Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro
Bright and fresh grilled shrimp tossed with creamy avocado and crisp greens, dressed in a zesty lime-cilantro vinaigrette. This latin american-inspired salads ready in about 26 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, lime juice into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 medium ripe avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp extra lime juice for dressing
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with slight char marks.
- Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, 1 diced ripe avocado, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 4: For the dressing, whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tsp honey until smooth. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently.
- Step 5: Top the salad with the grilled shrimp and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 26 minutes (20 min prep + 6 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Cilantro?
Latin American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
