Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients—fresh, ripe avocado and perfectly cooked shrimp make all the difference. When shopping, I always pick shrimp that’s firm and smells clean, and avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren’t mushy. The lime should be juicy and bright, adding that essential citrus punch. I keep things simple with a handful of herbs and veggies that enhance the flavors without overpowering them. If you’re ever short on shrimp, cooked chicken or canned beans can work as easy substitutes.
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and ground cumin.
- Add the shrimp to the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook—they should be juicy and tender. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- While the shrimp cooks, prepare your dressing by whisking together the lime juice, honey, remaining olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño if using.
- Add the cooked shrimp to the bowl, then drizzle the lime dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together to coat, being careful not to mash the avocado.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad, recipe, cooking, food
