🍤🥑 Shrimp + Avocado Power Salad
Sun’s out, taste buds out. I throw this shrimp and avocado salad together when I want a meal that feels like vacation but takes less time than finding my flip-flops. Ready to level up lunch? Dive in.
⚡ Quick Bites
- 20-minute max. You’ll finish before your playlist’s over.
- Gluten-free, keto, paleo—pick your buzzword.
- Tangy citrus + creamy avocado = flavor mic-drop.
- Works as lunch, dinner, or “I forgot to make an appetizer.”
- Fresh, everyday ingredients—no unicorn dust required.
🛒 Ingredient Lineup
| What | Why It Rocks | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp (raw or pre-cooked) | Lean protein that actually tastes good | 1 lb |
| Avocados | Creamy healthy-fat royalty | 2 ripe |
| Lime + lemon juice | Zing that keeps flavors bright (and avo green) | ¼ cup total |
| Red onion | Bite + color pop | ¼ cup, chopped |
| Roma tomatoes | Juicy sweetness | 2, diced |
| Jalapeño | Tiny kick, big personality | ½, minced |
| Olive oil | Silky dressing base | 3 Tbsp |
| Cilantro | Fresh herb vibes | ¼ cup, chopped |
| Lettuce + cucumber | Crunch squad | As much as you want |
| Salt + pepper | Flavor insurance | To taste |
Pro move: Grab English cucumbers—they skip the seedy drama.
🔧 Gear You’ll Actually Use
- Large mixing bowl (because mess-free is life)
- Small bowl or jar for dressing
- Sharp knife—save the squished avocado tragedies
- Cutting board
- Non-stick pan (if you cook shrimp)
- Optional mandoline: speedy onion slayer
That’s it. No sous-vide wizardry.
🔥 Shrimp 101: Cook Like a Pro
- Steam it: 4–6 min over simmering water. Shrimp turns opaque, you turn smug.
- Sauté it: Medium heat, olive oil, 2–3 min per side. Hello golden edges.
- Roast it: 400 °F, 5–6 min. Spread out those suckers—no overcrowding.
Using pre-cooked shrimp? Thaw, pat dry, done. Raw shrimp? Devein, tail off, quick lime marinade (10 min) for bonus wow.
🌀 Assembly Time
- Whisk lime, lemon, olive oil, salt, pepper, cilantro. Dressing = ready.
- Toss shrimp in half the dressing so flavor sticks around.
- Add tomatoes, cucumber, red onion. Stir like you mean it.
- Gently fold in avocado cubes last. Protect the precious.
- Splash remaining dressing, sprinkle jalapeño. Stand back and admire.
Presentation hack: Use butter-lettuce cups or tostada shells for crowd-pleasing handhelds.
💦 Dressing That Does Heavy Lifting
Base recipe:
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Pinch salt + cracked pepper
Shake until it emulsifies (aka looks glossy). Want personality?
- Smoky mood → add ¼ tsp smoked paprika.
- Earthy vibe → pinch of cumin.
- Keto boost → extra spoon of oil.
Store leftover dressing in a jar up to 3 days—shake and repeat.
🎨 Remix Zone
Need change? Steal these:
- Tropical: Swap tomatoes for mango chunks.
- Baconator: Crumble crispy bacon. Zero apologies.
- Plant power: Add black beans or chickpeas.
- Low-carb twist: Drop the corn, double avocado.
- Heat seeker: Extra jalapeño or a dusting of chili powder.
Remember: Your salad, your circus.
🩺 Why Your Body Loves It
| Per Serving | Amount | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ≈370 | Light but filling |
| Protein | 28 g | Muscles say thanks |
| Fiber | 7 g | Happy gut dance |
| Vitamin C | 20 % DV | Immune flex |
Heart-healthy fats, zero processed junk. Chef’s kiss 🙂
❄️ Store It Like a Boss
- Keep components separate when meal-prepping.
- Press plastic wrap directly on leftover avocado to slow browning.
- Chill assembled salad up to 24 hrs—eat cold for best texture.
- Freezer? Hard pass. Citrus + shrimp = rubber shoes.
🤔 FAQ Lightning Round
Frozen shrimp okay?
Yep—thaw overnight, pat dry, proceed.
Stop avocado turning brown?
Toss cubes in extra lime juice ASAP.
Need more protein?
Grilled chicken or white fish steps in. Veggie mode: marinated chickpeas.
Make-ahead friendly?
Absolutely. Mix veggies + dressing day before, add shrimp & avo last minute.
No cilantro fan?
Use parsley, basil, or dill. Dried herbs work—just use one-third the fresh amount.
🔥 Final Crunch
In under 20 minutes you get sunshine on a plate: zesty shrimp, creamy avocado, and enough crunch to keep things interesting. I dare you not to make it twice this week.
Try it tonight, snap a pic, tag me, and brag—I’ll cheer you on from my kitchen. 😉
