Shrimp Avocado Salad

with Zingy Grapefruit and Lime Dressing

A colorful shrimp and avocado salad sits on a white plate with bright red radishes, pink grapefruit, red onion, and cooked shrimp
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Shrimp Recipe | Spanish | Mediterranean Recipe | One-Pot | No Cooking | Easy Dinner Recipe | Healthy Recipe | Dairy-Free | High in Protein | Low-Carb | Keto Diet Friendly | 15-Minute Meal

Shrimp Avocado Salad with Zingy Grapefruit and Lime Dressing is a light, refreshing summer salad recipe that can be made in around 15 minutes with no cooking required! 

With the mouthwatering combination of avocado and shrimp, the salad is layered with your greens of choice, ripe slices of avocado, red onion, shrimp, and sweet wedges of pink grapefruit, all topped with a refreshing lime dressing that has a hint of ginger. 

Its nutritious, low-carb (17.2 g), high in protein (14 g), and can be easily made to suit the Keto diet. Most importantly, shrimp avocado salad is super easy to make and tastes like summer! Bring it on!

Serving:

2-3 people

Ready in:

15 minutes

Skill level:

Very easy

Serve with:

Good on its own!

How to Make Shrimp Avocado Salad

Ingredients List

(serves 2-3 people)

For the salad:

  • 7 oz / 200 grams cooked shrimp (40-60 grade size)
  • 1 large avocado (ripe)
  • 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
  • 5 oz / 150 grams Green leaf salad of choice (we used lamb lettuce)
  • 1 ripe pink grapefruit
  • 8 small radishes (thinly sliced)
  • Cucumber (optional)
  • Sesame seeds (optional)

For the dressing:

    • Juice and zest from 2 limes
    • 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
    • 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt and pepper (for seasoning)

        Equipment needed

        • Microplane
        • A large serving plate or platter
        • A sharp knife

        Come summertime, I’m always on the lookout for salads that are quick and easy to make, offer excellent nutritional value, and most importantly, taste awesome! 

        This Shrimp avocado salad recipe fits the summer vibes perfectly and feels light while being super nutritious, high in protein, low-carb, and can be easily modified to suit whatever diet you’re sticking to over summer. 

        This recipe works particularly well with the Keto diet and all you’ll need to do is simply omit the pink grapefruit and brown sugar from the ingredients and you’re good to go! 

        Easy shrimp salad recipe

        When it comes to easy summer salads, I always prefer shrimp salad recipes. Shrimp are easy to cook and prepare for a salad, or can easily be found in most supermarkets cooked and ready to go with any salad. 

        The flavors of shrimp also work great with salad ingredients. Pair your shrimp with citrus, avocado, and your choice of green leaves, and you’ve got an easy shrimp salad recipe that can be made in mere minutes! 

        Around plate sit on a wooden counter full of color shrimp avocado salad

        What goes good with shrimp salad?

        For me, shrimp in salads is the summertime equivalent of sizzling Garlic shrimp for winter (also known as Gambas al ajillo in Spain), both recipes just make you feel so happy and offer comfort from the weather! 

        So, when the sun is out and you’re looking for something to go with your shrimp in a salad, there are plenty of options! 

        Try using salad ingredients that have a sweet/sour combination to enhance the flavors of the sweet shrimp flavors. 

        Shrimp and avocado

        Shrimp and avocado are a match made in heaven! They both have a soft texture, and the sweet flavor of the cooked shrimp pairs perfectly with the subtle avocado flavors. 

        Shrimp and citrus

        Shrimp and citrus fruits work great too. We’ve used Grapefruit and Lime for this recipe as it’s peak grapefruit season here in Spain, but we’ve also used oranges, and mandarins in this salad too and they also work great. 

        Shrimp and cucumber

        Shrimp and cucumber work well as the soft texture and flavor of cucumber doesn’t overwhelm the shrimp flavors. Shrimp and radishes, yep, that’ll work! Shrimp and peppers, yep, that’ll work too! 

        Shrimp with grapefruit and other fruits

        When it comes to fruits, Honey Dew Melon and Mango work well with shrimp in salads. We’ve used pink grapefruit as it has the perfect zingy sweet citrus flavors that work well with the sweet and zingy lime and ginger dressing.

        A round plate sit on a wooden counter full of color shrimp avocado salad

        Shrimp salad dressing

        When it comes to dressings you’ve really got two excellent options, both work equally well so it’s really a personal choice on which tastes better for you. 

        The creamy salad dressing

        Ah yes, I remember those hazy summer days back in the 80s when Mom or Nan would swoon by offering a tray of Shrimp Cocktail, assembled in little glasses with little shrimp tails flailing around amongst a bed of lettuce and a super-rich creamy sauce. 

        The citrus-based salad dressing

        Citrus fruit and shrimp work great together, so it’s totally worth making a salad dressing using fresh lime. And, what goes well with lime? That’s right, ginger and grapefruit! 

        We’ve used large segments of grapefruit in this shrimp avocado salad recipe so the lime in the dressing will bring out the citrus flavors without overpowering the shrimp and avocado. The ginger brings a little spice that keeps the dressing fresh and zingy. 

        Keto-friendly salad dressing

        If you’re looking to make this recipe while on the Keto diet, you’ll just need to omit the pink grapefruit and brown sugar. Then you have a high protein, low-carb, keto-friendly salad that’s nutritious and super tasty! Try 5 more keto friendly recipes. 

        Tips for making shrimp avocado salad

        The best thing about this recipe is it requires no cooking and can be made in around 15 minutes from start to finish. You don’t need any fancy equipment, and this salad can easily be made while on a picnic, you just need a large plate or platter for serving! 

        1. Make the dressing first so the lime and other ingredients have a little time to marinade. 
        2. Use pre-cooked shrimp available from most supermarkets or fishmongers. It’ll save you some time and if possible find prepared shrimp (heads and peel removed). 
        3. Layer the salad on a platter or plate. Start with the green leaves, then avocado, cucumber and radish slices, shrimp, sliced red onion, and then add the dressing last. 

        And that’s it, you’ve got a super healthy and nutritious summer salad that’s bright and colorful and has amazing sweet and zingy citrus flavors!

        A colorful shrimp and avocado salad sits on a white plate with bright red radishes, pink grapefruit, red onion, and cooked shrimp

        Shrimp Avocado Salad with Zingy Grapefruit and Lime Dressing

        Byron
        Shrimp Avocado Salad with Zingy Grapefruit and Lime Dressing is a light, refreshing summer salad recipe that can be made in around 15 minutes with no cooking required!
        With the mouthwatering combination of avocado and shrimp, the salad is layered with your greens of choice, ripe slices of avocado, red onion, shrimp, and sweet wedges of pink grapefruit, all topped with a refreshing lime dressing that has a hint of ginger.
        5 from 13 votes
        Print Recipe Pin Recipe
        Prep Time 15 minutes
        Cook Time 0 minutes
        Total Time 15 minutes
        Course easy lunch, Salad, Side Dish
        Cuisine American, latin american, spanish
        Servings 3 People
        Calories 302 kcal

        Equipment

        • 1 Microplane
        • 1 Large serving plate or platter (12-14 inches in diameter is perfect)
        • Sharp knife For cutting the grapefruit

        Ingredients

        For the salad

        • 200 grams cooked shrimp (7 oz) 40-60 grade size
        • 1 large Avocado ripe
        • 1 red onion thinly sliced
        • 150 grams Green leaf salad of choice (5 oz) we used lamb lettuce
        • 1 ripe pink grapefruit
        • 8 small radishes thinly sliced
        • cucumber optional
        • sesame seeds optional

        For the dressing:

        • Juice and zest from 2 Limes
        • 1 teaspoon of grated Ginger
        • 1 teaspoon of Brown Sugar
        • 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
        • Salt and Pepper for seasoning

        Instructions
         

        Step 1 - Make the dressing

        • In a small bowl add the lime juice, grated ginger, brown sugar, olive oil, and mix well until the brown sugar has dissolved and you’ve got a good consistency for the dressing.
          A small dish sits filled with some brown sugar, ginger, olive oil, and lime halves
        • Season to taste with a little salt and/or pepper.
          some coarse sea salt sits in a glass bowl
        • If it’s too thick, add a splash more olive oil until you get the desired consistency (it should be runny with no big lumps).
          Olive oil is poured into a small clear glass

        Step 2 - Make the salad

        • On a large plate or platter, lay out some green leaves of choice (we used lamb lettuce).
          Lambs lettuce lays on a white plate
        • Add the sliced cucumber and radishes.
          Sliced cucumber and radish sits on some lambs lettuce on a plate
        • Next, slice the avocado in half and remove the seed. Slice the avocado into thin 1/8-inch (3mm) slices and layer on top of the greens.
          Sliced avocado, cucumber, and radishes sits on a bed of lambs lettuce on a white plate
        • Remove the peel and white membrane from the pink grapefruit with a sharp knife. Carefully cut the grapefruit in half and then into wedges. Add the wedges to the salad.
        • Add the cooked shrimp and sprinkle some of the finely sliced red onion on top.
          Shrimp avocado salad sits on a white plate with a rustic blue board background
        • Finally, drizzle the dressing over the salad and sprinkle some sesame seeds over.

        Video

        Notes

        Storage  

        For best results, serve immediately. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Avocado tends to go brown after 6 hours of being opened.

        Nutrition

        Shrimp avocado salad is very nutritious. It is low in calories, low-carb, high in protein, and offers many essential minerals and nutrients.
        To make this recipe KETO-Friendly, remove the grapefruit and brown sugar. 
        Shrimp avocado salad nutritional facts sheet

        Shrimp avocado salad nutritional facts sheet

        Tags
        Gluten-free, Keto-friendly, made in 15 minutes, summer salad recipe, summer, high in protein, low-carb, low calorie, Shrimp, Avocado, Shrimp Avocado Salad, healthy meals
         
        Keyword 15-minute-meal, avocado, grapefruit, high protein, Keto-friendly, lime, low carb, salad, salad dressing, shrimp, Shrimp avocado salad, tangy

        Shrimp Avocado Salad – Tips and FAQs

        Is shrimp avocado salad healthy?

        It sure is! This recipe is low-carb and packed full of nutrients. Based on a single serving of 120 grams, this recipe has just 302 calories and 

        • Carbs 17.2g 
        • Fiber 6.4g 
        • Protein 14g 
        • Iron 2mg
        • Potassium 656mg

        Is shrimp avocado salad easy to make?

        This recipe requires no cooking and can be made in around 15 minutes. We’ve added some easy-to-follow step-by-step recipe instructions below. 

        • Prep time: 15 minutes
        • Cook time: ZERO
        • Total time: 15 Minutes

        Is this recipe suitable for the Keto Diet?

        • Almost! You’ll need to omit the brown sugar and the grapefruit from the recipe and then you’ve got a healthy and nutritious summer salad that is suited to the keto diet. 

        Is shrimp OK on a Keto Diet?

        Good news! Shrimp, fish, and even shellfish are all Keto-friendly. Some more good news, Shrimp contain no carbs. 

        Are salads OK on Keto?

        Salads that are low-carb are excellent meal options while on the Keto diet. 

        Does avocado have carbs?

        An average-sized avocado contains around 11 grams of carbohydrates. Avocados also contain 

        • Net carbs 2.5g 
        • Fat 19.9g
        • Protein 2.7g 
        • Calories 218

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