This Easy Cold Shrimp and Avocado Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Combining succulent shrimp with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and zesty lime, this salad is both nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (see notes for alternatives)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup chopped avocado, sliced into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped jalapeño (adjust to suit your taste)
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 8 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/2-1 fresh lime, juice of (adjust to taste; see notes)
- 2 teaspoons fresh chopped basil (or dried if fresh is unavailable)
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp:
- In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let the shrimp cool completely.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
- While the shrimp cool, chop the avocado, red onion, jalapeño, cucumber, cilantro, and cherry tomatoes.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped avocado, red onion, jalapeño, cucumber, cilantro, and cherry tomatoes.
- Add the cooled shrimp to the bowl.
- Dress the Salad:
- Pour the last tablespoon of olive oil over the salad.
- Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime over the salad and toss gently to combine. Sample the flavor and adjust with additional lime juice if needed.
- Sprinkle the fresh chopped basil over the salad and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors combine.
- Serve the salad cold, garnished with extra cilantro or basil if desired.
Conclusion
This Easy Cold Shrimp and Avocado Salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it an ideal dish for a hot day or when you need a quick and healthy meal. The combination of zesty lime, fresh herbs, and tender shrimp is sure to delight your taste buds. Enjoy this refreshing salad on its own or as part of a larger meal!