Creamy Avocado Shrimp Salad Recipe

Quick & Fresh: Avocado Shrimp Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Summer’s vibrant colors burst through this zesty avocado shrimp salad recipe that dances with fresh, bold flavors.

Cool, succulent shrimp mingle with creamy avocado chunks in a light, refreshing ensemble.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and tangy notes that awaken your palate.

Crisp greens provide a delightful crunch alongside perfectly seasoned seafood.

The bright, citrusy dressing ties every ingredient together in a harmonious blend.

Quick to assemble and packed with nutrition, this salad turns an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience.

You’ll fall in love with this elegant yet simple dish that screams summer on a plate.

Creative Flavor Combos for Avocado Shrimp Salad

  • Seafood Selection Secrets: Choose fresh, wild-caught shrimp for the best flavor and texture. Opt for medium-sized shrimp that cook quickly and provide the perfect bite in your salad.
  • Avocado Ripeness Hack: Select avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren't mushy. Overripe avocados can turn your salad into a soggy mess, while underripe ones lack that creamy smoothness.
  • Flavor Boosting Tricks: Experiment with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley as alternatives to dill. A dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of smoked paprika can elevate the salad's flavor profile and add an unexpected kick.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors intensify. Store in an airtight container and enjoy within 24-48 hours for maximum freshness. Pro tip: add extra lime juice before serving to brighten up the flavors if the salad has been refrigerated overnight.

How to Serve Avocado Shrimp Salad Light and Fresh

  • Picnic Perfect Platter: Spread the avocado shrimp salad on a large wooden board with crispy crackers, lemon wedges, and fresh herbs for a stunning presentation that invites guests to dive in.
  • Sandwich Sensation: Scoop the chilled salad into soft butter lettuce leaves or between toasted sourdough bread slices for a refreshing lunch option that packs incredible flavor.
  • Elegant Appetizer Approach: Serve small portions in fancy shot glasses or mini martini glasses, garnished with a tiny dill sprig and a small shrimp on top for a sophisticated party starter that looks professionally prepared.
  • Mediterranean Twist: Transform the salad by adding kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to give it a Greek-inspired Mediterranean flair that elevates the entire dish.

Storage Notes for Avocado Shrimp Salad

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 2 days. Seal tightly to prevent flavor loss and maintain crisp textures.
  • Quick Ingredient Separation: Store shrimp and avocado separately if preparing ahead. Mix components just before serving to prevent avocado from browning and maintain optimal crunchiness of vegetables.
  • Temperature Management: Always refrigerate immediately after preparing. Cold temperatures help stabilize the mayonnaise and prevent bacterial growth, ensuring safe consumption within recommended timeframes.
  • Portion Control Strategy: Consider dividing the salad into individual meal-prep containers. This approach simplifies grab-and-go lunches and helps control serving sizes for health-conscious individuals.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 40-70 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Avocado Shrimp Salad Ingredient Rundown

For Protein:
  • Raw Shrimp: Wild-caught swimmers packed with lean protein, choose plump and firm specimens with a mild ocean scent.
  • Bay Leaf: Traditional aromatic herb that subtly elevates seafood's natural essence.
For Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
  • Fresh Dill Weed, Green Onion: Vibrant herbs that inject bright, zesty notes and herbaceous undertones into the salad.
  • Dill Sprigs: Delicate garnish that adds visual appeal and extra herbal punch.
For Binding and Enhancing:
  • Mayonnaise: Silky binding agent that creates luxurious creamy texture.
  • Lime: Tangy citrus fruit that awakens and balances other ingredients' flavors.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that amplify and round out the dish's taste profile.
  • Celery: Crisp vegetable providing delightful textural contrast and subtle peppery crunch.
  • Avocado: Buttery fruit delivering rich, smooth consistency and healthy fats.
For Cooking Base:
  • Water: Neutral liquid medium for gently poaching shrimp.
  • Lime Juice: Acidic component that helps tenderize and enhance seafood's natural sweetness.

What You Need to Make Avocado Shrimp Salad

  • Large pot: Essential for boiling and flavoring shrimp with herbs and spices.
  • Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining shrimp, avocado, and other ingredients.
  • Cutting board: Needed for dicing avocado, celery, and green onions.
  • Sharp knife: Crucial for precise chopping and mincing ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately season the salad with salt and lime juice.
  • Slotted spoon: Useful for removing cooked shrimp from boiling water.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for gentle mixing and stirring ingredients.

How to Toss Together Avocado Shrimp Salad

  • Ocean Fresh Catch

Plump shrimp transform into tender morsels through a delicate poaching process. Fragrant herbs and zesty lime create a delicious underwater bath that gently cooks the seafood.

  • Green Creamy Companions

Ripe avocado chunks blend with crisp celery and bright green onions, creating a vibrant landscape of textures and flavors. These ingredients dance together, promising a refreshing coastal experience.

  • Silky Binding

Creamy mayonnaise weaves through the salad, connecting each ingredient with a smooth, luxurious embrace. This white sauce softens edges and pulls the entire dish into harmonious balance.

  • Flavor Fusion

Allow the salad to rest in the cool sanctuary of your refrigerator. During this quiet pause, flavors mingle and deepen, developing a more complex and satisfying taste profile.

  • Serving Celebration

Scoop the chilled salad onto a beautiful plate, letting the colors and textures tell a story of oceanic freshness. Enjoy immediately as a light lunch or elegant starter that whispers of seaside adventures.

Print
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Creamy Avocado Shrimp Salad Recipe

Creamy Avocado Shrimp Salad


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 40-70 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Greek-inspired avocado shrimp salad blends Mediterranean flavors with creamy textures and zesty notes. Fresh ingredients combine perfectly, offering a light yet satisfying meal that delights palates and nourishes bodies.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) raw shrimp, de-veined
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 quarts water
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 lime
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp lime juice
  • 0.5 cup finely chopped celery
  • 0.33 cup chopped green onion
  • 3 tbsps minced fresh dill weed
  • 2 sprigs of dill weed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • fresh cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Meticulously clean shrimp, removing dark vein to ensure pristine protein quality for the salad.
  2. Poaching Liquid: Craft an aromatic base by blending water, lime essence, dill sprigs, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper in a large pot, allowing herbs to release their nuanced flavors.
  3. Cooking Technique: Delicately submerge shrimp into simmering liquid, poaching for 2-3 minutes until transforming from translucent to soft opaque white, maintaining precise texture.
  4. Cooling Process: Immediately transfer shrimp to ice bath, rapidly chilling to interrupt cooking and preserve tender, succulent consistency.
  5. Ingredient Composition: Precisely dice avocado into uniform cubes, finely slice celery and green onions, and mince fresh dill to distribute aromatic elements evenly throughout the salad.
  6. Flavor Melding: Integrate cooled shrimp with prepared vegetables in a mixing bowl, drizzling lime juice to elevate brightness and introduce vibrant citrus undertones.
  7. Creamy Binding: Gently fold mayonnaise into the mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating and creating a luxurious, harmonious consistency that binds all components together.
  8. Seasoning Refinement: Carefully adjust salt and pepper, tasting and fine-tuning to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile that highlights each ingredient’s unique characteristics.
  9. Resting Period: Chill salad for 30-60 minutes, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, integrated taste that will tantalize the palate when served.

Notes

  • Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Monitor cooking time closely to avoid tough, rubbery texture; remove shrimp immediately when they turn opaque white.
  • Chill Quickly: Shock shrimp in ice bath right after poaching to stop cooking process and maintain delicate, tender texture.
  • Master Flavor Infusion: Let poaching liquid simmer with herbs for several minutes before adding shrimp to maximize aromatic depth.
  • Marinate for Maximum Taste: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and develop a more complex, harmonious flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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