Description
This Zesty Avocado Shrimp Salad combines succulent, freshly boiled shrimp with creamy avocados and crisp vegetables, all brought together with a tangy lime dressing. Perfect for a quick, refreshing meal upgrade that’s full of vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients, this salad is easy to prepare and ideal for warm days or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled, deveined, and cooked)
Vegetables
- 2 medium ripe avocados (or substitute with puréed avocado)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley (chopped)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather and prepare all ingredients, ensuring shrimp are peeled and deveined, avocados ripe, and vegetables washed.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the raw shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Immediately drain and transfer shrimp to an ice water bath to cool quickly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, diced cucumber, and chopped cilantro or parsley. Toss gently to maintain the avocado’s shape and color.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Combine and Serve: Add the chopped shrimp to the vegetable mixture, drizzle the dressing over, and gently toss to combine everything evenly. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Use ripe avocados for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Chilling the salad before serving enhances the taste and makes it more refreshing.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness.
- For a quicker alternative, use pre-cooked shrimp, but fresh boiled shrimp offers the best flavor.
- This salad is best consumed within 1 day for freshness and texture.
