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Lime Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe for Fresh Summer Meals

A fresh and light summer salad combining zesty lime, succulent shrimp, and creamy avocado with mixed greens and a bright citrus dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the salad

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 4 cups mixed baby greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking

For the lime dressing

  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2-3 limes)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Lime Dressing: Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, and cumin in a small bowl until smooth and slightly emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
  • Cook the Shrimp: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bottoms turn pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until completely pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Prepare the Vegetables: Dice avocados into 1/2 inch cubes and toss lightly with lime juice to prevent browning. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the red onion as thinly as possible. Rinse and thoroughly dry the mixed greens if needed.
  • Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion slices. Add the cooled shrimp and gently toss with about half the dressing. Carefully fold in the diced avocado, being gentle to prevent mashing.
  • Final Touches and Serving: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top and drizzle with remaining dressing as desired. Give everything one final, gentle toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt or lime juice.

Notes

Make the dressing up to 2 days in advance. Cook shrimp earlier in the day and chill - they're delicious served cold. Don't overdress initially, avoid adding avocado too early to prevent mushiness, and pat shrimp dry before cooking. Store leftovers up to 24 hours, though components are best stored separately. Cooked shrimp and dressing can be refrigerated up to 3 days separately.