Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Citrus Dressing
In short: Seared garlic-paprika shrimp over salad leaves with sliced avocado, orange segments and a citrus dressing. Ready in 30 minutes. It takes about 26 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 6 min
- Total
- 26 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Sweet shrimp, soft avocado and juicy orange segments work together because each one balances the others. The shrimp cook in minutes with garlic and paprika, and the dressing is made from the orange juice you catch while cutting the fruit. Serve the salad while the shrimp are still slightly warm. It makes a light dinner on a hot evening and looks good enough for guests.
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and toss them with the paprika, grated garlic and salt.
- Cut the peel and white pith from the oranges with a sharp knife, then cut out the segments over a bowl to catch the juice. Squeeze the membranes too. You need 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of juice.
- Whisk the 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the orange juice, lime juice, honey, salt and chili flakes to make the dressing.
- Heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side, until pink, curled and opaque all the way through. Do not overcook them.
- Arrange the salad leaves on a platter and top with the avocado slices, orange segments, red onion and warm shrimp.
- Spoon over the dressing, scatter the cilantro on top and serve straight away.
Tips
- Buy shrimp that are firm and smell of the sea, not of ammonia. Frozen raw shrimp are fine: thaw them in the fridge overnight and pat them dry before cooking.
- Cut the avocado at the last minute. A ripe one gives slightly when pressed at the stem end, and a little lime juice on the slices keeps them green.
Questions and answers
How do I know when shrimp are cooked?
They turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape. A tight O shape means they are overcooked. Large shrimp take about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Can I use cooked shrimp?
Yes. Skip the pan and toss them in the dressing, then serve cold or warm them briefly. Thaw frozen cooked shrimp and pat them dry first.
Can I make shrimp avocado salad ahead of time?
Cook the shrimp and make the dressing up to a day ahead and chill both. Slice the avocado and assemble the salad just before serving so it stays green.
How long does it take to make Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Citrus Dressing?
About 26 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 6 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Citrus Dressing?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
