Description
A fresh and flavorful Shrimp and Avocado Salad combining tender boiled shrimp with creamy avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and a zesty lime-cilantro dressing. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer, this salad comes together quickly with simple ingredients and vibrant tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil Water: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add a pinch of salt to season the cooking water.
- Cook Shrimp: Carefully add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook them for 2-3 minutes, until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Chill Shrimp: Remove the shrimp from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and cool them down completely.
- Drain Shrimp: Drain the cooled shrimp thoroughly and set aside for further preparation.
- Prepare Avocados: Peel the avocados, discard the pits and skin, then dice the flesh into small cubes.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes and place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Chop Cilantro: Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the mixing bowl.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder.
- Whisk Dressing: Whisk the ingredients together until well combined and smooth.
- Season Dressing: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting for seasoning preferences.
- Chop Shrimp: Once the shrimp are completely cool, chop them into bite-sized pieces and add to the mixing bowl.
- Toss Ingredients: Gently toss the shrimp, avocado cubes, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro together to combine evenly.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently again until everything is evenly coated.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if needed to suit your preference.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for best freshness or refrigerate it for up to one hour before serving to let flavors meld.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
- Avocados should be ripe but firm to hold shape in the salad.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to one hour prior to serving.
- Adjust the chili powder quantity based on preferred spice level.
