Zesty Citrus Shrimp Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 6 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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If you're craving something light, fresh, and absolutely bursting with flavor, this Zesty Citrus Shrimp Salad is your answer. It's the kind of dish that makes you feel like you're on a sunny beach, even if you're just in your kitchen. Perfect for a quick summer meal or a fancy starter for a dinner party, this salad is as vibrant as it is satisfying.

Ingredients for Zesty Citrus Shrimp Salad

Large shrimp are the star of the show, providing a lean source of protein with a mild, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with citrus. The lime juice and orange juice create a zesty marinade that brightens the shrimp. A touch of olive oil helps carry the flavors, while honey balances the acidity. Salt and black pepper add the essential seasoning.

For the salad, cucumber adds crunch, cherry tomatoes bring sweetness, and red onion provides a bit of bite. The avocado is creamy and rich, and cilantro offers a hint of herbaceous freshness. Mixed salad greens serve as a crisp, leafy base. Finally, lime slices are a lovely garnish that adds a pop of color.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, buy pre-cooked shrimp and just marinate them briefly before tossing them in the salad.
  • To avoid watery salad, seed the cucumber before dicing.
  • For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.

Serving Suggestions

This salad shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside some crusty bread or a light quinoa pilaf. If you're feeling indulgent, a sprinkle of feta cheese adds a tangy twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before marinating.
What can I use instead of cilantro?
If you're not a fan of cilantro, fresh basil or parsley would work nicely as alternatives.
How long will the salad keep?
The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to a day. Add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.

Zesty Citrus Shrimp Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by making the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. You want it nice and smooth so that it coats the shrimp evenly.

Add your peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl. Toss them gently to ensure they're all well-coated. Let them sit and soak in all that citrusy goodness for about 15 minutes. This is your ticket to flavor town!

While the shrimp are marinating, prepare your salad ingredients. Dice up the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the cilantro. Dice the avocado last to keep it from browning.

Once the shrimp have marinated, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. They should be nice and juicy, not rubbery.

In a large salad bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Add the cooked shrimp along with the mixed salad greens. Give everything a good toss so all the ingredients are mingled and coated with any residual dressing.

Garnish with lime slices for an extra zesty finish, and serve the salad immediately to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy — ready in just 30 minutes!
  • A delightful mix of textures and flavors.
  • Healthy and refreshing, perfect for warm weather.
  • Simple ingredients that pack a punch.

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 cups mixed salad greens
1 lime, sliced for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the shrimp to the bowl, toss to coat, and marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
4. In a large salad bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
5. Add cooked shrimp to the salad bowl and toss with mixed salad greens.
6. Garnish with lime slices and serve immediately.

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