Red Onions: Sharp and colorful addition, thinly sliced for mild bite.
• Avocados: Creamy and rich, select ripe but firm fruits with smooth skin.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb for bright garnish, adds zesty and aromatic touch.

• Olive Oil: Smooth and rich base for dressing, extra virgin recommended.
• Lime Juice: Tangy citrus element that balances and brightens flavors.
• Cumin: Warm spice that adds depth and earthy undertones.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out natural ingredients' flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity to the dressing.

Toss Together Something Creamy and Bright

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium.

Step 2: Steam Succulent Shrimp

Place shrimp in a steamer insert or mesh strainer over the boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for 4-6 minutes until shrimp curl and turn bright pink. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Fresh lime juice
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the dressing looks smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Cooled shrimp
• Shredded lettuce
• Thinly sliced red onions

Gently toss everything to ensure even coating with the dressing.

Step 5: Arrange and Garnish

Carefully spread sliced avocados around the salad. Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves on top for a burst of color and flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition.

Tips to Keep Avocados Fresh and Pretty

• Master Steaming Technique: Steam shrimp precisely 4-6 minutes to prevent rubbery texture, watching for that perfect pink curl.
• Dress for Success: Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-blended emulsion that coats every ingredient evenly.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let salad rest in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Slice Avocados Fresh: Cut avocados just before serving to prevent browning and maintain bright, creamy appearance.
• Customize with Crunch: Add toasted pumpkin seeds or sliced almonds for extra texture and nutty flavor boost.

Chill and Store Without Wilting the Greens

• Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Separate the avocado slices and store them in a different sealed container to prevent browning. When ready to enjoy, gently stir the ingredients and add fresh avocado slices for the best texture and flavor. Avoid freezing, as the lettuce and shrimp will become soggy and lose their crisp quality. Consume chilled straight from the refrigerator for the most delicious experience.

What to Pair with This Light Seafood Salad

• Zesty Sip Companion: Pair this light shrimp avocado salad with a crisp, chilled sauvignon blanc that complements the lime and cumin flavors, cutting through the richness of the avocado.
• Bubbly Beer Match: Choose a Mexican-style lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which adds a refreshing brightness and balances the salad's tangy dressing with its clean, crisp profile.
• Citrus Cocktail Boost: A classic margarita with fresh lime juice echoes the salad's citrus notes, creating a vibrant flavor harmony that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Cool Bread Sidekick: Serve with toasted ciabatta or sourdough crostini to add a crunchy texture contrast and provide a perfect vehicle for scooping up the salad's delicious components.

Flavor Tweaks to Make It Your Own

• Zesty Mediterranean Remix: Swap shrimp with grilled calamari, replace lime juice with lemon, add crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with dried oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Grill the shrimp with chili powder, mix in black beans, corn kernels, and swap cilantro for chopped jalapeños to create a bold, southwestern-style salad.
• Asian Sesame Sensation: Marinate shrimp in soy sauce and ginger, drizzle with sesame oil instead of olive oil, add mandarin orange segments, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired twist.
• Tropical Caribbean Crunch: Replace red onions with diced mango, add a splash of rum to the dressing, sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes, and serve with a side of plantain chips for a Caribbean-style experience.

Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Zesty shrimp avocado salad delivers coastal Mexican flavors in one refreshing bowl. Crisp citrus notes and creamy avocado blend perfectly, inviting you to savor summer’s most delightful seafood experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (454 grams)

Fresh Produce:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (118 milliliters)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) lime juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) cumin
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) fresh cracked pepper

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, creating a gentle simmer for steaming.
2. Position a steamer insert or fine mesh strainer above the simmering water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water surface.
3. Carefully place raw shrimp into the steamer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and steam for 4 to 6 minutes until shrimp curl and transform to a vibrant pink color, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
4. Transfer steamed shrimp to a plate and allow them to cool completely at room temperature, which prevents overcooking and maintains tender texture.
5. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, ground cumin, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
6. Whisk the ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that emulsifies the flavors.
7. Add the cooled shrimp, finely shredded crisp lettuce, and thinly sliced red onions to the prepared dressing.
8. Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring an even coating of the zesty dressing without breaking the delicate shrimp.
9. Artfully arrange ripe avocado slices around the salad’s perimeter for an elegant presentation.
10. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro leaves over the top as a vibrant, aromatic garnish.
11. Serve immediately at room temperature or chill for 15-20 minutes to enhance the refreshing qualities of this light, summery dish.

Notes

• Perfectly steamed shrimp creates the tender, juicy foundation of this light and zesty salad.
• Lime juice and cumin in the dressing provide a bright, tangy flavor that complements the seafood and fresh vegetables.
• Choose ripe avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure for the creamiest texture and richest taste.
• Steam shrimp just until they curl and turn pink to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Red onions add a sharp, crisp bite that balances the creamy avocado and sweet shrimp beautifully.
• Chill the salad before serving for an extra refreshing summer meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg