Description
This Zesty Avocado Shrimp Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for a light meal or a flavorful side. Featuring tender shrimp, creamy avocado, crisp vegetables, and a tangy lime dressing, this salad combines fresh ingredients with zesty seasonings for a delicious and healthy meal upgrade.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled, deveined, and cooked)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 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: Begin by gathering and prepping all ingredients, including peeling, deveining, and cooking the shrimp if not pre-cooked.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Boil water in a pot and add raw shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Drain and immediately cool in ice water to stop cooking. Once cooled, chop shrimp 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 keep avocado pieces intact and vibrant.
- 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 the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors. Chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving to enhance the taste.
Notes
- For best flavor, use ripe but firm avocados to avoid mushy texture.
- Chilling the salad before serving helps the flavors meld together.
- Optional spices like garlic powder and red pepper flakes add extra flavor but can be adjusted to taste.
- Ensure shrimp are cooked properly but not overcooked to maintain tenderness.
- This salad is great served alone or with crusty bread for a complete meal.
